Department of Medical Microbiology

M.Sc Medical Microbiology
This course aims to provide a comprehensive theoretical knowledge of medical microbiology including the spread of micro-organisms, disease causation, diagnosis, treatment and/or pathogens of major significance to public health and advanced practical training in this diverse field. The increasing incidence of microbial infections worldwide is being compounded by the rapid evolution of drug-resistant variants and opportunistic infections by other organisms.

All of the School's courses are offered on a modular basis, and in response to a high level of student interest in viral infections, students who focus on viruses in their module choices may be awarded an MSc degree in Medical Microbiology. This will depend on the module selection of the individual student.

By the end of the course students should be able to:
(a)demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the nature of viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi and basic criteria used in the classification/taxonomy of these micro-organisms;
(b)explain the modes of transmission and the growth cycles of pathogenic micro-organisms;
(c)demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis and the outcomes of infections;
(d)distinguish between and critically assess the classical and modern approaches to the development of therapeutic agents and vaccines for the prevention of human microbial diseases;
(e)demonstrate knowledge of the laboratory diagnosis of microbial diseases and practical skills;
(f)carry out a range of advanced skills and laboratory techniques, including the purification of isolated microbial pathogens, study of microbial growth cycles and analyses of their proteins and nucleic acids for downstream applications, and demonstrate research skills.

Graduates from this course go into careers related to medical microbiology in research establishments, the pharmaceutical industry, hospitals or medical schools.