Medical Microbiology

Both our Microbiology and Medical Microbiology courses offer the same content for Year 1, with key modules introducing you to the essentials.

Through lectures, tutorials and hands-on practicals in the labs, you’ll be introduced to topics such as immunology, genetics, biochemistry and cell biology – laying the foundations that you’ll build upon in years two and three.

At the end of Year 1, there are opportunities to transfer between the Microbiology, Biological Sciences and Biology courses (including Genetics).

In Year 2 you’ll continue to develop an all-round understanding of the essential topics in biosciences, such as biochemistry, while also beginning to specialise in topics such as medical virology and medical immunology.

The end of the second year also offers you the chance to take a study year abroad or a year in industry to further develop your skills.

During Year 3 you’ll focus on the laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases, the problems of antibiotic resistance, and specialist study of fungal and viral infections.

The focal point of your final year will be an in-depth research project in which you’ll take all the skills you have developed in your degree and apply them to your own independent research, while under the supervision of a leading academic.

You’ll also be offered the chance to study advanced topics in medical microbiology, developing cutting-edge knowledge and laboratory techniques as well as essential transferable skills that will help you really shine in the graduate job market.

Course structure

These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Modules Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Introduction to Genetics 10 credits
• The Basis of Life 20 credits
• Molecular Physiology 20 credits
• Introduction to Microbiology 20 credits
• Skills for Microbiologists 40 credits

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• The Power of Bacterial Genomics 10 credits
• Genetic Engineering 10 credits
• Cell Biology of Disease 10 credits
• Molecular Virology 10 credits
• Medical Bacteriology 10 credits
• Medical Immunology 10 credits
• Medical Virology 10 credits
• Skills for Microbiologists 2 40 credits

Year 3

Compulsory modules

• Medical Microbiology Research Project 40 credits
• Advanced Topics in Microbiology 1 20 credits
• Advanced Topics in Microbiology 2 20 credits
• Advanced Topics in Microbiology 3 20 credits
• Skills for Microbiologists 3 20 credits

For more information on typical modules, read Medical Microbiology BSc in the course catalogue

Broadening your academic horizons

At Leeds we want you to benefit from the depth and breadth of the University's expertise, to prepare you for success in an ever-changing and challenging world. On this course you broaden your learning through core and/or optional modules. Find out more on the Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

You’ll have access to the very best learning resources and academic support during your studies. We’ve been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2017), demonstrating our commitment to delivering consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for our students.

You’ll experience a wide range of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials and practicals. Your first and second years will focus on these three teaching methods, building your skills, understanding and knowledge in preparation for your final year research project, which will see you take on independent research and learning with the guidance of leading experts.

Across all years, additional workshop and seminar sessions will complement your lectures and lab practicals, and you will also undertake private study.

As a guide, a typical week in your first year includes nine to twelve hours of lectures, three to six hours of practical sessions in the laboratory, tutorials, workshop and seminar sessions, plus private study.

Independent study and research are also crucial to every year of the course. We have excellent library and computing facilities to support your learning, and the University Library offers training to help you make the most of them.

Assessment

We use a variety of assessment methods to help you develop a broad range of skills. These include practical work, data handling and problem-solving exercises, multiple-choice tests, group work, online and face-to-face discussion groups, computer-based simulations, essays, posters and oral presentations.