Our Core Values

We are defined by curiosity, collaboration, and a shared commitment to excellence. We strive to create an environment where meaningful science, supportive learning, and a strong sense of community go hand in hand.

We uphold the highest standards of honesty, rigor, and transparency in research, teaching, and professional conduct. 

At UMass Microbiology, we are committed to advancing science with integrity, rigor, and transparency. Our faculty, students, and researchers uphold the highest ethical standards in research, teaching, and professional practice while continuously pushing the boundaries of discovery through innovative approaches and interdisciplinary collaboration.

We are committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment where all individuals — regardless of background — feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.

We believe that scientific excellence is strengthened by diverse perspectives and a strong sense of belonging. Our department is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and respectful community where individuals of all backgrounds feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to contribute, connect, and thrive.
 

We prioritize student success through active mentorship, experiential learning, and personalized academic support. We view students as partners in discovery and growth.

Student success is at the heart of everything we do. Through mentorship, experiential learning opportunities, and personalized academic support, we engage students as active partners in their education—encouraging curiosity, critical thinking, and growth both inside and outside the classroom.

Within UMass Microbiology, there are countless opportunities to seek out mentorship and gain experiences operating in a lab, as well as mentoring a lab. To learn more about our opportunities, check out our Undergraduate Research Opportunities page.

View Our Opportunities

Microbiology is an interdisciplinary science, and students will be comfortable applying cellular and molecular biology, genetics, immunology, virology, microbial physiology, pathogenic bacteriology, biotechnology and ecology.

We created our curriculum so students meet the following learning objectives:

• Demonstrate a mastery of the core curriculum concepts laid out by the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), reflecting relevant mechanisms of evolution, structure and function, energy transformation and cellular metabolic pathways, information flow, ecology, and societal impact.

• Discuss and practice science and scientific methodology as a way of knowing; explain how the nature of science is applied to everyday problems.

• Differentiate between fact and opinion, recognize and evaluate author bias and rhetoric, develop inferential skills, recognize logical fallacies and faulty reasoning, and make decisions and judgements by drawing logical conclusions using sound quantitative and statistically-based reasoning.

• Master fundamental microbiology laboratory skills and curated advanced skills as needed to solve relevant research questions. Practice safe microbiology, using appropriate protective and emergency procedures. 

• Appreciate the value of cooperating and working effectively with peers and demonstrate a commitment to the process of developing such skills, including effective written and oral communication. 

• Identify and discuss the ethical issues and responsibilities of doing science.