Microbiology boot camp brings hands-on STEM learning to life for online students
For online college students, the world of science often exists through the lens of lectures, videos and virtual simulations. But microbiology, by nature, is more of a tactile discipline that lends itself to experiments in hands-on labs.
Five days spent working with microscopes, pipettes and cultures can completely transform how students understand the STEM field, which is why the University of Florida’s 2012-launched microbiology boot camp has been a game changer for UF Online students.
“It was the first time I had a chance to apply all the things I’d been learning [online],” said Emma Ward, who participated in a Summer 2025 boot camp while completing her bachelor’s degree in microbiology and cell science. “It gave me a deeper understanding that I couldn’t have gotten just from reading or watching videos.”
From the screen to the science lab
While the demand for online education is growing, many institutions have struggled to engage STEM learners. An April 2025 study found that students majoring in science, technology, engineering and mathematics were less satisfied with online courses.
UF Online has pioneered innovative approaches to meet the needs of these students, from creating dynamic online STEM courses to developing hybrid experiences for microbiology and chemistry with in-person lab components. These hybrid options were instrumental for Ward, who wanted to earn a bachelor’s degree at UF after receiving an associate degree from Florida Gateway College in 2023 but couldn’t leave her home in North Florida.
Then Ward heard about the microbiology boot camp at UF Online – the brainchild of Monika Oli, Ph.D., a UF master lecturer and teaching professor.
“Microbiology is a STEM discipline; it’s meant to be touched, observed and experimented with,” Oli said. “We wanted to make sure our online students received the same quality education and lab training as our on-campus students.”
An immersive experience
Students start the boot camp by completing online quizzes and learning modules. Then students spend five days in Gainesville practicing laboratory techniques, and they finish the program by completing reflection and data analysis projects from home.
With a low student-to-instructor ratio, the boot camp allows participants to receive constant guidance and mentorship. Field trips to breweries and water treatment plants reveal how microbiology connects to everyday life, while projects like food fermentation experiments allow students to carry their learning home.
“Whether it’s food microbiology or understanding water safety, the lab plants seeds for lifelong curiosity,” Oli said. “On day one, students may be hesitant, but by day five, they’re confident, working independently and proud of what they’ve accomplished.”
The boot camps have been so successful that the Department of Chemistry and UF Online plan to launch an organic chemistry lab in Summer 2026.
The best of both worlds
For Ward, the boot camp has been a chance to bridge theory and practice. In less than a week, Ward practiced critical techniques, such as wet mount and microscopy, and observed processes for studying DNA samples with sophisticated lab equipment.
“I remember thinking a few times that this was exactly why I chose this major,” Ward said. “Being in the lab always makes me happy and this boot camp confirmed my feelings.”
Applying classroom vocabulary during live discussions strengthened Ward’s technical understanding and her ability to communicate science. Learning alongside peers and instructors gave her practical takeaways as well, like a stabilization trick for pipetting that helped with her naturally shaky hands.
The skills Ward and her classmates learned will help them prepare for high-demand STEM careers in Florida and beyond, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts STEM occupations will increase by about 8% between 2024 and 2034.
For Ward, the boot camp confirmed her passion for microbiology. After graduating in the summer, she started a master’s program at UF in microbiology and cell science with a concentration in microbiome in health and disease.
“As a young girl, I dreamed of being a scientist, and now I get to watch my dreams become my reality. I think that is what UF Online has done for me and many others whose lives may not be the traditional college students’,” Ward said. “UF Online allowed me to chase my dreams and become the woman I always wanted to be.”