Microbiology (with Advanced Practice) MSc
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-01 | 2023-07-09 |
| 2024-01-01 | 2023-11-26 |
| 2024-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Course overview
It focuses on applying techniques and methods related to molecular biology, microbial culture and classification and in the functional analysis of microbial genomes and microbiomes associated with disease, the biotechnology industry and the environment.
These subject areas are developed in great depth depending on your interest or desired career aspirations.
The course provides the theoretical knowledge, understanding and practical skills to ensure a solid grounding in core and applied microbiology, along with the transferable skills which are essential to enhance your employability options. This aims to prepare you for a broad range of careers within industrial, commercial, government and environmental settings and further postgraduate study. You are introduced to some of the contemporary issues facing the industry and the course provides hands-on practical experience of both laboratory and bioinformatics techniques. You can explore medical, industrial and environmental microbiology, molecular, cell and system biology, recombinant DNA technology, protein biochemistry, structural biology, fermentation, bioengineering and many other areas. During the course, you have the opportunity to investigate diverse areas of microbiology which are of concern to the healthcare, environmental, ecological and biotechnological sectors. You also have the chance to undertake research in relation to medical, environmental or industrial microbiology, which can further enhance your knowledge, skills and career options.
You are introduced to some of the contemporary issues facing the industry and the course provides hands-on practical experience of both laboratory and bioinformatics techniques. Staff can offer expertise in medical, industrial and environmental microbiology, molecular, cell and system biology, recombinant DNA technology, protein biochemistry, structural biology, fermentation, bioengineering and many other areas. During the course, you have the opportunity to investigate diverse areas of microbiology which are of concern to the healthcare, environmental, ecological and biotechnological sectors. You also have the chance to undertake research in relation to medical, environmental or industrial microbiology, which can further enhance your knowledge, skills and career options.
This course is taught at our National Horizons Centre (NHC) at the University’s Darlington campus. This £22m purpose-built biosciences research, education and training facility is a focal point for the growing regional biosciences community.
Next to CPI’s National Biologics Manufacturing Centre , the NHC is at the heart of an ecosystem of life science excellence. Our extensive links with NHS and private laboratories, ensure course content is kept up to date and relevant to employers. The centre’s imaginative design includes a blend of teaching, learning and collaboration spaces, hi-tech laboratories and a state-of-the-art computing suite. Open innovation spaces provide students and businesses with the tools for project development using data analytics, modelling and simulation, visualisation and process improvement and control.
The NHC also offers analytical and digital infrastructure supporting basic and applied research in the biosciences and across disciplinary boundaries, aligned to academic excellence and industry needs. The NHC will expose you to a significant internationally- competitive research and innovation capability that is responsive and engaged with industry needs in the bioscience sector.
Facilities within the National Horizons Centre enable students to engage with a range of advance and innovative research themes including:
• provision of a comprehensive genomic, proteomic, metabolomics data acquisition, processing and modelling capability with internationally competitive instrumentation, software and technical support
• studies of disease pathways including biomarker discovery, treatment monitoring, development of diagnostics and screening. Supported by bioinformatics modelling and development of predictive models
• biopharmaceutical research including product characterisation, metabolism and drug interaction studies• protein structure/function studies including aggregation, modification, activation and inhibition
• use of advanced cellular imaging capabilities, including live cell imaging, using light, confocal and Raman microscopy. This will enable the study of, among other topics; - molecular interactions- conformational changes of drug interactions with living cells- tissue characterisation.
Our extensive links with NHS and private laboratories, ensures course content is kept up-to-date and relevant to employers. You are introduced to some of the contemporary issues facing the industry and the course provides hands-on practical experience of both laboratory and bioinformatics techniques. Staff offer expertise in medical, industrial and environmental microbiology, molecular, cell and system biology, recombinant DNA technology, protein biochemistry, structural biology, fermentation, bioengineering and many other areas. You have the opportunity to investigate diverse areas of microbiology which are of concern to the healthcare, environmental, ecological and biotechnological sectors. You also have the chance to undertake research in relation to medical, environmental or industrial microbiology, which can further enhance your knowledge, skills and career options.
There are three routes you can select from to gain a master’s award:
The one-year programme is a great option if you want to gain a traditional MSc qualification. The two-year master’s degree with advanced practice enhances your qualification by adding a vocational or research based internship to the one-year master’s programme. A vocational internship is a great way to gain work experience and give your CV a competitive edge. A research internship provides you with the opportunity to develop your analytical, team-working, research and academic skills by working alongside a research team in an academic setting. We guarantee a research internship, but cannot guarantee a vocational internship. We will, however, provide you with practical support and advice on how to find and secure your own vocational internship position should you prefer this type of internship.
