Microbiology

Description

A wide variety of industries rely upon the specialist skills of the microbiologist. Hence graduates enjoy career opportunities in such diverse fields as healthcare, food and water industries, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and research, both government and academic.These prospects arise because microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses are a vitally important group, responsible for many of the key activities of life on earth. They are also of great significance to mankind. Some of them can be harmful, responsible for infectious diseases, but others are beneficial and are exploited by the biotechnology industries to produce foods, alcoholic drinks and health care products such as antibiotics. The Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences has an excellent teaching & research record. It combines a friendly learning environment with state-of-the-art facilities. It offers a range of support tailored to individual needs where necessary, including "open door" access. Major emphasis is placed upon laboratory work throughout the programme. This enhances your learning, by linking theory with practice, giving you the lab skills which employers seek.

Why Choose This Programme?

A wide variety of industries rely upon the specialist skills of the microbiologist. Hence graduates enjoy career opportunities in such diverse fields as healthcare, food and water industries, biotechnology, the environment, pharmaceuticals and research, both government and academic. These prospects arise because microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses are a vitally important group, responsible for many of the key activities of life on earth. They are also of great significance to mankind. Some of them can be harmful, responsible for infectious diseases, but others are beneficial and are exploited by the biotechnology industries to produce foods, alcoholic drinks and health care products such as antibiotics. The School of Life Sciences has an excellent teaching and research record. It combines a friendly learning environment with state-of-the- art facilities. It offers a range of support tailored to individual needs where necessary, including open door access. Major emphasis is placed upon laboratory work throughout the programme. This enhances student learning, by linking theory with practice. It also gives students the lab skills which employers seek.
This programme shares a common first two years with a suite of related Bioscience programmes, providing students with a solid grounding in a range of subjects and the opportunity to change direction if required. There is the possibility of undertaking a placement in level 3.

Career Opportunities

In Scotland, expansion of employment opportunities in the bio-health/biotechnology sector is currently out-stripping the availability of graduates, meaning you will enjoy excellent career prospects upon graduating. Microbiologists can follow a wide range of career options. These include: identifying and assisting in the treatment of infectious diseases; in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries where micro-organisms and their products are used; or in food and drink industries where micro-organisms must be either eliminated or utilised e.g. in the brewing industry. Other microbiologists work in the water supply or waste-water treatment sectors. Finally, a wide range of research as well as teaching careers are open to the microbiology graduate. A PhD offers even greater career opportunities.

Employment Details

On graduation, or students could work as a microbiologist or bio-scientist in a range of areas; from industry, as part of a research teamor in pharmaceutical development, biological product research or conducting research in government, health service and university laboratories. Laboratory based employment is also available in public health laboratories, hospital laboratories and in environmental management. In the food and drink industries, careers are available in food manufacturing and production, food product research and process development as well as in food and water safety.
Other graduates have also found careers in coordinating clinical drugs trials and in scientific publishing. This degree can also lead to further postgraduate study or graduate entry into medicine or dentistry.

Detailed Course Facts

Application deadline As soon as possible Tuition fee

Contact us

Not specified Start date September 2015 Duration full-time 48 months Languages Take an IELTS test

• English

Delivery mode On Campus Educational variant Full-time Intensity Flexible

Course Content

Year 1: Foundation modules for Human Biology.
Year 2: Intermediate modules in Physiology, Microbiology and Biochemistry.
Year 3: Specialised modules in Microbiology.
Year 4: Students undertake a workshop in Molecular Biology and also a research project in Microbiology, as well as four specialised modules.

Work Placement

There is an option in Year 3 to complete a work-based placement.

Assessment Methods

The abilities of our students are developed throughout the programme from first year onwards; initially students are introduced to a whole range of skills, including computer competence, laboratory and Assessment Methods
Assessment methods are designed to produce graduates with a balanced knowledge and understanding of all branches of the subject and to allow our students to become enquiring, independent learners exhibiting high levels of professionalism.
Half of our assessment is practically based, providing hands-on laboratory skills and experience of data handling and presentation which not only makes our programme distinctive but also attractive to employers seeking to find graduates with the necessary skills and competencies.

Teaching Methods

We adopt a wide range of learning and teaching methods to ensure not only that our students will gain the necessary knowledge and understanding of microbiology but also develop their intellectual and personal skills.
Our programmes take a flexible approach, combining larger scale interactive lectures with small group sessions examining case studies and honing data analysis and presentation skills. Laboratory based practical classes are central to our teaching, allowing our students to gain exposure to the rigour and demands of scientific investigation.
Our Level 2 students have the opportunity to study abroad for a semester in our international exchange programme at the University of Massachusetts in Boston.
Our students focus on developing core laboratory skills as the basis of practical work in their initial two years, leading to more advanced practical laboratory skills training by Level 3.
In their final year, our students undertake a specialist molecular biology workshop in addition to an individual lab based project. All of our laboratory work takes place in our recently refurbished suite of teaching and research laboratories.
This programme of study will furnish our students with the graduate attributes that will enhance their employment prospects, such as critical thinking and analytical capacities, self-confidence, creativity, project management and presentation skills. These attributes go beyond the professional knowledge and skills providing our graduates with a wide range of expertise, leading to a broad range of career options.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6 CAE score : 60(Grade C)

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

take an IELTS test. More About IELTS

Requirements

• Higher: BBBC
• A-Level: BCC
• ILC: BBC/BCCC at Higher grade
• Essential Subjects: Higher Chemistry and Maths (S) - Credit/Int 2 minimum
• Recommended Subjects: Biology (or Human Biology), English, Mathematics at Higher Grade.
• Additional Requirements: Applicants are invited for interview to one of our Biorama evenings (applicants living further than a 50 mile radius from the university can make alternative arrangements). Visit our website for more details.

In addition to meeting the qualification requirements, international students where English is not the first language require an IELTS score of 6.0 with no element below 5.5.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than Glasgow Caledonian University.