School of Molecular Medical Sciences
MSc in Microbiology and Immunology
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Support: Each student is allocated a
personal tutor at the beginning of
the course, and regular meetings
are scheduled throughout the
year. The University provides
many other sources of support
including the Counselling Service,
Office for Disability Issues, Study
Support Centre, Student Advice
Centre, International Office plus
many more.
First-class facilities:The University library service
provides access to more than a
million books and journals, and
extensive IT facilities are available
across all campuses. Postgraduate
students have their own Graduate
Centre and social space within the
Medical School. This all helps to
maintain our reputation for
excellence.
Stimulating Environment:The School of Molecular Medical
Sciences is a lively and varied
school, carrying out research into a
variety of topics. The latest research
assessment exercise (RAE) in 2008
identified ~80% of research in the
School as internationally recognised
or better. Three of the Units of
Assessment were rated in the UK
Top 10.
What do we offer?
The CourseAims of the Course
The MSc in Microbiology and Immunology is a one-year full time course designed
to provide students with knowledge in two complementary disciplines, stressing
the challenges posed by pathogens and how they shape immune responses.
Aims and Objectives of the course:
� Students will learn about clinically relevant pathogens through an
introductory module on Medical Microbiology and two specialised modules
on Bacterial and Viral pathogenesis.
� Students will learn about the immune system through an introductory
module on the theme of Immunity and the Immune system and a module
on the ability of the innate immune system to sense the presence of
pathogens and instruct the acquired immune system.
� Therapeutic targets and tools will be discussed in the Therapeutic
Immunology module.
� Provision for the development of practical research skills will be offered
by the Research Methods in Immunology and Microbiology module, and a
Research Projects leading to a dissertation.
Why choose this course?
We are committed to providing quality and cutting edge training in Microbiology
and Immunology. The MSc is offered in a School that has a very sound teaching
and research base, with expertise in the host-pathogen interface. The ongoing
interactions between the microbiologists and immunologists within the School
will guarantee exposure to the forefront of research into host-pathogen
interactions.
Entry RequirementsThe course is suitable for graduates in Life Sciences and other allied subjects.
The course is also offered to medical and veterinary graduates wishing to pursue
a career in Immunology or Microbiology. Candidates for admission will normally
be expected to hold a minimum of 2ii or equivalent qualification, awarded from
an approved University.
Applicants whose first language is not English must normally achieve an overall
score of 6.5 on the IELTS test (no less than 6 in any element), 573 on paper
based TOEFL with 4.5 in written English, or 230 on the computer based TOEFL
with 4.5 in the essay element. Tests must have been taken within the last 2 years.
Course Structure
Fees for students who are British/EU citizens or have indefinite leave to remain in the UK, together with
three years residency in the UK/EU prior to the start of the course will be set at approximately £4480 per
year. Fees for International students will be around £14,260 per year. Costs are subject to increase each
academic year, so please check prices at the time of application.
Details of available studentships are available on our web site:
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/mol/msc_courses
The University estimates that a figure of approximately £7,200 will be required for a single student spending
twelve months at Nottingham. This figure includes accommodation, subsistence, purchase of clothing and
books, some entertainment and internal travel. It does not cover the international airfare or the University
fee.
What are the costs?
The course consists of two introductory modules on the themes of Medical Microbiology and
Immunity and the Immune system, five other taught modules and a project leading to a
dissertation. The credit rating and description of each module are as follows:
Introduction to Medical Microbiology (10 credits)
To define the basic mechanisms and concepts underpinning medical microbiology.
Immunity & the Immune System (10 credits)
To define the basic mechanisms and concepts underpinning the science of immunology.
Research Methods in Microbiology and Immunology (20 credits)
To demonstrate how various research strategies are used to study microbiology and immunology
and to employ the skills of performing and recording laboratory work.
Bacterial Pathogenesis and Infections (20 credits)
To highlight the different mechanisms associated with disease pathogenesis for a selection of
bacteria, and to give students an understanding of clinical syndromes using a systematic
approach, including the microbiology of important diseases, diagnostic approaches and choice of
antibiotic.
Viral Pathogenesis and Infections (20 credits)
To illustrate how viruses interact with cells, what are the underlying molecular mechanisms of
infection and replication, and how these interactions lead to clinical disease.
Innate Immune Recognition (20 credits)
To describe current understanding of pattern recognition receptors and pathogen-associated
molecular patterns within the context of infections, tumour recognition, immunoevasion and
immunopathology.
Therapeutic Immunology (20 credits)
To analyse current and potential therapeutic strategies and to assess the use of engineered
antibodies and peptide vaccines for treating immunological diseases.
Research Project (60 credits)
To establish the technical skills required for research at the host-pathogen interface and for
designing experiments and to demonstrate the ability to write scientific text. Students will carry out
a research project, with topics being determined by members of academic staff. Students will add
to their practical and intellectual skills in scientific investigation. The students will also gain
experience of project and time management, and acquire specialised skills related to the project.
MSc Course Enquiries
School of Molecular Medical Sciences
A Floor, West Block
University Hospital
Nottingham
NG7 2UH
Tel: +44 (0)115 823 0775
Fax: +44 (0)115 823 0759
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/mol
Applying for a place
The SchoolMolecular Medical Sciences is a lively and diverse school, with ongoing
research in Molecular and Cellular Bacteriology, Virology, Immunology,
Human Genetics and Translational Cancer Research.
We have around 40 members of academic staff and more than 60
research and support staff. This fosters an exciting and active
environment for all of our postgraduate students - there are
approximately 80 MSc students and 75 research students within our
school alone. The School attracts funding from many sources, including
the Research Councils, European Union, Medical Charities and Industry.
The MSc course is co-ordinated by academic staff within Microbiology
and Immunology. Research groups within the School are located within
the Queen’s Medical Centre (a modern teaching hospital and associated
Medical School located next to the University Park campus) and in the
Centre for Biomolecular Sciences on University Park campus.
International StudentsThe University of Nottingham is a popular choice for international
students, with over 6000 students coming from more than 130 different
countries. The International Office provides support and information
right through from the time of application to when you graduate. A
welcome week is provided prior to the start of the academic term.
They can be contacted at: International Office, University of
Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK. Tel: +44
(0)115 951 5247; Fax: +44 (0)115 951 5155
Email: [email protected].
The UniversityThe University of Nottingham main campus is situated within 330 acres
of landscaped parkland, and is just a short bus ride away from
Nottingham city centre. The most recent research assessment exercise
(RAE) confirmed The University of Nottingham's position as a world
class research-led institution. Over 60% of the University's RAE scores
identified research as being of a level of international excellence.
With over 100,000 students at the city's universities and colleges,
Nottingham is a vibrant city with plenty to keep its youthful population
busy. Its compact city centre, only ten minutes away from the
Nottingham campuses by bus or bike, combines heritage and history
with contemporary culture.
Nottingham Life
If you would like to apply for this course, please
apply on-line at:
https://pgapps.nottingham.ac.uk/
The on-line application process is quick, and
allows you to track the progress of your
application at any time.