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    Microbiology & Cell Science

    Microbiology & Cell Science

    Microbiology Online text with microbes in the background

    MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY

    Medical microbiology is the study of pathogens, their modes of transmission, mechanisms of infection and immunological response. The University of Florida College of Agriculture and Life Science and College of Medicine collaboratively offer a Master of Science Degree and a Graduate Certificate in the field of Medical Microbiology through the Department of Microbiology and Cell Science and the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, respectively. 

    Designed to fit your schedule, this fully online graduate program will give you an in-depth understanding of: 

      • Structure, physiology and genetics of infectious agents
      • Relationship between pathogenesis of infectious disease with causative organism
      • Antimicrobial action and mechanisms of resistance
      • Use of genomics to further unravel the complexities of the microbiome
      • Bioinformatics for microbiology research

    Master of Science Degree

    MICROBIOLOGY & CELL SCIENCE WITH A CONCENTRATION IN MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY

    The Master of Science degree in microbiology and cell science with a concentration in medical microbiology is a 30-credit program designed to be completed entirely online with no in-person laboratory requirements. 

    Curriculum and Admissions Information

    • Curriculum Overview: M.S. Medical Microbiology and Biochemistry

      Download the Course Planning Document for the M.S. Medical Microbiology and Biochemistry. 

      VIROLOGY (2-3 credits)

      Pick ONE:

      • MCB 5505 General Virology (3 credits)
      • GMS 7133 Advanced Molecular Virology (2 credits)
      PATHOGENS & INFECTIOUS DISEASE (3 credits)

      Pick ONE:

      • MCB 5205 Microbiology of Human Pathogens (3 credits)
      • GMS 6121 Infectious Disease (3 credits)
      JOURNAL COLLOQUY (1 credit)

      Pick ONE:

      • MCB 7922 Journal Colloquy: Mechanisms of Host/Microbiome Interactions (1 credit)
      • MCB 7922 Journal Colloquy: Virome/Host Interactions (1 credit)
      • MCB 7922 Journal Colloquy: Microbiome therapeutics/clinical trials (1 credit)
      • GMS 7192 Journal Colloquy: Infectious Disease
      • GMS 7192 Journal Colloquy: Bacteriology
      • GMS 7192 Journal Colloquy: COVID-19
      REQUIRED COURSES (1 credit)

      Students are required to complete all THREE courses below: 

      • BSC 6459 Fundamentals in Bioinformatics (3 credits)
      • BCH 5413 Mammalian Molecular Biology and Genetics (3 credits)
      • MCB 7922 Final Literature Review (1 credit) 
      ELECTIVE COURSES (16-17 credits)

      Students may take any of the following courses to fulfill the 16 or 17 remaining credits for completion of the 30-credit program. Note: All courses listed above may also be taken as electives.

    • Literature Review

      To graduate, all M.S. students must satisfactorily complete MCB 7922 – Final Literature Review and its required paper. The Literature Review Paper provides the opportunity for students to demonstrate the knowledge they gained during the program and their ability to apply it to current and emerging microbiology research. 

      Successful completion the Literature Review Paper as part of MCB 7922 – Final Literature Review fulfills the University of Florida Graduate School's requirement of a comprehensive final exam. There is no additional examination. 

    • Admissions Requirements: M.S. Medical Microbiology and Biochemistry

      Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA and 3.0 upper division GPA.* See full admission requirements and application deadlines here. 

      * If your GPA is below the admissions requirement but at least 2.7, we recommend you apply for the microbiome and health graduate certificate program. If you are accepted and maintain a 3.5 GPA in your graduate certificate program, you may become eligible for the master's degree program.

    Graduate Certificate

    Medical Microbiology

    Biochemist handling a sample in the lab

    Earn a Graduate Certificate in Less than a Year

    The 11-credit graduate certificate provides foundational knowledge of infectious pathogens and diseases, covering such topics as bacteriology, virology, gene therapy, and immunotherapy. 

    Curriculum and Admissions Information

    • Curriculum Overview: Graduate Certificate in Medical Microbiology

      The Medical Microbiology graduate certificate requires completion of 11 credits. Specific course requirements are outlined below.

      FOUNDATION COURSES (8 credits)

      Students must complete BOTH of the following courses:

      • GMS 6121 Infectious Disease (3 credits)
      • GMS 7133 Advanced Molecular Virology (2 credits)

      Students must pick ONE (the other courses may be taken as electives, if desired): 

      • MCB 6670c The Microbiome (3 credits)
      • MCB 6424 Probiotics (3 credits)
      • GMS 6108 Bacterial Physiology, Antibiotics, Genetics (3 credits)
      • GMS 6109 Advanced Bacteriology (2 credits)
      ELECTIVE COURSES (3-4 credits)

      Students may take any of the following courses to fulfill the 3-4 remaining credits: 

      • GMS 7192 Journal Colloquy (several topics available such as Infectious Disease, Bacteriology, and COVID-19) (1 credit)
      • GMS 6132 Introductory Gene and Immunotherapy (2 credits)
      • MCB 6424 Probiotics (3 credits)
      • MCB 6670C The Microbiome (3 credits) 
      • GMS 6108 Bacterial Physiology, Antibiotics and Genetics (3 credits) 
      • GMS 6109 Advanced Bacteriology (2 credits)

       

    • Admissions Requirements: Graduate Certificate in Medical Microbiology

      Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA and 3.0 upper division GPA.* See full admission requirements and application deadlines here.  

      *  If your GPA is below 3.0, please schedule an advising appointment to see what options are available. 

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