Programme Specification


Date Specification Approved
College College Life and Env Sci
School School of Bioscience
Department School of Biosciences
Partner College and School
Collaborative Organisation and Form of Collaboration
Qualification and Programme Title M.Sc. (Taught) Microbiology and Infection Full-time
Programme Code 9683
Delivery Location Campus
Language of Study English
Length of Programme 1 Year(s)
Accreditations This programme has no outside accreditations
Aims of the Programme To provide graduates in the Biosciences with a sound theoretical background and hands-on laboratory experience in leading edge microbiology, and impart specialist knowledge and insight in key aspects of bacterial infection. To build on internationally recognised research achievements in the Institute of Microbiology and Infection to highlight the impact of recent advances in understanding of microbes in infection To enable students to develop basic abilities and skills on which to build professional capability in a healthcare or related microbiology or biomedical research setting
Programme Outcomes
Students are expected to have Knowledge and Understanding of: Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods: and assessed using the following methods:
Fundamentals of molecular and cellular microbiology with an emphasis on bacteria
Infectious disease, by agent, system and infectious process
The importance of host factors in infectious disease
The bacterial surface and its significance in microbiology and infection
Antibiotics and Antimicrobials
Molecular Microbiology: ‘omics’ and knowledge-based applications in medical microbiology
Lectures, workshops, practical classes and tutorial where appropriate, and student centred learning
Laboratory reports and lab note book, module tests and data handling tests, oral presentations, essays, critical review.
Students are expected to have attained the following Skills and other Attributes: Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods: and assessed using the following methods:
Expertise in the handling of microorganisms and the application of modern laboratory methods in molecular microbiology
Oral Communication skills
Written communication skills
Recording of experimental detail
Quantitative and data handling skills including bioinformatics analyses.
Critical analysis of literature
Group working skills
Ability to carry out an independent research project
Tutorial discussions and advice; formative feedback will be given on a first semester essay. Feedback will allow students to improve their written skills; keeping a Laboratory note book; Workshops, computer classes; group task: preparation of a research grant proposal in poster format.
Assessments of lab classes and module test; essays, lab reports; Project report; assessment of laboratory note book; in-course tests and data analysis assignments; Critical Review; assessment of poster with element of peer critique; oral presentation.