Clinical and Molecular Microbiology MSc/PGDip/PGCert

This course, which is fully accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science, provides training in theoretical and practical aspects of medical microbiology with emphasis on molecular biological techniques.

Overview

MSc Clinical and Molecular Microbiology is ideal for biomedical scientists pursuing a career in diagnostic medicine, or students wishing to enter a research career and gain high-level skills in molecular medical microbiology.

You can choose to study this course full-time for one year or part-time for two years. Students wanting to register on a part-time basis must be affiliated to a NHS trust laboratory whereby they can attend academic lectures at the University of Nottingham on one day release per week from their place of work, and conduct their research project in their employer laboratory. We welcome applications from home, EU and international students.

The course aims to provide training in theoretical and practical aspects of medical microbiology with a focus on clinical methods for diagnosis and patient management and molecular biological techniques in research and diagnostic labs. You will gain basic and advanced knowledge of important viral, bacterial and parasitic infections and how these infections are diagnosed and treated in the clinic.

On this course, you will learn state-of-the-art microbiology techniques, acquire a broad base of theoretical knowledge and gain hands-on practical experience in clinical microbiology. Lectures are delivered by national and international experts including academics and clinicians from the University of Nottingham as well as other leading institutions and relevant organisations.

In addition to taught modules, you will also undertake a 60-credit Research Project conducted over four months in the laboratory of a member of research staff within the school or faculty. This module will enable you to experience contemporary research methods by performing experiments, systematic reviews, or other research activities aimed at solving a specific biomedical problem or hypothesis. The Research Project is conducted during the spring semester and continues into the summer months.

The problem-based learning approach on the Applied Molecular Microbiology and Bacterial Pathogenesis and Infections modules allows you freedom for investigative research of a given topic. You can work as individuals, in pairs or collectively in groups to solve a problem.

All modules and module resources, such as lecture PowerPoints, podcasts and supporting literature are uploaded and accessed through Moodle, the University’s online virtual learning environment. The University has invested in the lecture capture software, Echo 360 which allows faithful recording of all lectures that are timetabled in University lecture rooms.

Accreditation

The course has full accreditation of the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), which is a professional acknowledgement of the quality and relevance of the course to individuals employed as biomedical scientists. It helps career progression of biomedical scientists already employed and state registered, allowing those BMS1 technical officers to apply for promotion and higher grades.

Careers

Our MSc graduates are very much in demand by employers in both the private and public sectors and have the opportunity to establish successful careers in a range of areas.

Some graduates will go on to do MRCPath exams, take up positions as trainee diagnostic microbiologists (biomedical scientists) or clinical scientists, or pursue higher degrees such as PhD or MD. Others gain employment in industry such as large pharmaceutical companies or other private enterprises.