MSc in Microbiology and Infection

Our Microbiology and Infection MSc provides you with sound theoretical and hands-on laboratory experience in cutting-edge microbiology. The course is set within the context of the Institute of Microbiology and Infection at the University of Birmingham, the largest grouping of microbiologists in the UK.

This MSc program is built on the combined expertise in microbiology and infection that has been assembled through the establishment of the Institute of Microbiology and Infection at Birmingham.

It draws on the internationally recognized expertise of members of both the College of Life and Environmental Sciences and the College of Medical and Dental Sciences to provide a course that will be attractive to aspiring biomedical scientists and clinical microbiologists worldwide.

Students graduating from this course can look forward to gaining a thorough grounding in this important area, with job opportunities throughout the public and private sectors, as well as in research settings.

This course will provide graduates in the Biosciences with a sound theoretical background and hands-on laboratory experience in leading-edge microbiology. Students will gain specialist knowledge and insight into key aspects of bacterial infection.

The course will enable students to develop basic abilities and skills on which to build professional capability in a healthcare or related microbiology or biomedical research setting.

Why study this course?

The course provides a foundation in the fundamental molecular microbiology that underlies the ongoing and increasing challenge of bacterial infectious disease in healthcare, diagnosis, and treatment. The course will equip you to progress to employment in biomedical science or to embark on a postgraduate research degree in a related field.

The course is set within the context of the Institute of Microbiology and Infection at the University of Birmingham which brings together experts in areas of microbiology from fundamental science of model organisms to translational research on key pathogens of medical and veterinary importance.

Continuing developments in infection including increasing resistance of pathogens to antibiotics and the emergence of ‘superbugs’ such as Clostridium difficile and E. coli O157, and the increasing problem of tuberculosis as a worldwide killer disease, emphasize the need for experts in this field now and into the future.

Core Concepts and Skills in Microbiology

This module acts as a refresher on the fundamentals of molecular and cellular microbiology. You will have the opportunity to develop key quantitative, analytical, and critical analysis skills. It will also include important aspects of working in the laboratory and how to handle microorganisms safely.

Medical Microbiology (Practice and Applications)

The module will introduce you to pathogenic microorganisms that cause human diseases including bacterial, viral, and fungal diseases, and diseases caused by eukaryotic microorganisms. The module will take a systematic approach looking at diseases of the respiratory system, urinogenital system, gastrointestinal tract, and skin, wound, and blood-brain infections. Additionally, the module will build on research strengths in the Institute of Microbiology and Infection by highlighting examples such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, and enteric diseases. While the emphasis will be on the mechanisms, diagnostics, and prevention of microbial disease, the module will also cover clinical components of medical microbiology including hospital-acquired infections, and the clinical aspects of drug resistance taught by practicing clinical microbiologists from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Host-Microbe Interactions

In this module, you will be introduced to several key concepts in understanding host-pathogen interactions, including virulence, the evolution of virulence and the Red Queen hypothesis, pathogen lifestyles, such as intracellular parasitism and latency, and genetic variation in hosts and pathogens.

Antimicrobials and Resistance

The module will begin with a look into the historical perspectives of both the discovery and use of antibiotics in the clinic. The module will then cover the current situation of global antibiotic usage and how misuse and over prescription have led to the emergence of antibiotic resistance. A series of lectures will cover modern techniques and methodologies that are used to both discover and develop new antibiotic compounds into the next generation of drugs. In this regard, students will gain hands-on practical experience in screening antibiotics and novel natural product extracts (of their choosing) against a panel of bacterial species. Students will have access to state–of–the–art High throughput Screening facilities in the IMI.

Microbial Physiology and Virulence

This module will cover the key elements present at the microbial surface, and relate these in part to antibiotic targets. The threat of antibiotic resistance will be covered in detail and provide the student with a thorough understanding of both drug target and resistance mechanisms.

Omics of Microbes

Our understanding of Microbes has been revolutionised by our ability to sequence their genomes and by other ‘omics’ techniques. This module will cover sequencing technology, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metagenomics and explore how these have advanced our understanding of microbial pathogens. You will consider issues which arise from the need to analyze large data sets and will gain hands on experience.

The course will give you a thorough grounding in this important and topical area of biomedical science, enabling your entry into employment in health-related positions including hospital and public health laboratories, industry (biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and other sectors), and regulatory or quality assurance functions in the public sector or industry. It will also prepare you to work in an academic research setting, or study for a PhD as the next step on a research-based career path.