Students completing the requirements for a certificate will be presented with an official certificate and are free to highlight this credential on a CV, resume, or application for advanced study. Certificates do not provide transcript recognition. Please consult with an MCB advisor if you have questions about any of our certificate programs.

Cell & Developmental Biology  Neuroscience  Microbiology
Infection Biology  Quantitative Biology

After May 2026, the Cell & Developmental Biology, Infection Biology, and Quantitative Biology Certificates will be discontinued. Students may still work toward Certificates in Neuroscience and/or Microbiology.

Certificate in Cell & Developmental Biology

The Certificate in Cell and Developmental Biology allows  any undergraduate major at Illinois to obtain recognition for completing coursework  providing a foundational understanding of how interactions among molecules, macromolecules, and macromolecular machines give rise to living cells. Students will learn how specialized cells function, how the complex interactions between these cells guide development, and how these mechanisms go awry in various disease states.

To declare the certificate, students must complete the online declaration form by the 10th day of their final semester.

In order to receive the printed certificate and for School of MCB students to be recognized at the school's convocation, students will be expected to complete this checklist by the last day of classes in their final semester.

 

Approved list of courses for Certificate in Cell & Developmental Biology

Approved List of Courses for CDB Certificate

For completion of the certificate, students must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours of coursework from the Approved List of Courses. Note: All of these courses (except MCB 290) may also count toward the 15 hours of advanced MCB courses required for MCB majors.

CourseSemester offered, credit hours
MCB 317: Genetics and Genomics Spring, 4 hrs
MCB 400: Cancer Cell Biology Fall, 3 hrs
MCB 401: Cell and Membrane PhysiologyFall, 3 hrs
MCB 408: Immunology Fall, 3 hrs
MCB 410: Developmental Biology Spring, 3 hrs
MCB/NEUR 461: Cell and Molecular Neuroscience Fall, 3 hrs
MCB 471: Advanced Cell Biology NCBO*, 3 hrs
MCB 480: Eukaryotic Cell SignalingSpring, 2 hrs
MCB 493 sxn CPP: Cancer PathophysiologySpring, 3 hrs
MCB 493 sxn EPI: EpigeneticsFall, 3 hrs
MCB 364 Eukaryotic Cell Biology LabFall, Spring, 2 hrs
or 
MCB 290 undergraduate research in an approved CDB laboratory 3 hrs

* NCBO = Not Currently Being Offered

Notes

Students are not guaranteed a seat in a course required by the certificate, but are welcome to enroll in courses where seats remain available after any restriction, which may have been placed, has been removed.

A course may not be used to satisfy the requirements of more than one MCB certificate.

Certificate in Neuroscience

The Certificate in Neuroscience option allows undergraduate students at Illinois to obtain recognition for completing coursework providing a foundational understanding of brain function at multiple levels of organization. Students completing the certificate will be presented with an official certificate document and will be free to use this credential on a CV/resume or application for advanced study. The certificate does not provide transcript recognition.

To declare the certificate, students must complete the online declaration form by the 10th day of their final semester. In order to receive the printed certificate and for SMCB students to be recognized at the SMCB Convocation ceremony, students will be expected to complete this checklist by the last day of classes in their final semester. Twelve hours of coursework in Neuroscience is required for completion of the certificate. Courses must be chosen from the Approved List of Courses below.

Students majoring in Neuroscience are not eligible to complete the Neuroscience certificate.  The certificate is available for all other undergraduates on the UofI campus. 

Approved list of courses for Certificate in Neuroscience

Notes on list of approved courses:

MCB 461 and 462 are specifically required, but the remaining 6 hours can come from any courses on the Neuroscience Approved List. Up to 3 hours may come from MCB 290 undergraduate research conducted in the laboratory of an approved Neuroscience Program (NSP) faculty member.

Courses marked with an asterisk (*) will also count toward the 15 hours of required approved advanced coursework for the MCB major. Courses not marked with an asterisk will count toward the certificate but will not count toward the 15 required advanced hours in the MCB major.

Certificate in Neuroscience Approved List of Courses:

Note Course numberCourse nameCredit hours, when offered
 MCB 290Undergraduate Research in approved NSP labup to 3 hours
    
*MCB/NEUR 314Introduction to Neurobiology3 hours, Fall
*MCB 401Cellular Physiology3 hours, Fall
 PSYC/NEUR 403Memory and Amnesia3 hours, Fall
 PSYC/NEUR 404/405Cognitive Neuroscience3 hours, Spring
*PSYC/NEUR 414Brain, Learning and Memory3 hours, Spring
 PSYC/NEUR 417Neuroscience of Eating and Drinking3 hours, Fall
*MCB 418Neurobiology of the Senses3 hrs, Spring
 PSYC/NEUR 421Principles of Psychophysiology3 hrs, Fall
 IB/NEUR 432Genes and Behavior3 hours, Spring
 PSYC/NEUR 433Evolutionary Neuroscience3 hours, Fall
 PSYC/NEUR 450Cognitive Psychophysiology3 hours, Fall
 PSYC/NEUR 453Cog Neuroscience of Vision3 hours, Fall
*MCB 460Neuroanatomy Laboratory2 hours, Fall and Spring
*†MCB/NEUR 461Cell & Molecular Neuroscience3 hours, Fall
*†MCB/NEUR 462Integrative Neuroscience3 hours, Spring
*MCB 466Neuro & Molecular Pharmacology3 hours, Spring
*MCB 493Neurobiology of Mental Illness3 hours, Spring
*MCB 418Neurobiology of Senses3 hours, Spring
    
