Bachelor's degree

In Aberdeen

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Bachelor's degree

  • Location

    Aberdeen (Scotland)

  • Duration

    4 Years

Facilities

Location

Start date

Aberdeen (Aberdeen City)
See map
Ashgrove Road West, Institute Of Medical Sciences Building, Foresterhill, AB25 2ZD

Start date

On request

About this course

First year entry Scottish Highers BBBB or Advanced Highers CCC or A levels CCC, including good performance in at least two Mathematics/Science/Technology subjects.

Advanced entry Advanced Highers BBB or A levels BBB, including Biology and Chemistry.

Questions & Answers

Add your question

Our advisors and other users will be able to reply to you

Who would you like to address this question to?

Fill in your details to get a reply

We will only publish your name and question

Reviews

Course programme

Programme Structure & Content

The focus is on pathogenic micro-organisms, their interaction with the immune system, and their therapeutic treatment.

First Year
Students take courses in Chemistry and Biology plus additional courses selected from science and other areas.

Second Year
The core second year course is Microbes, Infection and Immunity. Focusing on medical aspects of microbiology, it introduces aspects of structure, physiology, growth and ecology of micro-organisms. It goes on to describe the role that micro-organisms play in causing disease and the ways that the body uses to counter this attack. Students also take foundation courses in Genetics and Biochemistry. The second year curriculum includes two courses devoted to development of Foundation and Research Skills in the Life Sciences.

Third Year
The Microbiology course covers the interactions between the microbial cell and its biological environment, with particular emphasis on the molecular and cell biology of pathogenic bacteria, fungi and protozoa. The focus on Molecular Medical Microbiology is supported by an intensive hands-on practical studying a human microbial pathogen. There is also a course in Immunology that is highly recommended for those with an interest in a career in Medical Microbiology.

Fourth Year (Honours)
The Honours year explores molecular and population aspects of Medical Microbiology in depth. All students begin their Honours year by attending a 3-day reading party. A feature of the Honours course is a 10-week research project, carried out in research laboratories within the School of Medical Sciences or in local research institutes. This project provides the opportunity to carry out original research, using state-of-the-art technology in busy laboratories and alongside postgraduate and postdoctoral staff. The fourth year curriculum is divided into a core course and two options courses in the first semester, with the research project and research tutorials in the second semester.

Variations
For the degree with Industrial Placement, the year in industry is taken between third and fourth year, in an appropriate biotechnology or pharmaceutical company industrial laboratory.

Teaching & Assessment

In the early years, teaching involves attendance at lectures, practicals and tutorials. In the later years of the degree, a greater proportion of study is student-directed, allowing a student to follow their own particular interests within the subject area. Learning in the later years also involves an increased participation in Practical Microbiology, including, at Honours level, a 9 week research project.

Additional information

Career opportunities: Many of our graduates pursue research in a wide range of research laboratories, both in the UK and overseas. Others move directly into positions in hospital research, diagnostic laboratories and research institutes. Other major employers of Microbiology graduates include biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical, food, fermentation and related industries.

Medical Microbiology

Price on request