The MSc program offers both full-time (one year) and part-time (two years) study options, accommodating various professional commitments. It provides a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, preparing graduates for roles in biomedical science, including positions in the NHS Pathology Service, the commercial sector, and biomedical science research.
Curriculum: The curriculum comprises seven compulsory modules and a 15,000-word project or dissertation. Modules cover topics such as Antimicrobials in the Laboratory and in Clinical Practice, Prevention and Control of Communicable Disease, Clinical Microbiology and Infection, Laboratory Management, and Molecular Biology, Immunology, and Pathogenesis. These modules are designed to provide a systematic understanding and critical awareness of current issues in medical microbiology.
Research Focus: The program emphasizes research skills, culminating in a substantial dissertation. Students undertake original research, applying scientific investigations to clinical situations. This approach fosters critical evaluation of current research and methodologies, encouraging the development of new hypotheses.
Industry Engagement: Students gain hands-on experience in a purpose-built teaching laboratory modeled after a routine clinical microbiology laboratory. This practical training is complemented by opportunities to attend research meetings within the Centre of Immunobiology and clinical journal clubs at Barts Health NHS Trust, facilitating engagement with current industry practices.
Global Perspective: The program incorporates a global perspective by exploring worldwide public health issues and their implications for the UK. This includes studying the relationship between the NHS, Public Health England, infection control teams, and other relevant bodies, as well as examining the national and global epidemiology of infectious diseases.