Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health
MHS in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology

Baltimore, USA

DEGREE TYPE

Master degree

DURATION

1 year

LANGUAGES

English

PACE

Full time

APPLICATION DEADLINE

EARLIEST START DATE

STUDY FORMAT

On-Campus

Key Summary

About: The MHS in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health prepares students for medicine, research, and public health. The one academic year programme covers molecular biology, immunology, epidemiology, and clinical outcomes of infectious diseases. Students take four to five courses per eight‑week term, customize coursework across BSPH, School of Medicine, and Carey Business School, they'll get one‑on‑one mentoring and may transfer to the ScM for lab or field research.

Career Outcomes: Graduates pursue medical school, graduate school, research coordinator, research assistant, and roles in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, clinical research, public health, or venture capital industry.

The Master of Health Science Program (MHS) is designed to meet the needs of students who require graduate-level preparation for careers in medicine, research, and public health. MMI MHS students go on to medical school, to achieve an advanced graduate education, and to take on positions in public health and industry. The MHS program is completed in one academic year. The program includes a core curriculum that focuses on the biology, immunology, clinical outcomes, and epidemiology of major infectious diseases of public health importance. MMI MHS students typically take four or five courses per eight-week term, which provide ample opportunities for students to customize their curriculum according to their area of interest by taking advantage of course offerings at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the School of Medicine and the Carey Business School. Students have extensive opportunities to interact one-on-one with the core MMI faculty and staff for mentoring, advising, thesis preparation, and career development. For those students who declare an interest in careers in medicine and/or public health, advising and workshops are available. Other valuable resources include the BSPH Career Services Office and the Student Outreach Resource Center (SOURCE).

Students in the MHS program have the option to transfer to the ScM program if they decide to pursue a Master’s degree that includes original laboratory or field research.

MMI, in collaboration with the JHU Carey Business School, offers a special opportunity for students who may seek to apply their knowledge in infectious diseases to the biotechnology sphere. This option provides instruction focused on developing an understanding of both microeconomic theory and the processes involved in moving innovative technology from the bench to commercial application. This opportunity is designed to provide students with tools that can be applied to work in the biotechnology industry, the pharmaceutical industry, or healthcare-focused venture capital. If you are interested in knowing more details about this innovative, biotech-focused learning opportunity, contact Gail O’Connor.

MHS Thesis

The degree requirements specify that all MHS students submit a thesis. The student will select the thesis topic in consultation with his/her academic advisor. The thesis consists of scholarly treatment of a topic that is important to public health. Through formal and informal interactions with their advisors and other MMI faculty, each student will be guided through the process of selecting a topic, exploring the literature, organizing and writing the thesis, and the scholarly presentation of the findings.

Our MHS Graduates

Previous graduates of the MMI masters' programs have gone on to pursue Ph.D. or MD degrees at institutions including Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Harvard School of Public Health, Yale School of Medicine, Drexel University, Stanford University, Penn State University, Baylor College of Medicine, and the University of California system.

Our masters' program graduates have also successfully competed for research positions at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Federal Drug Administration (FDA), various military research facilities, non-profit organizations, and leading biotechnology companies.

Coursework

Required schoolwide courses:

550.860 Academic and Research Ethics
Cells to Society Course Series

Required department courses:

260.631 Immunology, Infection, and Disease

Select two of four core MMI courses:

260.852 Fundamental Virology
260.627 Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections
260.635 Biology of Parasitism
260.650 Vector Biology

Select one of the following literature courses:

260.852: Molecular Biology Literature
260.657: Vector Biology and Disease Ecology
260.854: Current Literature in Microbial Immunity
260.855: Pandemics of the 20th Century

The remaining credits are flexible and may be individualized based on the student’s interests and career aspirations. Students may take courses offered in MMI or in other departments within and outside of the School.

Examples of elective courses taken by MHS students include: