Applying to the Program
The Bacteriology Master of Science Program and the University of Wisconsin – Madison Graduate School work together to manage the application review process. As an applicant you will be interacting with both offices.
Applicants should review the program information, important dates, and requirements laid out below.
The Bacteriology M.S. program reviews all submitted applications, will decide on your application, and notify both you and UW – Madison Graduate School. If you are recommended for admission, UW – Madison Graduate School will confirm that you meet the minimum admission requirements and finalize the offer. Applicants are not admitted until they receive an email from UW – Madison with the offer of admission.
Ready to Apply?
If you have other questions or encounter any problems with your application, contact admissions at admissions@grad.wisc.edu.
Application Materials
Your personal statement should address three important areas. One, identify the track to which you are seeking admittance: coursework or research track. Two, explain how attaining the Masters Degree in Bacteriology will help you to accomplish your career goals. Specifically, how will this education (coursework or research track) fit in with your future plans and what do you hope to gain from the program? Three, describe your past experience. If you are applying to the research track, you must identify a faculty member who agrees to serve as your research advisor/mentor before being admitted to the program. The faculty member must notify the program that they will serve as your research mentor. A list of trainers for the program are listed here (Faculty Trainers).
A copy of transcripts from each college or university attended should be uploaded to the application website.
Three or more letters of recommendation submitted electronically through the application system are required. It is recommended that you contact your letter writers ahead of time so that they are expecting your request for a letter of recommendation. Please ask recommenders to write the letter on company/school letterhead.
GRE scores are not required but will be considered if submitted.
Every applicant whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English must provide an English proficiency test score and meet the Graduate School minimum requirements.
If accepted, a financial statement is required. Please review the international student services webpage on Becoming a Global Badger.
UW – Madison Graduate School offers a limited number of application fee grants. Fee grants are currently available for qualified U.S. citizens, permanent resident applicants, and students with DACA status.
Admission Requirements
Graduate School Requirements
Graduate School minimum requirements can be reviewed on the Graduate School Requirements for Admission webpage.
Minimum Coursework required for Admission
Admission requirements can be reviewed in the UW – Madison Guide, Bacteriology, M.S.
Students accepted to the program must have completed all of the below courses prior to admission for either Coursework or Research options. If you are local, you can look into UW Madison Special Student Services to take the required courses prior to applying to the program.
- Biology: two semesters
- Chemistry: four semesters of chemistry (must include a lab component) including 2 semesters of organic chemistry
- Math: one course in math beyond algebra/trigonometry such as calculus, statistics or computer science
- Physics: one semester
What it takes to be a successful applicant:
- Meet all requirements
- Clear statement of purpose
- Positive Letters of recommendation from appropriate sources
- Strong academic record or an explanation with mitigating circumstances
Deadlines
To begin fall semester
Early deadline: January 10 (notification by February 10)
Regular deadline: May 1 (notification by June 1)
To begin spring semester
Deadline: September 20 (notification by October 20)
*Students should plan accordingly based on our deadlines and notification dates listed above. We do not have rolling admissions. When deciding when to apply, please consider other deadlines that may apply to you (other school deadlines, scholarships, visa, etc.) In rare circumstances, students who require expedited results may email a request to masters@bact.wisc.edu at least one month in advance. Expedited requests will only be considered if the application is complete. Research track students must have a commitment from a research mentor before submitting an expedited request.
*We encourage international students to apply by the January 10 deadline to ensure ample time to process student immigration documents.
Finding a Research Mentor
Students pursing the research track must identify a faculty member who agrees to serve as the student’s research advisor/mentor before being matriculated into the program. Students should first apply to the program. After the application review cycle, if the admissions committee believes the student will be successful in the program, the student will receive an offer of admission contingent upon finding a research mentor. Once a contingent admissions offer is received, students will follow the below steps.
1. Read through the information for the research track on our website.
2. Use the Faculty Trainer Directory to explore the research being conducted by faculty members who are affiliated with the Bacteriology MS program.
3. Contact those professors individually, introducing themselves and their background, and letting the professor know they have been accepted to the Bacteriology MS Program. Tell the professor why they are interested in working in the professor’s laboratory.
4. Once the student has found a research mentor, complete this contract and send it to the Bacteriology MS Program Coordinator.
5. If the student cannot find a research mentor, they have the option to switch to the coursework track. Reach out to the Bacteriology MS Program Coordinator to pursue this option.
Please see the flowcharts for a visualization of the process.
