Course description
One year full-time, two years part-time
The postgraduate clinical microbiology programmes develop your skills and understanding in clinical microbiology, and provide a thorough knowledge of associated subjects (eg molecular biology).
The formal teaching includes lectures, practicals and workshops. The lecturers are specialists in their fields and are invited from many institutions in the UK. The practicals are extensive and give you the maximum hands-on experience in all aspects of clinical microbiology. The practicals are taught in a large purpose-built teaching laboratory.
Many students use the MSc as preparation for the MRCPath examinations and the MSc is accredited by the Association of Clinical Microbiologists as part of the training for clinical scientists.
Programme outline
Your studies are broad-based, with extensive coverage of the following topics:
* Bacteriology
* Virology
* Mycology
* Parasitology
* Bacterial pathogenicity
* Immunology
* Molecular biology
* Microbial disease – diagnosis, treatment and prevention
* Antimicrobials and chemotherapy
* Epidemiology and public health
* Hospital infection.
Assessment
There are a series of in-course assessments the programme. These assessments include practical and written examinations, posters, oral presentations, case reports, essays and comprehension of scientific papers. Each assessment is designed as a learning experience as well as a test of knowledge. There are four or five incourse assessments each year and they form approximately 25 per cent of the end of year marks.
The final examinations at the end of year one include a practical exam and a written paper. The final examinations at the end of year two include two written papers, a research project or dissertation and a viva.