Microbiology MSc
2 Years Part-Time | September Start
Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
International
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Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
At Northumbria, we offer Microbiology as an individual discipline, giving you the opportunity to study part-time and develop specialist knowledge and break new ground as a scientist.
Gain hands-on, immersive experience, in high tech facilities, working alongside leading academics. Advance your expertise in clinical and environmental microbiology, studying how viral and bacterial diseases work and how you can use microbes to create new medicines.
You’ll cover microbial taxonomy, bioinformatics and molecular biology, using bacteria and viruses to develop new technologies and substances through data analysis and genome sequencing.
With opportunities to develop your theoretical knowledge, advance your own research, and increase your profile through articles and publications, this course equips you for further PhD study or for a career in microbiology.
Level of Study
Postgraduate
Mode of Study
2 years Part Time
1 other options available
Department
Applied Sciences
Location
City Campus, Northumbria University
City
Newcastle
Start
September 2024
Fees
Fee Information
Modules
Module Information
Watch Programme Leader Dr Amanda Jones discuss this Masters in a Minute (or so), and listen to Nicola talk about her experience as a student on the course.
Course leader Amanda Jones give us an introduction to the Microbiology MSc here at Northumbria University. Find out more about the course here: northumbria.ac.uk/study-at-northumbria/courses/microbiology-dtfmgy6/
Meet Nicola Cowley, a Masters student studying Microbiology MSc at Northumbria University, Newcastle. Hear Nicola's experience of her course, the opportunities it has presented to her, her experience of going from undergraduate to postgraduate student, and her aspirations after graduation. To find out more about the course, visit: northumbria.ac.uk/study-at-northumbria/courses/microbiology-dtfmgy6/ To see why postgraduate students choose Northumbria, visit: northumbria.ac.uk/the-hub/entries/why-northumbria-why-postgraduate/
Explore our immersive 360 tours, informative subject videos, inspirational student profiles, ground-breaking research, and a range of life at university blogs videos and articles.
You’ll gain skills in applying tools, techniques and methods related to molecular biology, microbial culture and classification and in functional analysis of microbial and viral genomes.
With an emphasis on individual learning and problem solving using the latest research, as part of the course, you’ll undertake a research project based on a currently relevant question. This will allow you to develop your particular specialism or interest and focus your study on practical research.
You’ll be assessed on your ability to apply your subject knowledge to real-world challenges in the form of assessment tasks as well as being measured in key laboratory skills.
Watch our department video to get a feel for where you could be studying.
The Department of Applied Sciences has an exciting and extensive portfolio of subjects including biology, biomedical sciences, chemistry, forensic science, food and nutritional sciences. To find out more, see below: northumbria.ac.uk/study-at-northumbria/postgraduate-study/masters-subject-pages/applied-sciences/
Take a look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.
Tutors are active researchers in their chosen specialisms and share their knowledge through teaching, scientific conferences and publications. Many have established relationships with professional microbiology organisations and lead policy and practice within the profession.
Combining industry experience and research expertise, you’ll benefit from their knowledge and real-life insights as you develop your skills and understanding.
Anna Lindsay
Senior Lecturer
David Pearce
Professor of Environmental Biology
Vartul Sangal
Senior Lecturer
Simon Bridge
Anniversary Research Fellow
Take a look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.
High-tech wet and dry labs which are fully equipped for molecular biology manipulations are available to help you work on your own research projects.
While some modules are conventionally taught, you’ll benefit from a mixture of learning experiences including lectures, small group seminars and laboratory sessions, adding a practical edge to your theoretical understanding.
Find out more about our specialist facilities.
Explore our facilities
Department of Applied Sciences
NU-OMICS is a State-of-the-art DNA sequencing facility at Northumbria University. The service is based upon the Illumina massively parallel sequencing and PacBio Single Molecule Real time sequencing. Our automated workflows are suitable for both academic and industry clients.
Take a look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.
Research areas include:
Microbiological and virological based techniques to study; virus-host interactions and phage genomics (through our Nu-omics). Research is funded by companies, charities and research council grants.
Bio-economy
Multidisciplinary Research
Applied Sciences Research
Exploring and Exploiting Microbial Diversity
Take a look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.
You’ll have opportunities for work-based learning and to be an ambassador for STEM activities, gaining valuable professional experience and applying your knowledge in real-world situations.
Your research project provides a chance to showcase your interests and ability to define, formulate and test a hypothesis through careful experimental design, method development, data capture and analysis and communicating your findings.
You’ll be able to demonstrate transferable skills valued by employers including critical thinking, working as part of a group, data mining and record keeping, alongside problem solving, independent learning, and communication with both technical and non-technical audiences.
Take a look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.
Building on your theoretical knowledge with practical and laboratory skills you’ll show that you can tackle complex problems with confidence, skill and maturity as you develop key strengths in critical thinking and expressing opinions based on evidence.
