Microbiology and Cell Science

• Critical Tracking
• 8 Semester Plan

The Major: 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. The major prepares students for entry into graduate studies in microbiology, cell biology, as well as other areas. It also provides background for entry into government, industrial research, diagnostic laboratories, as well as medicine, dentistry and veterinary professional programs. The major requires:

• Biology I and II and Labs (BSC 2010 and BSC 2010L; BSC 2011 and BSC 2011L). AGR 3033 may be substituted for BSC 2011 and BSC 2011L.
• Chemistry I and II and Labs (CHM 2045 and CHM 2045L, CHM 2046, and CHM 2046L, or CHM 2047).
• Calculus I - MAC 2311.
• Physics I and II and Labs (PHY 2053 and PHY 2053L, PHY 2054, and PHY 2054L).
• Organic Chemistry I and II and Organic Chemistry II Lab (CHM 2210, CHM 2211 and CHM 2211L or CHM 3217 and CHM 2211L).
• Analytical Chemistry and Lab CHM 3120 and CHM 3120L.

All prospective majors must complete the biology sequence, general chemistry sequence, and calculus by the end of the sophomore year. Organic Chemistry I must be completed by the end of track term 5. Students are required to have a cumulative GPA in these courses of no less than a 2.5 with a grade no lower than a C in order to continue in the major. A grade of C must be achieved within two attempts (including withdrawals) in all critical tracking courses, major courses, department core requirements and department elective requirements.

Major department core requirements include MCB 3020 and MCB 3020L, MCB 4203 or PCB 5235, MCB 4304 or PCB 4522, and BCH 4024 or CHM 4207 or CHM 3218 for a total of 15 credits of required courses and at least 10 credits of upper-division department elective courses. One advanced lab course is required as part of the 10 credits of department electives totaling 25 credits. A grade of C or better (within two attempts) and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required to satisfy these credits.

For students satisfactorily completing both MCB 4203 and PCB 5235: PCB 5235, will be used to fulfill a core requirement and MCB 4203 will be used to fulfill department elective credits. MCB 4905, MCB 4909, and MCB 4941 may not be used toward fulfillment of any of these 25 credits.

Students interested in pursuing graduate education should develop their strength in chemistry as soon as possible. They should set up an appointment with an adviser to effectively plan their schedule. Students who plan to attend graduate school in microbiology, biochemistry or a related field in molecular biological sciences are recommended to include the following courses in their schedule: MAC 2312, Calculus II (4 credits); MAC 2313, Calculus III (4 credits); CHM 4207, Biochemistry (4 credits) for the biochemistry requirement; MCB 4304, Genetics of Microorganisms (3 credits) to fulfill the genetics requirement; PCB 5235, Immunology (3 credits) to fulfill the pathogens or immunology requirement; MCB 5136L, Techniques Advanced Lab (3 credits), to fulfill the microbiology advanced lab requirement; and MCB 4403, Prokaryotic Cell Structure (3 credits), MCB 5303L, Microbial Genetics Lab (2 credits), and CHM 3400, Physical Chemistry (3 credits) to fulfill the remaining microbiology required elective credits. In addition, the student should include MCB 4905 course work in the schedule in order to gain laboratory research experience.

Academic advisement is available in the department administrative office located on Museum Road. An appointment to meet with an adviser can be made by calling (352) 392-1906.

A complete list of microbiology core requirements and department electives as well as sample schedules for pre-professional and pre-graduate school tracks can be found on our Web site at: microcell.ufl.edu.

Honors: To graduate cum laude, a student must have a 3.5 overall junior/senior GPA. To graduate magna cum laude (high honors) or summa cum laude (highest honors), a student must have a 3.75 or 3.85 GPA respectively. The upper-division GPA includes grades for all courses taken after 60 earned credits.

In addition to the GPA requirement, a candidate for magna cum laude or summa cum laude recognition must obtain grades of B or better in at least four credits of MCB 4905 or MCB 4909 and in one of the following courses: PCB 5235, MCB 5303L, MCB 5505, MCB 5458, or PCB 5136L.

The research will be supervised by a faculty member in the department or approved faculty outside the department. The project will be in microbiology and cell or related area of science. A one-page description of the proposed research must be submitted to the departmental academic advising office before registering for MCB 4905 and initiating the research project.

Students who are candidates for magna cum laude or summa cum laude recognition in the college must submit a copy of the honors thesis to the undergraduate coordinator and college dean’s office. Contact the college dean’s office for deadline information. The final decision on the honors distinction is determined by performance in MCB 4905 and an evaluation of the quality of the thesis.

Microbiology

To remain ‘on track’ for this major, a student must meet the following critical tracking criteria.

• Maintain 2.0 UF GPA semesters 1-5
• Complete CHM1025 or (CHM2045 and CHM2045L)

• Complete CHM2045, CHM2045L and MAC2311 with a 2.5 GPA on all critical tracking course work

• Complete CHM2046, CHM2046L, BSC2010 and BSC2010L with a 2.5 GPA on all critical tracking course work

• Complete BSC2011/2011L with 2.5 GPA on all critical tracking course work

• Complete CHM2210 with 2.5 GPA on all critical tracking course work

This plan is a sample pre-professional track for majors who plan to pursue medical, dental, veterinary medicine or other professional school after graduation. A suggested schedule for students who plan to go to graduate school is on the Web at

mirocell.ufl.edu. Students should follow the links to the specific college in which they are enrolled.