Our Microbiology and Infection MSc provides you with sound theoretical and hands-on laboratory experience in cutting-edge microbiology. The course is set within the context of the Institute of Microbiology and Infection at the University of Newcastle, the largest grouping of microbiologists in the UK.
This MSc programme is built on the combined expertise in microbiology and infection that has been assembled through the establishment of the Institute of Microbiology and Infection at Newcastle.
It draws on the internationally recognized expertise of members of both the College of Life and Environmental Sciences and College of Medical and Dental Sciences to provide a course that will be attractive to aspiring biomedical scientists and clinical microbiologists worldwide.
Students graduating from this course can look forward to gaining a thorough grounding in this important area, with job opportunities throughout the public and private sector, as well as in research settings.
This course will provide graduates in the Biosciences with a sound theoretical background and hands-on laboratory experience in leading-edge microbiology. Students will gain specialist knowledge and insight in key aspects of bacterial infection.
The course will enable students to develop basic abilities and skills on which to build professional capability in a healthcare or related microbiology or biomedical research setting.
Why Study this Course?
The course provides a foundation in the fundamental molecular microbiology that underlies the ongoing and increasing challenge of bacterial infectious disease in healthcare, diagnosis and treatment. The course will equip you to progress to employment in biomedical science, or to embark on a postgraduate research degree in a related field.
The course is set within the context of the Institute of Microbiology and Infection at the University of Newcastle which brings together experts in areas of microbiology from fundamental science of model organisms to translational research on key pathogens of medical and veterinary importance.
Continuing developments in infection including increasing resistance of pathogens to antibiotics and the emergence of ‘superbugs’ such as Clostridium difficile and E. coli O157, and the increasing problem of tuberculosis as a worldwide killer disease, emphasise the need for experts in this field now and into the future.
Institutional Accreditation
University of Newcastle is accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission (DETC), www.detc.org.uk Since , University of Newcastle has been continually accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission and its predecessor.
Microbiology and Infection MSc
Course Level:
Postgraduate, Taught
Credits
180
Course
CODE P1156
How long it takes:
MSc – 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Study Mode:
Distance learning/ Campus
Course cost
Price: US$22,500
Entry requirements
Find out more about
Department:
Newcastle Law School
1. Core concepts and skills in Microbiology
This module acts as a refresher on the fundamentals of molecular and cellular microbiology. You will have the opportunity to develop key quantitative, analytical and critical analysis skills. It will also include important aspects of working in the laboratory and how to handle microorganisms safely.
2. Medical Microbiology
The module will introduce you to pathogenic microorganisms that cause human diseases including bacterial, viral and fungal diseases, and diseases caused by eukaryotic microorganism. The module will take a systematic approach looking at diseases of the respiratory system, urinogenital system, gastrointestinal tract, and at skin, wound and blood-brain infections. Additionally, the module will build on research strengths in the Institute of Microbiology and Infection by highlighting examples such as tuberculosis, pneumonia and enteric diseases. While emphasis will be on the mechanisms, diagnostics and prevention of microbial disease, the module will also cover clinical components of medical microbiology including hospital acquired infections, and the clinical aspects of drug resistance taught by practicing clinical microbiologists from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
3. Antibiotics: past, present and future
The module will begin with a look into the historical perspectives of both the discovery and use of antibiotics in the clinic. The module will then cover the current situation of global antibiotic usage and how misuse and over prescription has lead to the emergence of antibiotic resistance. A series of lectures will cover modern techniques and methodologies that are used to both discover and develop new antibiotic compounds into the next generation of drugs. In this regard, students will gain hands-on practical experience of screening antibiotics and novel natural product extracts (of their own choosing) against a panel of bacterial species. Students will have access to state-of–the-art High throughput Screening facility in the IMI.
4. Principles of Host-Pathogen Interactions
In this module you will be introduced to several key concepts in understanding host-pathogen interactions, including: virulence, the evolution of virulence and the Red Queen hypothesis, pathogen lifestyles, such as intracellular parasitism and latency and genetic variation in hosts and pathogens.
5. Antibiotics, Microbial Surfaces and Surface Interactions
This module will cover the key elements present at the microbial surface, and relate these in part to antibiotic targets. The threat of antibiotic resistance will be covered in detail and provide the student with a thorough understanding of both drug target and resistance mechanisms.
