Undergraduate

Program Overview

The Department of Molecular Biosciences (MBS) offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Cell and Molecular Biology (CBO,  Program: Cell and Molecular Biology B.S. - University of South Florida - Acalog ACMS™ (usf.edu)) and Microbiology (MIC, Program: Microbiology B.S. - University of South Florida - Acalog ACMS™ (usf.edu)). Both degrees are excellent preparation for careers in the biomedical sciences, pharmaceutical industry, and medicine, which includes further study to the Master’s, MD, and Ph.D. levels. 
 
Students undertaking these degrees will receive an education in the core topics of cell biology, genetics, molecular biology, and microbiology, as well being exposed to more specialized areas (e.g., cancer biology, mechanisms of aging and age-related diseases, genetic engineering/recombinant DNA technology) that require detailed knowledge. 

Opportunities for research training and experience are also available to students undertaking CBO and MIC, both as part of our degrees, and within the world-famous laboratories of our faculty (MBS Research Focus Areas | Cell Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology | College of Arts & Sciences | University of South Florida (usf.edu)). For example, the combined Cell Biology/Genetics research-based laboratory curriculum and the SEA PHAGES (SEA-PHAGES | Home (seaphages.org)) research guided program at an early stage in their degree progress. Together, these unique course-based research experiences will support the student’s development of research skills and critical thinking abilities.
 
Within the MIC program, our unique coursework, led by internationally renowned scientists (including Dr. Prahathees Eswara, Dr. Wenqi Yu, and Dr. James Riordan), includes advanced microbiology topics such as Medical Bacteriology, Molecular Microbiology, and Bacterial Stress Responses. 
 
Within the CBO program, our unique course offerings, led by internationally renowned scientists (including Dr. Sandra Westerheide, Dr. Libin Ye, and Dr. Huzefa Dungrawala), include Cancer Biology, Molecular Biology of the Gene, and Molecular Biology of the Cell (a High Impact Practice and Undergraduate Research course). 
 
The course offerings in MBS are also designed to meet the needs of students majoring in other science disciplines as well as non-science areas. The MBS faculty are dedicated to excellence in this mission.
 
For further information, please contact the MBS Undergraduate Program Director (Faculty | Cell Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology | College of Arts & Sciences | University of South Florida (usf.edu)). 
 
To find out how to apply, please refer to About Us (usf.edu)