This program is designed for students who want to immerse themselves in research and contribute to scientific discovery from day one.Students receive full funding support, including stipend and tuition coverage, allowing them to focus entirely on research and professional development.*
Research that starts immediately
Ph.D. students enter the program with a lab and mentor pre-determined, gaining immediate, sustained exposure to the research area for the duration of their studies.
Research areas include:
Microbial genetics and genomics | Host-pathogen interactions | Environmental microbiology | Cellular and molecular biology | Microbiome research
Students design and lead independent research projects that result in peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.
A collaborative lab culture
Unlike programs where students work in isolation, this department emphasizes collaboration across labs. Students regularly engage with multiple faculty mentors, share research insights and contribute to interdisciplinary projects. This structure strengthens scientific training and expands research perspective.
Professional development built into the program
Grant writing and scientific communication | Teaching and mentoring experience | Conference presentations and networking | Career preparation for academia, industry and government roles
Where graduates go:
Research scientists in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies | Faculty positions at research universities | Scientists in federal and national laboratories | Leaders in emerging biotech and data science fields
*Students are required to pay for fees, typically around $700 per semester.
Admissions and Application Information
The University of Florida Graduate School requires an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 to be eligible for admission. Fulfillment of the minimum requirement does not guarantee an applicant’s acceptance into the program. In evaluating each applicant, the department’s Graduate Committee members include in their consideration a thorough review of the transcript, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, area of research interest, etc. Students are encouraged to complete undergraduate coursework in biochemistry and microbiology before they apply.
How to Apply
Admission into the UF Microbiology and Cell Science graduate program requires that an applicant be accepted both by the UF Graduate School and by the Microbiology and Cell Science Department. To complete the application process, apply online via the Graduate School admissions web site and select the “Graduate” option to create an account and begin your application. Select the “Apply Now” icon below to go directly to the Ph.D. Application.
Students are admitted to the PhD program each fall semester. Applications must be completed by December 15th to be considered for admission the following fall semester.
We are not currently accepting applications for the thesis master’s degree program.
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Required Application Materials
- Application fee of $30.
- Unofficial Transcripts. Official transcripts will be required for all admitted students.
- CV or resume.
- Three letters of recommendation (LOR). We suggest that candidates request LOR from professional/academic mentors or colleagues that can comment on their academic/research experiences.
- Personal statement. The personal statement should consist of a brief essay describing your research experience, career goals, and area of research interest (limit 500 words)
- Supplemental information. Use this form to provide additional information that will be reviewed by the admissions committee
- International Applicants must also submit TOEFL or IELTS scores
- TOEFL Minimum Acceptable Scores: 4.5 overall, 4.0 on each subsection (4.5 required on the speaking section)
- TOEFL Score Codes for UF: Institution Code is 5812, Department Code is 07
- IELTS Minimum Acceptable Scores: 6.5 overall (7 required on the speaking section)
- UF is registered to receive IELTS scores using the IELTS Results Service E-Delivery. Scores should be sent to the University of Florida, which only accepts scores from this E-delivery service. UF does not accept paper Test Report Forms or unofficial copies of IELTS Test Report Forms from students. Applicants should contact the IELTS test center where they took the IELTS to request their official test results be sent to our account name: The University of Florida. An institution code is not required.
- TOEFL Minimum Acceptable Scores: 4.5 overall, 4.0 on each subsection (4.5 required on the speaking section)
Please contact Jacqueline Lee at jlee9@ufl.edu if you have any questions regarding the application process or deadline.
Learn more about the faculty conducting research in our department