

This major focuses on how micro-organisms interact with the environment, how to detect causal micro-organisms of diseases and spoilage, and how micro-organisms can be employed to produce valuable products for society, such as antibiotics, fermented foods and drinks, and alternative fuels. You will acquire the practical skills required in research and industry and will be skilled in scientific/technical report writing and presentation.
Below is a summary only. For a comprehensive overview of this qualification, please refer to the Academic calendar.
Year 1
You will study core or compulsory papers from across the degree.
Core papers
775205 General and Organic Chemistry
555301 Knowledge, Enquiry and Communication
555401 Health and Environment
775318 Form and Function of Plants and Animals
775102 Biological Chemistry
775317 Ecology and Evolution
775611 Biophysics
775111 Microbiology
You take papers from your major area(s) of study and undertake your research project that involves an investigation into a scientific problem.
Year 2 papers
775112 Systematic Microbiology
775411 Food Science
776111 Biochemistry
776113 Environmental Microbiology
776114 Industrial Microbiology
776412 Food Microbiology I
Plus 1 elective at Level 6 (or above).
Year 3 papers
776115 Genetics
777113 Biotechnology
777120 Molecular Genetics
777411 Food Microbiology II
777003 Research Project
Plus 2 electives at Level 6 (or above).
You may wish to select paper 146611 Research Method, some applied mathematics, and/or food science papers to complement this major.