Industry growth and student interest created the perfect opportunity for an MS in Immunology and Microbiology program to emerge as a standalone program at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
Having gained approval at the most recent Board of Regents meeting, proponents of the program have gotten the proposal across the finish line. Since 2019, there has been an Immunology and Microbiology Track in the Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology Program (BSBT-MIM). Over the years, it became evident that there was a real need for this specialized training at the master's level.
“As we started having students come in, we noticed that they're drawn to the track because they really want to do microbiology and immunology. They want to do more bench work,” Dr. Kelly Doran, professor in the Department of Immunology and Microbiology and program director of the MS in Immunology and Microbiology, said.
As the track got started, master’s students were now being integrated into the department and its labs.
“It seemed like it was advantageous for not only the students to get this training, but I think the faculty liked having the students in their labs as well,” Doran said. “Even though it’s a shorter term than a PhD student, it’s nice to have that more short-term project to put you on.”
After graduating from the track, alumni go into industry or continue their academic research path—with many applying to the existing PhD program at CU Anschutz. After several years, Doran says they really felt the track had proven it had real value.
Now, students will have the chance to train more specifically in the only masters in Immunology and Microbiology in Colorado that requires a research-based thesis. It also gives them more time to really dig into and focus on the research they’re already interested in.
“It’s not that the track didn’t work,” Doran said. “This is because it worked. It gave us that excitement to take it a step further.”
Current students in the track are still considered BSBT students until a transfer is completed to another program. After the master’s program has been built out by the registrar, students will be able to initiate the transfer process if desired.
A Model Pathway
As demonstrated interest in the track has led to a standalone program, the MS in Immunology and Microbiology could be seen as a model case for testing future programs through BSBT.
“The BSBT program is an ideal launchpad for future graduate-level academic programming such as graduate certificates and master's programs,” Dr. Kristine Sikora, associate dean of the Graduate School and interim program director for BSBT, said.
BSBT is the only degree-granting program both administered by and housed within the Graduate School rather than in an academic department or school. Sikora and BSBT program administrator, Pat Goggans, work directly with faculty to support and guide them through the process of creating, marketing, managing, and administering the certificate or track.
“This partnership removes the administrative burden from our track directors and enables them to focus on building a strong foundation upon which a standalone program may be built,” Sikora said.
BSBT is one of two Professional Science Master's programs (PSM) within the University of Colorado system and the only PSM at CU Anschutz. The program draws from the advice and expertise of an advisory board made up of campus community members from academia, pharma, business, and biotech.
“We intentionally adapt our curriculum to ensure students are developing skills and knowledge that will give them a competitive edge as they pursue the next step on their career path,” Sikora said.
