Molecular Microbiology MSc
- Level(s) of Study: Postgraduate taught
- Start Date(s): September 2024, January 2025
- Duration: One year full-time / Two years full-time with one year placement / Two years part-time
- Study Mode(s): Full-time / Part-time / Sandwich
- Campus: Clifton Campus
- Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
Designed to provide you with a multidisciplinary approach to the study of the molecular biology of micro-organisms.
You'll study the key concepts associated with molecular microbiology and use these when considering their role in health, disease and in the natural environment.
This course provides you with opportunities to study advanced principles of the metabolism and genetics of microbes, microbes involved in clinical health and the natural environment and infectious diseases. Further studies specialise in modern genomics and infectious disease diagnosis. Practical work forms a large proportion of your learning to ensure that you have extensive skills for employment or research and there is an emphasis on developing knowledge and understanding such that you acquire the skills, qualities and attributes expected by employers or for postgraduate research.
This course benefits from the excellent facilities and equipment available in the School of Science and Technology.
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You have the option to gain an additional Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Practice if you do a work placement on the Sandwich-route. -
In the last Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) - the UK's system for assessing the quality and impact of research in universities - we’re proud that 99% of NTU’s Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy submission was assessed to be world-leading or internationally excellent. -
Molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry students would recommend their course at NTU (PTES 2023).
What you’ll study
This Molecular Microbiology Masters is made up of six core modules and a research project. If you are part-time or a sandwich student, you will continue to study the second year from the modules listed below.
Qualification types
- Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) - choose to study 60 credit points (cp) of taught modules
- Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) - choose 120 cp of taught modules for the award, does not include a research project
- Masters of Science (MSc) - full 180 cp of taught modules and research project.
If you are unsuccessful in completing the 180 cp required for MSc, you will be awarded PG Cert if you have passed at least 60 cp, or PG Dip if you have passed 120 cp. All PG Cert, PG Dip and Masters students are taught together.
Research Methods and Bioethics (20 cp)
This module encourages you to think beyond your own subject, and interact accordingly. You'll gain a solid foundation in literature review, research design and planning, data analysis and a poster presentation by focusing your studies on a related ethical issue. Ethical issues in research will also be explored, as you discover when and how to obtain ethical clearance in accordance with ethical governance at NTU.
Molecular Microbiology (20 cp)
This module provides you with a strong grounding in microbial structure, physiology and behaviour at the molecular level. The module content draws on recent research findings, to provide our students with awareness of the current trends in the field. By working through case studies, you’ll uncover the essentials of microbial genetics and molecular biology, including microbial structures and physiology; cell-cell communication; global regulatory circuits, and host –pathogen interaction.
Medical Microbiology (20cp)
Interactive and interesting eLearning material will be the basis for the module. You’ll develop an appreciation of the importance of medical microbiology in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disease, and gain a high-level of understanding of the subject.
Business and Enterprise (20cp)
You'll approach ideas generation in a creative manner to understand the role of new business concepts, and their development in the biosciences industry. You'll explore all aspects of starting up a new biosciences company, including new product development, marketing and research, pricing, distribution, and promotion.
Microbial Diagnostics (20cp)
This module aims to provide you with an understanding of the rationale and process of designing modern microbial diagnostic assays. Furthermore, you'll explore the theory and rationale of techniques such as culture-based diagnosis, serology, PCR, real-time PCR, microarrays, and sequencing for infectious disease diagnostics. You'll gain practical experience of performing real-time PCR detection from a sample.
Techniques in Macromolecular Analysis (20 cp)
The aims of this module are to provide an advanced knowledge and understanding of the techniques that can be used to isolate and purify macromolecules, and the approaches that can be used to track, study and predict macromolecular structure and function. You'll explore a range of current topics, and their application to macromolecular analysis. These topics will include the macromolecular analysis of proteins, protein purification programs and simulations, and protein bioinformatics.
Research Project (60 cp)
In consultation with a supervisor at NTU, you'll select a research topic comprising an original, defined research question (or series of such questions), and develop a written research proposal for the Project. You'll then present this proposal as part of the Research Methods and Bioethics module. Working individually with the guidance of supervisors, you'll design your experiments and computer-based approaches to address the research questions. A diary-style record of protocols or methods will be used to generate entries for your skills portfolio. You'll communicate your findings through a written thesis, and a poster presentation. For the MRes course, an interim written report and oral presentation will be assessed after six to eight months of work, in order to review your progress.
