Education

Teaching is a primary mission of the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics (MIMG). Our department is uniquely positioned in both the College of Letters and Science and the David Geffen School of Medicine. We provide opportunities for students to work in research labs that span from basic to translational research. We also provide classroom-based education to medical, graduate, and undergraduate students.

Undergraduate Students

Our department offers a BS degree in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, in which we provide an opportunity for all students to carry out primary research. Our faculty also participate in the Graduate Program in Bioscience in which we are primarily associated with the Immunity, Microbes, and Molecular Pathogenesis (IMMP), Cell and Developmental Biology (CDB), and Gene Regulation (GR) home areas of this graduate program.

Undergraduate Overview

Graduate Students & Postdoctoral Scholars

MIMG faculty participate in UCLA’s Graduate Programs in Bioscience (GPB), which houses PhD training across specialized home areas. Because the MIMG department does not grant its own MS or PhD, prospective students apply through GPB, often via the Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Program (MBIDP). Students in MIMG labs build broad molecular and cellular foundations, then specialize through coursework, seminars, and research. Common affiliations include IMMP, BBSB, CDB, and GREAT, with additional options such as MCIP, Bioinformatics, Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, and Systems Biology. This training supports careers in the fields of microbiology, immunology, and molecular genetics across industry, academia, and clinical labs. The large number of postdoctoral fellows in individual laboratories both benefit from and contribute to the educational programs in the MIMG Department.

Graduate Overview

Seminars

The Department offers a range of seminars given by distinguished visitors, departmental faculty and postdoctoral fellows, and students.

Academic Calendars:

List of Courses Offered by the MIMG Department

Undergraduate Courses

For non-majors:

Medical Microbiology for Nursing Students – Lecture (10)
Microbial Laboratory for Professional Schools – Lab (100L)

Lecture courses:

Introductory Microbiology – Lecture (101)
Introductory Virology – Lecture (102)
Biological Microscopy – Lecture (105)
Mouse Molecular Genetics – Lecture (C122)
Cell Biology of the Nucleus – Lecture (132)
Human Genetics and Genomics – Lecture (CM156)
Microbial Genomics – Lecture (158)
Molecular Parasitology – Lecture (168)
Immunology – Lecture (185A)

Laboratory and Research Courses:

Research Immersion Laboratory & Advanced Research Analysis in Virology – Lab (103AL & BL)
Research Immersion Laboratory & Advanced Research Analysis in Microbiology – Lab (109AL & BL)
Scientific Analysis and Communication – Seminar (180A & 180B)
Honors Research Seminars – Seminar (191H)
Research Apprenticeship, Honors Research, and Directed Research – Tutorial (196, 198, & 199)

Graduate Courses