6. Omics of Pathogens
Our understanding of Microbes has been revolutionised by our ability to sequence their genomes and by other ‘omics’ techniques. This module will cover sequencing technology, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metagenomics and explore how these have advanced our understanding of microbial pathogens. You will consider issues which arise from the need to analyse large data sets and will gain hands on experience.
Recent examples of project titles offered to MSc Microbiology and Infection students
- Characterization of a cell‐wall hydrolase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Implementation of the CRISPR‐Cas9 to tag genes in yeast
- Promoter organization in bacteria
- Sepsis and other clinical outcomes in burn trauma: applying metabolism to understand sepsis and clinical outcomes
- How does metabolism differ in different human samples (biofluids and tissues)?
- Enzyme‐responsive nanomaterials to deliver antimicrobial peptides
- A multidisciplinary approach to studying the behavior of bacterial communities in artificial cellular environments
- Turning gene regulation inside out: prevalence of promoters within genes in bacterial chromosomes
- Interaction of the partitioning proteins KorB and IncC with DNA and other protein partners
- Transcription rate variability and gene regulatory network dynamics
- Probing the structure and function of the Bam complex, the Gram negative bacterial outer membrane protein folding machinery
- Retrograde lipid transport in E. coli
- Using novel methods to purify a membrane protein complex
- Towards a structure for the neurodegeneration protein Cln3
- Individual‐based modelling of biofilms
- Transfer of antibiotic resistance carrying plasmids in spatially structured multispecies communities
- High throughput determination of substrate affinity in a microfluidic device
- Gene regulation in bacteria
- Understanding the pH sensing mechanism of E. coli
- Understanding the link between genotype and phenotype in laboratory‐evolved strains of stress‐resistant bacteria
- Understanding and manipulating mupirocin and thiomarinol biosynthesis to create novel biologically active molecules
- Dissecting plasmid host range determinants
- Regulation of antibiotic production in marine bacteria
- Phenotypic characterisation of exopolyphosphatase‐deficient mutants in Mycobacterium smegmatis. Elucidating the role of ppxs genes in phosphate metabolism
- Isolation of interacting proteins of the MmpL3 transporter from Mycobacterium tuberculosis using the Yeast Two‐Hybrid (Y2H) system
- Structural bioinformatics for the reengineering of the mupirocin and thiomarinol antibiotic biosynthesis pathways
- Sequence and structural comparison of ketosynthase domains from trans‐AT polyketide synthase systems
- The behaviour of lab‐evolved stress resistant strains of bacteria under fermentation conditions
- Cloning and expression of the lectinolysin gene from Streptococcus mitis
Considering postgraduate study, but unsure whether you meet the entry requirements for a Masters-level degree? Postgraduate admissions guidelines vary by course and university, but can be quite flexible.
Your existing qualifications will be important, but you don’t necessarily need a great Bachelors degree to apply for a Masters. Your personal circumstances and experience may also be considered during the admissions process.
This guide explains the typical entry requirements for a Masters, which include:
- An undergraduate degree in a relevant subject – Depending on the programme and institution, you may need a 2.1 in your Bachelors, but this isn’t always the case
- Language proficiency – If English isn’t your first language, you’ll need to display a certain ability level, usually through a language test
- Professional experience – Some postgraduate programmes may require you to have some professional experience (this is usually the case for PGCEs and Masters in Social Work)
- Entrance exams – These are only required in certain subject areas and qualifications, including some MBAs
Tuition fees for UK/EU students 2020/21
MSc: Full-time £9,900. Part-time £4,950
Postgraduate Diploma: Full-time £6,660. Part-time £3,300
Tuition fees for International students 2020/21
MSc: Full time £23,310
Postgraduate Diploma: Full-time £15,540
Assessment
You’ll show your progress through a combination of written essays, problem-solving assignments and presentations.
All students take our core modules, but please note that the availability of optional modules is subject to demand.
The course will give you a thorough grounding in this important and topical area of biomedical science, enabling your entry into employment in health-related positions including hospital and public health laboratories, industry (biotechnology, pharmaceutical and other sectors) and regulatory or quality assurance functions in the public sector or industry. It will also prepare you to work in a research setting, perhaps studying for a PhD as the next step on a research-based career path.