Biology OR Microbiology


Why choose an online Biology Microbiology & Cell Science Degree?

Please refer to the major specific pages linked below for detailed information about these individual degrees, Biology and Microbiology & Cell Science.

The biological science majors combine the faculty and resources of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to prepare undergraduates for careers in the biological sciences, advanced study in professional and graduate schools, productive citizenship and leadership, and lifelong learning. In relation to your career goals and educational interest, you can choose from two online biological science degrees, each being comprehensive, and emphasizing the diverse forms, processes, and systems of life. UF Online offers both a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Cell Sciences.


What are the differences between a Biology and a Microbiology degree?

Bachelor of Arts in Biology

UF Online’s Bachelor of Arts in Biology is offered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS)

The CLAS Bachelor of Arts in Biology is a flexible degree that is best suited for students interested in a career in:

  • Education
  • The allied health professions
  • Interdisciplinary fields such as environmental or biotechnology law, science journalism, and bioscience management

This program is interdisciplinary in nature and offers students a broader approach to biology

This curriculum is not designed for those interested in attending professional schools such as medical, dental or veterinary

The B.A. requires less preparation in mathematics, chemistry and physics

The B.A. in Biology degree draws on a large variety of life science courses across 17 academic departments. Students have access to a diverse group of faculty-scholars, a great variety in electives and many choices of focus

Biology Details

Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Cell Sciences

UF Online’s Bachelor of Science in Microbiology is offered by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS)

UF is home to the largest microbiology department in the U.S.

Earning a online bachelor’s degree in microbiology will allow you to pursue careers in areas such as:

  • Academia
  • Education
  • Government
  • Pharmaceutical Industries
  • Biotechnology
  • Healthcare and Diagnostics
  • Business/Sales

Additionally, an online microbiology bachelor’s degree may allow you to continue onto professional studies in medical school, pursue a master’s, or a doctoral degree. This will open opportunities in:

  • Biomedical Research
  • Pharmacy
  • Dentistry
  • Medicine
  • Veterinary Science

Note: Please contact professional schools to which you plan to apply to inquire about their criteria for admissions

Departmental scholarships available for online students

Paid summer research internships available

This degree combines online lectures with laboratory courses that may be taken either in-person or online. Microbiology labs can be completed in residence at UF in Gainesville, Florida or through an online format.

Microbiology Details

Career Tracks and Opportunities

What professions will a Biological Science degree prepare me for?

  • Biomedical Scientist
  • Bioinformatics
  • Biological Technician
  • Microbiologist
  • Forensic Science Technician
  • Genetic Counselor
  • Pharmacologist
  • Pharmaceutical Researcher
  • Physician’s Associate
  • Parasitologists

Please visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or Career One Stop for additional suggestions on further career pathways and opportunities.

Competitive Transfer Applicant Criteria

Please refer to the each major specific page on the Degrees section for detailed information of the biological science degrees.

Why Choose UF Online?

At the University of Florida, our passion goes beyond our walls — and so do our opportunities.

UF Online’s biological sciences programs allow for convenience. Finish your bachelor’s degree where it is most convenient for you. Courses are online with an in-person laboratory component. Approved labs are located across central and south Florida. All for a fraction of the cost of comparable degree programs, and all interactive online courses are taught by the same elite faculty who teach on-campus courses.

Designed for students whose commitments make traditional campus attendance impractical, our online program stands at the forefront, providing flexible academic options with the same elite faculty and rigor that makes us a leading university and top research institution. We connect people with opportunities, remove barriers and set the standard for online higher education. UF Online graduates earn the same elite degree they would receive on campus, and they will be at the top of the list for the best employers in the country.