Virology

Program of Study The Virology Program includes graduate study in molecular cell biology, molecular genetics, structural biology, virology, and immunology. The core of the program is mentored laboratory research. The 50 independent virology laboratories at Harvard offer a broad spectrum of research activities including the molecular mechanisms of virus effects in infection, latency, persistence, immune evasion, signal transduction, cell cycle control, transcriptional regulation, protein processing, macromolecular assembly, protein structure, immune responses, and pathogenesis, as well as the development and use of viral expression vectors in cell and developmental biology and medicine.

In their first and second years, students are advised by the Student Advisory Committee, which meets with the student at the beginning of each of the first three terms to discuss courses and laboratory research rotations or other academic matters of concern to individual students.

Students are expected to attain graduate-level competence in biochemistry, cell biology, molecular genetics, and animal virology.

Students frequently take additional coursework in immunology and developmental biology. Students also do research in laboratories of their choice.

By the end of the third term, students will have completed three substantive research rotations, passed qualifying examinations, selected a thesis laboratory and begun thesis research.

For the remainder of the graduate program, students are engaged full-time in thesis research. It is anticipated that students will complete thesis research within four years.

For more program information, visit the Virology Program Webpage.

Academic Background

Applicants should have a firm background in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.

Admissions

Students considering graduate work should request an application from the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Admissions

 

Admissions

Students considering graduate work in Virology must complete the online GSAS Harvard Integrated Life Sciences (HILS) admissions application; see GSAS Application Instructions and Information for more details, or contact the Graduate School Office of Admission and Financial Aid at:

Office of Admissions and Financial Aid

Harvard University
1350 Massachusetts Avenue

Holyoke Center 350

Cambridge, MA 02138-3654

telephone: 617-495-5315, 617-495-5396
e-mail: admiss@fas.harvard.edu

The Office of Admissions and Financial Aid is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Eastern Standard Time.

 

Participating Faculty and Their Research Interests

A complete directory (searchable by research interest, name, and title) of faculty affiliated with the Virology Program can be found at the HILS Faculty Directory's Virology listing.