Format, Funding and Requirements

• Program Format & Structure
  • Format: On campus, Gainesville, Florida
  • Degree: Ph.D. in Microbiology and Cell Science
  • Credits: 90 graduate credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree
  • Typical completion: 4–5 years
  • Entry term: Fall
  • Research model: Students enter with a predetermined major professor and research laboratory. There are no laboratory rotations.
  • Master's degree: Not required
  • GRE: Not required

  Your first-year course plan is developed with your major professor and the graduate program advisor based on your academic preparation and research direction. Many students complete their required coursework within their first two semesters. Students typically prepare for the qualifying examination in the spring of their second year and, after successfully completing the exam, advance to doctoral candidacy and begin registering for doctoral research through dissertation completion.

  Currently accepting Fall 2027 applications
  Deadline to apply: December 15, 2026

• Tuition & Funding

  On-campus Ph.D. students receive a $35,000 annual departmental stipend and tuition waiver as part of their doctoral support.

  Students are responsible for applicable student fees and other costs not covered by the tuition waiver. Student fees are typically around $700 per semester.

  UF scholarships may also be available to eligible graduate students. MCS does not offer departmental scholarships.

  The department's doctoral support is designed to give students the financial foundation to focus on their research and progress toward the degree.

• Admissions Requirements

  Admission requires acceptance by both the UF Graduate School and the Department of Microbiology and Cell Science.

  Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Meeting the minimum GPA does not guarantee admission.

  Applicants should have completed:

  • Two semesters of general biology
  • Two semesters of general chemistry
  • One semester of organic chemistry
  • One semester of microbiology 
  • One semester of biochemistry
• Application Requirements

  Before beginning the UF Graduate School application, prospective students are encouraged to connect with MCS advising and complete the department's graduate program inquiry form. This gives you an opportunity to ask questions about the program, faculty research, research interests and the application process before submitting your application.

  1. Start With MCS

  Complete the MCS graduate program form to tell us about your academic background, research interests and what you're looking for in a doctoral program.

  You can also contact MCS program advisor Jacqueline Lee with questions about the Ph.D. program, application process or deadlines at jlee9@ufl.edu.

  2. Complete the UF Graduate School Application

  After connecting with MCS, complete the UF Graduate School application and select the Microbiology and Cell Science Ph.D. program.

  Your application includes:

  • $30 application fee
  • Transcripts — Unofficial transcripts may be submitted for initial review. Official transcripts are required after admission and before enrollment requirements are completed.
  • CV or resume — Include your academic background, research experience, employment and other relevant experience.
  • Three letters of recommendation — Letters should speak to your academic preparation, research experience and potential for doctoral study.
  • Personal statement — Describe your research experience, career goals and areas of research interest. Maximum 500 words.
  • MCS supplemental information form — Provide additional information about your academic preparation, research interests and areas of interest for review by the admissions committee.

  Research experience is an important part of the application. The admissions committee considers the complete application, including academic preparation, research experience, recommendations, personal statement and research interests.

• International Applicants

  International applicants must meet UF's English-language proficiency requirements unless they qualify for an exemption. UF currently accepts TOEFL and IELTS Academic scores.

  TOEFL

  • Minimum overall score: 4.5
  • Minimum score in each subsection: 4.0
  • UF school code: 5812
  • A minimum speaking score of 4.5 is required for applicants seeking eligibility for a Teaching Assistantship

  
  IELTS Academic

  • Minimum overall score: 6.5
  • UF receives IELTS scores through the IELTS Results Service E-Delivery system
  • Paper Test Report Forms and unofficial IELTS copies are not accepted

  Applicants who completed coursework outside the United States must provide academic credentials for each institution listed in the application. Documents not issued in English must include a certified, literal English translation.

  International applicants should begin the process early enough to allow time for testing, transcript preparation and credential processing before the December 15 deadline.

RESEARCH

Doctoral Program Structure & Milestones

The MCS Ph.D. is built around research from day one. You'll enter the program with a predetermined major professor and research laboratory, giving you a defined research environment from the beginning. As you progress, you'll develop the expertise and independence to lead your own scientific work while working with faculty and researchers across a major research university.

Your plan of study combines advanced coursework with progressive research milestones and is developed with your major professor and the graduate program advisor based on your academic preparation and research direction.

Meet a Ph.D. Candidate

RESOURCES & SUPPORT

FAQ

• Who is the on-campus Ph.D. program designed for?

  The on-campus Ph.D. is designed for students who want to pursue intensive, research-focused doctoral training while working in person with UF faculty and research laboratories in Gainesville, Florida.

  Students work closely with a major professor and graduate committee while developing expertise through coursework, research, seminars, teaching and other doctoral requirements.

• Do on-campus Ph.D. students receive a stipend?

  Yes. On-campus Ph.D. students receive an annual stipend of $35,000 per year and a tuition waiver. 

  *Students are required to pay for fees, typically around $700 per semester.

• Can I apply to the on-campus Ph.D. with a bachelor's degree?

  Yes. A master's degree is not required to enter the Ph.D. program. Applicants should have the academic preparation needed for advanced study in microbiology and related biological sciences.

  The department strongly encourages applicants to have completed undergraduate coursework in microbiology and biochemistry before applying.

• What research areas are available for on-campus Ph.D. students?

  Research opportunities span a broad range of microbiology and cell science, including microbial biochemistry and metabolism, molecular biology, genetics, immunology, virology, host-pathogen interactions, environmental microbiology, bioinformatics, genomics, astrobiology, parasitology and microbial communities

• Find answers to more frequently asked questions.

  HERE