Why Study Infectious Diseases and Microbiology?

Advancing Disease Prevention

The spread of infectious diseases is rising, along with the risk of frequent pandemics. Pursuing a graduate degree in Infectious Disease and Microbiology (IDM) at Pitt offers you the chance to study at one of the few public health-accredited departments dedicated to this field. Our work drives increased life expectancies, global mortality reductions, and the eradication of many communicable diseases.

A high-quality IDM education prepares you to:

Discover solutions for preventing, controlling, and eradicating diseases.
Understand microbial pathogenesis at cellular and molecular levels to develop prevention and treatment methods.
Create population-based health education for vulnerable communities facing health inequities.

Did You Know?

According to the CDC, infectious diseases are on the rise and spreading due to climate change. Milder winters, warmer summers, and fewer days of frost make it easier for them to expand into new geographic areas and infect more people. Due to this and other factors, there is an increasing demand for scientists and public health professionals.

Emerging infectious diseases, growing global travel, and antibiotic resistant strains are all contributing factors in the growth of IDM-focused employment.

Medical & Health Services Managers Employment Growth

Medical & Health Services Managers Employment Growth Projected to experience faster than average employment growth (28%) over the period 2021–31.

Medical & Health Services Managers Job Openings

Medical & Health Services Managers Job Openings Projected to see 136,200 job openings over the period 2021-31.

Post-secondary Health Specialties Employment Growth

Post-secondary Health Specialties Employment Growth Projected to experience average employment growth (12%) over the period 2021-31.

Post-secondary Health Specialties Job Openings

Post-secondary Health Specialties Job Openings Projected to see 159,400 job openings over the period 2021-31.

Microbiologists Employment Growth

Microbiologists Employment Growth Projected to experience average employment growth (9%) over the period 2021-31.

Microbiologists Job Openings

Microbiologists Job Openings Projected to see 1,900 job openings over the period 2021-31.

Degree Programs

Welcome from the Chair

Suresh V. Kuchipudi

Department Chair

Welcome from the Chair

Strategic Plan

Our strategic priorities drive impactful research, collaboration, and policy influence across key areas in public health, supported by strategies that enhance resilience and global impact.

View IDM Strategic Plan

Action Against Racial Disparities

We will support students, trainees, staff, and faculty of color and create an inclusive environment in which all members are respected and valued. We will incorporate this charge into the three domains of our department’s mission, namely, to advance training/education, research, and service.

View IDM's Statement & Plan

IDM Careers

Graduates are prepared to serve in basic and applied research laboratories and public health settings in academia, government, and industry, such as with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Examples of recent positions our master’s graduates have attained include a human services specialist with a state department of health and a staff virologist with a major drug manufacturer. PhD graduates serve as faculty members and department chairs at major universities as well as research laboratory directors.

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