The department has strengths in microbial pathogenesis and infectious disease, cell signaling, proteomics, and molecular modeling. The largest cluster of faculty conducts research on infectious diseases with the ultimate aim of developing novel approaches to disease treatment and prevention. Major milestones for students are completion of an oral qualifying examination, an oral preliminary examination which also requires writing an NIH-style research proposal, and writing and defense of a research dissertation. Students also present their research at national and international conferences and participate in more informal training opportunities, including university-wide scientific writing and grant proposal preparation workshops