The University of Florida’s online Master of Science in Microbiology & Cell Science with a concentration in Medical Microbiology and Biochemistry
This 30-credit master’s degree is offered entirely online with asynchronous elements and can be completed anywhere at your own pace. Take an in-depth look at microbiology and earn your master’s degree in as little as one year without required campus or laboratory visits. Courses include a mixture of intensive 1-credit modules and 3-credit classes.
Why Choose UF
- US News and World Report ranked UF as a top 50 national university (including public and private colleges) in 2020.
- UF is home to the largest microbiology department in the United States, allowing us to recruit the best faculty.
- The concentration in medical microbiology and biochemistry demonstrates a dedication to higher learning which will help you stand out on your professional school applications.
Advanced Career Opportunities
Our broad program allows you to diversify your career options and make yourself a more versatile and in-demand asset in the workforce. Potential job opportunities include biochemists and biophysicists, medical scientists, bioinformatics scientists, physicians and surgeons. Each of these occupations enjoys a higher median salary and occupation growth rate compared to all other professions in the United States.
Course Topics
You can expect to gain a comprehensive knowledge in several microbiology topics, including bioinformatics, molecular biology, virology and immunology. For more details, please visit the course schedule page.
Introductory Track
Students without a background in microbiology or biochemistry will be required to enter the introductory track and take fundamental courses before proceeding to the regular courses. This track, consisting of two courses (Fundamentals of Biochemistry and the Biology of Microorganisms) for 7 credits, will empower you to transition into microbiology without delaying completion expectancy. This track is offered year-round, so you can start the program when it is convenient for you.
A master’s degree provides a convenient way to hone your expertise and broaden your professional options. Opportunities include:
- Supervisor or laboratory manager – supervises day-to-day activities in a variety of laboratories.
- Research manager or associate - performs experiments and provides technical support to research teams.
- Instructor - teaches courses at the community and junior college levels.
Advanced topics include:
- Microbiology of human pathogens
- Bioinformatics
- Molecular biology of gene expression
- Bacterial physiology
- Ethics in genetics
- Virology
- Immunology
- DNA and RNA viruses
View Required Course list and Elective Course list!
Benefits of UF’s online master’s degree in microbiology and cell science include:
- Convenient online courses with asynchronous components so you can complete your degree on your own time
- Access to expert faculty who also teach on-campus
- No required campus visits or laboratory time
- No GRE requirement
- Enhanced career opportunities
To successfully earn the master’s degree in microbiology and cell science, students must complete the following:
- 30 overall credits are required - Download the list of degree requirements
- Only courses completed with a grade of C or higher can be counted towards the degree
- Students must maintain both a 3.0 overall GPA and 3.0 major GPA to graduate
- 15 of the 30 credits must be completed in major courses with a MCB, PCB, or BSC prefix
- Students must take at least three credits in the graduation semester (two credits if graduating in the summer semester)
- Satisfactorily complete MCB 7922 – Final Literature Review in the graduation semester
- We will not accept transfer credits from other programs/institutions, so all 30 credits must be completed through our required or elective coursework.
Required Courses:
These courses must be taken at some point in your education.
BSC 6459 Fundamentals in Bioinformatics
Introduction to the basic bioinformatic tools used in computational biology for life science research. The course will use web-based resources that analyze gene and protein sequences as pertinent data examples.
Credits: 3
Semester: Fall
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BCH 5413 Mammalian Molecular Biology and Genetics
This course is designed for graduate or advanced undergraduate students desiring a higher level survey course in molecular biology that is beyond an introductory course. Lectures and discussions will emphasize modern molecular, biochemical, and genetic approaches to solving problems of current interest in molecular biology.
Credits: 3
Semesters: Fall, Spring, Summer
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MCB 7922 Final Literature Review (must be taken in graduation semester)
This course is an online forum where students will be required to present a primary literature paper to a group where fellow students will comment and ask questions regarding the paper content. The principal goals of this blog-based Journal Club are to: (a) enhance graduate students’ understanding of the current state of knowledge regarding the field of astrobiology; and (b) provide experience in reviewing and critiquing research articles. Each week a different student will lead the discussion by positing several questions to the rest of the group that critically evaluates peer-reviewed science articles for subsequent group discussion threads that reinforces the principles of various research approaches and analytical methods. This course will also help students to develop their scientific inquiry and written skill sets.
