Overview

The Marine Science/Microbiology and Immunology degree is a Bachelor of Science degree (BSMAS) that is designed to give students a strong background in molecular and cellular aspects of microbial pathogenesis and immune defenses. The ocean, which is teeming with microbes, is explored to highlight the complex biological interactions between microbes and their hosts and the environmental factors that influence these relationships. This program is ideal for students interested in the relationship between the ocean and human health and medicine as well as those interested in pursuing a pre-medical or pre-veterinary track.

Undergraduate students are encouraged to work with the faculty and are able to earn course credit by conducting independent research under the supervision of leading scientists in their field. Research encompasses ocean and human health, medicine, and molecular and cellular aspects of microbial pathogenesis and immune defenses.

The Bachelor of Science double major in Marine Science/Microbiology and Immunology prepares students for admission to graduate programs and for careers in teaching and research as well as for technical careers in government and private industries concerned with the oceans.

Curriculum Requirements

Marine Science
MSC 111Introduction to Marine Science3
MSC 112Introduction to Marine Science Lab1
MSC 215Chemical Oceanography3
MSC 216Chemical Oceanography Laboratory1
or MSC 302 Introduction to Physical Oceanography Lab
MBE 230Introduction to Marine Biology3
MBE 232Introduction to Marine Biology Laboratory1
MSC 301Introduction to Physical Oceanography3
MBE 465Marine Comparative Immunology3
or GSC 309 Microbes and the Environment
Select 9 credit hours of approved Rosenstiel School electives within ATM, GSC, MBE, MSC, OCE or RSM courses 19
Required Microbiology and Immunology Courses12
Take the following:
MIC 301
Introduction to Microbes and the Immune System
MIC 304
Introduction to Microbes and the Immune System (Lab)
Select one of the following:
MIC 319
Innate Immunity
MIC 321
Immunobiology
Select one of the following:
MIC 201
Modern Plagues and Society
MIC 322
Medical Parasitology
MIC 323
Microbial Pathogenesis and Physiology
MIC 436
Fundamental and Medical Virology
Microbiology and Immunology Approved Electives12
MIC 201
Modern Plagues and Society
MIC 319
Innate Immunity
MIC 321
Immunobiology
MIC 322
Medical Parasitology
MIC 323
Microbial Pathogenesis and Physiology
MIC 436
Fundamental and Medical Virology
MIC 460
Advanced Topics in Microbiology and Immunology
Only 6 credit hours of Research in MIC may be applied toward the 12 MIC elective hours, any credits over 6 count as elective credits toward the 120 credits required for graduation or 150 credits for dual degree seeking students.
MIC 451
Special Projects in Immunobiology
MIC 452
Special Projects in Parasitology
MIC 453
Special Projects in Pathogenic Bacteriology
MIC 454
Special Projects in Microbial Genetics
MIC 455
Special Projects in Immunogenetics
MIC 456
Special Projects in Virology
Maximum of one course from outside electives can count towards the 12 MIC elective hours.
BIL 250
Genetics
BIL 255
Cellular and Molecular Biology
BPH 206
Introduction to Public Health 2
BPH 208
Introductory Epidemiology 2
Additional Required Courses
BIL 150General Biology4
BIL 151General Biology Laboratory1
BIL 160Evolution and Biodiversity4
BIL 161Evolution and Biodiversity Laboratory1
BMB 401Biochemistry for the Biomedical Sciences4
CHM 121Principles of Chemistry 34
CHM 113Chemistry Laboratory I1
CHM 221Introduction to Structure and Dynamics4
CHM 205Chemical Dynamics Laboratory1
CHM 222Organic Reactions and Synthesis4
CHM 206Organic Reactions and Synthesis Laboratory2
MTH 161Calculus I 44
or MTH 171 Calculus I
MTH 162Calculus II (fulfills the Rosenstiel BSMAS quantitative skills requirement)4
or MTH 172 Calculus II
Select one of the following:3-4
GSC 110
The Earth System
GSC 111
Earth System History
MSC 424
Origin and Geology of the Galapagos Islands.
Select one of the following:3-4
MSC 203
Foundations of Computational Marine Science
MSC 204
Environmental Statistics
MTH 224
Introduction to Probability and Statistics
CSC 120
Computer Programming I
Select one of the following options: 510
Option 1:
PHY 201
University Physics I for the Sciences
PHY 106
College Physics Laboratory I
PHY 202
University Physics II for the Sciences
PHY 108
College Physics Laboratory II
Option 2:
PHY 221
University Physics I
PHY 222
University Physics II
PHY 223
University Physics III
PHY 224
University Physics II Lab
or PHY 225
 University Physics III Lab
Option 3:
PHY 101
& PHY 106
College Physics I
and College Physics Laboratory I
PHY 102
& PHY 108
College Physics II
and College Physics Laboratory II
General Education Requirements
Written Communication Skills:
WRS 105First-Year Writing I3
WRS 107First-Year Writing II: STEM3
or WRS 106 First-Year Writing II
or ENG 106 Writing About Literature and Culture
Quantitative Skills:
MTH 161
Calculus I (fulfilled through the major)
or MTH 171
 Calculus I
Areas of Knowledge:
Arts and Humanities Cognate9
People and Society Cognate9
STEM Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major)
Total Credit Hours129
1

At least 6 of which must be at the 300-level or higher. MSC 204 and MSC 425 do not satisfy the MSC elective requirement. ATM courses, GSC courses, and courses from other Schools are allowed only if taken from an approved list.

