The programmes aim to:
• Produce graduates with a systematic understanding of the scientific basis of traditional and novel microbiological concepts.
• Produce graduates equipped with the knowledge, specialist practical skills and critical awareness to enable them to pursue careers in the microbiological field, whether in the hospital, laboratory, industrial or research setting.
• Equip students with a critical understanding of the current issues and problems at the forefront of medical microbiology that will allow them to make independent, informed judgements in relation to these issues.
• Provide students with the opportunity to participate in, and contribute to, current microbiological research programmes within the department, and thus provide the wider microbiological community with new members.
Programme Overview and Structure
The Masters programme is a 12-month full time programme consisting of 9 months of formal teaching (8 course units) and a 3-month research project and dissertation. It is possible to complete the Masters programme on a part-time basis over 2 or 3 years. However, because of the strong practical focus of the course students must attend each course unit taken on a full time block-release basis. Thus, part-time students will normally complete 4 course units in the first year and 4 in the second year. The dissertation can be completed on a full-time basis during the summer of the second year, or on a part-time basis over the third year. This part-time option is usually taken up only by trainee microbiologists employed by the Regional Health Authorities, Health Protection Agency (HPA) or Academic Institutions, who are able to obtain block-release. An individual schedule for completion of the programme is agreed for each part-time student.
The Diploma in Medical and Molecular Microbiology follows the same structure of formal teaching as the Masters programme. It is carried out over 9 months (Sept – June) full time, and there is no research project or dissertation. However, the assessment mark required for award of Diploma is lower (40% overall), than that required for Masters (50% overall). It is possible for a student who attains 50% or more on the diploma programme to transfer to the Masters programme at the end of the formal teaching. Similarly a Masters student who obtains 40-49% overall may be awarded a diploma at the end of the taught programme instead of progressing to the Masters dissertation.
The Diploma in Bacteriology is a prestigious professional diploma programme. Students taking this option are likely to be scie ntists who may already hold an MSc or PhD, but who require training in the basic range of skills and knowledge required for employment in the field of diagnostic microbiology. Thus Dp.Bact students take the same course units as Masters students to acquire this training, but in place of the final course unit which prepares students to undertake their research project, Dp.Bact students obtain their final 15 credits by carrying out a literature based research project on a relevant area of microbiology. Again, transfer between programmes is possible. Importantly, s tudents enrolled on the Dp Bact. Programme, must reach the same assessment standard as Masters students (50% overall).
Graduates of the MSc and Dp.Bact gain six months exemption from the compulsory ‘two years diagnostic laboratory work-experience' required for Membership of the Royal College of Pathologists, and MSc graduates are eligible for membership of the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS).
Teaching and Learning Methods
A variety of teaching and learning methods are used to enable students to achieve the learning outcomes. These are as follows:
• Lectures
• Practical Classes
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• Group work
• Self-directed learning
• Student Presentations
• Research Project and Dissertation
Lectures are considered appropriate for delivery of information in this factually based subject. The information presented is supplemented with reading lists and students are expected to increase the depth of their knowledge during private study.
Seminars are held frequently to ensure concepts within the subject are explored and understood.
Acquisition of practical skills is a major focus of this programme. The only means of acquiring practical skills is hands-on experience. Thus the programme is organised so that students are afforded the opportunity to spend much of the day within the laboratory. A manual of techniques is provided for each course unit and supervision and guidance is available to help the student master the procedures to a high competence.
Transferable and cognitive skills are developed during all interactive teaching including practical classes, group working, seminars, lecture discussions etc. There are opportunities for the student to assess their acquisition of these skills during group and individual seminar presentations.
Course Units
The programmes include teaching in the following unit areas
General and Molecular Virology
Medical and Diagnostic Virology
Antibiotics and Bacterial Genetics
Introductory Microbiology and Systematic Bacteriology I
Systematic
Bacteriology II
Systematic Bacteriology III
Molecular Microbiology and Mycology
Laboratory Management and Research Methods
W W Topley Prize
Students achieving over 70% in the examinations will be recommended for
award of this prize.
PhD
Since 1995, over 30 graduates from the MSc programme have obtained a PhD
from the University of Manchester. Following the successful completion
of the MSc, the minimum time required to carry out a PhD is two years.