Credits: 1
Semester: Fall, Spring, Summer
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Complete one of the following two courses
(If you take both, one will fulfill the requirement and the other will count as an elective)
MCB 5205 Microbiology of Human Pathogens
Survey of advanced topics and current scientific literature related to human host-pathogen interactions and microbial pathogenesis, focusing on emerging bacterial and viral pathogens as agents of human disease, biosecurity, molecular identification methods, spread of multi-drug resistance among bacterial pathogens, drug discovery, and alternative treatment research.
Credits: 3
Semester: Fall
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GMS 6121 Infectious Diseases
Basic biology and pathogenesis of viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. Select representative organisms of each pathogen group and their diseases will be covered in detail. This course is coordinated with the Infectious Diseases section of GMS 7192 Journal Colloquy.
Credits: 3
Semesters: Fall, Summer
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Complete one of the following two courses
(If you take both, one will fulfill the requirement and the other will count as an elective)
MCB 5505 Virology
This course is for beginning graduate and honor students in Microbiology and related disciplines. The course teaches basic information on families of viruses from humans, plants, insects, animals, and bacteria. Lectures cover the basic information of the medical, clinical, diagnostic, biotechnological, and molecular aspects of these viruses.
Credits: 3
Semester: Spring
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GMS 7133 Advanced Molecular Virology
This course follows GMS 6121 Infectious diseases and provides a more detailed molecular analysis of human pathogenic viruses. Replication mechanisms, molecular pathogenesis, host-pathogen interactions, immune evasion strategies, development of antivirals and vaccines, and the relationship between viral evolution and emerging viruses are taught using representative viruses from different viral families.
Credits: 2
Semesters: Spring
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Complete one of the following two courses
(Additional journal colloquy courses can be taken as electives)
MCB 7922 - Journal Colloquy (several topics available such as Environmental Microbiology, Astrobiology, Microbiome and Clinical Trials)
The principal goals of this blog-based Journal Club are to: (a) enhance graduate students’ understanding of the current state of knowledge regarding host-microbe interactions; and (b) provide experience in reviewing and critiquing research articles. Each week a different student will lead the discussion by writing a blog that critically evaluates peer-reviewed science articles for subsequent group discussion threads that reinforces the principles of various research approaches and analytical methods. This course will also help students to develop their scientific inquiry and written skill sets.
Credits: 1
Semesters: Fall, Spring, Summer
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GMS 7192 - Journal Colloquy (several topics available such as Infectious Disease, Bacteriology, and COVID-19)
Primary research papers correlated with the material being covered in GMS 6121 Infectious Diseases will be assigned for reading, analysis, and discussion in a bulletin board-type format. This class may be repeated in the spring and the summer.
*REPEATABLE COURSE
Credits: 1
Semesters: Fall, Spring, Summer
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Introductory Courses (Intro Track students only)
MCB 6937 Biology of Microorganisms
This course examines the structure, nutrition and growth of microorganisms; the characterization of representative microorganisms and viruses; and metabolic properties and provides an introduction to microbial genetics, immunology and the pathogenesis of microorganisms. Note that this course is intended only for students who did not complete an upper-division microbiology course as an undergraduate student.
Credits: 3
Course dates: mid-March through late April
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GMS 5905 Fundamentals of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
GMS 5905 is a graduate-level course that surveys the structure, function, and metabolism of amino
acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. It introduces concepts in cell structure, replication and growth,
and metabolic regulation.
Credits: 4
Prerequisites: Organic Chemistry (CHM 2210 and 2211, CHM 2215 and 2216, or their equivalents at other universities)
or consent of course coordinator. In certain cases, with permission, CHM 2211 or CHM 2216 may be taken concurrently.
