The MSc Microbiology aims to equip students with the advanced knowledge and skills required to embark on further research or employment in industries striving to solve major global challenges such as antibiotic resistance, clean drinking water, and food security.

The programme is designed to provide the theoretical knowledge, understanding, and practical skills needed for a solid grounding in core and applied microbiology, along with the transferable skills which are essential to enhance students' employability options. It aims to prepare graduates for a broad range of careers within industrial, commercial, government, and environmental settings, or further postgraduate study.

During the course, students can investigate diverse areas of microbiology which are of concern to the healthcare, environmental, ecological, and biotechnological sectors. There is also the chance to undertake research in relation to medical, environmental, or industrial microbiology, which can further advance knowledge, skills, and career options.

Staff offer expertise in medical, industrial, and environmental microbiology, molecular, cell and system biology, recombinant DNA technology, protein biochemistry, structural biology, fermentation, bioengineering, among others. Students can hear from external guest speakers working in the industry and from other schools across the University.

How You Study

The programme includes a combination of lectures, workshops, laboratory practicals, seminars, problem-based-learning group sessions, independent learning, and research projects. The programme also has a major emphasis on the development of professional and research skills, which can enhance employability.

How You Are Assessed

Assessment is conducted through coursework and examination. Coursework includes literature reviews, oral presentations, poster presentations, laboratory reports, and short video assessments. The final assessments are the preparation of a research dissertation for your research project and an associated presentation.

Specific training on each form of assessment is included in the programme, with the aim of improving your performance as a postgraduate student as you progress.

The University of Lincoln's policy on assessment feedback aims to ensure that academics will return in-course assessments to students promptly usually within 15 working days of the submission date.

Career Opportunities

The overall aim of the MSc Microbiology degree is to provide students with the chance to develop knowledge and practical skills in the cross-disciplinary applications of microbiology that are relevant to science and society. This includes the healthcare sector which is particularly interested in the control, treatment, and prevention of infectious disease, as well as environmental and ecological sectors which are interested in microbial communities, interactions, and processes in the environment. These sectors also have relevant industrial applications with a diverse range of career options that may be accessible to graduates from the MSc Microbiology.

The programme also looks to provide students with experience of undertaking microbiology-related research, in particular in relation to medical, environmental, or industrial microbiology. Course content is research-engaged and, in particular, students have the chance to undertake a period of independent scientific research.

This is designed to equip graduates with the necessary theoretical understanding, practical, research, professional, and transferable skills to undertake further postgraduate training (PhD level) or employment within academic research and in industrial, commercial, government, and environmental settings.