How you’re taught
You will learn through:
- Lectures
- Guided reading supported by the University's virtual leaning portal
- Workshops
- Written and oral presentations
- Research reports
- Attendance regular research seminar
- Developing your skills portfolio
Contact hours
Lectures / seminars / workshops (20%) and independent study (80%)
How you’re assessed
You will be assessed by a variety of methods including:
- Research project
- Written assignment
- Case studies
- Poster and oral presentations
- Laboratory reports
- In-class tests
- Skills portfolio
Coursework (93%) and written (7%)
Careers and employability
There are a wide range of career opportunities within microbiology. You will work with leading academics on your course, so you will have gained important academic and professional skills necessary to help you obtain employment in this field. At the end of the course, you will also have developed many transferable skills that will make you more attractive to potential employers in related areas of molecular bioscience and microbiology.
The Research Project and/or Placement will give you the skills you need to follow a career in research and development.
Skills portfolio
You will gather together relevant practical skills throughout laboratory classes producing a training record. This can be presented to potential employers as proof of competence in a laboratory setting. It also provides you with experience of managing what is essentially a personal development portfolio, which is now a standard tool for monitoring progression and performance in a scientific career as well as out in the sector.
Employability Team
The University's Employability Team has an enviable reputation for helping our graduates find employment and offers individual consultations. Sessions are available to all students at NTU on CV writing and interview technique. The Sandwich-route course offers you the opportunity to take a one-year placement or several smaller placements. If you start your this course in September/October then you will complete your placement following your taught modules and research project.
Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Practice
To qualify for the additional qualification of Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Practice (PGDIPP) you must submit a work placement portfolio which includes a placement diary, reflective report and updated CV, as well as deliver an oral presentation on your placement experience.
Help and support
We will work closely with you to help you strengthen your CV and interview techniques. During the placement year, an academic member of staff will visit at least twice to check on your progress and offer any advice.
Campus and facilities
Entry requirements
What are we looking for?
- UK honours degree (minimum 2.2) or equivalent in a biological subject
- Applicants with relevant employment experience or other relevant qualifications will also be considered.
NTU may admit a student with advanced standing beyond the beginning of a course, through an assessment of that student's prior learning, whether it is certificated or uncertificated. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available to these prospective students, such as recognising experiential learning or transferring to a similar course at another institution, otherwise known as credit transfer.
All prospective students who wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning should initially contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
You will need one of the following:
- UK honours degree (minimum 2.2) or equivalent in a biological subject
- Applicants with relevant employment experience or other relevant qualifications will also be considered.
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
Postgraduate preparation courses (Pre-Masters)
If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Pre-Masters courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Fees and funding
For course fees for September 2024 and January 2025 are:
| Study route | UK | International |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,700 | £19,850 |
| Full-time with placement year | £9,700 + £1,850 | £19,850 + £1,850 |
| Part-time | £4,850 | £9,925* |
*For part-time study please check your student visa regulations.
Please note that if you are considering a course that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for the first year of study. The course fee for the second year may be subject to annual review.
Funding your studies
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and living costs page and our funding page will answer all your questions.
Scholarships
You might be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies. We award scholarships to those students who can demonstrate excellent achievement, passion and dedication to their studies.
Alumni discount
We’re happy to be able to offer a 20% alumni discount to most current NTU students and recent NTU alumni. This discount is currently available for those starting an eligible postgraduate taught, postgraduate research or professional course.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service at +44 (0)115 848 2494. For scholarship help please contact us at +44 (0)115 848 4460.
For course fees for September 2024 and January 2025 are:
| Study route | UK | International |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,700 | £19,850 |
| Full-time with placement year | £9,700 + £1,850 | £19,850 + £1,850 |
| Part-time | £4,850 | £9,925* |
*For part-time study please check your student visa regulations.
Please note that if you are considering a course that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for the first year of study. The course fee for the second year may be subject to annual review.
Scholarships
We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.
Living costs
Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:
Paying fees
Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
How to apply
Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.
If you are interested in joining us in September 2025, this course will be open for applications through the applicant portal from September 2024. Courses starting in January 2026 will be open for applications from July 2025.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU in our postgraduates' guide. Here you'll find advice about how to write a good personal statement and much more.
Writing your application
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. Make sure you include as much information as possible, including uploading evidence of results already achieved, as well as a personal statement.
Keeping up to date
After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please contact us at Ask NTU or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
Apply online through our NTU applicant portal.
If you are interested in joining us in September 2025, this course will be open for applications through the applicant portal from September 2024. Courses starting in January 2026 will be open for applications from July 2025.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
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