M.S. in Biohazardous Threat Agents & Emerging Infectious Diseases

The Department of Microbiology & Immunology offers an M.S. degree in Biohazardous Threat Agents and Emerging Infectious Diseases. The program is especially relevant for students seeking positions in biodefense where knowledge of biological and chemical weapons of mass destruction are vital in preventing a potential terrorist attack.

The terrorism events of 9/11 have resulted in a crucial need to train students with interests in biodefense and emerging infectious diseases. The threat of smallpox, the anthrax attacks and the recent SARS and monkey pox outbreaks have underscored the need for the development of new educational focusing on involving biological and chemical threat agents as well as emerging infectious diseases.

The Master of Science in Biohazardous Threat Agents program addresses the knowledge gap in the science of biohazardous agents and emerging infectious diseases facing the world community - whether such threats occur naturally or are purposefully distributed. Global communication and transportation systems have evolved to a point where diseases and communicable diseases can now rarely be isolated within their initial or natural epicentre. The first responders to this emergency are the educational institutions capable of producing graduates with knowledge of the science behind such threats and the methods of their detection and prevention.

This Master of Science degree program is ideally suited for the Washington, DC metropolitan area, given the importance of training government, defense, and private sector personnel in the microbiology of biohazardous threat agents as well as addressing issues of biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons of mass destruction. As a result of this new M.S. program it is anticipated that our graduates will be in demand for job opportunities both in biodefense companies as well as with the government agencies.