Double Major: B.S. in Microbiology and Immunology and Public Health

Overview

To be admitted to this program students must have prior college credit or be a Foote Fellow

The University of Miami is one of only four institutions in the United States that offers a four-year combined undergraduate program in Microbiology and Immunology. You will study, a) microorganisms (which can be good and bad for your health, found in food, and in our environments) and b) how your body’s immune defense system defeats and controls harmful microorganisms. Our major provides you with courses of general interest as well as a solid preparation for future scientists or medical professionals. To apply this knowledge to health policy, we partnered with the School of Nursing and Health Studies Public Health program to offer a double major track opportunity for our students.

Microorganisms: You will learn about bacteria that cause serious infections including the plague, meningitis, and tuberculosis; not so serious infections like staphylococci causing a boil; and those that inhabit your bodies in symbiotic relationships (your microbiome). Regarding viruses, you will learn about emerging viruses like SARS-CoV-2 (causative agent of COVID-19) and Zika, endemic and pandemic viruses like the flu, and those causing chronic infections like HIV/AIDS. Parasites such as those cause malaria and fungi round out the breadth and depth of our offered coursework.

Immune system: You will study its mechanisms to avoid microbial infections in the first place; how it will cause the body’s resistance to them either by natural infection or vaccination; how pathogens like HIV and tumors are able to overcome the multiple barriers of the immune system to cause AIDS and cancer, and their up-to-date virological and, respectively, immunological therapies. Finally, you will understand how a mistuned immune system can cause allergies such as asthma or autoimmune diseases such as type I diabetes.

Our program provides you with:

• a broad knowledge base
• laboratory experiences and the opportunity to conduct research in one of our laboratories at the Miller School of Medicine
• the ability to attend a broad spectrum of seminars offered through our home department at the Miller School of Medicine
• opportunities to communicate and write in a scientific manner
• exposure to critical thinking within our field

Students that have finished our program have gone on to careers at other prestigious institutions which include research, medicine, dentistry, physician assistant, pharmacy, optometry, epidemiology, law and many more.

The University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies Undergraduate Program in Public Health aims to develop competencies in public health among undergraduate students, equip undergraduate students for entry-level public health positions, and prepare undergraduate students to pursue graduate studies in public health and related fields. Students will be exposed to major public health issues locally, nationally and globally. The curriculum is designed to introduce students to the core areas of public health—including epidemiology, environmental health, social and behavioral health, global health and health policy—and to prepare students to work with communities in ways that are evidence-based and culturally competent.

This double major is designed so that each student can fulfill both the STEM and People and Society areas of knowledge (through the MIC major and additional major in Public Health, respectively). 

Curriculum Requirements

¹

MIC 451, MIC 452, MIC 453 require that you have already completed MIC 304 and earned at least a B and have a 3.0 cumulative GPA with permission of Dr. Schesser or Roger, Fall and Spring Semesters

²

 Depends on Math placement from SAT/ACT or ALEKS score.

³

Fulfills the College of Arts & Sciences Advanced Writing and Communication Skills requirement. MIC 280 (zero credit) may also be used to satisfy one of the 4 required. Please contact Roger Williams, M.S. Ed. for permission.

*

Transfer students seeking a Microbiology and Immunology major must earn at least 15 credit hours taken in residence in the UM Department of Microbiology and Immunology beyond MIC 301 in the courses listed above for majors.

**

All MIC majors are required to have a minor (science or non-science).  Students will receive a CHM minor provided that they earn a C- or better in every course of the minor while in residence at UM.  A total of 19 credits are required for the CHM minor.  All students should declare their CHM minor when they begin our program in ASHE 200 by filling out an academic change form.  On this form, you can declare also additional majors/minors as well as your Arts and Humanities cognate.

***

Students pursuing postgraduate plans in the health sciences may need to take additional courses for entrance. 

Sample Plan of Study

This is a 4 year sample plan of study that assumes courses are taken during the fall and spring. 

This is a guide and is not meant to take the place of the advice of your major advisor, you should consult with them before making any changes.