This major prepares students for entry into professional programs in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine and provides a strong foundation for graduate studies in microbiology, cell biology, and related cellular and biomedical sciences. The major also provides a background for entry into government, industrial research, and diagnostic laboratories.

The curriculum develops fundamental knowledge of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and viruses. Courses include the physiology and genetics of microorganisms, mechanisms of pathogenesis and innate immunity systems, astrobiology, bacterial and genome sequencing and bioinformatics.

Coursework for the Major

All majors must complete 28 credits: 18 credits of core requirements, at least 6 credits of department electives, and 3 credits for the quantitative requirement. A minimum of one credit in an advanced laboratory is required in addition to the 6 department-elective credits. In addition, students must complete 35-38 credits of required foundation coursework.

Minimum grades of C within two attempts, including withdrawals, are required in all critical-tracking courses, major courses, department core requirements, department electives and the quantitative requirement. Second attempts must be completed the next semester of enrollment. A cumulative 2.0 GPA is also required.

Required Foundation Coursework

All majors must complete the biology and general chemistry sequences and calculus by the end of the sophomore year. Organic Chemistry, CHM 2210, must be completed by the end of tracking term five. To continue in the major, students must attain a cumulative GPA in these graded courses of no less than 2.5 and with no grade lower than a C.

Core Requirements

Including quantitative requirement

If students take both "or" courses, one will count as a core course and the other will roll over into the 10-credit department elective requirement.

Department Elective Requirement

A total of 6 credits of approved department electives, and additionally one credit in an advanced lab, are required. The list of approved department electives is available on the department website.

Programming or Biostatistics Requirement

A total of 3 credits of approved courses meets this requirement. Select from BSC 2891, MCB 4325C, or an equivalent biostatistics programming class. Several of these courses are also department electives and cannot be used to fulfill both the quantitative and the department elective requirements. No overlap is allowed. STA 2023 will not fulfill this requirement

Course Details

MCB 4911 may be taken for a maximum of three credits per semester and six credits total. This policy also applies to microbiology and cell science majors registered for undergraduate research in other departments' undergraduate research courses, such as BCH 4905, BMS 4905, ZOO 4911, etc.

MCB 4934 is often used for TA positions as “Supervised Teaching." TA positions may be repeated for a total of two semesters.

Enrollment in MCB 4911, MCB 4905 and MCB 4934 (Supervised Teaching) will not fulfill any credits toward the microbiology major requirements; they will count only as general elective credit toward the 120 credits for the BS degree.

Relevant Minors and Certificates

The Microbiology and Cell Science Department also offers an undergraduate minor in bioinformatics to students majoring in any biology-related subject, including and not limited to microbiology, biology, or biochemistry.

So integrated is bioinformatics with biology that it is difficult to find an active research program that does not rely on bioinformatic analysis to achieve results. Unfortunately, the integration of bioinformatic and traditional methods is not stressed in many undergraduate programs, leaving the next generation of biologists without the skills they need to succeed in tomorrow’s research environment. The undergraduate minor in bioinformatics provides this critical training to future professionals in the biological disciplines.

Research

A majority of majors are actively involved in undergraduate research for credit with mentors throughout the university. Preprofessional and graduate school-bound majors are encouraged to do a minimum of two semesters of undergraduate research. The department has a comprehensive list of mentors across campus who allow undergraduate students to do valuable research under their guidance. Please refer to the department website for more information on undergraduate research, finding a mentor and a contact list of UF faculty who have worked with microbiology and cell science majors.

Enrollment in MCB 4911 will not fulfill any credits toward the microbiology major requirements; they will count only as general elective credit toward the 120 credits for the BS degree.

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

• Complete CHM 1025 or CHM 2045/CHM 2045L
• 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 2

• Complete CHM 2045/CHM 2045L and MAC 2311
• 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 3

• Complete CHM 2046/CHM 2046L and BSC 2010/BSC 2010L
• 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 4

• Complete BSC 2011/BSC 2011L
• 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 5

• Complete CHM 2210
• 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

• Semester 6

• Complete MCB 3023
• 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

• Semester 7

• Complete MCB 4203 (Fall) or PCB 4233 (Spring) or PCB 3134 (Fall/Spring) or MCB 4403 (Fall)
• 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

• Semester 8

• Complete MCB 4034L
• 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Students are expected to complete the Writing Requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the General Education International (GE-N) and Diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another General Education requirement (typically, GE-C, H, or S).

Microbiology electives outside of the department do not count towards the 3000 level or above electives outside of the major requirement. CHM 2211, CHM 2211L, BCH 4024, PHY 2054, PHY 2054L, PHY 2049, and PHY 2049L may count towards 3000 level or above electives outside of the major.

For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements: Structure of a CLAS Degree.

Degree Comparison between the Colleges

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

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MCB 4203 is taught in Fall and Spring. PCB 4233 is taught only in Spring.

The Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Cell science, offered by both the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, offers students flexibility in a curriculum that develops an excellent knowledge base and an understanding of concepts in microbiology, cell biology and the biomolecular sciences. Emphasis will be placed on application of the scientific method to gain an understanding of the biological world at the cellular and molecular levels. Students will learn to evaluate hypotheses, to interpret experimental data and to communicate results effectively.

Before Graduating Students Must

Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs

Content

1. Describe fundamental concepts, skills and processes in microbiology, molecular biology and in host/pathogen interactions.
2. Apply fundamental concepts, skills and protocols used to conduct research in fields of microbiology, molecular biology and in host/pathogen.

Critical Thinking

3. Evaluate information and data in the general areas of microbiology and the cellular and molecular biological sciences.
4. Solve typical problems that are encountered in general areas of microbiology and cellular and molecular biological sciences.

Communication

5. Communicate effectively in written form in a manner appropriate in microbiology and the cellular and molecular biological sciences.
6. Communicate orally (including visual aids) in an effective manner appropriate in microbiology and the cellular and molecular biological sciences.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Assessment Types

• Genome and lab projects
• Presentations
• Exams
• Final grades