Biomedical Science (Medical Microbiology) MSc

Keele University

Biomedical scientists, microbiologists and virologists play a critical role in preventing, diagnosing, treating and managing the spread of infection. Accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science, our MSc aims to deepen your understanding of disease processes and the methods used to test, analyse and monitor them. Keele has long-established expertise in infectious diseases and conducts research in collaboration with worldwide networks including ECLIPSE.

This Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) accredited MSc Biomedical Science (Medical Microbiology) course focuses on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment infectious diseases, incorporating the study of microbiology and virology.

Comprising of all aspects of human health and disease, biomedical science is one of the broadest areas of modern science and medicine. By developing new treatments and uncovering new knowledge which can save and improve lives, it is arguably one of the most important too.

Infection Sciences is one of four different and distinct laboratory disciplines within the field of Biomedical Science, as outlined by the IBMS, alongside Blood Sciences, Cell Sciences, and Genetics and Molecular Pathology. At Keele, we also offer an MSc Biomedical Science (Blood Science) covering clinical biochemistry, medical immunology and haematology, as well as a Graduate Diploma in Biomedical Science.

Building on existing, undergraduate knowledge in basic science, youll undertake higher level scientific training to develop the advanced laboratory and analytical skills needed in clinical or research contexts, fully aware of the potential implications for patients, health workers and research alike.

The emphasis on this MSc is to look at health and disease from a patient or population-oriented perspective and in support of evidence-based clinical decision-making. Real-life case studies on travel associated infections, outbreaks of infectious disease and vector-borne infections, for example, provide up-to-date information on different aspects of disease caused by bacteria and viruses, which laboratory tests and diagnostics were applied and why.

We pay particular attention to the development of core practical skills in areas such as critical thinking, innovation, communication, problem-solving and project management. Preparing you to take on more senior roles, youll become familiar with biomedical ethics, aware of how to fully integrate these issues, for example, when writing grant proposals and business plans.

You have significant flexibility when choosing your research project which could take the form of any of the following: laboratory-based research virtual or dry laboratory-based research bioinformatics analysis a clinical audit or systematic review of current literature. It may be possible to undertake your research project within the NHS or, if you're already working in the science sector, you could tackle a problem or issue that could affect real change for your employer.

Your career

Positions may include:

Academic (PhD, teaching careers)

Bioinformatician

Biomedical engineer/scientist

Biophysicist

Cell processing and manufacturing specialist

Clinical operations researcher

Clinical research scientist

Clinical trials researcher/coordinator

Computational biologist

Drug development scientist

Geneticist

Grant writer

Industrial research scientist/analyst

Medical degree

Medical laboratory scientist

Microfluidic scientist

NHS biomedical scientists

Product development scientist

Research technician

Research trainee/fellow

Science entrepreneur

Scientific consulting

Scientific sales representative

Scientist in cell/gene therapy labs (R&D)

Scientist in Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) labs (R&D)

Scientist in pharma (R&D)

Synthetic biologist