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Microbiology and Infection MSc

Start date
September
Duration
MSc – 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Course Type
Postgraduate, Taught
Fees

£11,340 FT (UK students)
£5,490 PT (UK students)

£29,340 FT (International Students)
More detail

 

 

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 programme 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 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 sector, 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 in 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.

Scholarships for 2024 entry

The University of Birmingham is proud to offer a range of scholarships for our postgraduate programmes. With a scholarship pot worth over £2 million, we are committed to alleviating financial barriers to support you in taking your next steps.

Each scholarship has its own specific deadlines and eligibility criteria. Please familiarise yourself with the information on individual scholarship webpages prior to submitting an application.

Explore our scholarships

Through this course, I have broadened my scope of knowledge in molecular aspects of the course and other areas of the subject I found relevant. I have enjoyed the various forms of learning that include physical classes, seminars, workshops and group projects. This offers a wide variety of learning outcomes.

Jacqueline Nassuna, MSc Microbiology and Infection

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, emphasise the need for experts in this field now and into the future.

Modules

1. 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.

2. 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 microorganism. The module will take a systematic approach looking at diseases of the respiratory system, urinogenital system, gastrointestinal tract, and at 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 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.

3. 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.

4. 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 has lead 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 of screening antibiotics and novel natural product extracts (of their own choosing) against a panel of bacterial species. Students will have access to state-of–the-art High throughput Screening facility in the IMI.

5. 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.

6. 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 analyse large data sets and will gain hands on experience.


Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.

Recent examples of project titles offered to MSc Microbiology and Infection students

  • Characterization of a cell‐wall hydrolase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  • Implementation of the CRISPR‐Cas9 to tag genes in yeast
  • Promoter organization in bacteria
  • Sepsis and other clinical outcomes in burn trauma: applying metabolism to understand sepsis and clinical outcomes
  • How does metabolism differ in different human samples (biofluids and tissues)?
  • Enzyme‐responsive nanomaterials to deliver antimicrobial peptides
  • A multidisciplinary approach to studying the behavior of bacterial communities in artificial cellular environments
  • Turning gene regulation inside out: prevalence of promoters within genes in bacterial chromosomes
  • Interaction of the partitioning proteins KorB and IncC with DNA and other protein partners
  • Transcription rate variability and gene regulatory network dynamics
  • Probing the structure and function of the Bam complex, the Gram negative bacterial outer membrane protein folding machinery
  • Retrograde lipid transport in E. coli
  • Using novel methods to purify a membrane protein complex
  • Towards a structure for the neurodegeneration protein Cln3
  • Individual‐based modelling of biofilms
  • Transfer of antibiotic resistance carrying plasmids in spatially structured multispecies communities
  • High throughput determination of substrate affinity in a microfluidic device
  • Gene regulation in bacteria
  • Understanding the pH sensing mechanism of E. coli
  • Understanding the link between genotype and phenotype in laboratory‐evolved strains of stress‐resistant bacteria
  • Understanding and manipulating mupirocin and thiomarinol biosynthesis to create novel biologically active molecules
  • Dissecting plasmid host range determinants
  • Regulation of antibiotic production in marine bacteria
  • Phenotypic characterisation of exopolyphosphatase‐deficient mutants in Mycobacterium smegmatis. Elucidating the role of ppxs genes in phosphate metabolism
  • Isolation of interacting proteins of the MmpL3 transporter from Mycobacterium tuberculosis using the Yeast Two‐Hybrid (Y2H) system
  • Structural bioinformatics for the reengineering of the mupirocin and thiomarinol antibiotic biosynthesis pathways
  • Sequence and structural comparison of ketosynthase domains from trans‐AT polyketide synthase systems
  • The behaviour of lab‐evolved stress resistant strains of bacteria under fermentation conditions
  • Cloning and expression of the lectinolysin gene from Streptococcus mitis

Fees

Standard fees apply - This programme is in Fee Band 3a (Laboratory)

2024/25 Fees

  • Code 9683: UK students £11,340 FT
  • Code 9684: UK students £5,490 PT
  • Code 9683: International students £29,340 FT

Learn more about fees and funding


Are you an international applicant?

All international applicants to this course will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of £2,000 on receipt of an offer, to secure their place.

Find out more about the deposit >>.

Scholarships and studentships

Birmingham Masters Scholarship

We are offering over 200 awards of £2,000 to support the brightest and best applicants wishing to undertake Masters study at the University during 2024-2025.

Find out more and apply now  

Postgraduate Progression Award

Our Postgraduate Progression Awards offer final year undergraduates at the University of Birmingham a fee discount of £1,500 for postgraduate taught study.

Find out more and apply now  

Birmingham Masters Scholarship

Our Birmingham Masters Scholarship offers £2,000 via a tuition fee discount, to support the brightest and best applicants from UK or Ireland undertaking Masters study at Birmingham during 2024-2025.

Apply now

International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government. 

Find out about scholarships for international students.

Global Masters Scholarship

This £2,000 award is available to all international students from a selection of countries who are seeking to study a taught Masters degree at Birmingham in the 2024-25 academic year.

Apply now

For further information contact the School directly or get in touch with the Funding, Graduation & Awards via the online enquiries system.

How To Apply

International students requiring visas

1 July 2024 is the application deadline for international students who require a visa to study in the United Kingdom. We are not able to consider applications for 2024 made after this date; a new application will need to be made for September 2025.

UK students

31 August 2024 is the application deadline for UK students. We are not able to consider applications for 2024 made after this date; a new application will need to be made for September 2025.

Applications for 2024 entry are now open.

Making your application

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online. We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Apply now

Our Standard Requirements

Minimum lower second class (2.ii) Honours degree (or equivalent overseas degree) in a suitable Biosciences or biomedical subject, such as; Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biological Sciences, Biology, Biosciences, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary medicine or Biomedical sciences.

Learn more about entry requirements.

International Requirements



International Students

English language requirements

Standard English language requirements apply (IELTS: 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any band)


  • IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band
  • TOEFL: 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 19 in Writing
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) including online: Academic 64 with no less than 59 in all four skills
  • Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015): Advanced – minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in any component

The taught modules will be delivered through a combination of lectures, workshops and laboratory teaching. The Institute of Microbiology and Infection infrastructure provides high level capabilities for laboratory teaching at module level, while leading research groups offer opportunities for innovative and challenging research project opportunities.

Assessment Methods

In-course assessments are varied in format, to include written assignments such as essays, assessed laboratory notebooks and reports, and group work. Some modules also include class tests or end-of-module examinations. Formative assessments are incorporated into the course so that you feel well prepared for the summative ones.

The project will be assessed by a combination of a substantial written report, assessment of your performance in the laboratory and an oral presentation at the end of the project.

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 studying for a PhD as the next step on a research-based career path.