Overview
In this dual degree program, you will have the ability to earn two highly unique undergraduate degrees from two colleges/schools within the University of Miami in just four years. This is possible through a partnership between the Microbiology and Immunology Undergraduate Program and the Public Health Undergraduate Program. This opportunity is one of the first of its kind out of the pool of 6,600+ Title IV institutions in the United States. This uniquely significant degree has the potential to prepare you best for the future you see yourself in. Our programs will prepare you for healthcare related careers such as medical doctors, optometrists, dentists, veterinarians, public health scientists, and many more. In Microbiology and Immunology, you will learn about microorganisms (bacteria, parasites and viruses), various diseases, and how our bodies’ immune system defends against them. In Public Health, you will learn about how diseases spread (epidemiology) and how they impact the environment, public policy, our society and the planet we call home. You are learning about microorganisms and diseases and also gaining a holistic view of how they impact those around you.
The Microbiology and Immunology major fulfills the STEM area of knowledge and the Public Health major fulfills the People and Society area of knowledge. Students will need to complete an Arts and Humanities cognate.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BS IN MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS * | ||
| Required Coursework | 15 | |
| Tier 1: | ||
| Introduction to Microbes and the Immune System (Waives BPH 352 as long as MIC 304 is taken) | ||
| Introduction to Microbes and the Immune System (Lab) (Waives BPH 352 as long as MIC 301 is taken) 1 | ||
| Tier 2: | ||
| Immunobiology 2 | ||
| Microbial Biology and Pathogenesis | ||
| Tier 3: | ||
| Advanced Topics in Microbiology and Immunology (A) 2 | ||
or MIC 470 | Advanced Topics in Microbiology and Immunology (B) | |
| Elective Coursework | 12 | |
| Modern Plagues and Society | ||
| Medical Parasitology | ||
| Lab Techniques and Experimental Design | ||
| Advanced Topics in Microbiology and Immunology (A) 2 | ||
| Advanced Topics in Microbiology and Immunology (B) | ||
| Introductory Epidemiology (Satisfies 3 credits of the 12 elective credits in MIC) | ||
| Research in MIC for Credit | ||
| (only 6 credit hours may be applied to count toward the 12 MIC Elective hours, any credits over 6 count as elective credits toward the 150 credits required for the dual degree) | ||
| Special Projects in Immunobiology 3 | ||
| Special Projects in Microbiology 3 | ||
| Special Projects in Parasitology 3 | ||
| Outside electives that may be required for applications to pre-health programs | 3 | |
| Cellular and Molecular Biology | ||
| Genetics | ||
| Total MIC Credits for Major = 15 cr. of Required MIC courses + 12 cr. of Elective MIC courses = 27 | ||
| Required Natural Science Courses | ||
| Chemistry Courses: ** | 16 | |
| Principles of Chemistry and Chemistry Laboratory I | ||
or CHM 115 | Introductory Biology/Chemistry Laboratory I | |
| Introduction to Structure and Dynamics and Chemical Dynamics Laboratory | ||
or CHM 204 | Introductory Biology/Chemistry Laboratory II | |
| Organic Reactions and Synthesis and Organic Reactions and Synthesis Laboratory | ||
or CHM 207 | Chemical Dynamics and Organic Synthesis Laboratory | |
| Other Required Natural Science Courses | ||
| BIL 150 & BIL 151 | General Biology and General Biology Laboratory | 5 |
| or BIL 153 | Introductory Biology/Chemistry Laboratory I | |
| BIL 160 & BIL 161 | Evolution and Biodiversity and Evolution and Biodiversity Laboratory | 5 |
| or BIL 163 | Introductory Biology/Chemistry Laboratory II | |
| BMB 401 | Biochemistry for the Biomedical Sciences | 4 |
| Select one of the following Physics Options: | 10 | |
| Option 1: | ||
| College Physics I and Physics Laboratory 1 | ||
