MI-PHD - Microbiology and Immunology (PhD)

The PhD degree requires coursework and independent research demonstrating an individual’s creative, scholastic, and intellectual abilities. On entering the department, students are oriented to the curriculum and the timetable for completing the degree requirements by the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) and the Student Services Officer (SSO). Typically, students participate in three laboratory rotations (one rotation per quarter) during their first year of study. During the first year of graduate study in the department, each student will also take seven upper-level (200-series) courses, for a total of 10 credits, during this first year.

Application, Admission, and Financial Aid

Students seeking admission to the Microbiology and Immunology PhD program typically have an undergraduate major in biological sciences, but majors from other areas are acceptable if the applicant has sufficient coursework or interest in the field. Information for prospective students can be found on the Stanford Biosciences website. Applications should be submitted at the Office of Graduate Admissions website. The GRE is not required to apply for a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology.

Without independent fellowship support, entering predoctoral students are fully supported with a stipend and tuition award. Highly qualified applicants may be honored by a nomination for a Stanford Graduate Fellowship. Successful applicants have been competitive for predoctoral fellowships, such as those from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.

Application Deadline – Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 11:59:59 PM (PST)

Interview Session - Wednesday, March 4 through Saturday, March 8, 2026