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School of Medicine

Immunology and Medical Microbiology, BS

Are you an aspiring healthcare professional, researcher, laboratory professional or educator who is fascinated by the immune system?

The Immunology and Medical Microbiology (IMMB) program will help you develop laboratory skills and knowledge needed to assess the function of the immune system and to safely cultivate and identify microorganisms that cause disease. The engaging, research-intensive curriculum puts you in the lab from your freshman year, providing an excellent foundation for medical, dental or veterinary school; graduate school; and careers in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, public health and more.

Our program fully integrates knowledge of the immune system with an excellent understanding of the mechanisms utilized by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites to cause disease. You will develop the laboratory skills and knowledge needed to assess the function of the immune system and to safely cultivate and identify microorganisms that cause disease in mammals.

Your Degree Plan The WVU Difference Learn by Doing Careers and Outcomes Admission Requirements Tuition and Aid Take the Next Steps

Your Degree Plan

Intro

Aerial view of Martin and Woodburn Halls

Our one-of-a-kind major in immunology and medical microbiology uses a hands-on approach to help students understand the immune system and to prepare them for immediate employment or postgraduate study.

WVU’s BS in IMMB curriculum is a unique combination of two disciplines – immunology and medical microbiology. Our coursework gives you thorough exposure to both disciplines and provides hands-on laboratory experience starting your freshman year.

Direct Entry Graduate Program
IMMB offers well-qualified students the option to gain direct entry into a PhD program, working with the same faculty mentor with whom the student has already built a professional relationship during undergraduate study.

Tailor this major to your interests by taking one of these courses as you pursue your degree:

  • IMMB 201:
    Basic Medical Microbiology

    This course will explore broad aspects of introductory microbiology including microbial cell structure, growth, and metabolism, with an emphasis on microorganisms that cause disease.

  • IMMB 276:
    Principles of Immunobiology

    Study of the basic concepts underlying the mechanisms of innate and adaptive immunity.

  • IMMB 305:
    Microbial Genetics

    Molecular aspects of mutation, gene transfer mechanisms, genetic mapping, and genetic control using bacteria and bacteriophage systems as models.

  • IMMB 310:
    Bacterial Pathogenesis

    Pathogenic bacteriology with an emphasis on the mechanisms of pathogenesis. Topics include microbial adherence, motility, toxin production and mechanisms, and normal flora and disease.

  • IMMB 405:
    Scientific Integrity

    Discussion and review of topics addressing fundamental issues in maintenance of scientific integrity in biomedical research.

  • IMMB 420:
    Molecular Immunobiology

    Study of the structure and function of the families of molecules employed by the immune system to recognize and initiate the immune response and the signaling pathways within the cell involved in the immune system.

  • IMMB 470:
    Medical Virology

    Molecular biology of viruses that are important both biologically and medically. Includes a basic introduction to replication and genetics as well as current topics in moleclar virology.

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart from its competitors?

  • One of two undergraduate programs in the U.S. with a specialization in both medical microbiology and immunology.
  • Only undergraduate immunology and microbiology degree in the U.S. that is housed fully in a school of medicine.
  • IMMB students can apply for competitive research opportunities that allow them to work for 2+ years in a lab with the same faculty mentor, and frequently present their work during WVU’s undergraduate research symposia.
  • As faculty at an R1 institution, our professors are noted in their field – but still committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive community that prioritizes mentorship.
  • Opportunities to build professional relationships and engage in community service through membership in WVU’s student chapter of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM).
  • As part of the WVU Health Sciences Center, you'll enjoy invaluable opportunities for learning how to partner effectively with nursing, medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, public health and allied health professionals-in-training.
Scholarships

93% of WVU freshmen receive grants or scholarships (2023-24).

Learn more

Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

In addition to the IMMB-specific research internship that allows students to work in the same research lab for 2+ years, WVU hosts three undergraduate research symposia each year. IMMB students and their faculty mentors are always well-represented, frequently as category winners and runners-up.

A sample of recent winning research projects is included below:

  • Suppression of Periodontis-Induced Bone Erosion by Haloanilide Drug Candidate ELP-004 – Samantha Antol, Winner – Tie (Health Sciences and Community Health), Spring 2023
  • Humoral Response of Mice Immunized with Lyme Vaccines – Joshua Hall, Winner (Health Sciences and Community Health), Fall 2022
  • Optimization of Whole-Organ Tissue Clearing and Vessel Staining in Conjunction With Light Sheet Microscopy – Linda Ma, Winner (Health Sciences), Summer 2022
  • Transcriptome Signature of Venetoclax: Implications in Multiple Myeloma Therapeutics – Rachel Mangano, Runner-Up (Health Sciences), Summer 2022
  • Helicobacter pylori Evades the Inflammatory Response Within the Mouse Gastric Epithelium – Shrinidhi Venkateshwaraprabu, Runner-Up (Health Sciences), Summer 2022

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Outside of the Evansdale Crossing building.

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We’ll help you follow your curiosity.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $161,180

Possible job titles include: Clinical Program Manager, Clinical Research Coordinator, Clinical Trial Manager, Research Coordinator.

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Bioinformatics Technicians

Apply principles and methods of bioinformatics to assist scientists in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology, computational biology, proteomics, computer information science, biology and medical informatics. Apply bioinformatics tools to visualize, analyze, manipulate or interpret molecular data. May build and maintain databases for processing and analyzing genomic or other biological information.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $71,490

Possible job titles include: Bioinformatics Analyst, Bioinformatics Specialist, Biotechnician, Scientific Informatics Analyst.

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Biological Technicians

Assist biological and medical scientists. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, collect data and samples, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $52,000

Possible job titles include: Biological Technician, Laboratory Technician, Research Associate, Research Technician.

Explore Career

Where our graduates are working

Graduates from this major have gone to work at:

  • Dartmouth
  • Harvard Batista Lab
  • Vanderbilt
  • Viatris
  • WV Innovation Center
  • University of Pittsburgh

Further your education

Many alums of the IMMB program pursue graduate study in in-demand health careers, including epidemiology and other public health careers; bioinformatics; dentistry; medicine; veterinary medicine; microbiology; and more.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to WVU's Immunology and Medical Microbiology major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. They also must meet one of the following admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Tuition and Aid

How much does Immunology and Medical Microbiology at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

View Tuition and Fees

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Find Scholarships

Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

Visit the Net Price Calculator

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Immunology and Medical Microbiology major is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

How to Complete the FAFSA

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

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Learn how to join the WVU family.

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