BSc in Microbiology
Microbiology is offered as a major for a three-year Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree. The BSc will train you in all aspects of the subject.
First-year papers are taught through lectures and laboratory sessions and self-directed tutorials. Second- and third-year classes are also taught through lectures and laboratories, but encourage more independent thinking and initiative. In your third year, you will collaborate with other students and improve your oral communication and research skills. Laboratory classes are exciting and hands-on, with modern state-of-the art facilities. Assessment is by a combination of written examinations and internal assessment.
First year
In your first year, which covers general subjects such as cell biology and human body systems, you will learn about the diversity of microorganisms, microbial virulence and diseases, and gain basic knowledge of the immune system and how it functions.
The Department of Microbiology and Immunology offers no papers at 100-level, but it forms an important component of CELS 191, HUBS 191 and CHEM 191.
You will learn about the diversity of microorganisms, microbial virulence and diseases, and gain basic knowledge of the immune system and how it functions.
First-year papers are taught through lectures and laboratory sessions and self-directed tutorials. The course is biologically orientated, so it is helpful to have studied Year 13 biology and chemistry.
All three of the following are required for a Microbiology major:
- CELS 191: Cell and Molecular Biology
- HUBS 191: Human Body Systems
- CHEM 191: The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health
Second year
Your second year will introduce you to microbes, infectious diseases and the role of microbes in environmental and industrial processes. Topics covered include medical microbiology, microbial plant and animal interactions, biotechnology, ecology, environmental microbiology, molecular genetics and immunology.
CELS 191 and HUBS 191 will have provided you with a taster of Microbiology, and if you are keen to explore more, then 200-level Microbiology and Immunology papers will be for you.
Our 200-level Microbiology and Immunology papers provide a comprehensive introduction to core Microbiology and Immunology. At 200-level we offer two papers: MICR 221 and MICR 223. GENE 221 is also required for a microbiology major.
The first semester paper MICR 221 Microbes to Medicine provides an introduction to core Microbiology and Immunology. The semester 2 paper MICR 223 Infection and Immunity explores medical microbiology and immunology.
All our 200-level papers involve 32 lectures per semester and fortnightly 4-hour labs.
All three of the following are required for a Microbiology major:
- MICR 221: Microbes to Medicine
- MICR 223: Infection and Immunity
- GENE 221: Molecular and Microbial Genetics
Third year
In third year, you will learn about contemporary topics using a hands-on and research-based approach. Topics cover food production and safety, microbial disease and antibiotic resistance, the body's response to diseases, biotechnology, applied and environmental microbiology and virology. You will learn from exceptional teachers who will encourage you to think critically and will introduce you to what will be expected of you in a career as a scientist.
In Microbiology 300-level papers you will learn about contemporary microbiology, virology, immunology and genetics using a hands-on approach. You will learn from exceptional teachers who are experts in their respective disciplines and you will be taught in state of the art facilities.
We offer five papers at 300-level exploring contemporary areas of Microbiology and Immunology.
The MICR major requirements MICR 332, MICR 334, MICR 335, and MICR 337 are single semester papers and involve 2 lectures per week and a four-week block of labs. The labs are scheduled for Tuesday afternoons and all day Wednesday.
MICR 360 is a full-year, tutorial-based paper and involves one tutorial per week.
- MICR 332: Health Microbiology
- MICR 334: Advanced Immunology
- MICR 335: Molecular Microbiology
- MICR 337: Virology
- MICR 360: Preparation for Postgraduate Study (available for high GPA students intending to progress to 4th year study)
BBiomedSc programme: Infection and Immunity
This degree structure is essentially similar to the BSc programme, but has a broader biomedical base at 100-level with 200 and 300-level papers being orientated towards medical microbiology and immunology.