You'll gain a sound understanding of how the human body functions in healthy and diseased states, barriers to health care, and methods for treatment. This degree could lead to careers in designing medicines to alleviate symptoms or vaccines to prevent diseases, or impacting public health policy.

Medical Sciences

The Microbiology and Immunology major is distinguished by the embedding of the discipline's research strengths in virology, bacteriology and immunology. You'll be taught by the people conducting this cutting-edge research and you will discuss, apply and expand on the theory of your unit in weekly practical laboratory classes and structured tutorials.

Your studies will give you a thorough understanding of the role, importance and impact of microbes. Fundamental techniques are developed in cell and molecular biology such as culturing techniques for the isolation and characterisation of bacteria, the use of microscopy for the identification of microbes, and data recording. A strong emphasis is placed on applications in biomedicine and biotechnology.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Career opportunities for graduates exist in a wide range of areas. These include the health care industry, pharmaceutical industry, hospitals and biomedical research institutes, environmental science, the mining industry, biotechnology companies, private laboratories and the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories. Other options include further studies and employment in both research and clinical positions in public health, agricultural, veterinary and university laboratories and the CSIRO.

PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION

As a graduate, you will be eligible for membership with the Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM), the national scientific and employment body of the profession.