Microbiology

Microbiology is the study of bacteria, fungi, algae, protozoa, and viruses, and is of immense importance in relation to the environment, agriculture and food, biomedical sciences, and biotechnology. Microorganisms play major roles in the diseases of humans, animals, and plants, and microbiologists have been central to their diagnosis and to combating such diseases through the discovery of effective therapies. Microorganisms also play a central role in the biosphere, driving the biogeochemical cycles that sustain life on Earth, and their exploitation underpins fermentation, food production, biotechnology, and the emerging field of synthetic biology.

At Queen's University of Belfast, this four-year full-time undergraduate masters programme (MSci) provides both the breadth of a strong undergraduate education in microbiology and the additional depth of an integrated masters year that develops advanced research skills. You will study the biology of microorganisms across all their diversity, the pathogenesis of infectious disease, microbial ecology, immunology, biotechnology, and the molecular and cellular biology that underpins microbiological research. The integrated masters structure prepares you for research-level careers and postgraduate study in a way that a standard BSc does not, giving you a competitive advantage in both academic and industrial settings.

With a typical entry tariff of 152 UCAS points, this is a competitive programme at a research-intensive university with a strong life sciences tradition. Microbiology graduates are highly sought after in pharmaceuticals, medical diagnostics, food and agricultural science, environmental science, biotechnology, public health, the NHS, research institutions, and regulatory bodies. Many graduates continue to doctoral research, using the masters-level foundation the degree provides to develop specialist expertise in infectious disease, industrial microbiology, environmental microbiology, or biotechnology.