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Elective Courses
MCB 6670C The Microbiome
Increase knowledge, appreciation and use of genomics pertaining to the breadth of microbial diversity across a wide variety of organisms and habitats using methods that do not require culturing of the myriad of inhabitants. Students will use tools, practice analysis and interpretation of genomic data sets to analyze different microbiomes.
Credits: 3
Semester: Spring
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MCB 5705 Astrobiology
Astrobiology examines the origin, evolution, and future of life in our solar system. Topics will include: planet and star formation, biosphere formation, evolutionary processes biogeochemistry, microbial adaptation to extreme environments, planetary habitability, and microbiology on the International Space Station.
Credits: 3
Semester: Spring
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MCB 6424 Probiotics
MCB 6424 Probiotics is an upper division course on probiotics. This course will cover the use of microorganisms to promote a health status in the animal and human host. This course will provide a conceptual background in microbiology and immunology for the use of microorganisms for the prevention or treatment of animal and human diseases.
Credits: 3
Semester: Spring
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MCB 6937 Human Genomics
Increasingly, researchers and healthcare providers are mining the genome to uncover the basis of disease susceptibility and treatment. Genome-based strategies are used for the detection, treatment, and prevention of many diseases. This course will discuss the field of genomics, how genome sequence data is obtained and analyzed, and most importantly, what can be learned from an individual’s genome. The course will address cutting-edge research in epigenetics, pharmacogenomics, molecular diagnostics, and the microbiome. The course will also include timely topics such as GMO’s, stem cells, genetic testing and genome editing. This course will reinforce fundamental concepts in molecular biology and genetics.
Credits: 3
Semester: Fall
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MCB 5252 Microbiology, Immunology, and Basis for Immuno-therapeutics
This course studies the microbial structure and function with regards to their role in pathogenesis and infection, mechanism of microbial pathogenesis and selected diseases of the immune system. Topics discussed include: innate and acquired immunity, the role of cytokines, hypersensitivity, Immunodeficiency, autoimmune diseases, vaccines and the role of immune-therapeutics. The relationship between structure and function and its role in rise of antibiotic-resistant strains will be discussed.
Credits: 4
Semester: Spring
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MCB 6937 Microbial Applications of Synthetic Biology
This course will introduce the concept of synthetic biology, which is loosely defined as the construction and reconstruction of biological systems, and its practical applications in research and industry. Advanced molecular biology tools for DNA assembly, the construction of biological pathways and circuits, genome editing and strategies for transcriptional control will be examined in the course.
Credits: 3
Semester: Fall
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MCB 6151 Prokaryotic Diversity
This course is an introduction to the diversity of Bacteria and Archaea. Discussions will provide a conceptual and historical framework for understanding their 1) origin and evolution 2) morphological, metabolic, and molecular characteristics 3) genetic and physiological diversity 4) importance in human/animal/plant health and 5) roles in elemental cycling.
Credits: 3
Semester: Summer C
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MCB 6407 Prokaryotic Cell Structure and Function
Analyzes the cell structure and physiology of bacteria and archaea. Extensive discussion of cell division, growth, stress responses, bioenergetics and metabolism is provided along with understanding the assembly and function of important cell structures (e.g. cell walls, membranes, and appendages).
Credits: 3
Semester: Fall
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MCB 6937 Molecular Genetics
This course will discuss the synthesis and manipulation of DNA and the principles of gene expression at the molecular level in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The topics covered will include an introduction to the concepts of DNA replication, repair and packaging of the genome into chromosomes. In preparation for this course, you should understand basic college-level introductory biology and it is recommended to have at least one other more specialized biology course, such as Microbiology, Botany, Zoology, Genetics or Biochemistry.
Credits: 3
Semester: Spring/Summer C
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GMS 6132 Introductory Gene and Immunotherapy
An overview of gene and immunotherapy with emphasis on translational applications, including fundamental understanding of the principles and mechanisms of gene and immunotherapy, specifically molecular biology of gene therapy and basic immunology and immunotherapy. Preclinical and clinical applications of both will be discussed.
