Microbiology and Cell Science

The Bachelor of Science in microbiology and cell science offers students flexibility in a curriculum that develops an excellent knowledge base and an understanding of concepts in microbiology, cell biology and the bio-molecular sciences. Emphasis will be placed on application of the scientific method to gain an understanding of the biological world at the cellular and molecular levels. Students will learn to evaluate hypotheses, to interpret experimental data and to communicate results effectively.

Overview

This major prepares students for entry into professional programs in medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine and provides a strong foundation for graduate studies in microbiology, cell biology and related cellular and biomedical sciences. The major also provides a background for entry into government, industrial research and diagnostic laboratories.

The curriculum develops fundamental knowledge of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and viruses. Courses include the physiology and genetics of microorganisms, mechanisms of pathogenesis and innate immunity systems, astrobiology, bacterial and genome sequencing and bioinformatics. Additional information is available at the major’s website microcell.ufl.edu.

Coursework for the Major

All majors take these core requirements for a total of 15 credits along with 10 credits of upper-division department electives. A minimum of one credit in an advanced laboratory is required as part of the 10 department-elective credits, totaling 25 credits.

A minimum grade of C must be attained within two attempts (including withdrawals) in all critical-tracking courses, major courses, department core requirements and department electives. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 is also required.

Required Coursework

• Integrated Principles of Biology 1 and 2 and laboratories (BSC 2010/2010L and
  BSC 2011/2011L). AGR 3033 may be substituted for BSC 2011 and 2011L
• General Chemistry 1 and laboratory (CHM 2045 and 2045L)
• General Chemistry 2 Qualitative Analysis and laboratory (CHM 2046 and 2046L)
• Analytical Geometry and Calculus 1 (MAC 2311)
• Physics 1 and 2 and laboratories (PHY 2053/2053L and PHY 2054/2054L or
  PHY 2048/2048L and PHY 2049/2049L)
• Organic Chemistry and laboratory (CHM 2210, 2211 and 2211L)
• All majors must complete the biology sequence, general chemistry sequence and calculus by the end of the sophomore year. Organic Chemistry, CHM 2210, must be completed by the end of tracking term five. To continue in the major, students must attain a cumulative GPA in these graded courses of no less than 2.5 and with no grade lower than a C.

Core Requirements

• BCH 4024 or CHM 3218 Biochemistry or Organic Chemistry/Biochemistry 2
• MCB 3023 and 3023L Principles of Microbiology and Microbiology Laboratory
• MCB 4203 Pathogens or PCB 4233 Immunology
• MCB 4304 Genetics of Microorganisms or PCB 4522 Molecular Genetics

Students must take MCB 4203 Pathogens or PCB 4233 Immunology as a core course. If they take both, one will count as a core course and the other will roll over into the 10-credit department elective requirement.

Department Electives

A total of 10 credits of approved department electives including one credit in an advanced lab is required. The list of approved electives is available on the department website. A maximum of 4 credits of approved department electives may be taken in other departments with a course prefix of FOS, HOS, CHM, ZOO (excluding ZOO 4232) and SWS. The remaining six credits must be chosen from the department list with prefixes of MCB, PCB, ZOO 4232, BSC 4434 or BSC 2891.

MCB 4905 does not replace the advanced laboratory requirement. It may be taken for a total of 10 credits maximum and two credits maximum per semester.

MCB 4934 Special Topics is often used for TA lab positions. TA positions may be repeated for a total of 2 semesters with one lab assignment per semester.

Enrollment in MCB 4905 Undergraduate Research and MCB 4934 Special Topics - Teaching Assistantship will not fulfill any credits toward the microbiology department elective requirements; they will count only as general elective credit toward the 120 credits for the B.S. degree.

Combined Degree Program

A Bachelor of Science and Master of Science (non-thesis) program is offered by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Microbiology majors in both the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are eligible for admission to the Combined Degree Program.

Preparation for Graduate Study

This major prepares students for entry into graduate studies in microbiology, cell biology, biochemistry and other areas. Students should set up an appointment with Dr. James Preston (jpreston@ufl.edu) to determine their eligibility for this program.

All students interested in graduate education should develop a strong background in chemistry as soon as possible. Suggested schedules for students who plan to attend graduate school are available on the website. Students planning graduate study in microbiology, biochemistry or molecular biological sciences should consider taking the following courses:

• CHM 3218 Organic Chemistry/Biochemistry 2 (4 credits) for the biochemistry requirement
• MAC 2312 Calculus 2 (4 credits)
• STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics (3 credits)
• MCB 4403 Prokaryotic Cell Structure (3 credits), PCB 3134 Eukaryotic Cell Structure and Function (3 credits) and CHM 3400 Physical Chemistry (3 credits) to fulfill nine credits of required department electives
• MCB 5303L Microbial Genetics Laboratory (2 credits) or MCB 5136L Techniques of Advanced Microbiology Laboratory (3 credits) to fulfill the microbiology advanced laboratory requirement, and
• PCB 4233 Immunology (3 credits) to fulfill the pathogens or immunology requirement.
• In addition, MCB 4905 will provide valuable laboratory research experience.

Critical Tracking

Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students

Semester 1

• 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
• 2.5 GPA for all critical-tracking coursework for semesters 1-5
• Complete CHM 1025 or CHM 2045/2045L

Semester 2

• Complete CHM 2045/2045L and MAC 2311

Semester 3

• Complete CHM 2046/2046L and BSC 2010/2010L

Semester 4

• Complete BSC 2011/2011L

Semester 5

• Complete CHM 2210

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.

Recommended Semester Plan

Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are required to complete HUM 2305 The Good Life (GE-H) in semester 1 or 2. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.