Microbial and Cellular Data Science
In 2023, the University of Florida Department of Microbiology introduced an innovative distance Ph.D. program in microbial and cellular data science. This program provides the opportunity for those with established careers and a passion for bioinformatics to earn their Ph.D. without disrupting their lives.
Like traditional, on-campus Ph.D students, Distance Ph.D. students have a faculty mentor. In addition to their coursework, they will conduct independent research as part of the faculty mentor's laboratory.
- This program is best suited for those with a background in microbiology as well as computer science, data science, or coding.
- The estimated timeline to completion is 4-6 years for a full-time student, or 7-8 years for a part-time student.
- Admissions for this program is highly selective with only 2-3 students selected per semester.
- No GRE is required for admissions.
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Program Requirements: Distance Ph.D.
Distance Ph.D. students are required to complete the same academic markers as on-campus Ph.D. students with some alternatives provided to allow for remote coursework and research.
To maintain enrollment and graduate, the following are expected:
- Successful completion of a minimum of 60 credits beyond the M.S. degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0
- Students must register for a minimum of six credits per semester (fall, spring, and summer)
- The estimated timeline to completion is 4-6 years for a full-time student, or 7-8 years for a part-time student
- Completion of all course requirements for the Ph.D. degree in Microbiology and Cell Science
- Successful completion of written and oral qualifying exams
- Completion of original research documented by publications in peer-reviewed journals and in a dissertation submitted and approved by the faculty and the graduate school
- Virtual attendance at the weekly departmental seminar synchronously or asynchronously
- Virtual attendance of a journal colloquy each semester to keep students informed of the latest progress in the subject areas of interest to their disciplines
- Assist their mentors in teaching for two semesters
- Ability and willingness to communicate through multiple means on a frequent basis with your Ph.D. mentor or other collaborators
- Students must meet with their committees at least once per year
- Successful completion of a minimum of 60 credits beyond the M.S. degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0
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Faculty Mentors
View our list of faculty at https://microcell.ufl.edu/research/
- Each professor will determine if they have a project available for a distance PhD student. Not all professors will have relevant research projects for this program.
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Admissions Requirements
1) B.S. degree
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Preferably with an emphasis on microbiology and/or cell biology
2) M.S. degree, of at least 30 credits, in the life sciences
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Preferably with an emphasis on microbiology and/or cell biology
3) Strong preference given to applicants with significant quantitative skills in computational biology, programming, and/or statistics
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Preferably with an emphasis on microbiology and/or cell biology
- Evidence of such training or skills should be included with the application
4) Preference given to candidates with the following pre-requisite courses (or their equivalent in courses from other institutions) or demonstrated work experience:
- Python Programming
- R Programming
- Bioinformatics
- The Microbiome
- Artificial Intelligence
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Application Materials
1) Application fee of $30
2) Unofficial transcripts from each school you have attended
3) CV or resume
4) Three letters of recommendation (LOR)
- We suggest that candidates request LOR from professional/academic mentors or colleagues that can comment on their academic/research experiences
5) Personal statement: Answer the following three prompts in a word document and upload to the application
- Describe your research experience, career goals, and area of research interest (limit 500 words)
- How have you demonstrated success in a remote work or school environment? (limit 300 words)
- Which research labs in our department interest you most and why? (limit 300 words)
6) International Applicants must submit official evidence of English language proficiency
7) Information Request Page
- Fill out the Distance Ph.D. Information Request Form and attach it to your application
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How to Apply
Go to : https://www.applyweb.com/uflgrad/index.ftl
Complete each section of the application (notes on how to choose the correct program can be found below)
- Application Information
- Location of Intended Program: Distance Education
- Program of Study
- Select College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Microbiology and Cell Science, Degree Name – Doctor of Philosophy
- choose application term
- Concentration: Microbial and Cellular Data Science
- Program Specialization: leave this blank
- Department Contact Name: leave this blank
- Application Information
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Cost and Financial Aid
Tuition and Fees
- $484.48 per credit (in-state)
- $635.75 per credit (out-of-state)
Stipends
- Stipends are not available from the department. A PI may choose to provide stipend support for extraordinary candidates.
Financial Aid
- Many employers offer tuition benefits or reimbursements available.
- The department and PIs will be seeking sources of external support for these admitted students but there are no guarantees, particularly during the early phases of this program.
- This program is eligible for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP).
Start Your Application
The distance Ph.D. provides the opportunity to conduct original research, publish in peer-reviewed journal, complete a dissertation with the mentorship of experts in the field. Apply to start next semester.