The Certificate in Microbiology option allows some undergraduate majors to obtain recognition for completing coursework that provide a foundational understanding 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 meet with an MCB advisor and 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 MCB's convocation, 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. 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.
Certificate in Microbiology Approved List of Courses:
One Microbiology lecture course is required:
| MCB 300: Microbiology |
fall/spring, 3 hrs (Can also be used for infection biology certificate.) |
One of the following Microbiology laboratory or research courses is required:
Laboratories
| MCB 301: Experimental Microbiology | fall/spring, 3 hrs |
| MCB 428: Microbial Pathogens Laboratory | fall, 2 hrs |
Research Courses
|
MCB 290: Undergraduate Research, in an approved microbiology research laboratory |
fall, spring, summer, 2+ hrs |
| MCB 493 REM: Research Experience in Microbiology | spring, 3 hrs |
At least two of the following approved Microbiology lecture courses are required:
| MCB 421: Microbial Genetics | spring in odd years, 3 hrs |
| MCB 424: Microbial Biochemistry | spring in even years, 3 hrs |
| MCB 426: Bacterial Pathogenesis | spring, 3 hrs |
| MCB 430: Molecular Microbiology | spring, 3 hrs |
| MCB 431: Microbial Physiology | fall, 3 hrs |
| MCB 432: Computing in Molecular Biology | fall, 3 hrs |
| MCB 435: Evolution of Infectious Disease | spring, 3 hrs |
| MCB 493 (section VIR): Viral Pathogenesis & Evolution | spring, 3 hrs |
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.
Contact
advising@mcb.illinois.edu or 217-333-6774