ObjectivesThe MSc in Clinical Microbiology aims to provide training in theoretical and practical aspects of medical microbiology and infectious diseases, with particular emphasis on laboratory diagnosis, patient management and infection control. You will gain basic and advanced knowledge of important viral, bacterial and parasitic infections and learn how these infections are diagnosed and treated by clinicians. Students who have completed the course will acquire relevant transferable skills such as data management, interpretation and presentation, time management and organisation, and effective verbal and written communication skills. In addition, your analytical and creative thinking skills will also be improved whilst undertaking the course. The course has full accreditation of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences, which is an acknowledgement of the quality and relevance of the course to individuals employed as biomedical scientists. If you are already employed and state-registered as a Grade 1 Biomedical Scientist the course is likely to enhance your career progression by improving your promotion prospects. Lectures are delivered by a panel of leading national and international experts including University of Nottingham as well as academics from other leading institutions. You will have the opportunity to learn state-of-the-art microbiology techniques, acquire a broad base of theoretical knowledge and gain hands-on practical experience in clinical microbiology.
Entry requirementsFor those students wishing to go on to study for a PhD is the course offers excellent clinically-orientated research training and all students will undertake a high quality research project under the supervision of a research-active academic.
Academic titleMSc Clinical Microbiology
Course descriptionKey facts
-The MSc in Clinical Microbiology is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Sciences, and the Scottish Office.
-The latest Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) confirmed The University of Nottingham's position as a world class research-led institution. Over 60% of the University's RAE scores identified research as being of a level of international excellence.
-This achievement has helped Nottingham to achive a top 10 ranking in the UK and top 75 ranking in the world according to The Newsweek World University Rankings. Nottingham is currently University of the Year (Times Higher Education Awards 2006/7).
-The research carried out within Clinical Microbiology is recognised at an international level
Course Content
This course requires you to complete the following core modules:
• Introduction to Medical Microbiology (10 credits)
• Infection Control and Public Health (10 credits)
• Viral Pathogenesis and Infections (20 credits)
• Prevention and Treatment of Infection (20 credits)
• Advanced Clinical Microbiology (40 credits)
• Clinical Microbiology Research Methods (10 credits)
• Diagnostic Microbiology and Laboratory Methods (10 credits)
Please note that all module details are subject to change.
You will also undertake a 60-credit research project conducted over five months, usually in the laboratory of a member of faculty of the School. In some cases, the research project will be undertaken in the laboratory of one of our NHS colleagues, in collaboration with a member of the School faculty. This module will enable you to experience contemporary research methods by designing a research programme and performing experiments, surveys, or other research activities aimed at solving a specific biomedical problem.
Part-time students will carry out their projects in their sponsoring laboratory, while full time students will be accommodated in Nottingham.
This module is designed to increase your ability to critically analyse laboratory results and to use them to make decisions. You will also acquire skills in analysing research, time management and communication of scientific information.
Types of projects vary from laboratory-based projects to surveillance, audit, analytical clinical case studies and others, as approved by course organisers. Where possible, the student’s preferences are taken into account when allocating projects. The project will be written up in a concise format modelled on that of a peer-reviewed scientific paper.
The research module has an element of peer assessment where student members of the audience are invited to assess their colleagues’ performances according to set criteria and descriptors.
Course Structure
The MSc in Clinical Microbiology is taught on a full-time basis over 1 year or part-time over 2 years for people in appropriate full-time employment.
This course comprises 180 credits, made up of 120 credits from the taught modules and a 60-credit research module. The taught modules are delivered through a mixture of lectures and student-centred learning methods, in which you will direct and manage your own teaching and learning with help from academic facilitators.
The last module is a practical module which allows an efficient co-operation between the student and the module facilitator, and provides you with ‘hands-on' experience of practical techniques that you can further develop during your research project.
We have recently introduced a problem-based learning (PBL) theme to the Applied Molecular Microbiology module. This allows you freedom for investigative research of a given topic. You can work as individuals, in pairs or collectively in groups to solve a problem.
Each student is allocated a personal tutor at the beginning of the course, and regular meetings are scheduled throughout the year.
The course uses a variety of assessment methods that are dictated by the nature of the module. Forms of assessment include examinations in both essay and multiple-choice formats, written and verbally assessed coursework, and your practical knowledge in the Diagnostic Microbiology and Laboratory Methods module will be assessed by short-answer questions based on clinical scenarios.
Multiple choice assessments for many of the taught course modules are delivered online through the ‘Test Pilot' on-line assessment package, which is accessed through the Student Portal. This allows each test to be automatically marked quickly and accurately.
The Clinical Microbiology Research Methods module has an element of peer-assessment, where student members of the audience are invited to assess their colleagues' performances according to set criteria and descriptors.
Assessment of the Research Project will include a number of elements including observations of the student’s abilities made by the project supervisor, assessment of an oral presentation of the work, and assessment of the project write-up, which will be in the form of a scientific paper..In each case, assessment will be according to set criteria.
The online MSc database provides a central point for you to access your timetable, assessment results and easy access to additional module resources provided by lecturers and module convenors. You will be expected to work both independently and as part of a group