MHS in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology

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:

• Malariology
• Vector Biology
• Statistical Reasoning
• Topics in AIDS Research
• Principles of Epidemiology
• Evolution of Infectious Diseases
• Immunogenetics
• Introduction to Molecular Biology
• Vaccine Development and Application
• Graduate Immunology
• Advanced topics in AIDS Research

• Medical School
• Graduate School
• Research Coordinator
• Research Assistant

Learning Outcomes

Key educational objectives for MHS students include:

1. Develop knowledge through coursework in the areas of immunology and microbiology;
2. Develop skills for the critical evaluation of scientific literature;
3. Develop literature-based analytical and research skills; and
4. Develop the ability to communicate scientific information orally and in writing.