Testimonial

Trent Grabowski, M.S.

Job: Active Duty Pilot

United States Airforce

“I was deployed when I started the degree, so just the fact that I knew I wasn’t going to have to be in person anywhere and I could do it remotely was a big sell.”
- Trent Grabowski - Online microbiology master’s program December 2022 graduate

Out-of-this-World Aspirations 

“My undergrad [degree] at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs was biology. And I’ve always had a passion for microbiology, so I wanted to further my education. I kind of felt like I was not getting stimulated in the flying world anymore. You know, I’ve been flying the same airplane for several years. I didn’t feel engaged as much. So, I wanted to do something on the side that would excite me, [that] I was passionate about and [would] get me a master’s, hopefully, to inevitably move on to getting a PhD. And then, ultimately, I want to apply to NASA and become an astronaut. That’s kind of my long-term plan there, and I think this [degree] will only help my resume.”  

Classes from Anywhere on Earth

“The primary reason I chose UF is because it was completely online, so there was no requirement for me to travel anywhere. And the reason being is I was in New Mexico at the time and I’m active-duty military. So, to take time off is virtually impossible. Just the fact that I knew I wasn’t going to have to be in person anywhere and I could do it remotely was a big sell. Most classes didn’t require me to log into any live sessions. It was all prerecorded lectures that I had to keep up with, but I didn’t have to be tied to a specific time zone.” 

“I did [look at other programs] in the beginning. UF didn’t require the GRE at the time, or they’d just gotten rid of that requirement. I did know, as I was doing my research, that they had a very well-renowned microbiology program that was very large and robust and well respected. That was another selling point too. It wasn’t just a random small college, [but a university] that fit all my needs that happened to also be one that was reputable.” 

Personalized Degree Program

“They offered an astrobiology class. Traditionally, not very [common]. It used to be a fringe topic in science and now it’s becoming more prevalent for obvious reasons. And the fact that, I don’t think they offered it at the time, but it was a new add right around the time that I got accepted to start the program. [That] was the most excited I got about a course.” 

Advice for Prospective Students

 “Stick with it and take the electives that give you passion.” 

Ready for take off? 

Check out our Master of Science in Microbiology and Cell Science program!