Biomedical Science (Medical Microbiology) MSc

Microbiology is the study of tiny organisms that can be harmful or helpful to us. With the recent pandemic and rise of new diseases, studying microbiology is more relevant than ever.

Why choose Biomedical Science (Medical Microbiology) MSc at Middlesex?

Our courses have a strong international reputation and the University's strong links with London hospital laboratories and Public Health England mean you study the latest developments, practices and research. Our Centre for Investigative and Diagnostic Oncology has pioneered techniques for cancer diagnosis and treatment including developing a vaccine for bladder cancer. The Haematology department is active in research into blood cancers, HIV and AIDS.

If you're currently working in microbiology, this master's degree will help you progress to a more senior position. You might also wish to explore your options in a research or academic career, or even complete further study at doctoral level.

Our flexible timetable means you'll only spend two days a week at the University if you're studying full-time, or one day if you're part-time which means you may well be able to study around existing work or life commitments.

What you will gain

This course is very practical and you will develop laboratory and diagnostic skills using our specialist laboratories which include a microbiology lab, a modern, well-equipped cell culture facility and cutting-edge equipment such as MALDI-TOF mass spectrometers and flow cytometers.

You will have access to an on-site molecular biology laboratory for techniques such as DNA sequencing, real-time PCR, electrophoresis and HPLC, as well as fully-equipped proteomics facilities

As well as in-depth knowledge of your subject, you will also gain a sound understanding of how to design and carry out experiments, statistical analyses as well as techniques for analysing samples and molecules. You will also develop laboratory management skills including how to manage staff, business plans, budgets, safety regulations, and quality management.

This course prepares you for management and lab supervisor roles within hospitals, universities and diagnostic laboratories within both the public and private sector.

Accreditations

This course is accredited by IBMS, the professional body for biomedical scientists in the UK.

The IBMS sets standards of practice to protect patients and assess qualifications for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Accreditation ensures that a degree course is relevant to current professional practice, up to date with the latest research and development, and delivers the required standards of proficiencies (SoPs) to meet the HCPC registration as a Biomedical scientist.

Members and Fellows of IBMS with a master’s degree or equivalent are eligible for Chartered Scientist status, which is a mark of excellence and achievement in science. For more information about the IBMS and membership, please visit the IBMS website.

To find out more about this course please download the MSc Biomedical Science Specialisms (PDF).

Optional modules are usually available at levels 5 and 6, although optional modules are not offered on every course. Where optional modules are available, you will be asked to make your choice during the previous academic year. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module,  or there are staffing changes which affect the teaching, it may not be offered. If an optional module will not run, we will advise you after the module selection period when numbers are confirmed, or at the earliest time that the programme team make the decision not to run the module, and help you choose an alternative module.

Careers

How can the MSc Biomedical Science (Medical Microbiology) support your career?

Biomedical science is the second largest profession registered by the Health Professions Council and there is a high demand for well-qualified graduates. The range of roles open to graduates is vast and many have gone on to work in medical or pharmaceutical research, in primary care in surgeries and clinics, or in the community, identifying health risks, educating people about infection prevention and helping to stop the spread of disease. Others have gone onto to in environmental health, investigating food poisoning outbreaks and ensuring that food and drink businesses meet health and hygiene standards. There are also opportunities in diagnostic laboratories within both the public and private sectors.

If you're currently working in microbiology, this Masters programme will help you progress to a more senior position. You might also wish to explore your options in a research or academic career, or even complete further study at doctoral level.

There are a range of sectors suitable for your skills and expertise such as biotechnology, academia, and even areas like patent law, forensic science and science journalism. There are also a range of opportunities with Public Health England, the Medical Research Council and the Health and Safety Executive.

Fees and funding

We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.

Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.

Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.

At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.