†required for the Certificate  
*counts toward the required 15 hours of approved advanced courses in the MCB major  

 

Students are not guaranteed a seat in a course required by the certificate but are welcome to enroll in courses where seats remain available after any restriction, which may have been placed, has been removed.

NEUR/PSYC 413 only counts as an approved advanced MCB course for students who took it prior to spring 2022. Students who take the course spring 2022 or later cannot count it towards the certificate or towards their 15 required advanced MCB hours.

Courses may not be used to satisfy the requirements of more than one MCB Certificate.  Students majoring in Neuroscience are not eligible to complete the certificate in Neuroscience.

Certificate in Microbiology

The Certificate in Microbiology option allows any undergraduate major at Illinois to obtain recognition for completing coursework providing a foundational understanding of the discipline of microbiology at multiple levels and from multiple perspectives. Students completing the certificate will be presented with an official certificate document and will be free to use this credential on a CV/resume or application for advanced study. The certificate does not provide transcript recognition.

To declare the certificate, students must complete the online declaration form by the 10th day of their final semester. In order to receive the printed certificate and for SMCB students to be recognized in the SMCB Convocation Ceremony, students will be expected to complete this checklist for certification by the last day of classes in their final semester. Certificate students must complete a minimum of 11 credit hours of coursework from the Approved List of Courses below.

Approved list of courses for Certificate in Microbiology

One lecture course of 3 credit hours and one microbiology-focused laboratory course of at least 2 credit hours are required specifically. The remaining credit hours may come from any of the other courses on the Approved List. Students are strongly encouraged to select a diverse set of courses (e.g., one in microbial physiology or biochemistry and one in pathogenesis) with at least one that includes discussions of primary literature.

Note all of these courses (except MCB 290) may also count toward the 15 credit hours of advanced MCB courses required for MCB majors.

One Microbiology lecture course is required:
MCB 300: Microbiology, 3 credit hrs, FA/SP (can also be used for infection biology certificate)

One of the following Microbiology laboratory or research courses is required: 
Laboratories
MCB 301: Experimental Microbiology, 3 credit hrs, FA/SP
MCB 428: Microbial Pathogens Laboratory, 2 credit hrs, FA

Research Courses
MCB 290: Undergraduate Research, 2 or more credit hrs, FA/SP/SU, conducted in an approved microbiology research laboratory
MCB 493 REM: Research Experience in Microbiology, SP

At least two of the following approved Microbiology lecture courses are required: 
MCB 421: Microbial Genetics, 3 credit hours, FA
MCB 424: Microbial Biochemistry, 3 credit hrs, SP
MCB 426: Bacterial Pathogenesis, 3 credit hrs, SP
MCB 429: Cellular Microbiology & Disease, 3 credit hrs, NCBO
MCB 430: Molecular Microbiology, 3 credit hrs, SP
MCB 431: Microbial Physiology, 3 credit hrs, FA
MCB 432: Computing in Molecular Biology, 3 credit hrs, FA
MCB 435: Evolution of Infectious Disease, 3 credit hrs, SP
MCB 438: Viral Pathogenesis & Evolution, 3 credit hrs, FA

* NCBO = Not Currently Being Offered

Additional notes:
Students are not guaranteed a seat in a course required by the certificate but are welcome to enroll in courses where seats remain available after any restriction, which may have been placed, has been removed.

Courses, other than MCB 300, may not be used to satisfy the requirements of more than one MCB Certificate.

Certificate in Infection Biology

The Certificate in Infection Biology, jointly administered by the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) and the School of Integrative Biology (IB), allows some undergraduate students at Illinois to obtain recognition for completing coursework that provides a foundational understanding of the study of Infection Biology from the molecular to ecosystem level.

Students pursuing further graduate or professional education or immediate employment in health-related professions such as medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and education, or in food, pharmaceutical or other health-related industries will benefit from a well-considered set of courses that together help them be more informed, in a well-rounded way, about what Infection Biology is and how it affects each of us in one way or another. Students interested in law might use this certificate as a springboard to policymaking in government and non-governmental organizations. Students seeking an MS or PhD degree in any subfield of biology would benefit from understanding in more detail the issues surrounding infection biology.

Students completing the certificate will be presented with an official certificate document. Although the certificate will not appear on a student’s transcript, students will be free to use this credential on a resume, CV, or application for advanced study.

