Course summary

In 2019, the World Health Organisation listed ‘High Threat Pathogens’; ‘Influenza Pandemic’; Antimicrobial Resistance’; ‘Dengue’; ‘HIV’ and ‘Vaccine Hesitancy’ as among the top ten threats to global health. In 2020, societies across the world suffered the profound effects of the rapid spread of the novel SARS-CoV2 virus. These global problems highlight the need for professionals who fully understand the role of microorganisms in public health, in order to respond appropriately to such threats. Our Microbiology in Public Health MSc program covers the role of microorganisms in health and disease of the individual and of society. We focus on the science of microorganisms and the range of strategies employed for public health protection, including epidemiology, public health intelligence, vaccination, antimicrobial chemotherapy, diagnostic microbiology and outbreak investigation. We will take you beyond studying microorganisms as causes of infection and how they can be detected and controlled to how epidemiology and intelligence can inform public health protection. This interesting and unique interdisciplinary course has never been more relevant than in the midst of a global pandemic: we train our students to critically study and apply understanding of microbiology to global public health issues. Students benefit from excellent new science facilities and are supported by experts, allowing them to develop professional and transferrable skills for a range of careers in different sectors. Why choose this course?

• Study microorganisms that impact on health and disease focusing on applications, including diagnosis, epidemiology and control of infectious disease

• Explore how the developments in molecular biology have altered diagnosis of infectious disease and impacted on outbreak investigation and management

• Learn about current practice and new developments in vaccines and antimicrobial chemotherapy and consider the challenges faced by efforts to eradicate specific infectious disease

• Gain practical experience in planning and conducting library-based and laboratory-based scientific research and be encouraged to think about its wider significance

• Explore how public health policy and practice impacts on our wellbeing and safety

• Challenge yourself by undertaking a microbiology research project or public health dissertation (depending on your specific interests), enabling you to consider a particular topic in detail and develop key transferable skills in research and scientific writing

• Benefit from a course that prepares your for a career in pharmaceutical or biotechnological industries, or health-related industries, including the NHS and Public Health, as well as academic research.