Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology
430 Physical Sciences Building
Telephone (831) 459-4719
https://www.metx.ucsc.edu
Programs Offered
Microbiology B.S.
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology Contiguous Bachelor's/Master's Pathway
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology M.S.
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology Ph.D.
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology Designated Emphasis
Other Programs of Interest
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology Track within the Program in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering (PBSE)
The Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering (PBSE) reflects the interdisciplinary and collaborative nature of biomedical research at University of California, Santa Cruz. PBSE predoctoral fellows have the opportunity to study biology at the molecular, cellular, and systems levels, and can take advantage of advanced laboratory facilities, computational tools, and a highly collaborative research environment. First-year students select research rotations from more than 60 faculty members, who come primarily from the Departments of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, Biomolecular Engineering, Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology (METX). Students interested in this program apply directly to the METX track in the PBSE program.
Undergraduate Program
The METX Department offers a Bachelor's degree in Microbiology. The B.S. major in microbiology is designed for students interested in careers in biomedical, environmental, and basic science fields in both industry and academia. Students are required to take introductory biology and chemistry, microbiology lecture and lab, biochemistry, computational tools, and additional courses directly relevant to microbiology. As a unique feature of this program, students also take a microbiology course with a focus on evaluating relevant scientific articles.
In addition, the program provides unique opportunities for exceptional undergraduates to conduct research in microbiology and environmental toxicology. These opportunities are limited to students who have demonstrated their potential in undergraduate courses in the basic sciences and environmental health. With department approval, these undergraduates may also take graduate courses in microbiology and environmental toxicology, that coursework may be applied toward a graduate degree in microbiology and environmental toxicology if the student is accepted into the program.
Graduate Program
Graduate training in the Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology prepares students to solve important problems in the field of environmental health by providing stimulating coursework, extensive scientific presentation training, and for the research-oriented Ph.D. and M.S. degrees, in-depth research that culminates in a thesis. This program educates students to understand the interplay between microbes, chemical toxins, and health. Graduate training prepares students to work effectively in a complex world, and become leaders in their field. Career paths include: academia, teaching, industry, and government to name a few.