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    Microbiology & Cell Science

    Microbiology & Cell Science

    Microbiology Online text with microbes in the background

    MICROBIOME IN HEALTH AND DISEASE

    Microbes are everywhere! They exist in us, on us, and around us in complex microscopic ecosystems called microbiomes. A collection of bacteria, viruses, archaea, and fungi that naturally live in community on and within larger living creatures, microbiomes play a fascinating role in health homeostasis, disease progression, and disease treatment. The University of Florida Microbiology and Cell Science Department offers a Master of Science Degree and a Graduate Certificate in the field of Microbiome and Health.

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

      • Role of the human microbiome in disease
      • Short and long-term effects of antibiotic use on the human gut microbiome
      • Regulatory aspects of microbiome-based therapies
      • Fundamental concepts and quantitative methodology to study the microbiome
      • Bioinformatics tools to evaluate microbiome composition

    TOP INDUSTRIES IN THIS FIELD

    The microbiome has become one of the hottest areas in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. With the recent advancement of DNA sequencing technologies, microbiology research has revealed that imbalance in the human microbiome is linked not only to gastrointestinal conditions but systemic disease as well, including autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and Hashimoto’s disease, neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, and cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis. 

    A keen understanding for the role of microbiomes in health and disease will help advance careers in:

      • Research and Development
      • Clinical Trials
      • Regulatory Affairs
      • Medical Affairs
      • Data Analysis and Bioinformatics
      • Pharmaceutical Sales and Biotechnology Sales
      • Science Communications
      • Academia

    For more information about the career paths of our recent graduates, check out our careers page.

    BIOINFORMATICS

    This program offers a unique opportunity to develop the foundational bioinformatics skills used in modern microbiology research. The courses available that predominantly focus on computational analysis are:

      • BSC6895C AI in Agriculture and Life Sciences - Neural network modeling
      • BSC 6459 Fundamentals in Bioinformatics - Non-programming genomic data analysis 
      • MCB 6318 Comparative Microbial Genomics - Non-programming genomic and post-genomic analysis
      • MCB 6326 Computational Genomics and Epigenomics - Large-scale genomic and epigenomic analysis 
      • MCB 6670c The Microbiome - Genomic and metagenomic analysis 
      • MCB 6796 Microbiological Data Analysis - R programming language for DNA sequencing analysis

     

     

    Master of Science Degree

    MICROBIOLOGY & CELL SCIENCE WITH A CONCENTRATION IN MICROBIOME IN HEALTH AND DISEASE 

    Dr. Jennifer Drew, genomics lecturer and STEP program professor, in her office.

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

    • Curriculum Overview: M.S. Microbiome in Health and Disease

      Download the Course Planning Document for the M.S. Microbiome in Health & Disease. 

      FOUNDATION COURSES (18 credits)

      Students are required to complete all SIX courses below:

        • MCB 6670c The Microbiome (3 credits)
        • MCB 6424 Probiotics (3 credits)
        • MCB 5270 Antimicrobial Resistance (3 credits)
        • MCB 5505 General Virology (3 credits)
        • BSC 6895c AI in Agriculture and Life Sciences (3 credits)
        • MCB 7922 Final Literature Review (1 credit)

      Pick TWO of the courses below:

        • MCB 6937 Regulatory Aspects of Microbiome-Based Therapies (1 credit)
        • 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)
      Choose Between the Microbiome/Host Interactions and Microbiome Quantitative Tracks

      The Master of Science in Microbiology and Cell Science with a concentration in Microbiome in Health and Disease offers the choice between two tracks. Students must select a track but may take courses from the other track as electives. 

      MICROBIOME/HOST INTERACTIONS TRACK (6 credits)

      This track is recommended for students who want to focus their studies on the clinical impact of the microbiome on host physiology and the immune system.

      Must Take:

        • PCB 5235 Immunology (3 credits)

      Pick ONE:

        • MCB 6407 Prokaryotic Cell Structure and Function (3 credits)
        • MCB 5205 Microbiology of Human Pathogens (3 credits)
        • MCB 6151 Prokaryotic Diversity (3 credits)
      MICROBIOME QUANTITATIVE TRACK (6 credits)

      This track is recommended for students interested in developing bioinformatics and computational analysis skills to evaluate fluctuations in microbiome composition.

      Must Take TWO:

        • BSC 6459 Fundamentals in Bioinformatics (3 credits)
        • MCB 6796 Microbiological Data Analysis (3 credits)
        • MCB 6326 Computational Genomics and Epigenomics (3 credits) 
        • MCB 6318 Comparative Microbial Genomics (2 credits)

      Pick ONE if needed to fulfill 6 credits:

        • MCB 6937 Regulatory Aspects of Microbiome-Based Therapies (1 credit)
        • 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
      ELECTIVE COURSES (6 credits)

      Students may take any of the following courses to fulfill the 6 remaining credits for completion of the 30-credit program

    • 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.

    Set Yourself Apart with Expertise in Bioinformatics and the Clinical Impact of Microbiome Apply before July 1 to start in Fall 2025.

    Graduate Certificate

    Microbiome and Health

    Online student studying microbiome in health and disease.

    The Microbiome and Health Graduate Certificate is a 12-credit online program focused on the increasingly important study of microbiomes. This program will give you a deeper understanding of the microscopic ecosystems that exist all around just beyond our sight. You will acquire skills in understanding probiotics, antimicrobial resistance, and virology through a comprehensive study of the human gut microbiome, a focus on emerging pathogens, an exploration of the virome, and more.

    • Curriculum Overview: Graduate Certificate in Microbiome and Health
      FOUNDATION COURSES (9 credits)

      Pick THREE:

      • MCB 6670c The Microbiome (3 credits)
      • MCB 6424 Probiotics (3 credits)
      • MCB 5270 Antimicrobial Resistance (3 credits)
      • MCB 5505 General Virology (3 credits)
      ELECTIVE COURSES (3 credits)

      Pick ONE:

    • Admissions Requirements: Graduate Certificate in Medical Microbiology

      Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a 2.7 overall GPA and 2.7 upper-division GPA.* See full admission requirements and application deadlines here.  

      *  If your GPA is below 2.7, please schedule an advising appointment to see what options are available. 

    The Department of Microbiology and Cell Science Building.

    Why Study Microbiology at the University of Florida?

    As the largest microbiology program in the country, the University of Florida Department of Microbiology is able to offer a wide range of courses and attract leading experts in microbiology as faculty. Keep reading to see the advantages our program offers students. 

    • Questions? Contact Us
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      • mcsadvising@ifas.ufl.edu
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