Immunology and Microbiology

Immunology and microbiology is a combination that addresses two of the most fundamental and consequential areas of biomedical science. Immunology examines how the immune system recognises and responds to threats, from pathogens and tumours to the autoimmune responses that turn the body's defences against itself, producing conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, and allergic disease. Microbiology studies the bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites that cause infection, as well as their interactions with host biology, their ecology, and their remarkable metabolic diversity.

Together, the two disciplines provide a deeply integrated understanding of host-pathogen relationships and the biological mechanisms that determine whether infection leads to immunity, disease, or death.

At the University of Strathclyde, this four-year, full-time degree develops your knowledge of both disciplines to an advanced level, preparing you for careers in research, healthcare, and the life sciences industries. You will study the cellular and molecular mechanisms of immune response, the diversity and pathogenesis of microbial organisms, laboratory techniques used in both fields, and the clinical and industrial applications of immunological and microbiological knowledge. The programme includes the possibility of a year abroad, giving you the chance to study in an international research environment and to broaden your scientific perspective.

Graduates from immunology and microbiology programmes work in hospital and public health laboratories, pharmaceutical and biotechnology research, vaccine development, clinical trials, infection control, and academic research. The discipline is also central to the development of new diagnostics, biologics, and antimicrobial agents. Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in immunology, microbiology, infectious disease, or related biomedical fields, pursuing research that addresses some of the most urgent challenges in global health.