MSc Medical Microbiology

Why Surrey?
This part-time day release programme is intended for graduates already working in medical microbiology laboratories who want to enhance their understanding of the role of microorganisms in health and disease.

Programme overview
The programme has been designed to increase your scientific understanding of medical microbiology and develop your critical and analytical skills so that you may identify problems, formulate hypotheses, design experiments, acquire and interpret data, and draw conclusions. It will allow you to study theoretical aspects of medical microbiology encompassing the biological and pathogenic properties of microbes, their role in health and disease, the reactions of the host to infection, and the scientific basis for the detection, control and anti-microbial treatment of infectious disease.

The majority of practical training is the responsibility of your normal place of work, however, practical modules (one per year) provide an opportunity to introduce cutting-edge techniques.

Upon successful completion of the course, you will have a greater depth of knowledge of medical microbiology and will have developed management and research skills which will enhance your professional activities.
The part-time day-release Masters programme consists of eight taught modules and a research project and is designed to be completed in two years. Alternatively, you can be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate or a Postgraduate Diploma. Students may also attend modules on a one-off basis to update their knowledge in a particular area.

Each module lasts for five or six weeks, with the lectures taking place on Wednesdays throughout the academic year. Students usually complete their research at their normal place of work.

The programme is intended for graduates already working in medical microbiology laboratories, or in a closely-related field, who want to enhance their understanding of the role of microorganisms in health and disease. This includes:

- Diagnostic microbiology staff
- Pharmaceutical research personnel
- Veterinary laboratory staff
- Food and water laboratory personnel

Other applicants seeking an understanding of the advances in modern medical microbiology and its associated disciplines will also be considered. This includes:

- Clinicians
- Public health personnel
- Nurses

Programme structure and modules
The taught programme consists of the following modules, which run in a two-year cycle. Each module is worth 15 credits.

Modules:

- Viral Infections
- Bacterial, Protozoal and Fungal Pathogens 1
- Bacterial, Protozoal and Fungal Pathogens 2: Diagnosis and Treatment
- Introduction to Immunology
- Pathogenesis of Infectious Diseases
- Microbial Genetics and Molecular Biology
- Epidemiology: Disease Control and Public Health
- Management of Scientific Research

Research project
All students aiming for the MSc qualification undertake a research project and submit a dissertation. Part-time students usually complete their project at their normal place of work.

Short courses

- All our lecture modules are offered as stand-alone short courses and are accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Sciences for the purposes of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
- Each module lasts for five or six weeks, with the lectures taking place on Wednesdays throughout the academic year
- Individuals wishing only to attend the lectures may do so; alternatively, you may decide to take the assessment and acquire credits which may contribute to a postgraduate qualification, either at the University of Surrey or elsewhere
- You may take up to three modules as stand-alone courses before registering retrospectively for the MSc and counting the accumulated credits towards your degree

The fee structure for short courses is different to that for registered students and details may be obtained upon enquiry to the programme administrator. Also contact the programme administrator for information regarding the timing of each module.

Entry requirements
Applicants should usually possess at least a 2.2 honours degree in a relevant subject from an approved university. Students must be in appropriate employment and will usually have at least one year of experience in this environment. Applications from candidates not possessing the qualifications mentioned above may be considered, depending on the length and quality of their experience, published works and recommendations from employers. Such candidates may be required to complete a qualifying assessment. Selection is based upon a candidate’s application, references and an informal interview. In special circumstances, a student may be set work for assessment before being offered a place on the programme.

How to apply
For more information on the course and how to apply please visit the course website.

General enquiries:
+44 (0)1483 681 681

Admissions enquiries:
+44 (0)1483 682 222
admissions@surrey.ac.uk