MSc. Medical Microbiology (part-time)

MSc. Medical Microbiology (Research) (full time)

These programmes have recently been substantially revised. While retaining the characteristics that have made them so successful over the years, we have taken the opportunity to refresh and invigorate the learning experience they provide. See below for an outline of the modified programmes, or download the programme handbooks: full-time  or part-time..

All modules are also available as short courses. Click here for more information.

We are now considering applications for entry in September 2011 and February 2012. There is no closing date, but early application is advisable as places are limited. For on-line application, click the appropriate link: Part-time or Full-time

• Why Study at the University of Surrey?
• Full-Time Programme
• Part-Time Programme
• Short Courses
• Module Details
• Research Project
• News and Current Courses
• Admissions and Qualifications
• Fees
• Enquiries
• Information for current students
• Research topics list for full-time students

Why Surrey?

• The Postgraduate Microbiology programmes, which have been running since 1979, are highly respected and renowned.
• The programmes received special mention in the last teaching quality assessment
• They are recognised by professional bodies for accreditation for both staff and student participation (IBMS).
• The programmes offer flexibility in the method of study allowing students to meet personal and professional commitments.
• The University of Surrey has a long tradition as an international University and our students (whether part-time or full-time) have access to all the facilities that such an institution can provide.
• The quality of the programmes is maintained through strict administrative practices and by attracting the country's leading experts to lecture on the course.
• The programmes are run within the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences which has received international recognition for its research.
• Staff associated with the programmes have research expertise in the fields of microbial physiology and biochemistry, molecular biology, virology, immunology, toxicology, pathology and epidemiology.

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Full-time Enhanced Postgraduate Programme leading to MSc, Postgraduate Diploma, or Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Microbiology (Research)

Is this the programme for you?

This two year full-time, enhanced MSc/PhD in Medical Microbiology (Research) is designed for students wishing to obtain advanced theoretical and practical training in medical microbiology and its allied fields. The MSc programme fulfils one of the entry criteria for the Higher Specialist Diploma examination and also enables eligible members of the Institute of Biomedical Science to be recognised as Chartered Scientists. Students intending to seek HPC Registration are advised to contact the Institute at the earliest opportunity.

It combines the complete taught MSc with a substantial research project, which makes it an ideal starting point for those who are contemplating a PhD but also need to enhance their understanding of the subject in depth. Note that this makes it longer, and more expensive, than a standard MSc. Unfortunately we do not have any studentships available, so applicants have to obtain financial support for themselves.

For full-time students, the following modules are compulsory:

Module 1  Viral infections
Module 5  Bacterial, protozoal and fungal pathogens: diseases, diagnosis and treatment
Module 6  Immunology and pathogenesis of infectious disease

In addition, at least one of the following modules must be taken:

Module 2  Management and laboratory skills
Module 3  Epidemiology, disease control and public health
Module 4  Microbial genetics & molecular biology

Note that students who do not submit a satisfactory Dissertation can only be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma if they have achieved 120 credits which requires all modules to be taken.

Why enhanced?

As reflected in the title, this programme provides much more intensive research training than one year, full-time MSc courses. Students spend four days per week pursuing a research project in internationally recognised laboratories and receive a full, taught MSc programme from leading experts in the field of Medical Microbiology and its associated disciplines. Click here to download a description of the possible projects that might be available (Word document) or visit our Research Group pages for more information on the current research programmes.

Students who have successfully pursued a research project and achieve an appropriate standard throughout the duration of the taught programme may be permitted to transfer their registration and in one further year obtain a PhD. Alternatively, students can complete their MSc and then register for a PhD, which can be achieved in 2 years. Thus, the awards offered by this programme are:

Students will be provided with a broad appreciation of subjects such as the biological and pathogenic properties of micro-organisms, 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 diseases.

We engage a range of outside lecturers who are experts in their field to provide an emphasis on recent advances in the areas covered. This ensures that our students receive an education from the best clinicians and scientists. Students will be exposed to the most recent developments in Microbiology, Molecular biology and Immunology.

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Part-time Postgraduate Programme leading to MSc, Postgraduate Diploma, or Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Microbiology

Is this the programme for you?

The part-time programme is a day-release course that fulfils one of the entry criteria for the Higher Specialist Diploma examination and also enables eligible members of the Institute of Biomedical Science to be recognised as Chartered Scientists.

It is designed specifically for students with experience of working in a medical microbiology laboratory, but will also be pertinent to anyone requiring a knowledge of microbiology and its associated disciplines.
This includes:

• clinicians
• public health personnel nurses
• pharmaceutical research personnel
• veterinary laboratory personnel
• food and water laboratory personnel.

The programme is designed to be completed in two years but the flexibility of the modular structure allows students to take up to 6 years.

