Microbiology

Microbiology is the branch of biology concerned with organisms invisible to the naked eye, a world that includes bacteria, fungi, viruses, algae, and protozoa, and that is of extraordinary importance for human health, agriculture, environmental science, and biotechnology. Microbes drive the cycling of nutrients in ecosystems, cause and prevent disease, are harnessed in fermentation and pharmaceutical production, and are increasingly central to biotechnology and synthetic biology.

At the University of Dundee, this four-year full-time programme gives you a thorough grounding in the science of microorganisms, covering their biology, ecology, and genetics alongside the concepts of growth, metabolism, regulation, and how microbes interact with each other and with their environments. You will study the role of microbes in infectious disease, from the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis to the principles of antimicrobial resistance, which is one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time. Alongside pathogenic microbiology, you will explore the beneficial roles of microbes in ecology, food production, and biotechnology, and you will develop practical laboratory skills in culturing, identifying, and experimenting on microorganisms.

The programme includes a year abroad, which places you in an international academic environment and broadens your scientific perspective and professional network.

The typical entry tariff is 184 UCAS points, reflecting the high academic standard expected for this programme. It is studied full time over four years. Graduates from microbiology programmes go on to careers in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, public health agencies, hospitals, food science, environmental consultancy, and academic research.

Further study at postgraduate level, including research degrees and clinical scientist training, is a common route for those who wish to specialise or move into research careers.