ACADEMIC SUCCESS Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree in Microbiology and Cell Science
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Microbiology and Cell Science
The Department of Microbiology and Cell Science offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree through either the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) Links to an external site. or the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) Links to an external site.. The curriculum prepares students to meet their goals, which include professional careers in microbiology, or continuation of their education in professional programs such as medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary or graduate school. Students with an interest in research are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the department’s undergraduate research opportunities and are encouraged to consider continuing their education in the department’s respected Graduate Program in Microbiology and Cell Science Links to an external site. or elsewhere.
The Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Cell Science, offers you 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. You will learn to evaluate hypotheses, to interpret experimental data and to communicate results effectively. Differences in the CALS and CLAS major extends solely to the specific coursework required to complete the respected degree.
Additional information can be found through the catalog, including course requirements and semester plans, for the CALS major is available here (Links to an external site.).
Additional information can be found through the catalog, including course requirements and semester plans, for the CLAS major is available here (Links to an external site.).
An annotated 8 semester plan will help you to understand the requirements to obtain your degree in the time required
Departmental Electives
The department offers a wide variety of departmental electives you can chose from. For a current list of department electives Links to an external site., instructors, prerequisites and syllabi check here. Links to an external site.
Instructor and faculty information can be found at our MCS webpage. Links to an external site.
CALS (MCB) requirements
- Effective Oral Communication (3CR) AEC3030C or SPC2608
- Technical Writing (3CR) choose from ENC2210, ENC3254, AEC3033C
- Economics (3CR) choose from ECO2013, ECO2023, AEB2014
Don't get deterred by the word "agriculture" in the title of the college. We are not all interested in becoming farmers!
CLAS (MCY) requirements
- College level Foreign Language Sequence (8-10CR)
- 1 additional Humanity (3CR)
- 1 additional Social Science (3CR)
You get the exact same degree, regardless of which college you chose. Besides the difference in core requirement. You are supposed to seek advise from CLAS advising in Farrier Hall Links to an external site., which some students find themselves talking to different advisors during every visit. To switch your college from CLAS to CALS and stay in the same major you can fill out this form. Download CLAS to CALS and stay in the same major you can fill out this form.
Skills You Will Acquire as Microbiology and Cell Science Major
- Describe fundamental concepts, skills and processes in microbiology, molecular biology and in host/pathogen interactions.
- Apply fundamental concepts, skills and protocols used to conduct research in fields of microbiology, molecular biology and in host/pathogen.
- Evaluate information and data in the general areas of microbiology and the cellular and molecular biological sciences.
- Solve typical problems that are encountered in general areas of microbiology and cellular and molecular biological sciences.
- Communicate effectively in written form in a manner appropriate in microbiology and the cellular and molecular biological sciences.
- Communicate orally (including visual aids) in an effective manner appropriate in microbiology and the cellular and molecular biological sciences.
Degree Seeking Distinction
There are several ways to enter the program and earn a degree in Microbiology and Cell Science from UF. Check out these options and some may suit you better for your circumstances and life style. All options result in the same impactful B.S degree which you earn from the University of Florida.
4 years @ UF
Most of our students start as Freshmen right after high school and pursue a 4-year UF degree. Our students can join College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) Links to an external site. or the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) Links to an external site. upon acceptance to UF. Several high school classes will count as part of your UF requirements. Those high school students with an A.A. degree also count in this category.
More here: ACADEMIC SUCCESS Traditional Student
Transfer Students
CALS transfer
Many of our students complete their A.A. at a state college and then transfer to UF as Microbiology and Cell Science major. Most students apply to be CALS transfer students. Links to an external site.
Up to 60 credits will count towards your UF degree and you have to have Bio 1+2, Chem 1+2 (and labs) and Calc completed befroe you can transfer.
CLAS transfer
You can also transfer with your A.A. into CLAS, which is less common. The transfer requirements are identical for both colleges.
More here: ACADEMIC SUCCESS Transfer Student
Online Students
Online students
We offer a unique 2+2 online program for mostly less traditional students. Many of our online students have family, jobs or are located overseas at military bases. This program enables those students to get the same degree from UF as if they were on campus. Our unique "hybrid bootcamp lab" provides the students the opportunity to get hands on skills despite they are in an online program.
More here: ACADEMIC SUCCESS: Online Students
PaCE Students
A subset of UF freshmen students who did not quite make it into UF are offered to start as UF PaCE student. That translates to UF Pathway to Campus Enrollment. Links to an external site.
Those students join campus usually at the same time as transfer students and become part of the UF campus cohort after they complete all PaCE requirements.
More here: ACADEMIC SUCCESS PaCE Student
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B.A. vs. B.Sc. (or B.S.)
Some of you may have wondered why some degrees offers a B.A. (Bachelors of Art) and a B.S. (Bachelors of Science). The difference is that the B.S. is usually more rigorous and chosen by students who want to pursue professional school or research. The B.A. is a degree for students who are interested in education, interdisciplinary fields or the allied health professions. We only offer a B.S. degree in Microbiology and Cell Science and thus have high standards for our students and educational approach.