2

Only for students pursuing an additional major or minor in Public Health.

3

Principles of Chemistry must be passed with a grade of “C-” or higher. 

4

Calculus I must be passed with a grade of “C-” or higher.

5

Option 1 is recommended for Physics.

Suggested Plan of Study

This is only a sample.  There are numerous ways students can create plans of study for the Marine Science/Microbiology and Immunology major. Students should feel empowered to use the information listed in the Academic Bulletin to take charge of their education, pursue their own academic interests, and create their own, unique plans of study.

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman Year
FallCredit Hours
MSC 111 Introduction to Marine Science 3
MSC 112 Introduction to Marine Science Lab 1
BIL 150 General Biology 4
BIL 151 General Biology Laboratory 1
WRS 105 First-Year Writing I 3
MTH 161 Calculus I 4
 Credit Hours16
Spring
MIC 301 Introduction to Microbes and the Immune System 3
CHM 121 Principles of Chemistry 4
CHM 113 Chemistry Laboratory I 1
WRS 107 First-Year Writing II: STEM 3
MTH 162 Calculus II 4
 Credit Hours15
Sophomore Year
Fall
MBE 230 Introduction to Marine Biology 3
MBE 232 Introduction to Marine Biology Laboratory 1
MIC 304 Introduction to Microbes and the Immune System (Lab) 3
GSC 111 Earth System History 4
MSC 204 Environmental Statistics 3
Elective #1 3
 Credit Hours17
Spring
MIC 321 Immunobiology 3
MIC 323 Microbial Pathogenesis and Physiology 3
BIL 160 Evolution and Biodiversity 4
BIL 161 Evolution and Biodiversity Laboratory 1
CHM 221 Introduction to Structure and Dynamics 4
CHM 205 Chemical Dynamics Laboratory 1
 Credit Hours16
Junior Year
Fall
MSC Course 3
MIC Approved Elective 3
CHM 222 Organic Reactions and Synthesis 4
CHM 206 Organic Reactions and Synthesis Laboratory 2
PHY 201 University Physics I for the Sciences 4
PHY 106 College Physics Laboratory I 1
 Credit Hours17
Spring
MSC 215 Chemical Oceanography 3
MSC 301 Introduction to Physical Oceanography 3
MIC Approved Elective 3
PHY 202 University Physics II for the Sciences 4
PHY 108 College Physics Laboratory II 1
Elective #2 3
 Credit Hours17
Senior Year
Fall
MSC 216 Chemical Oceanography Laboratory 1 1
MBE 465 Marine Comparative Immunology 3
BMB 401 Biochemistry for the Biomedical Sciences 4
MIC Approved Elective 3
MSC Course 3
Elective #3 3
 Credit Hours17
Spring
MSC Course 3
MIC Approved Elective 4
Elecitve #4 3
Elective #5 3
Elective # 6 3
 Credit Hours16
 Total Credit Hours131
*

 6 elective courses must include:

  • 3 Arts and Humanities Cognate courses
  • 3 People and Society Cognate Courses
1

Students must take one laboratory from MSC 216 or MSC 302.

Mission

The mission of the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science is to deepen our collective knowledge of our planet through cutting-edge scientific research on the oceans, atmosphere, geology, biota, and the human dimension, while training the next generation of scientists. We transfer the knowledge gained to our students, the national and international scientific community, and to policymakers and the public.

The educational mission of the BS degree in Marine Science at the University of Miami is to graduate students with the ability and desire to integrate knowledge of marine science into their future careers. 

Goals

Students completing this double major will be able to master a broad set of fundamental scientific knowledge in Marine Science and Microbiology and Immunology, acquire valuable technical skills and learn how to apply this knowledge to real-world problems, in light of increasing stress on environment and human health. The program will provide the rigor, flexibility, depth and integration to enable students to:

  • Design and pursue their course of study that meets requirements of a double major in Marine Science and Microbiology and Immunology.
  • Learn from the diverse and outstanding group of professors and researchers who are experts in their fields and have active research programs.
  • Undertake active research experiences, which will allow them to gain a strong understanding of the scientific process and provide them with a set of valuable experimental and computational skills.
  • Prepare themselves for graduate school and for successful careers in public and private industries.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively.
  • Students will develop analytical and quantitative skills to allow critical data analysis.
  • Students will be able to do carry out supervised research in the field of marine science.