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    Microbiology & Cell Science

    Microbiology & Cell Science

    Microbiome in Health & Disease


    Study the microbial systems that shape human health

    Microbiome in Health & Disease


    Study the microbial systems that shape human health

    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. 

    Graduates of this program go on to roles in pharmaceutical research, clinical laboratory science, federal agencies, biotech and academic research. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 8% growth in microbiologist employment through 2034, more than double the 3% national average, with median salaries of $87,330. Senior research and federal lab roles regularly exceed $100,000.

    This program focuses on how microorganisms interact with the human body and how those interactions shape disease, immunity and treatment strategies.

    Areas of study include: 

    • Human microbiome science
    • Microbial ecology
    • Genomics and sequencing technologies
    • Microbiome-based therapies 

    Where this degree leads. Graduates pursue roles in: 

    • Microbiome research and biotechnology
    • Healthcare and diagnostics
    • Pharmaceutical development
    • Academic and clinical research 

    This field continues to grow as new discoveries reshape how scientists understand human health. 


    →APPLY NOW

    →REQUEST INFORMATION


    At A Glance

    • Admission Requirements
    • Application Guide
    • 100% online and asynchronous
    • Enroll any semester
    • No GRE requirement
    • Tuition: $535.00 per credit hour, plus fees

    Library Access

    Distance Education and UF Online Students enjoy the same library privileges as on-campus students.

    • Utilize the University of Florida Library System

     


    Graduation Requirements

    • Students must take at least three credits in the final fall/spring (or two credits in the summer) semester to graduate.
    • Thirty credits are required to complete the degree (37 credits required in the introductory online MS track).
    • 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 a 3.0 major GPA to graduate.
    • A lower GPA will result in academic probation and possible dismissal from the program
    • Fifteen credits must be completed in major courses with an MCB, PCB, or BSC prefix.
    • Satisfactorily complete MCB 6900 Final Assessment - Literature Review in the last semester of coursework to fulfill the final exam requirement: Access graduation information

    *Sum A refers to the first 6-week summer session, mid-May through late June
    ** Sum C refers to the 12-week summer session, mid-May through early August
    ***Sum B refers to the second 6-week summer session, early July to early August.

    • Required Courses (6 courses, 16 credits)

      All six courses are required. MCB 6900 must be completed in the final semester of the program.

      Course # Course Title Pre-Req Credits Fall Spring Summer
      MCB 5270 Antimicrobial Resistance Microbiology 3 ✔️ ✔️  
      MCB 6670C The Microbiome Microbiology 3   ✔️ Sum C**
      MCB 6424 Probiotics Microbiology 3   ✔️  
      MCB 5505 Virology Microbiology 3 ✔️ ✔️ Sum C**
      BSC 6895C AI in Agriculture and LIfe Science Microbiology 3 ✔️    
      MCB 6900 Final Assessment - Literature Review Must be taken in the final semester 1 ✔️ ✔️ Sum C**

       

      Students are required to complete 2 of the courses listed below (2 credits). 

      Course # Course Title Pre-Req Credits Fall Spring Summer
      MCB 6937 Regulatory Aspects of the Microbiome Research MCB 6424 or MCB 4422 1     Sum C**
      MCB 7922 Journal Colloquy: Mechanisms of Host/Microbial Interactions none 1 ✔️ ✔️  
      MCB 7922 Journal Colloquy: Virome/Host Interactions none 1 ✔️ ✔️  
      MCB 7922 Journal Colloquy: Microbiome-based Clinical Trials  none 1     Sum C**
    • Choose a Track

      Students are required to choose one of two available tracks:

      • Microbiome/Host Interactions Track (6 credits) or
      • Microbiome Quantitative Track (6 credits)

      1-Microbiome/Host Interactions Track (6 credits)

      Students are required to complete the course listed below (3 credits)

      Course # Course Title Pre-Req Credits Fall Spring Summer
      PCB 5235 Immunology Microbiology 3   ✔️  

       

      Students are required to complete 1 of the course listed below (three credits)

      Course # Course Title Pre-Req Credits Fall Spring Summer
      MCB 5205 Microbiology of Human Pathogens Microbiology 3 ✔️ ✔️  
      MCB 6151 Prokaryotic Diversity Microbiology 3     Sum C**
      MCB 6407 Prokarylotic Cell Microbiology and Biochemistry 3 ✔️    

      2-Mirobiome Quantitative Track (6 credits):

