MSc Clinical Microbiology  MSc Clinical Microbiology Queen Mary, University of London ../webroot/files/Institutions/cover_photo/1563862679Queen-Mary1.jpg

Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, has a long history of providing high quality postgraduate education for clinicians and scientists working in the National Health Service (NHS), Public Health England (PHE) and industry. The aim of this programme is to prepare you for the next stage of your career, whether pursuing further research or professional study. 

Students on this course will share many of the formal teaching and practical sessions with students on the MSc Biomedical Science (Medical Microbiology) and MSc Clinical Science (Infection Science) courses, allowing inter-professional learning, but each course has its own unique additional teaching, electronic learning resources and assessments. 

The course aims to promote teaching and learning enriched by original scholarship and scientific research; encouraging students to become independent learners. 

Formal teaching comprises lectures, workshops, practical classes and demonstrations. Many of the lecturers are specialists in their field and are invited from many institutions within the UK. 

The practical classes are an important component of the course and are designed to give the students hands-on experience, particularly in basic clinical microbiology. Students are encouraged to relate current practices in their workplace to their studies, and to discuss and critically evaluate these techniques with their colleagues in light of their formal teaching. The practical classes are taught in the purpose-built teaching laboratory, which is well equipped with all necessary materials and is based on a routine clinical microbiology laboratory. 

In addition to the formal face to face teaching, students use online learning materials in the University's virtual learning environment (QMplus). 

Self-directed learning, by reading and reviewing literature to supplement the lectures, is essential and students are encouraged to use the library (both electronic and onsite) and computer facilities within the University. All students have off site access to the library and the electronic learning environment. 

This programme will provide: 

• a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of Medical Microbiology and professional practice;
• a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship;
• the opportunity to demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in medical microbiology;
• a conceptual understanding that enables the student to evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in medical microbiology;
• the ability to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses.

Applicants for the MSc Clinical Microbiology must have a MBBS or basic medical degree from a university recognised by the General Medical Council (GMC). Applicants with a minimum of a 2:1 degree in nursing or pharmacy (depending on the modules studied at undergraduate level) or equivalent, may also be considered for a place on the course. 

For those with Biomedical Science qualifications, we suggest that you consider applying for the MSc Biomedical Science (Medical Microbiology) course, which is accredited by the Institute for Biomedical Science (IBMS). 

Applicants who do not reach academic standards but have alternative qualifications and relevant work based experience, may be considered for a place on the course at the discretion of the Postgraduate Dean (or their representative) and the Programme Director. 

Applicants may be interviewed prior to acceptance and programme entry may be competitive. 

The MSc modules are assessed using a combination of final written examinations and a series of in-course assessments. The in-course assessments consist of literature reviews, oral and poster presentations, practical and written exams. They are designed as a learning experience as well as a test of knowledge. 

The course is offered with both part time and full time study options.