| College Physics II and Physics Laboratory 2 | ||
| Option 2: | ||
| University Physics I for the Sciences and Physics Laboratory 1 | ||
| University Physics II for the Sciences and Physics Laboratory 2 | ||
| Option 3: | ||
| University Physics I | ||
| University Physics II | ||
| University Physics III | ||
| University Physics II Lab | ||
or PHY 225 | University Physics III Lab | |
| Option 4: | ||
| University Physics I for PRISM and Physics Laboratory 1 | ||
| University Physics II for PRISM and Physics Laboratory 2 | ||
| BSPH REQUIREMENTS | ||
| BPH 206 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 |
| BPH 305 | Issues in Health Disparities 1 | 3 |
| BPH 309 | Health and Environment 1 | 3 |
| BPH 310 | Global Health 1 | 3 |
| BPH 321 | Health Promotion and Disease Prevention 1 | 3 |
| BPH 322 | Introduction to Health Policy 1 | 3 |
| Biological Principles of Public Health (Satisfied by MIC 301 and MIC 304 as part of MIC major) | ||
| BPH 490 | Field Practicum in Community Health 1 | 4 |
BPH Elective Credit (Waived by taking MIC 321)) 2 | ||
| COURSES IN FULFILMENT OF BOTH DEGREES | ||
| BPH 202 | Introductory Statistics in Health Care (Satisfies Arts and Science Statistics Requirement and Pre-requisite for BPH 465) | 3 |
| BPH 208 | Introductory Epidemiology (double counts for MIC and BPH) | 3 |
| BPH 465 | Public Health Statistics and Data Management (Can count for B.S. statistics requirement if BPH 202 waived) | 3 |
| MIC 321 | Immunobiology (Satisfies BPH Elective Requirement) 2 | 3 |
| Select one of the following Calculus Options: 4 | 8-25 | |
| Option 1: | ||
| Intermediate Algebra and Algebra for College Students and Precalculus Mathematics I and Precalculus Mathematics II and Calculus Concepts with Foundations A and Calculus Concepts with Foundations B and Calculus II | ||
| Option 2: | ||
| Calculus Concepts with Foundations A and Calculus Concepts with Foundations B and Calculus II | ||
| Option 3: | ||
| Calculus I and Calculus II | ||
| Option 4: | ||
| Calculus I and Calculus II | ||
| PSY 110 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| One additional approved social science elective | 3 | |
| Language Requirement | 3 | |
| General Electives | 14 | |
| GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS | ||
| Written Communication Skills: | ||
| WRS 105 | First-Year Writing I | 3 |
| WRS 106 | First-Year Writing II | 3 |
| or WRS 107 | First-Year Writing II: STEM | |
| or ENG 106 | Writing About Literature and Culture | |
| Quantitative Skills Proficiency: | ||
| Introductory Statistics in Health Care (fulfilled through degree requirements) | ||
| Areas of Knowledge: | ||
| Arts and Humanities Cognate | 9 | |
| People & Society Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the BSPH) | ||
| STEM Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the B.S. in MIC) | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 150 | |
- 1
Fulfills the College of Arts & Sciences Advanced Writing and Communication Skills requirement
- 2
MIC 460 or MIC 321 may count as an elective for your BSPH degree.
- 3
MIC 451, MIC 452, MIC 453 all 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. The minimum number of credits that can be taken in a semester is two and the maximum is three credits. MIC 451 and 452 can be repeated but MIC 453 cannot be repeated.
- 4
Depends on Math placement from SAT/ACT or ALEKS score.
- *
Transfer students seeking a Microbiology and Immunology major must earn at least 12 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 a change of major form. On this form, you can declare also additional majors/minors as well as the Arts and Humanities Cognate.
Sample Plan of Study
150 credits are required for a Joint Degree in order to graduate. You will need to add additional credits to the sample plan below to get to the number of credits required to graduate and these can come from AP, IB, Cambridge, or dual enrollment courses.