Applicants should normally (i) have at least a second class degree in a biological science (with a substantial microbiology component), and (ii) have at least one year's experience of working in a suitable microbiology laboratory such as a hospital diagnostic lab, and (iii) be currently employed in a suitable laboratory. However we do have flexibility in interpreting these conditions. If your qualifications do not match these criteria, contact the programme administrator or the admissions tutor (see Enquiries).

Awards

Part-time students register for an MSc which will be awarded after the successful completion of modules worth 180 credits (including a research project). All modules are therefore compulsory for part-time MSc students.
Alternatively, students who are unwilling or unable to complete the programme may be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits) or a Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits).

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Short Courses

All our modules are offered as stand alone short courses.

Most modules last for six or twelve weeks and the lectures take place on Wednesdays. 

Modules 4 (Microbial genetics and molecular biology) and 6 (immunology and pathogenesis of infectious disease) also include a one-week block of lectures and practicals.
Individuals wishing only to attend the lectures, without taking the assessment, may do so. If you subsequently decide to take the assessment and acquire credits which may contribute to a postgraduate qualification either at the University of Surrey or elsewhere, you will be asked to register as a student and will then be entitled to make use of the facilities at the University such as the library and computing unit.
Assessment and the award of credits is only available to registered students. However, you may register retrospectively before the date of assessment.

Fees

The fee structure for short courses is different to that for registered students and details may be obtained upon enquiry to the Programme Administrator, Julie Paice (j.paice@surrey.ac.uk)

How to apply

First check the programme timetable to find out when each module is running. Then download and complete an application form, which should be returned either by post or by e-mail to the Programme Administrator. Do not send any money until you are notified that you have been allocated a place and have received an invoice.

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Module Details

Viral infections

This module is one of the two infectious diseases modules which form the core of medical microbiology and you are expected to have a thorough basic knowledge of the subject before the module starts. Our aim, therefore, is to consolidate and expand this knowledge, with particular reference to recent advances in this area. By the end of the module, you should be conversant with the aetiology, clinical features, molecular biology, laboratory diagnosis, pathogenesis, epidemiology and control of named viral diseases. You will also receive practical training in selected aspects of laboratory diagnosis of virus infections.

Bacterial, protozoal and fungal pathogens: diseases, diagnosis and treatment

This module covers not only the microorganisms that cause illness but also the scientific basis of the antimicrobial agents used in their treatment.
You are expected to have a thorough basic knowledge of the classes of microorganisms covered in the module, and of general microbiology, before it starts. Our aim, therefore, is to consolidate and to expand upon this knowledge by referring to specific important pathogens (other than viruses). Because the module is taught mostly by external experts, you will have access to the most recent advances in this area.
The module will allow you to gain an understanding of the aetiology, clinical features, laboratory diagnosis, pathogenesis, epidemiology and control of named infectious diseases. It is not intended to cover general principles of the pathogenesis and epidemiology of infectious diseases as these are the subject of separate modules.
We also aim to increase your general understanding of the scientific basis of the use of antibiotics and to encourage critical examination of control of antibiotic use. In addition,we want to enhance your understanding of the action of the major antibiotic classes and how bacteria develop resistance, as well as considering new approaches to antimicrobial therapy.

Immunology and pathogenesis of infectious disease

This module aims to increase your understanding of how host-pathogen interaction leads to health or disease. As a first step, the module will provide you with an introduction to the science of immunology, allowing a broad basic understanding of the cellular and biochemical mechanisms involved in protecting the host from disease. We will then move on to introduce you to host and pathogen cell structure and metabolism. This will lead to the study of microbial strategies in relation to pathology and will finally look at the participation of host cell defence mechanisms both in immunity and in disease pathology.
The relevance of immunology to medical microbiology both in a clinical sense and in practical terms will be highlighted by 3 days of practical investigation introducing you to some relevant immunological techniques covering both innate and acquired immunity which will also enhance your skills at data analysis and report writing. Finally, a group work presentation on the immunopathogenesis of a named micro-organism in the final week will allow you to demonstrate all round understanding of how host-pathogen interactions may lead to health or disease.

Epidemiology, disease control and public health

This module aims to develop a critical appreciation of the nature of the spread of infectious diseases and the control points at which the cycle of infection can be broken, as well as an understanding of statistical methods and basic computer modelling methods that are used to study epidemics and identify appropriate control strategies. Particular emphasis is given to vaccines, including development of novel vaccines and the methods for assessing them, and the prevention of transmission of infection by food and water.
Although examples of specific infectious diseases (or, if appropriate, non-infectious diseases) will be used to illustrate the application of the underlying concepts, the aim of the module is to study these concepts generically rather than the control of specific diseases, which are dealt with in the infectious diseases modules.

