Microbiology (BSc (Hons)) at University College Cork

Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms including fungi, bacteria, viruses and protozoa. These microbes are crucially important in medicine, biology, agriculture, biotechnology and the environment.

Microbes are beneficial in process such as food production, promoting human health, biotechnology, agriculture and waste treatment. Conversely, some are responsible for causing disease in humans and animals or in causing food spoilage and crop loss in agriculture.

As one of the classical disciplines, microbiology combines fundamental biology with applications and thus provides excellent training and opportunities for students interested in different aspects of science.

The microbiology course at UCC is varied and broad but has a special focus on our areas of particular strength, namely, medical, food and environmental microbiology.

Many modern scientific disciplines such as genetic engineering, genomics, microbial biotechnology, immunology and molecular biology originated from classical microbiology and form an integral part of our modern microbiology degree.

The entry route to the BSc in Microbiology at UCC is through the general BSc Biological and Chemical Sciences entry. At the end of the degree, you will have a broad knowledge of microbiology, specialised knowledge of aspects that interest you, and a skill set of knowledge acquisition, practical techniques and problem solving ability that will equip you for your future career.

Key facts

• Microbiology graduates have a choice of working in diverse industries, pursuing further training or research careers
• 95% of UCC microbiology graduates either secure a job or commence further education shortly after graduation
• The School of Microbiology has the highest research standing of any microbiology department in Ireland. Students are taught by academic staff who are international experts in their research field
• A microbiology degree is a foundation for a future career in microbiology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, cell biology or biotechnology.

Microbiology sits neatly on the interface between fundamental science and applied science/biotechnology, and our degree caters for students with diverse interests.

Possibly the most important aspect of the degree is its relevance – whether in industry or medicine, microbiology is centrally important to society and is rarely far from the news. This relevance in diverse spheres means our graduates have little difficulty in pursuing careers in research and industry following their degree.

Skills and Careers Information

The UCC BSc Microbiology degree provides excellent training for a career in the microbiology, biotechnology, food, environmental, medical, pharmaceutical and veterinary sectors.

Graduates have specialised skills in practical and theoretical microbiology that have direct relevance to industry, as well as additional skills in problem-solving, data-handling and presentation that can be applied in many different sectors.

About 50% of graduates go on to immediate employment, many in companies in the Cork area, but others in international locations. Other graduates choose to pursue higher degrees (MSc or PhD).