Microorganisms:
You will learn about bacteria that cause serious infections including the plague, meningitis, and tuberculosis; not so serious infections like staphylococci causing a boil; and those that inhabit your bodies in symbiotic relationships (your microbiome). Regarding viruses, you will learn about emerging viruses like SARS-CoV-2 (causative agent of COVID-19) and Zika, endemic and pandemic viruses like the flu, and those causing chronic infections like HIV/AIDS. Parasites such as those cause malaria and fungi round out the breadth and depth of our offered coursework.
Immune system:
You will study its mechanisms to avoid microbial infections in the first place; how it will cause the body’s resistance to them either by natural infection or vaccination; how pathogens like HIV and tumors are able to overcome the multiple barriers of the immune system to cause AIDS and cancer, and their up-to-date virological and, respectively, immunological therapies. Finally, you will understand how a mistuned immune system can cause allergies such as asthma or autoimmune diseases such as type I diabetes.
Our program provides you with:
-
a broad knowledge base
-
laboratory experiences and the opportunity to conduct research in one of our laboratories at the Miller School of Medicine
-
the ability to attend a broad spectrum of seminars offered through our home department at the Miller School of Medicine
-
opportunities to communicate and write in a scientific manner
-
exposure to critical thinking within our field
Students that have finished our program have gone on to careers at other prestigious institutions which include research, medicine, dentistry, physician assistant, pharmacy, optometry, epidemiology, law and many more.
Major Program Objectives are:
-
To expose students to the various disciplines within the field of Microbiology and Immunology, including virology, parasitology, microbial genetics, immunology and medical bacteriology.
-
To introduce students to special projects and/or research opportunities in laboratories at the Miller School of Medicine.
-
To provide laboratory experience for the development of skills required for the conduct of research.
-
To make students aware of current cutting edge research in the field of Microbiology and Immunology by attending seminars of speakers from within and outside the University.
The Microbiology and Immunology Department is a multidisciplinary department encompassing the areas of cellular and molecular immunology, bacteriology, virology and parasitology.
A major in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Miami, will end in the obtainment of a Bachelor’s of Science degree. As most, if not all, students go on to professional careers in the health sciences our major like most STEM majors requires thorough preparation in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, physics and mathematics.
