BSc Microbiology

Expand your knowledge of some of the planet's most dominant life forms, and take part in research projects with a global impact on this BSc Microbiology course.

As part of the UK's oldest microbiology department you can develop laboratory skills in purpose-built microbiology facilities and be taught by world-leading experts, with particular strengths in virology and bacteriology. 98% of students in the School of Biological Sciences said our teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things (National Student Survey, 2023).

You'll benefit from membership of the Microbiology Society and our strong links with industry. Our graduates are also eligible for membership of The Royal Society of Biology and can apply for Chartered Biologist status.

Through the course, you will learn about the fundamental properties, genetics and physiology of diverse microbes. Options will then allow you to focus on areas that most interest you, including medical, environmental or food microbiology. You will also have the chance to carry out a year-long industrial placement or a paid vacation studentship in order to gain valuable work and research experience.

BSc Microbiology has a strong practical basis, and you will learn a wide variety of techniques such as microbial genetics, biochemistry and propagation. During your final year you will have the chance to spend three months working on an original research project of your choice. Recent projects have included the molecular engineering of viruses, and the mechanisms of bacterial pathogenicity and host colonisation.

In your final year you will also have the opportunity to take part in our unique Arctic microbiology field course in Iceland. There you will be able to examine the unusual microbes that inhabit extreme environments and learn field-based sampling techniques.

Our new £60m Health and Life Sciences building is the home of the School of Biological Sciences. It offers state-of-the-art research and teaching laboratories, seminar rooms, and plenty of study and social space, including a café. The building also houses the Cole Museum of Zoology. The collection, featuring more than 3,500 natural history specimens, provides a fantastic resource for biological scientists and the wider community.

Placement

You will have the opportunity to carry out a year-long industrial placement between your second and final year. Student in previous years have worked at Public Health England’s Porton Down and Colindale laboratories, GSK, AstraZeneca and Covance. You can also choose to spend a year abroad, typically carrying out research in an academic laboratory.

You will be able to undertake paid vacation studentships funded by organisations such as the Wellcome Trust and the Microbiology Society. These can take place over six weeks during the summer break, or be carried out part-time over a longer period. During studentships you will typically work on a set project and benefit from valuable training in techniques, experimental design and the interpretation of data.

Additionally, you can take a work placement module.

Our department has a dedicated academic in charge of placements, who can provide you with advice and support.

For more information, please visit the School of Biological Sciences website.