The Tropical Medicine Master's Degree Program provides students with a strong foundation in infectious disease microbiology and immunology and research experience in the field of Tropical Medicine. Graduates with a Tropical Medicine Master's degree have gone on to careers in science education at the secondary and college level, technical and research positions in universities, government agencies, and biotechnology companies, or have continued on in PhD and MD training programs at the University of Hawaii and other universities.The MS degree requires 21 credits of course work, 9 credits of thesis research, participation in a research project, completion of a thesis, and a final oral examination. A general, qualifying examination, oral and written, is required before a student is advanced to candidacy for the MS (Plan A) degree. Although not encouraged, in very unusual circumstances, a non-thesis MS (Plan B) may be allowed. The average time to completion of the MS degree is two years. Demonstrate a fundamental knowledge base in the major subdisciplines of the field of Tropical Medicine: bacteriology, virology, mycology, parasitology, immunology, molecular epidemiology, and infectious disease ecology, pharmacology and bioinformatics.Demonstrate proficiency in written and verbal communication skills in classroom lectures and other teaching formats and in professional seminars and presentations.Demonstrate sufficient mastery and scientific maturity to assess the work of peers in related fields.