M.S. Microbiology at University of South Florida

Programme overview

The M.S. in Microbiology is administered by the Department of Molecular Biosciences and prepares students for careers in academia, government or industry in cell biology, microbiology and molecular biology. Research areas include applied, pathogenic, cellular, molecular and ecological microbiology.

Faculty: College of Arts and Sciences | Department: Molecular Biosciences | Duration: 30 credit hours minimum | Study mode: full-time | Location: Tampa, FL, United States

What you will study

30 credit hours: core in Advanced Bacterial Genetics and Bacterial Pathogenesis, BSC 6930 Lectures in Contemporary Biology (taken three times), at least 7 elective hours, and 14 hours of thesis or additional electives. Students complete three lab rotations in the first semester and a final comprehensive oral examination; non-thesis students also write a review paper.

Career pathways

Careers in academia, government or industry in cell and molecular biology and microbiology.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must also meet USF university admission and English proficiency requirements. GRE not required but strongly recommended for international applicants. Expected coursework equivalent to the USF B.S. in Microbiology. At least three letters of recommendation submitted electronically. A brief essay on research interests and professional goals naming two to three MBS faculty members to review the file.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Master's and Educational Specialist admission is offered for Fall, Spring and Summer semesters.

Final university deadlines for master's and Educational Specialist programmes: June 1 for Fall, October 15 for Spring, February 15 for Summer. Programme-specific priority deadlines apply for funding and consideration; priority applications receive maximum consideration and later applications are considered on a space-available basis.

The nonrefundable graduate degree-seeking application fee is $30, paid through the Online Graduate Application site; international applicants may pay by electronic fund transfer from international banks. Test scores (GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, etc.) are required only if the programme requires them.

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