The practices and procedures of Microbiology and Virology, together with logical thinking, attention to detail and a questioning mind will equip you with skills suitable for a range of careers in human health and disease, environmental studies and industrial or biotechnical industries.
The staff are wonderful, and you can tell they are just as enthusiastic as you are about what you’re studying
Helen McManus-Reily
This MSc has definitely set me in better stead to be successful in any future PhD or job applications
Ashleigh Kate Graham
Newcastle gives you a relaxed state of mind to both study and enjoy
Ahmed Ali
See more student profiles
Take a look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.
Applicants should normally have:
A minimum of a 2:2 honour degree in a science discipline, such as microbiology, cell biology or genetics.
International qualifications:
If you have studied a non UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry
English language requirements:
International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 6 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications
Full UK Fee: £9,250
Full EU Fee: £19,750
Full International Fee: £19,750
Scholarships and Discounts
ADDITIONAL COSTS
Laboratory equipment such as spatula, lab book, marker pens and a scientific calculator are required and should cost no more than £25. You may be required to print some documents this should be no more than £10 per academic year.
* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here
Please use the Apply Now button at the top of this page to submit your application.
Certain applications may need to be submitted via an external application system, such as UCAS, Lawcabs or DfE Apply.
The Apply Now button will redirect you to the relevant website if this is the case.
You can find further application advice, such as what to include in your application and what happens after you apply, on our Admissions Hub Admissions | Northumbria University
Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.
AP0700 -
Graduate Science Research Methods (Core,20 Credits)
This module will provide you with an opportunity to develop your skills in the use and understanding of relevant literature and in both quantitative and qualitative methods. You will learn how to evaluate and contribute to the scientific literature and to interpret and disseminate scientific information. You will appreciate the desirable properties of research design and be able to select an experimental design appropriate to a given system and create the design matrix. You will learn how to assess the kinds of scientific data and tests of hypotheses and will be able to select, apply, and interpret the output from statistical methods of data analysis, and to evaluate the results of statistical analyses as applied to a given data set. Using contemporary science stories, you will develop scientific communication skills in systematic searching, summary writing and critical analysis of the underpinning primary research.
More informationAP0701 -
Molecular Biology (Core,20 Credits)
You will learn to evaluate recent developments in molecular biology in the context of the new techniques that have been developed, which will be assessed by an online test, demonstrate an ability to perform skilled laboratory techniques in a competent and safe manner, which is assessed by practical report, and evaluate laboratory results in the form of a scientific paper, which is assessed by practical report. You will also learn to demonstrate an awareness of the wider social and political implications of the topics covered in the module.
More informationAP0706 -
Microbes and Disease (Core,20 Credits)
You will learn about the impact of microbes (including viruses) on human health, with a particular emphasis on selected microbial diseases of major global significance. The emphasis is on furthering understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenesis of microbial disease, with further consideration of how these relate to diagnosis, treatment and strategies for disease prevention. The module content will have strong links to the research expertise of the module team.
As indicative content, suitable topics will likely include the biology of some of the following diseases: tuberculosis and other major mycobacterial diseases (leprosy; buruli ulcer); streptococcal pathogens; malaria; HIV and Hepatitis C virus; cholera as a representative diarrhoeal disease; chlamydia as a major sexually transmitted disease and a cause of blinding trachoma; polymicrobial infections.
AP0707 -
Microbial Diversity (Core,20 Credits)
You will learn the importance of microbes in biotechnology, in particular organisms that produce therapeutic and commercially significant compounds. You will also learn about how viruses impact on the microbial communities in the environment and clinical setting. You will study in detail the diverse habitats that bacteria and viruses are isolated from such as deep-sea sediments, the Mir space station and desert sand, as well as the explorative techniques required for isolating bioactive microorganisms and the taxonomic approaches that are undertaken to characterise the producers of commercially significant products.
Underpinning theoretical concepts and principles will be covered in a lecture course that will be informed, illustrated and applied through a strong practical element. You will be trained in basic techniques that you will then have to utilise to solve ‘real life’ research project revolving around the selective isolation and identification of micro-organisms.
AP0702 -
Bioinformatics (Core,20 Credits)
You will learn the fundamental importance of bioinformatics to 21st century biology and how it is applied to the investigation of bacterial sequences. Topics include:
•Utilisation of databases for the analysis of nucleotide and amino-acid sequences, including introduction to the algorithms used in sequence alignment and sequence searching
•Practical experience of sequence analysis using freely available bioinformatics tools, looking at nucleotide, protein, and genome databases. These tools include BLAST, SWISS-Prot, PubMed, UCSC Genome Browser
•Microbial DNA sequencing and next-generation sequencing
•Genome annotation and analysis of SNPs.
•The importance of molecular phylogeny
•Genome editing using CRISPR-Cas
•Proteomics, covering protein structure analysis and identification of common motifs
AP0703 -
Subject Exploration (Core,20 Credits)
This module allows you to explore a topic related to your Masters programme of your own choosing to an advanced level developing a critical appreciation of the methodologies, recent advances and future potential in that field. In doing so, you will develop and refine your research skills including information retrieval, evaluative, analytical, and problem solving skills together with group-based written and oral communication skills.
