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
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Science Requirements | ||
| MSC 111 | Introduction to Marine Science | 3 |
| MSC 112 | Introduction to Marine Science Lab | 1 |
| MSC 215 | Chemical Oceanography | 3 |
| MSC 216 | Chemical Oceanography Laboratory | 1 |
| or MSC 302 | Introduction to Physical Oceanography Lab | |
| MBE 230 | Introduction to Marine Biology | 3 |
| MBE 232 | Introduction to Marine Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| MSC 301 | Introduction to Physical Oceanography 1 | 3 |
| MBE 465 | Marine Comparative Immunology | 3 |
| 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 2 | 9 | |
| Microbiology and Immunology Requirements (15 Credits) | ||
| MIC 301 | Introduction to Microbes and the Immune System | 3 |
| MIC 304 | Introduction to Microbes and the Immune System (Lab) | 3 |
| MIC 321 | Immunobiology | 3 |
| MIC 323 | Microbial Biology and Pathogenesis | 3 |
| MIC 460 | Advanced Topics in Microbiology and Immunology (A) | 3 |
| or MIC 470 | Advanced Topics in Microbiology and Immunology (B) | |
| Microbiology and Immunology Approved Electives | 9 | |
| Modern Plagues and Society | ||
| Medical Parasitology | ||
| Lab Techniques and Experimental Design | ||
| Advanced Topics in Microbiology and Immunology (A) | ||
| Advanced Topics in Microbiology and Immunology (B) (Advanced Topics in Microbiology and Immunology (B) (NEW COURSE)) | ||
| Only 6 credit hours of Research in MIC may be applied toward the 9 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. | ||
| Special Projects in Immunobiology 3 | ||
| Special Projects in Microbiology 3 | ||
| Special Projects in Parasitology 3 | ||
| Maximum of one course from outside electives can count towards the 9 MIC elective hours. | ||
| Genetics | ||
| Cellular and Molecular Biology | ||
| Introduction to Public Health 4 | ||
| Introductory Epidemiology 4 | ||
| Biology Requirements | ||
| BIL 150 | General Biology | 4 |
| BIL 151 | General Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| or BIL 153 | Introductory Biology/Chemistry Laboratory I | |
| BIL 160 | Evolution and Biodiversity | 4 |
| BIL 161 | Evolution and Biodiversity Laboratory | 1 |
| or BIL 163 | Introductory Biology/Chemistry Laboratory II | |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Requirement | ||
| BMB 401 | Biochemistry for the Biomedical Sciences | 4 |
| Chemistry Requirements | ||
| CHM 121 | Principles of Chemistry 5 | 4 |
| CHM 113 | Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| CHM 221 | Introduction to Structure and Dynamics | 4 |
| CHM 205 | Chemical Dynamics Laboratory | 1 |
| CHM 222 | Organic Reactions and Synthesis | 4 |
| CHM 206 | Organic Reactions and Synthesis Laboratory | 2 |
| or CHM 207 | Chemical Dynamics and Organic Synthesis Laboratory | |
| Geological Sciences Requirement 7 | 3-4 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| The Earth System | ||
| Earth System History | ||
| Origin and Geology of the Galapagos Islands. (Approval Required) 7 | ||
| Mathematics Requirements | ||
| MTH 161 | Calculus I 6 | 4 |
| or MTH 171 | Calculus I | |
| MTH 162 | Calculus II (fulfills the Rosenstiel BSMAS quantitative skills requirement) | 4 |
| or MTH 172 | Calculus II | |
| Statistics or Computational Science Requirement | 3-4 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Environmental Statistics | ||
| Foundations of Computational Marine Science | ||
| Introduction to Probability and Statistics | ||
| Computer Programming I | ||
| Computing for Scientists | ||
| Physics Requirements | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 10 | |
| Option 1 (recommended): | ||
| University Physics I for the Sciences | ||
| Physics Laboratory 1 | ||
| University Physics II for the Sciences | ||
| Physics Laboratory 2 | ||
| Option 2: | ||
| University Physics I | ||
| University Physics II | ||
| University Physics III | ||
| University Physics II Lab | ||
or PHY 225 | University Physics III Lab | |
| Option 3: | ||
| University Physics I for PRISM | ||
| Physics Laboratory 1 | ||
| University Physics II for PRISM | ||
| Physics Laboratory 2 | ||
| Option 4: | ||
| College Physics I | ||
| Physics Laboratory 1 | ||
| College Physics II | ||
| Physics Laboratory 2 | ||
| General Education Requirements | ||
| Written Communication Skills: | ||
| WRS 105 | First-Year Writing I | 3 |
| WRS 107 | First-Year Writing II: STEM | 3 |
| or WRS 106 | First-Year Writing II | |
| or ENG 106 | Writing About Literature and Culture | |
| Quantitative Skills: | ||
| Calculus I (fulfilled through the major) | ||
or MTH 171 | Calculus I | |
| Areas of Knowledge: | ||
| Arts and Humanities Cognate | 9 | |
| People and Society Cognate | 9 | |
| STEM Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major) | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 129-131 | |
- 1
MSC 351 and MSC 352 taken together in the Galapagos may be used to complete the MSC 301 requirement and 3 credits of approved Rosenstiel School electives.
- 2
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.
- 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.
- 4
Only for students pursuing an additional major or minor in Public Health.
- 5
Principles of Chemistry must be passed with a grade of “C-” or higher.
- 6
Calculus I must be passed with a grade of “C-” or higher.
- 7
Students who participate in the UGalapagos Program may use MSC 424 (a 3-credit course) to fulfill the Geological Sciences requirement and complete the BSMAS degree in 129 credits. All other students will need to complete 130-131 credits depending on the course used to fulfill the Statistics or Computational Science requirement.
- *
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.
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.
| Freshman Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit 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 Hours | 16 | |
| 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 Hours | 15 | |
| 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 |
| A&H Cognate Course #1 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| MIC 321 | Immunobiology | 3 |
| MIC 323 | Microbial Biology and Pathogenesis | 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 Hours | 16 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MSC Course | 4 | |
| 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 | Physics Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 18 | |
| 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 | Physics Laboratory 2 | 1 |
| A&H Cognate Course #2 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MSC 216 | Chemical Oceanography Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| MBE 465 | Marine Comparative Immunology | 3 |
| MIC 460 | Advanced Topics in Microbiology and Immunology (A) | 3 |
| BMB 401 | Biochemistry for the Biomedical Sciences | 4 |
| MSC Course | 3 | |
| A&H Cognate Course #3 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| MSC Course | 3 | |
| MIC Approved Elective | 3 | |
| P&S Cognate Course #1 | 3 | |
| P&S Cognate Course #2 | 3 | |
| P&S Cognate Course #3 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 131 | |
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.
- Students will be able to present and synthesize background information from scientific literature and report findings from their laboratory experiments or observations from their field work.
