Microbiology

This course has been awarded Interim Advanced Accreditation status. This will become Advanced Accreditation when the first cohort of students graduate from the MBiol degree courses in the summer of 2018 (subject to final confirmation from the Royal Society of Biology).

Why study MBiol Microbiology at Aberystwyth University?

• Taught by enthusiastic teaching staff who are experts in their field. You may have seen some of them on TV documentaries or listened to them on your favourite science radio show.

Fantastic facilities which include:

• Advanced microscopy and bio-imaging laboratory;

• Fermentation facilities from lab scale to pilot plant;

• Translational Genomics Laboratory;

• Extreme Experimental Environments Laboratory;

• Learn in a world-renowned teaching and research institute;

• International Opportunities are available through work and study placements.

Want to study in Welsh? 

Students can elect to study a number of IBERS modules in the medium of Welsh. Check out the module tab for more information!

Our Staff

The majority of teaching staff at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences are qualified to PhD level and are research active. Vocational courses also have staff whose background lies within industry.  The Institute has a large number of research only staff with whom students may have contact.

What are our graduates doing? 

Our graduates have been successful in the following fields: 

• Research Science;
• Clinical Molecular genetics;
• Nature conservation;
• Education.

Students from our department have also progressed to undertake training in Dentistry and Medicine. 

What skills will I develop from studying MBiol Microbiology?

Employability is embedded in our teaching. Our students leave Aberystwyth University with skills including;  

• research and data analysis skills;
• enhanced mathematical and computational skills;
• effective problem-solving and creative thinking skills;
• a thorough grounding in information technology skills;
• the ability to work independently;
• time-management and organisational skills, including the ability to meet deadlines;
• the ability to express ideas and communicate information in a clear and structured manner, in both written and oral form;
• self-motivation and self-reliance;
• team-working, with the ability to discuss concepts in groups, accommodating different ideas and reaching agreement.

What work experience opportunities exist whilst studying? 

Click here to find out about the various opportunities that our Aberystwyth University Careers team offer. 

Enhance your employability prospects with GO Wales and YES (Year in Employment Scheme) managed by our Careers department. 

What will I learn?

The breakdown below will provide you with an illustration of what you may study during the four year degree scheme.

 In the first year you may discover:

• Cell Biology;
• Microbial Diversity;
• Laboratory skills;
• Ecology.

In your second year you may explore:

• One Health Microbiology;
• Environmental Microbiology;
• Practical and Professional Skills in Microbiology;
• With option to study immunology, bioinformatics, cancer biology or proteins.

In your third year you may study:

• Microbial Biotechnology;
• Microbial Pathogenesis;
• Independent research project.

In your fourth year you may: 

• Undertake your MBiol Research project;
• Take part in field and laboratory techniques;
• Explore the frontiers in the Biosciences;
• Study Microbial Biotechnology.

With option to study pharmacology, genomics, veterinary infectious diseases or field ecology.

How will I be taught? 

The course will be delivered through lectures, workshops, tutorials and practicals. You will be assessed through:

• Essays;
• Practical exercises;
• Oral presentations;
• Worksheets;
• Reports;
• Statistical exercises;
• Portfolios;
• Wikis;
• Magazine articles;
• Field notebooks;
• Exams.