Course Summary

We live in a microbial world and this pathway will introduce you to that world and its relevance to Biology. You will be taught by lecturers with expertise in food microbiology, environmental microbiology and health microbiology, and those topics will form the basis of this pathway. From the basics of microbial cell structure and function, through to microbial metabolism and genetics, microbial systems and ultimately real world applications of microbiology, this pathway will equip you with a broad base understanding of this topic and open up careers and post-graduate study in the field. The key modules in this pathway will introduce you to the microbial world, and teach you the skills to grow and identify microbes and explore their role in the environment, in health and in food safety and production. You will also develop your laboratory and microscopy skills enabling you culture and identify microbes safely. Laboratory skills will be developed across the entire programme enabling you to design your own research project to investigate an aspect of microbiology for your final year dissertation. This pathway will focus primarily on bacteria but fungi, archaea, viruses and some eukaryotic microbes will also be investigated. The modules will develop your understanding of microbes, beginning with cell structure and function and microbial evolution. Microbial metabolism and genetics will lead to an understanding of microbial systems and how microbes live in diverse and dynamic communities and interact with other organisms in both beneficial and detrimental ways. Ultimately you will gain an understanding of the nature and role of microbes and their fundamental role in life processes. This microbiology pathway is part of the broader Biology programme allowing you to study other Biology modules to give you a broad biology degree with a specific focus on microbiology. **More about the Professional Placement Year** A Professional Placement Year (PPY), traditionally known as a sandwich year, is where a student undertakes a period of work with an external organisation for between 9-13 months. The placement occurs between the students' second and third years of undergraduate study. Students can engage in up to 3 placements to make up the total time and are required to source the placement(s) themselves with support from the Careers & Employability Team.

Course Details - Modules

Year 1 covers microbiology fundamentals, including classification, structure, function, growth and nutrition. Laboratory skills on safely and correctly culturing, counting and identifying microbes will be introduced. Year 2 introduces more applied content, studying microbes in their natural environment, their interactions with other microbes and organisms, and examining how to use practical techniques to diagnose disease and develop new antibiotics. You will further develop research skills in microbiology, and carry out an independent project. Year 3 focuses on more specific skills needed for the workplace, typically food manufacture, medical roles and in the environment. You will complete a microbiology dissertation project.

Course Details – Assessment Method

The assessments will include written coursework, key practical skills, presentations and some traditional exams. Coursework will include practical files, laboratory report, essays and technical reports.

Course Details – Professional Bodies

Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.

How to Apply

26 January This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application Codes

Course code: C112

Institution code: B20

Campus Name: Main Site

Campus code:

Points of Entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

Year 1

Year 2

Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)

Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.

International applicants

Standard Qualification Requirements

A level grades BCC-CCC with Grade C in Biology, Human Biology, Environmental Science or Social Biology minimum

Grade Merit is preferred.

Access to HE Diploma or Access to HE Certificate (60 credits, 45 of which must be Level 3, including 30 at merit or higher) in a science or related subject.

a minimum score of 27 points required with grade 5 in Biology, Human Biology, Environmental Science or Social Biology at Higher Level

Extended Diploma minimum grades Merit, Merit, Merit (MMM) accepted in a science or related subject

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Minimum Further Information are not listed for this Course.

English language requirements

Test Grade AdditionalDetails

English Language Requirements for International and EU Applicants IELTS 6.0 - for visa nationals, with a minimum score of IELTS 5.5 in each element.

Unistats information

Student satisfaction : 68%

Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs): 74%

Go onto work and study: 84%

Fees and funding

EU 9250.0 Year 1
England 9250.0 Year 1
Northern Ireland 9250.0 Year 1
Scotland 9250.0 Year 1
Wales 9250.0 Year 1

Additional Fee Information

Additional Fee Information are not listed for this Course.

Provider information

Newton Park
Newton St Loe
Address3 are not listed for this Course.
Bath
BA2 9BN

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