This is a 4 year sample plan of study that assumes courses are taken during the fall and spring. In order to make sure you obtain the number of credits required, you may need to take coursework during the summer.
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.
| Freshman Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| MIC 304 | Introduction to Microbes and the Immune System (Lab) | 3 |
| BPH 206 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 |
| BIL 150 | General Biology | 4 |
| BIL 151 | General Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| CHM 121 | Principles of Chemistry | 4 |
| CHM 113 or 115 | Chemistry Laboratory I or Introductory Biology/Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| WRS 105 | First-Year Writing I | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 19 | |
| Spring | ||
| MIC 301 | Introduction to Microbes and the Immune System | 3 |
| BPH 208 | Introductory Epidemiology | 3 |
| BIL 160 | Evolution and Biodiversity | 4 |
| BIL 161 | Evolution and Biodiversity Laboratory | 1 |
| CHM 221 | Introduction to Structure and Dynamics | 4 |
| CHM 205 or 204 | Chemical Dynamics Laboratory or Introductory Biology/Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
| WRS 106 or 107 | First-Year Writing II or First-Year Writing II: STEM | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 19 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MIC 323 | Microbial Biology and Pathogenesis | 3 |
| BPH 202 | Introductory Statistics in Health Care (Counts for B.S. STATS requirement) | 3 |
| CHM 222 | Organic Reactions and Synthesis | 4 |
| CHM 206 or 207 | Organic Reactions and Synthesis Laboratory or Chemical Dynamics and Organic Synthesis Laboratory | 2 |
| MTH 161 | Calculus I | 4 |
| Arts and Humanties Cognate Course, Foreign Language , or PSY110 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 19 | |
| Spring | ||
| MIC 321 | Immunobiology | 3 |
| BMB 401 | Biochemistry for the Biomedical Sciences | 4 |
| MTH 162 | Calculus II | 4 |
| Cellular and Molecular Biology (May be required for some pre-health programs (optional)) or Genetics | ||
| General Elective Credit | 4 | |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology (or Foreign Language) | 3 |
| Recommended MCAT, GRE, DAT or OAT... | ||
| Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MIC 460 | Advanced Topics in Microbiology and Immunology (A) (or MIC 470 in the Spring.) | 3 |
| BPH 310 | Global Health | 3 |
| BPH 321 | Health Promotion and Disease Prevention | 3 |
| PHY 101 | College Physics I | 4 |
| PHY 106 | Physics Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| Foreign Language or Arts and Humanities Course | 3 | |
| General Elective Credit | 2 | |
| Credit Hours | 19 | |
| Spring | ||
| MIC 470 | Advanced Topics in Microbiology and Immunology (B) (or MIC 460 in the Fall) | 3 |
| BPH 309 | Health and Environment | 3 |
| BPH 322 | Introduction to Health Policy | 3 |
| PHY 102 | College Physics II | 4 |
| PHY 108 | Physics Laboratory 2 | 1 |
| Arts and Humanities Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Possible MCAT, GRE, DAT or OAT... | ||
| General Elective Credit | 2 | |
| Credit Hours | 19 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Choose one of the following Special Projects Courses (6cr. max can count toward MIC Electives) max credits in one semester is 3.: | 3 | |
| Special Projects in Immunobiology or Special Projects in Microbiology or Special Projects in Parasitology | ||
CHM Elective (optional for CHM minor) | ||
| Applications to Medical or Graduate School | ||
| BPH 465 | Public Health Statistics and Data Management | 3 |
| HCS 217 | Medical Terminology (Optional overall elective) | 1 |
| General Elective Credit | 11 | |
| Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| MIC 444 | Lab Techniques and Experimental Design | 3 |
| MIC 322 | Medical Parasitology | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Special Projects in Immunobiology or Special Projects in Microbiology | ||
| BPH 305 | Issues in Health Disparities | 3 |
| BPH 490 | Field Practicum in Community Health | 4 |
| General Elective Credit | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 19 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 150 | |
