• Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of specialised areas of  microbiology and have an appreciation of the current range of theoretical and research understanding in those areas.
• Create, design and explore a research question in a specialised area and evaluate this research with appropriate justification or create, design and explore a work-based learning project to evaluate an issue in practice.
• Have a systematic awareness of knowledge and a critical awareness of current problems and new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of medical microbiology.
• Have a comprehensive understanding of the latest research techniques used in bioscience.
• Communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences using a variety of methods including written, poster, oral and web-based presentations
• Design and develop a high quality dissertation and present it in a suitable form.

Knowledge

• An in-depth knowledge of why xenobiotics damage biological systems at the molecular level.
• An awareness of the current theories and research developments in microbiology.
• An awareness of the contribution made by toxicologists in drug development
• An awareness of the wider implications of scientific research on society as a whole.

Thinking skills

• The ability to use integrated approaches to analyse and interpret complex and contradictory scientific information autonomously and to accurately assess and criticise your own and others' work.
• An awareness and understanding of the ethical constraints associated with the subject area and the ability to relate these to your own experience.
• The ability to contribute to the development of the subject through applied study or research.
• The ability to solve problems in science.

Subject-Based Practical skills

• The ability to select and apply a range of practical skills relevant to microbiology.
• A higher level of competence in laboratory skills.
• An ability to isolate, assess and resolve problems independently and to react effectively to unusual and unexpected situations.
• An improved ability to engage in professional and academic communication with others in your specialist field.
• The ability to select and utilise appropriate computer software, and to understand its limitations in presenting scientific data.

Skills for life and work (general skills)

• Increased ability to take responsibility for your own learning and the ability to work with and motivate others
• Ability to reflect critically on your own and others' performance resulting in the improvement of subsequent actions.
• Increased confidence in your own abilities.
• Improved skills in written and verbal communication of complex information.

The typical duration of this programme is one year full-time or two years part-time. It is possible to move from full-time to part-time study and vice-versa to accommodate any external factors such as financial constraints or domestic commitments. Many of our students make use of this flexibility and this may impact on the overall duration of their study period.

The teaching year is divided into two semesters of roughly equal length. Teaching and assessment of taught modules is completed within each semester. The research project is completed in the summer period, between June and September. For part-time students, attendance is required on one full-day per week, for full-time students attendance is normally three days but this may be increased during the research project.

The order in which modules are taken will vary for different groups of students. This is possible because the modules are all free standing, except that the research skills module should be taken before the start of the project.

Part-time MSc students study one optional module in semester A and a second optional module in Semester B of the first year. These are followed by the third optional module in semester A of year 2 and the research skills module in Semester B. We anticipate that most students taking the part time programme will be in related employment and will be able to devise projects which can be carried out at their place of work. Alternative arrangements will be made individually for students unable to do this, and the project would be taken in the summer period, normally of the second year.

Full time students complete the whole programme in a single calendar year. The project would be taken in the summer period. Students starting in semester B will take one optional module and the Research Skills module in semester B, followed by the project in the summer period. Two further optional modules would be taken in semester A of the following academic year.

Full-time Postgraduate Diploma students will take two optional modules semester A followed by one optional module and Research Skills in semester B. Students following this programme by part time study would normally take two optional modules in the first year of study, though this is not essential. Students can start this programme in full time or part time mode in either semester.

Postgraduate Certificate students take the programme by part time day release, taking only two modules. These two modules can be taken in either order so students can start this programme in September or in February.

• In order to gain a Postgraduate Certificate, you will need to obtain 60 credits at Level M.
• In order to gain a Postgraduate Diploma, you will need to obtain 120 credits at Level M
• Students can elect to curtail their studies and leave with an MSc which can be obtained through the completion of a 60 credit research project in addition to the taught modules

Knowledge is developed through

• Lectures
• Seminars, tutorials and workshops
• Student centred learning - directed reading, assignment preparation.

Thinking skills are developed through

• Tutorials
• Seminars and workshops
• Report writing and assignments
• Project work

Practical skills are developed through

• Laboratory practical sessions
• Individual research project
• Data analysis exercises
• Use of IT and library based resources
• Student presentations

Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through

• Student centred learning
• Seminar and workshop discussions
• Oral and written presentations
• Computer assignments
• Managing time
• Team work

Assessment will primarily consist of

• Module examinations and coursework
• A research proposal (2000 words)taken from the skills modules
• A 35-4000 word thesis (max 5000) that will be assessed by a viva voce.

Knowledge will be assessed by

• Examinations and coursework (in the taught core course modules emphasis will be given  to work-based coursework)
• Interim reports and Final oral examination

Thinking skills are assessed by

• Examinations and coursework(in the taught core course modules emphasis will be given  to work-based coursework)
• Final oral examination
• Tutorials with University and work-based supervisors

Practical skills are assessed by

• Laboratory practical / coursework (in the taught core course modules emphasis will be given  to work-based coursework)
• Reports from work based supervisors

Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by

• Laboratory practical/ coursework (in the taught core course modules emphasis will be given  to work-based coursework)
• Coursework reports
• Reports from work based supervisors