Molecular Microbiology (BS)

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences program at UCF offers a rigorous curriculum that prepares students for careers in biomedical research and related fields. Core requirements include courses in math, statistics, chemistry, biology, and molecular methods. Restricted electives allow students to specialize in areas such as microbiology, immunology, and biotechnology. Graduates are well-prepared for graduate studies or employment in the biomedical industry.

Program Outline

Outline:

• Core Requirements:
• Basic Level (11 Total Credits):
• Math and Statistics (3 Total Credits):
Complete STA2023 - Statistical Methods I (3) or MAC2311C - Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (4).
• Chemistry (8 Total Credits): Complete CHM2210 - Organic Chemistry I (3), CHM2211 - Organic Chemistry II (3), and CHM2211L - Organic Laboratory Techniques I (2).
• Advanced Level (28-29 Total Credits):
• Complete BSC3403C - Quantitative Biological Methods (4), MCB3020C - General Microbiology (5), PCB3522 - Molecular Biology I (3), PCB3233L - Immunology Laboratory (1), PCB4280 - Molecular Immunology (3), PCB4524 - Molecular Biology II (3), MCB4414 - Physiology and Biochemistry of Microbes (3), and MCB4404 - Bacterial Genetics and Physiology (3).
• Complete at least one of the following: BCH4024 - Medical Biochemistry (4) or BCH4053 - Biochemistry I (3).
• Restricted Electives (9-12 Total Credits):
• Students must choose three (3) restricted electives from the list below.
• At least one (1) of these restricted elective courses must have a laboratory component.
• As an alternative to one of these restricted electives, students can take one of the following courses or programs to substitute for one (1) restricted elective course with a laboratory component: PILOT (Peer Instruction and Laboratory Occupational Training), PURE (Program for Undergraduate Research Experience), MCB 4920 GEAR (Group Effort Applied Research), MCB 4970H HIM thesis.
• As an alternative to one of these restricted electives, students can take one of the following courses or programs to substitute for one (1) restricted elective course: MCB 3903 Explorations in Biomedical Science, MCB 3933 Careers in Biomedical Science.
• Additional restricted electives can be taken as approved by the associate director.
• Complete at least 3 of the following: BOT4434C - General Mycology (4), MCB3203 - Pathogenic Microbiology (3), MCB4503C - Virology (3), MCB3202 - Principles of Infectious Disease (3), MCB4207 - Infectious Processes (3), MCB4276 - Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases (3), MCB4603 - Environmental Microbiology (3), MCB4721C - Methods in Biotechnology (4), MCB4653 - Applied Industrial Microbiology (3), PCB4028 - Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology (3), PCB4284 - Immunobiology (3), MCB4201 - Microbial Stress Response (3), MCB4204 - Cellular Microbiology: Host-Pathogen Interactions (3), MCB4114C - Microbial Genomics (4).
• Grand Total Credits: 48-52
• Capstone Requirements: None
• Electives: Variable.
Students are encouraged to participate in undergraduate research if interested in pursuing graduate or professional education.

Assessment:

• Students must maintain a minimum core science/math GPA of 3.0 to maintain status in the program.
• Students will be required to take a comprehensive test during their last semester.

Other:

• Students who declare this major come in on a "Pending" status.
• In order for students to transition out of "Pending" status, they must earn a "C" or better in each of the following courses or their equivalents: BSC 2010C, CHM 2045C, CHM 2046, CHM 2210; and earn a "B" or better in 3020C.
• Students who change degree programs and select this major must adopt the most current catalog.
• Students should complete the General Education Program before transferring within the Florida College System or State University System.
• Grades below "C" in Common Program Prerequisites, Core Requirements and Restricted Electives are not accepted.
• Students in undergraduate majors within the College of Medicine are expected to consistently make good progress towards their degrees.
• The COM/BSBS Progress Policy mandates that undergraduate students meet the requirements of the policy.
• Students who earned 5 low grades (C-, D, F, NC, U) will be placed on a probationary status.
• Students who earn 8 or more low grades (C-, D, F, NC, U) will be excluded from all COM majors.
• Students with 2 unsuccessful attempts of the same UCF course will be placed on a probationary status.
• Students with 3 unsuccessful attempts of the same UCF course will be excluded from all COM majors.
• Students should consult with a BSBS academic advisor at least once per semester.
• College of Medicine students may declare a major and a minor within the college or pursue a second major or minor in another academic college at UCF.
• Independent study, directed research or similar credit may not be used as a restricted elective.
• A minimum of 20 hours must be taken at UCF in the department of the major.
• Admissions: Two years of one foreign language in high school, or one year of one foreign language in college (or equivalent proficiency exam) prior to graduation.
• Graduation: None
• Additional Requirements: None
• Required Minors: None
• Departmental Exit Requirements: Student must complete all coursework in the baccalaureate curriculum as shown and earn a GPA of at least 3.00 for all coursework in the sciences.
• University Minimum Exit Requirements: A 2.0 UCF GPA, 42 semester hours of upper division credit completed, 60 semester hours earned after CLEP awarded, 30 of the last 39 hours of course work must be completed in residency at UCF.
A maximum of 45 hours of extension, correspondence, CLEP, Credit by Exam, and Armed Forces credits permitted. Complete the General Education Program, the Gordon Rule, and nine hours of Summer credit.
• Total Undergraduate Credit Hours Required: 120
• Honors In Major: Application and admissions through the Department and the Burnett Honors College.
Fulfill University requirements for Honors in the Major and maintain a 3.2 UCF GPA; 3.5 in the major; 3.2 cumulative average for graded upper division courses regardless of the institution.
• Honors Thesis: Complete the following course with a grade of B or better and successfully complete the oral defense of the Honors Thesis MCB 4970H - Honors Undergraduate Thesis II Credit Hours: 3
• Related Programs: Biology (B.S.
), Biomedical Science (B.S. ), Biotechnology (B.S. ), Medical Laboratory Sciences (B.S. ), Molecular and Cellular Biology (B.S. ), Chemistry, Biochemistry Track (B.S.)
• Certificates: None
• Related Minors: Biology Minor, Chemistry Minor
• Advising Notes: None
• Transfer Notes: Students who begin a two-semester sequence course (e.g.
General Chemistry) at a Florida College System institution are strongly encouraged to complete the sequence before transferring. Lower division courses do not substitute for upper division courses.
• Program Academic Learning Compacts: Program Academic Learning Compacts (student learning outcomes) for undergraduate programs are located at: http://www.oeas.ucf.edu/alc/academic_learning_compacts.htm
• Equipment Fees: Part-Time Student: $38 per term, Full-Time Student: $79 per term