To declare the certificate, this online declaration form must be completed by the 10th day of your final semester. In order to receive the printed certificate and for School of MCB students to be recognized at the School of MCB Convocation ceremony, students will be expected to complete this online checklist by the last day of classes in their final semester.

Eligibility requirements: Students must be in one of the following academic programs to be eligible for the certificate.

  • Declared MCB or MCB Honors Concentration major
  • Declared MCB minor
  • Declared Biochemistry, Specialized Curriculum major
  • Declared IB major
  • Declared IB minor

To satisfy the requirements of this certificate, a minimum of 5 courses from the lists below are required, some of which can be used to satisfy major requirements. At least one elective course must have an MCB rubric and at least one elective course must have an IB rubric.

Required and elective courses for Certificate in Infection Biology

Required Courses:

  • MCB 100 Introductory Microbiology or MCB 300 Microbiology (Recommended for MCB and Biochem majors.) MCB 300 can also be used for the Microbiology certificate. (3 credit hours)
  • MCB 435/IB 442 Evolution of Infectious Disease (3 credit hours)
  • MCB 436 (Global Biosecurity) (1 credit hour)

Elective IB Courses (choose at least 1 course)

  • IB 360 Evolution & Human Health (3 credit hours)
  • IB 361 Ecology & Human Health (3 credit hours)
  • IB 364 Genomics & Human Health (3 credit hours)
  • IB 481 Vector-borne Diseases (4 credit hours)
  • IB 494 Theoretical Biology and Models (4 credit hours)

Elective MCB Courses (choose at least 1 course)

  • MCB 408 Immunology (3 credit hours)
  • MCB 418 Virology (3 credit hours)
  • MCB 426 Bacterial Pathogenesis (3 credit hours)
  • MCB 428 Microbial Pathogens Laboratory (2 credit hours)
  • MCB 432 Computing in Molecular Biology (3 credit hours)

Notes:

  • Students are not guaranteed a seat in a course required by the certificate, but they are welcome to enroll in courses where seats remain available after removal of any restriction that may have been placed.
  • Courses selected at the 400-level may not be used to satisfy the requirements of more than one MCB or IB Certificate.

Certificate in Quantitative Biology

The Certificate in Quantitative Biology allows some undergraduate majors in the School of MCB to receive recognition for completing coursework providing a foundational understanding of Quantitative Biology at multiple levels and from multiple perspectives. Students completing the certificate will be presented with an official certificate document and will be free to use this credential on a CV, resume, or application for advanced study. Students should be aware that this certificate does not appear on a student's transcript.

To declare the certificate, students must complete the online declaration form by the 10th day of their final semester. In order to receive the printed certificate and be recognized at the School of MCB convocation, students will be expected to complete this checklist for certification by the last day of classes in their final semester.

For completion of the Certificate in QB, students must complete the existing MCB or BIOC degree program requirements by selecting the following groups of courses:

  • Calculus II (in addition to, or instead of, STAT 212)
  • Accelerated Chemistry Sequence (CHEM 202-205)
  • University Physics (PHYS 211-214)

MATH 241: Calculus III (4 credit hours) is a required course for this certificate.

It is also suggested that students complete of a minimum of 3 credit hours of MCB 290 or BIOC 290: Undergraduate Research such that they are eligible to enroll in MCB 492 or BIOC 492.

An additional 9 credit hours of coursework in Quantitative Biology is required for completion of the certificate. Courses must be chosen from the Approved List of courses below. Note: All of these courses will also count toward the 15 credit hours of advanced MCB courses required for MCB majors.

Approved list of courses for certificate in Quantitative Biology

Approved List of Courses for Certificate in Quantitative Biology:

Term (s) OfferedCourseCourse TitleCredit HrsCross Listed Courses
SPMCB 317*
See note below		Genetics and Genomics4 
FAMCB 401Cellular Physiology3 
SPMCB 432Computing in Molecular Biology3 
SPMCB 435Evolution of Infectious Disease3IB 442
SPMCB 446Physical Biochemistry3BIOC 446, CHEM 472
SPMCB 462Integrative Neuroscience3NEUR 462
FAMCB 471Cell Structure and Dynamics3 
SPMCB 493 EPIEpigenetics3 
FAMCB 493 PBCPhysical and Biological Chemistry4 
FABIOP 401Introduction to Biophysics3 
FA/SPMCB 492 or BIOC 492Senior Thesis§3 

FA: Fall; SP: Spring; NCBO: Not currently being offered on a regular basis.

*Students cannot earn credit for both MCB 316 and MCB 317.

§A senior thesis based on research conducted on an approved QB project in an approved QB laboratory in the School of MCB or Grainger College of Engineering. See an MCB or Biochemistry advisor for more information.

Notes

Students are not guaranteed a seat in a course required by the certificate, but are welcome to enroll in courses where seats remain available after any restriction, which may have been placed, has been removed.

Courses may not be used to satisfy the requirements of more than one MCB certificate.