Microbial genetics & molecular biology

This module is intended to provide an overview of microbial genetics, especially those aspects especially relevant to medical microbiology. Attention will be paid to developing an understanding of the techniques of genetic manipulation and the recent advances which have been made with the use of these techniques. The application of bio-informatics, and post-genomic developments in transcriptional analysis and proteomics will also be covered. The module is structured to include four Wednesdays of lectures and a block week of mixed practicals and lectures over the Easter break

Management and laboratory skills

This module aims to provide an introduction to a number of key management skills. You will receive training in critical research skills such as oral and written communication, statistics, interpretation of research papers and project management. You will put your learning into practice by presenting a short talk and poster at the end of the module, which will be assessed.
This module also aims to provide an introduction to aspects of running and working in a medical microbiology laboratory, without pretending to be a complete course in laboratory management. You will be introduced to quality assurance concepts, time management, teamwork and leadership. Concepts from the teamwork sessions will be put into practice in group exercises to produce a scientific poster.

Research project

All students aiming for the MSc qualification undertake a Research Project which provides you with a practical introduction to the skills involved in research and development work. The project should demonstrate your ability to:

· identify a problem to be solved, or an hypothesis to be tested

· carefully design experiments

· apply a scientific approach

· analyse your results critically, using mathematical and statistical methods

· explain your findings in the light of previous work

Part-time students will usually do their project at their normal place of work, while students on the full-time programme will do their project in one of the School's Research Laboratories.

An outline of some of the topics and research areas available for full-time students can be downloaded by clicking here.

Visit the Microbial Sciences Division web pages for further information on our research activities

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News and Current Courses

News

February 2011

We are now considering applications for September 2011 and February 2012, for both part-time and full-time programmes. There is no closing date, but early application is advisable as places are limited.

The structure of the Academic Year at the University of Surrey has now changed. The autumn semester (semester 1) will now start at the end of September, and will carry over into January. The spring semester (semester 2) will start in February and continue to June, with a mid-semester 4-week break in April.

See Information for current students for Programme Regulations, and the Dissertation Guidelines..

Applications can  be submitted online. Click the appropriate link: Part-time or Full-time

Updated handbooks for both programmes are now available. Click here.

Current and forthcoming Courses

February - June 2011

Epidemiology, disease control and public health

Microbial genetics & molecular biology (including block week of lectures/practicals)

September 2011 - January 2012

Bacterial, protozoal and fungal pathogens: diseases, diagnosis and treatment

February - June 2011

Immunology and pathogenesis of infectious disease (including block week of lectures/practicals)

September 2011 - January 2012

Viral infections

Management and laboratory skills

For more information please e-mail the Programme Administrator, Julie Paice (j.paice@surrey.ac.uk)

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Admissions and Qualifications

Applicants with a medical qualification, a second class honours degree in a relevant subject, or other professional qualifications are eligible for admission. However. our regulations allow us some flexibility. If you don't have a degree, it doesn't mean you won't qualify. Experience and professional qualifications are often acceptable. If you are unsure, please contact the admissions tutor who will assess your suitability for enrolment.

Applicants for the part-time programme should be currently employed in a suitable laboratory (usually a hospital or public health lab), which forms an integral part of the training. Consult the admissions tutor for advice if you are not sure if your laboratory qualifies.

Applications may be submitted at any time and will be processed as quickly as possible. Owing to the modular nature of the programmes, students may start at the beginning of any module, at any time of year. However, we encourage students to start at the beginning of a semester i.e. either February or September.

Applicants with MSc-level credits from another University may apply for exemption from the corresponding modules of this programme, up to a maximum of 40 credits. Contact the Admissions Tutor for more information about Credit Transfer.

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Fees

The fee structure for the part-time and full-time programmes are set on an annual basis. Current fee information may be obtained from the Programme Administrator, Julie Paice (j.paice@surrey.ac.uk), or from the University's web pages: www.surrey.ac.uk/postgraduate/index.html.

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Enquiries

General information concerning the programmes may be obtained by contacting the admissions tutor :

Dr Ernesto Oviedo-Orta
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Surrey
Guildford, GU2 7XH
Tel: +44 (0)1483 686424
Fax: +44 (0)1483 686401
E-mail: E.Oviedo-Orta@surrey.ac.uk

For online application, follow the links from here. Alternatively, application forms may be downloaded as a PDF file, or obtained by contacting the Programme Administrator:

Julie Paice
Postgraduate Office
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Surrey
Guildford, GU2 7XH

Tel: +44 (0)1483 686458
Fax: +44 (0)1483 686401
E-mail: (j.paice@surrey.ac.uk)

Applications can also be submitted online. Click the appropriate link: Part-time or Full-time

Completed application forms should be sent to the Academic Registrar, Registry, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH. Applicants should give full details of all the exams they have passed and the qualifications awarded (e.g. BSc). Sealed references sent with the application will speed up the procedure particularly for overseas applicants.

Applicants whose first language is not English or who have not been educated wholly or mainly in the medium of English will be expected to reach, before commencing their course, a suitable minimum level of competence in the English Language. For details of the standard required, see the Postgraduate prospectus. Overseas students are also advised to visit the International Office pages on the main University of Surrey Web site.

For applicants with special needs or disabilities, information about University policy and facilities is available.