Credits: 2
Semester: Spring
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PCB 5235 Immunology
Comprehensive course in basic immunology designed for graduate students. Emphasis will be placed on fundamental aspects of immunology and its application to real-world immunological research and concerns. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have a solid immunological information foundation suitable for future educational endeavors in the areas of biomedical research or human/veterinary clinical applications. In addition, students will have a fundamental understanding of basic immunological experimental design.
Credits: 3
Semester: Spring
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GMS 6108 Bacterial Physiology, Antibiotics and Genetics (compendium of GMS 6038 Bacterial Genetics and Physiology, GMS 6169 Antimicrobial Strategies, and GMS 6153 Advanced Bacterial Genetics)
Ideally, students will take GMS 6121 before they take GMS 6108, especially if they have a limited background in Microbiology. However, students who wish to take GMS 6108 BEFORE they complete GMS 6121 can watch four introductory bacteriology lectures in order to get caught up. Students can complete both courses regardless of the order in which they register.
Credits: 3
Semester: Spring
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MCB 6937 Post Translational Modifications in Microbiology
The overall goal of this class is to enhance student learning in the field of microbiology and to network students with professionals within the scientific community. To this end, the course will take an innovative approach to student learning through interactive group projects. The students will prepare projects that will undergo a scientific review by their class peers and faculty instructors.
Credits: 2
Semester: Summer C
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MCB 5270 Antimicrobial Resistance
This course covers content related to antimicrobial resistance: the origins of antimicrobial resistance, dissemination, mechanisms, therapeutics, and impact on healthcare, agriculture, and the environment. This course mainly concentrates on resistance in bacteria, but will also discuss other organisms, including viruses, parasites, fungi, and cancer.
Credits: 3
Semester: Spring
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MCB 6937 Careers for Impact
The course will prepare students with connections into a variety of Microbiology careers including industry, entrepreneurial ventures, government labs, NGOs, health professions, and academia through guest speakers sharing about their career paths.
Credits: 1
Semesters: Fall, Spring, Summer
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MCB 6656 Environmental Microbiology
Environmental Microbiology provides an overview of microorganisms in the environment, including occurrence, abundance and distribution. Current research methodologies to decipher microbial processes and activities, marine microbial ecology, microbial interactions with the environment and practices of applied environmental microbiology will also be examined.
Credits: 3
Semesters: Fall
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Department Module Courses
As part of your required credits, you must complete at least 3 credits of module coursework, listed below, which covers a more advanced curriculum.
Fall Modules
MCB 6417 Microbial Metabolism and Energetics
Principles of energy and biosynthetic metabolism will be examined in aerobic and anaerobic micro-organisms. Current biotechnology which incorporates these principles will also be discussed.
Course dates: late August through early October
Credits: 1
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MCB 6317 Molecular Biology of Gene Expression
This course covers synthesis, processing, transport, and translation of RNA in micro-organisms and eukaryotes. Epigenetic regulation of gene expression will be the main topic; however, a review of the feneral mechanisms of eukaryotic gene activation and respression will also be covered.
Course dates: early October through mid-December
Credits: 1
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Spring Modules
MCB 6937 Methods to Study Prokaryotic Transcriptional Regulation
Structure, nutrition and growth of microorganisms; characterization of representative microorganisms and viruses; metabolic properties and introduction to microbial genetics, immunology and pathogenesis of microorganisms.
Credits: 1
Semesters: Spring
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MCB 6318 Comparative Microbial Genetics
Course dates: first eight weeks of spring semester
Credits: 2
Prerequisite: BSC 6459
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MCB 6772 Advanced Topics in Cell Biology
Specific topics about cell structure and function published in recent journal articles and reviews with microbiological interest will be considered in a comparative discussion of animal and plant systems.
Course objectives:
- To develop an understanding of current advances and approaches in the study of the cell biology of eukaryotes.
- To gain insight on differences between plants and animals pertaining particularly to their susceptibility or capacity to resist microbial pathogens.
Instructors: Peter Kima and Zhonglin Mou
Course dates: early February through early March
Credits: 1
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MCB 6355 Microbial/Host Defense
Principles of host defense to microbial invasion in a context of cellular biology involving both plants and animals.
Credits: 1
Course dates: mid-March through late April
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