Course summary

Kick-start and enhance your career prospects with our four year Bachelor of Science honours degree in Microbiology with an integrated year in industry. This course is designed to give you the head start in an increasingly competitive job market, and upon successful completion of this degree, you will have developed the skills and awareness that employers are seeking. Microbiologists study bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and their role in infectious diseases in humans, other animals and plants. You will also learn how microorganisms contribute to environmental nutrient cycling, brewing, food, and biotechnology industries, whilst you develop the scientific and analytical skills demanded in a broad range of professions. You will learn in an Institute which has won the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education. You discover an exceptional environment where you will be surrounded by a great diversity of beautiful environments, including marine, moorland, mountain, waterways, grassland and coast. At Aberystwyth, we place great emphasis upon practical skills, so that our graduates become practitioners from the word go. You will have access to extensive research and teaching labs equipped with the latest equipment, including bioimaging facilities, high-throughput DNA sequencing, proteomics, metabolomics and spectroscopic platforms. You will be taught by research-active staff at the forefront of knowledge, and emerge from your course with the knowledge, competencies and skills to forge a career in this fascinating field of science. The syllabus of this course with the integrated year in industry is identical to its sister course BSc Microbiology (C500). Your work experience must be relevant to this degree as it will be assessed and will count towards your degree grade. You will organise your work experience under the guidance of our Director for Employability. There is no guarantee that the work experience will be paid. If you cannot obtain a placement, you must transfer to the sister course BSc Microbiology (C500). Make no mistake, you will develop confidence and gaining experience in the industry will stimulate your enthusiasm for the subject. Completing a year in industry will allow you to: Apply the learning from your course to the work environment; Make industry contacts; Develop practical skills related to your area of study; Apply your practical skills and technical knowledge after returning to study; Enhance your CV and better prepare yourself for a job after graduating. Our graduates are strong candidates for the following roles:

• Research Scientist;

• Laboratory Manager;

• Sales and technical support;

• Education;

• Students who have completed this degree could also progress to further training in Medicine and Science journalism.