Objectives
Microbes (bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses) are perhaps most apparent when they cause disease. Microbes are the causative agent of epidemics - plague, tuberculosis, foot-and-mouth disease, meningitis and a host of other diseases across the world. Our well-being depends in a large part on the ability to understand how microorganisms live, for example through the use of antibiotics. Our programme in Medical Microbiology is designed to provide a broad grounding in microbiology and the other molecular biosciences, together with a range of advanced modules that emphasise topics of medical relevance. This course is one of a range of courses in the molecular biosciences offered by the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. In their first year all students in the department take a broadly based programme, gaining experience in a range of areas in the molecular biosciences. At the end of the first year, you may transfer between the different courses taught by the department as your specific interests develop. In your second year, you will consider your chosen subjects in more depth and hone your practical skills. In your third year you have the opportunity to carry out an individual research project in one of the department research groups or in the Medical School. You may graduate after three years with a BSc degree, or you may choose the optional fourth year, leading to an MBiolSci qualification. This involves additional training in skills relevant to a career in research, and an extensive research project, which may be carried out in industry. Transfer between the three and four year programme is possible in either direction during years one to three.