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 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, MCB majors/minors and Biochemistry majors must meet with an an MCB advisor to develop a Certificate Plan of Study (IB majors/minors must meet with an IB advisor).  Additionally, 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 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 426 Bacterial Pathogenesis (3 credit hours)
  • MCB 428 Microbial Pathogens Laboratory (2 credit hours)
  • MCB 493 section VIR Virology (3 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.

Contact

advising@mcb.illinois.edu, advising@sib.illinois.edu, or 217-333-6774