Students primarily work towards the Ph.D. In general, the Group does not admit students to the M.S. Program. The M.S. Plan II Program serves students who enter the Ph.D. degree program but for some reason cannot continue, either because their goals change or because their Guidance Committee does not recommend that they continue. This plan allows such students to show they have successfully completed a course of study in the area of microbial biology.

The Program requires a two-hour oral examination, conducted by a three-member M.S. committee. Students passing this examination obtain an M.S. degree. For the M.S. degree, Plan II, students must complete a minimum of 24 units , with at least 12 units from the 200 series.