UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Students interested in the study of microbiomes now can apply for the new microbiome sciences dual-title doctoral degree program, administered by Penn State’s Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

The program will allow students to learn about the perspectives, techniques and methodological approaches in microbiome science while simultaneously maintaining a focus on their primary field of study.

Carolee Bull, head of the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, said the program is an opportunity for students across all disciplines to gain expertise in the rapidly growing field.

“Opportunities in microbiome sciences are growing exponentially, and the discipline is continually evolving,” Bull said. “The new dual-degree program provides a structured opportunity for students to learn and apply microbiome sciences to a wide range of areas of expertise, which could be anything from anthropology to zoology.”

She added that the program also will prepare students for a wide variety of research-focused careers, including those in the medical, agricultural and environmental industries. Additionally, it will open up employment opportunities in industry, government, academia and nonprofits.

According to Bull, microbiome sciences has been a research priority at Penn State since 2016, and in 2017 the interdisciplinary Microbiome Center was established at the University. The center is aimed at supporting interdisciplinary research in microbiomes, including educational opportunities for students.

“The center was instrumental in helping faculty complete new research while forging new collaborations and helping students participate, as well,” Bull said. “But even though our students were getting all this experience in microbiome sciences, there was no way to formally acknowledge or recognize that training and new expertise.”

She said the establishment of the dual-title degree program was a way to fill this gap and recognize student experience and accomplishment in the field.

To finish the program and earn the dual title, students will need to complete 15 course credits from the microbiome sciences curriculum, pass an exam including a microbiome sciences component, and complete a dissertation that addresses one or more topics within the field of microbiome sciences.

Mary Ann Bruns, professor of soil microbiology and biogeochemistry and faculty member in charge of the new degree, said in addition to building knowledge, the program will help students navigate an increasingly interdisciplinary landscape within the field.

“Penn State is home to a rich interdisciplinary network of faculty made possible by college-spanning institutes such as the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences and many others,” Bruns said. “The new program will help students navigate within this unique network as they acquire a distinctive dual degree in microbiome sciences.”

Seth Bordenstein, director of Penn State's Microbiome Center, said the program also marks an exciting new step overall in microbiome scholarship in the center and at the University.

“The program is a pristine example of leadership and excellence, and we are grateful to the efforts and legacy that Mary Ann and Carolee have infused into the educational pipeline of the Microbiome Center and its students,” Bordenstein said. “The impacts and legacy of this dual-title degree will advance far and wide into our departments, colleges and university pillars over the coming year.”

More information about the dual-title degree can be found at the program’s website.