Overview

This Molecular Microbiology and Immunology MSc program at University of Southern California provides extensive theoretical preparation in combination with hands-on research, where students are trained in research laboratories located on the Health Sciences Campus (HSC), comprising the Keck Medical School, the School of Pharmacy, and the Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, or located at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA).

Students will attend required core courses in microbiology, virology, and immunology. They will also have the option of taking elective classes on a variety of topics, such as cell biology, biochemistry, cancer biology, molecular genetics, virology, cellular physiology, stem cell biology, methods in experimental pathology, and English writing skills (for international students).

In parallel to the coursework, a second major emphasis of our training program is laboratory research, where students join one of the many research groups on the HSC or at CHLA and participate in ongoing, cutting-edge biomedical research. A great diversity of research areas is available at USC and includes themes in virology (AIDS, hepatitis, herpes, papilloma, virus-induced cancers, viral pathogenesis), immunology (vaccine development, autoimmune diseases, allergy, asthma, immune therapy, immune evasion by viruses), cancer (oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, cell cycle, apoptosis, signal transduction, drug development, mechanisms of virally-induced cancers, chemical carcinogenesis), stem cells (cancer and embryonic), premature ageing (Werner syndrome, Progeria), and others. Selection of a laboratory for rotation or for optional thesis work is determined by mutual agreement between the student and the respective lab leader.

Employment opportunities with an MS from this Molecular Microbiology and Immunology program are envisioned in:

Academic research: universities, institutes, not-for-profit research centers (research and teaching)
Academic teaching: community college, primary and secondary schools, technical and specialty schools
Industry: biotech, pharma, petrol, dairies, breweries (research and development, vaccines, food and beverage production, sales and technical representation, etc.)
Health care: hospitals and health care providers (medical technology, diagnostic laboratory)
Law firms (patents, intellectual property rights, technology transfer, toxic torts)
Environmental organizations (advisory, management, planning)
Government (public health, waste management, EPA, FDA, NIH, etc.)
Publishing: journalism, journal editor.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Medical Microbiology

Immunology

Molecular and Cellular Immunology

Current Topics in Immunology

Cell Biology

Microbial Pathogenesis

Infection and Host Response

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-08-24 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-05-01 00:00:00

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

34 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Los Angeles, United States

Disciplines

Microbiology Molecular Sciences Immunology View 34 other Masters in Immunology in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

GRE^®

Required

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Applicants to this master’s program are expected to have a bachelor’s degree in science (usually biology, chemistry, or physics) from an accredited college or university.

Completed online application

Statement of purpose (1-2 pages)

Resume or CV

Three letters of recommendation

Transcripts from all previously attended post-secondary institutions

Standardized test score (GRE, MCAT)

International Students Additional Requirements

Official transcripts from all foreign institutions attended

Official TOEFL/IELTS scores

Statement for Financing Studies at USC.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

73260 USD / year

≈ 73260 USD / year
Out-of-State

73260 USD / year

≈ 73260 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

73260 USD / year

≈ 73260 USD / year

Living costs

Los Angeles

United States

1520 - 2570 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Molecular Microbiology and Immunology.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Employment opportunities with an MS from this Molecular Microbiology and Immunology program are envisioned in:

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Los Angeles

Financing

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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