The Microbiology and Immunology Master's Program (MIMS) provides students with a focused education in microbiology and immunology as well as laboratory skills.
UPCOMING EVENT: Microbiology & Immunology Master's Program's Showcase Session
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 12:00 PM until 1:00 PM
Join representatives from the CU Anschutz Microbiology and Immunology program as they present an overview of the master's program. You'll have an opportunity to ask questions about program formats, time commitment, admissions details, and more!
All attendees will receive an application fee waiver.
PROGRAM GOAL
The goal of the MIMS program is to enhance career advancement in education or industry, or prepare a student for a career in research, including further training in graduate and professional programs.
HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE
Importantly, this program provides extensive hands-on research experience, where students are trained in research laboratories located within the Department of Immunology and Microbiology at the University of Colorado Anschutz.
COURSEWORK
Students are required to complete 38 credits, featuring:
> Core course work in Foundations in Biomedical Sciences, Ethics, Scientific Writing, Microbiology and Immunology
> Electives chosen from various discipline
> Participation in cutting-edge research
> The development, writing, and a defense of a thesis
LABORATORY RESEARCH
As a student, you will perform 5-week rotations in 3 labs over the course of one semester, spending a minimum of 10 hours per week in the lab.
You will also, learn about the research and gain hands on experience in several laboratories.
Following the rotations, you will choose a lab to complete their thesis work for the remaining time in the program.
At least 20 hours/week will be spent working in the lab on a research thesis project. This project will be documented as a Master’s thesis and defended orally as a requirement for graduation.
MICROBIOLOGY
- Bacterial pathogenesis
- Viral pathogenesis
- Bacterial physiology
- Microbial Genetics
- Host response
- RNA biology
IMMUNOLOGY
- Immune Surveillance
- Vaccine Development
- Autoimmune Diseases
- Allergy
- Lymphocyte Development
- B and T Cell Lymphomas
MEET THE MIMS TEAM
Kelly Doran, PhD (she/her)
Professor of Immunology & Microbiology
Director, Microbiology and Immunology Masters (MIMS) Program
CU Anschutz School of Medicine
303-724-3539 | [email protected]
Scott Thompson, PhD (he/him)
Instructor of Immunology & Microbiology
Curriculum Director, Microbiology and Immunology Masters (MIMS) Program
CU Anschutz School of Medicine
Aimee Pugh Bernard, PhD
Associate Professor of Immunology & Microbiology
Admissions Chair Microbiology and Immunology Masters (MIMS) Program
CU Anschutz School of Medicine
Nicole B. Ellis (she/her)
Operations Coordinator of Immunology & Microbiology
Program Administrator, Microbiology and Immunology Masters (MIMS) Program
CU Anschutz School of Medicine
[email protected]