Program

The Graduate Program in Bacteriology (GPiB) teaches students to identify and address outstanding questions in microbiology using classical and modern approaches. In addition to participating in courses and paracurricular activities associated with their home programs, students engage with the GPiB community in courses, paracurricular events, social hours, and more. By focusing on practical skills, scientific knowledge, and professional networking, we prepare our graduates for a full range of scientific and biomedical careers.

Scientific Training

Coursework

Students in GPiB take foundational coursework through their individual PhD programs. You can find more information on the full curriculum for individual programs such as Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Biological Sciences in Public Health, and Chemical Biology on their websites.

In addition to the curriculum through their programs, GPiB students take specialized courses in bacteriology. Our two required courses are "Molecular Biology of the Bacterial Cell" (Micro 201) and "Mechanisms of Bacterial Pathogenesis and Host Immune Response" (Micro 202). Micro 201 serves as an introduction to the cellular and molecular biology of bacteria, covering topics from cell envelope biogenesis to the regulation of chromosome replication and the SOS response. Through critical discussion of both classic and modern papers, students learn experimental approaches, logic, and outstanding questions and practice scientific communication. Micro 202 likewise uses critical paper discussions to emphasize themes of pathogenesis, including bacterial secretion systems, mechanisms of entry into host cells, and the host innate and adaptive immunity. Students practice both oral and written scientific communication through figure presentation and crafting a research proposal.

Students also have access to optional electives in a wide range of topics to fit their interests and professional goals. These include courses in the microbiome, immunology, computational skills, data analysis, drug and vaccines development, antibiotic resistance, and many more. See this page for a list of microbiology and infectious diseases courses across Harvard.

Science Communication

GPiB students receive practical, hands-on training presenting and discussing their data at all stages in the program. They receive peer mentorship during qualifying exams, take classes where presentation of data is an integral part of the coursework, and are paired with a team of faculty and student mentors to deliver a presentation of their research to our bacteriology community. Students also share their science in an informal student-run data club.

Research Skills Training

Trainees have access to courses in biostatistics, the manipulation of genomic datasets, and quantitative image analysis at HMS and HSPH. In addition, GPiB students have access to workshops and short courses that explore topics and skills critical for bacteriologists, ranging from single-cell RNASeq to time-lapse fluorescence microscopy to making publication quality figures.

GPiB students also present and participate in seminars, informal research updates, retreats, journal clubs, and symposia in our research community. See Community Events page for more.

Career and Professional Development

Career chats

GPiB hosts career chats with departmental seminar speakers, GPiB faculty, or alumni in a wide range of non-academic careers. These informal chats are a chance for students to learn about potential career paths and the steps for entering them.

Alumni mentor database

GPiB students have access to a database of former students and postdocs from our community who have agreed to serve as career mentors. Through this network, students can seek tailored advice on potential career paths and the job application process and can connect with alumni for internship and shadowing opportunities.

Additional Resources

Students have extensive access to career exploration, career preparation, and professional development resources through the Harvard Office of Career Services, HMS Program in Graduate Education, and HSPH Office of Career and Professional Development. Additionally, many GPiB students participate in student-run career-focused organizations.

Advising

GPiB hosts advising sessions for students throughout their graduate careers. These include workshops on identifying mentors and thesis labs for first year students, preparing for qualifying exams for second year students, building effective dissertation advisory committees for third year students, and creating plans for defending for senior students.

GPiB’s close community also provides students with a large network of peer and faculty mentors outside of their own labs. In addition, GPiB’s program directors and curriculum fellow provide advising and connect students with courses and resources within GPiB and across the university.