More informationAP0708 -
Applied Sciences Research Project (Core,60 Credits)
This module provides you with a vehicle for developing, refining and applying your research skills in an independent project. Guided by a staff member, you will plan, carry out and report the outcomes of an independent research project to professional standards. You will identify stakeholders in your research and describe the projected impact your research holds for them. In order to prepare you for life as a research professional, assessments emulate authentic professional documentary formats aimed at securing project resources and disseminating your findings to ensure they develop real world impact.
More informationModule information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.
AP0700 -
Graduate Science Research Methods (Core,20 Credits)
This module will provide you with an opportunity to develop your skills in the use and understanding of relevant literature and in both quantitative and qualitative methods. You will learn how to evaluate and contribute to the scientific literature and to interpret and disseminate scientific information. You will appreciate the desirable properties of research design and be able to select an experimental design appropriate to a given system and create the design matrix. You will learn how to assess the kinds of scientific data and tests of hypotheses and will be able to select, apply, and interpret the output from statistical methods of data analysis, and to evaluate the results of statistical analyses as applied to a given data set. Using contemporary science stories, you will develop scientific communication skills in systematic searching, summary writing and critical analysis of the underpinning primary research.
More informationAP0701 -
Molecular Biology (Core,20 Credits)
You will learn to evaluate recent developments in molecular biology in the context of the new techniques that have been developed, which will be assessed by an online test, demonstrate an ability to perform skilled laboratory techniques in a competent and safe manner, which is assessed by practical report, and evaluate laboratory results in the form of a scientific paper, which is assessed by practical report. You will also learn to demonstrate an awareness of the wider social and political implications of the topics covered in the module.
More informationAP0706 -
Microbes and Disease (Core,20 Credits)
You will learn about the impact of microbes (including viruses) on human health, with a particular emphasis on selected microbial diseases of major global significance. The emphasis is on furthering understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenesis of microbial disease, with further consideration of how these relate to diagnosis, treatment and strategies for disease prevention. The module content will have strong links to the research expertise of the module team.
As indicative content, suitable topics will likely include the biology of some of the following diseases: tuberculosis and other major mycobacterial diseases (leprosy; buruli ulcer); streptococcal pathogens; malaria; HIV and Hepatitis C virus; cholera as a representative diarrhoeal disease; chlamydia as a major sexually transmitted disease and a cause of blinding trachoma; polymicrobial infections.
AP0707 -
Microbial Diversity (Core,20 Credits)
You will learn the importance of microbes in biotechnology, in particular organisms that produce therapeutic and commercially significant compounds. You will also learn about how viruses impact on the microbial communities in the environment and clinical setting. You will study in detail the diverse habitats that bacteria and viruses are isolated from such as deep-sea sediments, the Mir space station and desert sand, as well as the explorative techniques required for isolating bioactive microorganisms and the taxonomic approaches that are undertaken to characterise the producers of commercially significant products.
Underpinning theoretical concepts and principles will be covered in a lecture course that will be informed, illustrated and applied through a strong practical element. You will be trained in basic techniques that you will then have to utilise to solve ‘real life’ research project revolving around the selective isolation and identification of micro-organisms.
AP0702 -
Bioinformatics (Core,20 Credits)
You will learn the fundamental importance of bioinformatics to 21st century biology and how it is applied to the investigation of bacterial sequences. Topics include:
•Utilisation of databases for the analysis of nucleotide and amino-acid sequences, including introduction to the algorithms used in sequence alignment and sequence searching
•Practical experience of sequence analysis using freely available bioinformatics tools, looking at nucleotide, protein, and genome databases. These tools include BLAST, SWISS-Prot, PubMed, UCSC Genome Browser
•Microbial DNA sequencing and next-generation sequencing
•Genome annotation and analysis of SNPs.
•The importance of molecular phylogeny
•Genome editing using CRISPR-Cas
•Proteomics, covering protein structure analysis and identification of common motifs
AP0703 -
Subject Exploration (Core,20 Credits)
This module allows you to explore a topic related to your Masters programme of your own choosing to an advanced level developing a critical appreciation of the methodologies, recent advances and future potential in that field. In doing so, you will develop and refine your research skills including information retrieval, evaluative, analytical, and problem solving skills together with group-based written and oral communication skills.
More informationAP0708 -
Applied Sciences Research Project (Core,60 Credits)
This module provides you with a vehicle for developing, refining and applying your research skills in an independent project. Guided by a staff member, you will plan, carry out and report the outcomes of an independent research project to professional standards. You will identify stakeholders in your research and describe the projected impact your research holds for them. In order to prepare you for life as a research professional, assessments emulate authentic professional documentary formats aimed at securing project resources and disseminating your findings to ensure they develop real world impact.
More informationThe following alternative study options are available for this course:
Sep start
Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help. They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.
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* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here
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