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Program Outline
Detailed Extraction of Program Information:
Degree Overview:
Objectives:
- Deepen understanding of microbial science and its applications.
- Equip students with practical skills in laboratory and bioinformatics techniques.
- Develop critical thinking, research, and analytical skills.
- Enhance career prospects in diverse fields within the bioscience sector.
- Prepare students for postgraduate study or research careers.
Program Description:
- Emphasizes practical experience through laboratory and bioinformatics techniques.
- Focuses on areas like molecular biology, microbial culture and classification, functional analysis of microbial genomes and microbiomes.
- Allows students to explore diverse areas of microbiology relevant to healthcare, environment, ecology, and biotechnology.
- Provides opportunities for research in medical, environmental, or industrial microbiology.
- Delivered primarily at the National Horizons Centre (NHC), a state-of-the-art facility with advanced research and training capabilities.
Outline:
Program Structure:
- Full-time program duration: 20 months (September enrolment) or 24 months (January enrolment).
- Part-time option not available.
- 120 credits of taught modules.
- 60 credits of Master's research project.
- 60 credits of advanced practice (vocational or research internship).
Core Modules:
- Advanced Practice in Sciences: Internship or research opportunity to enhance transferrable skills and CV.
- Analytical Techniques: Focus on instrumentation used in bioscience research applications
- Clinical Biochemistry and Diagnostic Techniques: Advanced topics in biochemistry with clinical applications.
- Fermentation Microbiology: Fundamentals of fermentation technology and its applications.
- Genomics and Bioinformatics: Advances in genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics for specific disease states.
- Life Science Research Project: Hypothesis-driven research project in chosen area of specialization.
- Microbial Diversity and Environmental Microbiology: Scale, biogeographic patterns, and impact of environmental variables on microbial diversity.
- Pathobiology of Infectious Diseases: Understanding infectious diseases and their impact on humans.
Optional Modules:
Information on optional modules is not available in the provided context.
Course Schedule:
Detailed course schedules are not available in the provided context.
Individual Module Descriptions:
Detailed descriptions of individual modules are provided under the "Core Modules" section above.
Assessment:
Assessment methods:
- Exams.
- In-course assessments.
- Group work.
- Verbal presentations.
- Poster presentations.
- Written reflective report (3,000 words) for Advanced Practice module.
- Study or workplace log (where applicable).
Assessment criteria:
Specific assessment criteria for individual modules are not available in the provided context.
Teaching:
Teaching methods:
- Lectures.
- Tutorials.
- Seminars.
- Workshops.
- Laboratory sessions.
- Independent study.
Unique program features:
- Taught at the state-of-the-art National Horizons Centre (NHC).
- Focus on practical experience through laboratory and bioinformatics techniques.
- Opportunity for research project in chosen area of specialization.
- Opportunity for vocational or research internship to enhance employability.
- Emphasis on real-world applications and problem-solving.
Careers:
Career opportunities:
- Research careers (PhD, research scientist).
- Careers in universities, industry (including oil and gas), biotechnology, hospital diagnostic and pathology laboratories.
- Educational roles in schools, colleges of further education, and universities.
- Opportunities in scientific publishing, patent offices, science outreach, and public understanding of microbiological issues.
Career outcomes:
Information on specific career outcomes and average salaries for graduates is not available in the provided context.
Other:
Work placement opportunities:
Limited short-term placement opportunities may be available, particularly during the project phase.
Entry requirements:
- UK 2.2 honours degree, or equivalent, in a subject with significant biosciences content.
- Acceptable first degree subjects include biomedical science, biochemistry, biological sciences, human biology, forensic biology, and animal science.
- International students: at least a 6.0 in IELTS test with no component below 5.5.
- Alternative access routes may be available for applicants with non-bioscience degrees.
International student information:
Detailed information about qualifications required for international students can be found on the university website.
Additional program information:
- The program provides students with the opportunity to explore contemporary issues facing the industry.
- Students receive hands-on experience with laboratory and bioinformatics techniques.
- Graduates are well-prepared for a wide range of career options within the bioscience sector.
- The program emphasizes transferable skills that are valuable for employers.
- Students have access to state-of-the-art research facilities and equipment.
Tuition Fees and Payment Information:
UK Applicants:
- Fee: £4,770 per year
- Payment Details: More details about our fees
International Applicants:
- Fee: £10,000 per year
- Payment Details: More details about our fees for international applicants
Additional Information:
- The course length is 20 months for September enrolment or 2 years for January enrolment, including summer breaks.
- Start dates are September or January.
Note:
This information is based on the provided context. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the official Teesside University website.