      Students are required to complete 2 courses listed below (5 or 6 credits)

      Course # Course Title Pre-Req Credits Fall Spring Summer
      MCB 6796 Microbiological Data Analysis Microbiology 3 ✔️    
      MCB 6326 Computational Genomics and Epigenomics Microbiology 3   ✔️  
      BSC 6459 Fundamentals in Bioinformatics Molecular Biology and Biochemistry 3 ✔️    
      MCB 6318 Comparative Microbial Genomics miminum grade of A- in BSC 6459 2   ✔️  

       

      Students who take MCB 6318 are required to complete 1 course listed below (1 credit)

      Course # Course Title Pre-Req Credits Fall Spring Summer
      MCB 6937 Regulatory Aspects of Microbiome-based Therapies MCB 6424 or MCB 4422 1     Sum C**
      MCB 7922 Journal Colloquy: Mechanisms of Host/Microbial Interactions none 1 ✔️ ✔️  
      MCB 7922 Journal Colloquy: Virome/Host Ineractions none 1 ✔️ ✔️  
       MCB 7922  Journal Colloquy: Microbiome-based Clinical Trials none 1 ✔️   Sum C**
    • Elective Courses

      Students are required to complete 6 elective credits
      Note: module courses are offered during shortened periods throughout the semester

      Course # Course Title Pre-Req Credits Fall Spring Summer
      BSC 6459 Fundamentals in Bioinformatics Molecular Biology & Biochemistry 3 ✔️    
      MCB 6796 Microbiological Data Analysis Microbiology 3 ✔️    
      MCB 6407 Prokaryotic Cell Microbiology & Biochemistry 3 ✔️    
      MCB 6937 Microbial Applications of Synthetic Biology Microbiology 3 ✔️    
      MCB 6656 Environmental Microbiology Microbiology 3 ✔️    
      MCB 6937 Fundamentals in Molecular Genetics Recommended for those with a limited molecular biology background 3 ✔️    
      MCB 6417 Microbial Metabolism and Energetics (module) Biochemistry 1 ✔️    
      MCB 5666 Clinical Laboratory Ethics, Management, Safety and Professional Issues Microbiology 1 ✔️ ✔️  
      PCB 5246 Clinical Parasitology Microbiology 1 ✔️ ✔️  
      MCB 5816 Clinical Mycology Microbiology 1 ✔️ ✔️ Sum A*
      MCB 5508 Clinical Virology Microbiology 1 ✔️ ✔️ Sum A*
      MCB 6095 Microbiology Careers none 1 ✔️ ✔️ Sum B***
      MCB 5252 Microbiology, Immunology, and Immunotherapeutics recommended for those with a limited microbiology & immunology backround 4   ✔️ Sum A*
      MCB 6772 Advanced Topics in Cell Biology (module) Microbiology 1   ✔️  
      MCB 6355 Microbial/Host Defense (module) Microbiology 1   ✔️  
      MCB 6318 Comparative Microbial Genomics (module) minimum grade of A- BSC 6469 2   ✔️  
      PCB 6667 Human Genomics Microbiology 3   ✔️  
      MCB 6326 Computational Genomics and Epigenomics Microbiology 3   ✔️  
      PCB 5235 Immunology Microbiology 3   ✔️  
      MCB 5705 Astrobiology Microbiology 3   ✔️  
      MCB 6937 Advanced Molecular Genetics Microbiology 3   ✔️  
      MCB 6937 Python Programming Microbiology 3   ✔️  
      MCB 6458 Post Translational Modifications in Microbiology Microbiology 2     Sum C**
      MCB 6151 Prokaryotic Diversity Microbiology 3     Sum C**
      MCB 6937 Microbial Multicellularity minimum grade of C in MCB 5205 2     Sum C**
    • Introductory Course Track

      These two courses are required in addition to the standard 30 credits for students who lack a foundation in microbiology and/or biochemistry. It will be noted in your admission email if you are required to take either of these courses.

      Course # Course Title Pre-Req Credits Fall Spring Summer
      MCB 6937 Biology of Microorganisms none 3 ✔️ ✔️ Sum A*
      BCH 5404 Fundamentals of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology none 4 ✔️ ✔️ Sum C**

     

     


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    1355 Museum Dr. Gainesville, FL, 32611 Building 981 P.O. Box 110700 Gainesville, FL 32611-0180
    (352) 392-1906

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