Microbiology BSc (Hons) at University of Liverpool

Our BSc Microbiology course involves the study of microorganisms with particular emphasis on the biology of bacteria, viruses and fungi. In spite of their size, the impact of microorganisms on the planet is so extensive that life as we know it could not exist without them.

In addition, microorganisms cause many of the known diseases of humans, animals and plants. Knowledge of microbiology will enable you to improve the quality of our lives in relation to the environment, to fight disease, and to combat pollution. Microbiology plays a key role in genetic engineering and other modern biotechnologies, such as antibiotic production and the exploitation of new sources of food and energy.

Programme in detail

Our degree programme aims to give you an appreciation of the full range of Microbiology while also allowing you to pursue areas of specific interest. During the course of your degree you will study modules such as Virology, Biotechnology, Bacterial disease mechanisms, Microbiomes and Advanced microbiological techniques. You will also have the opportunity to select from a wide range of optional modules.

The programme is taught by a mixture of lectures, workshops, seminars, tutorials, and laboratory courses, culminating in an extended research project in your third year. This is your chance to study an area of cutting edge microbiology in depth, while getting a real taste of life in an active research environment and the opportunity to work alongside members of the Microbiology Research Group and members of other departments, including medical and veterinary microbiologists in the Institute of Infection and Global Health and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

Career prospects

As a Life Sciences graduate from the University of Liverpool, you will have an excellent set of career options ahead of you. For those committed to a career as a professional scientist, higher degrees (MBiolSci, MSc, MRes, MPhil or PhD) at the University of Liverpool or elsewhere provide a flexible set of options for further study.

In the public sector, Life Sciences graduates are in demand in research institutes, government departments, the National Health Service, forensic science and the Environment Agency. Commercial sectors that actively recruit graduates from the Life Sciences include the pharmaceutical, food, biotechnology, water and agriculture industries.

There is also an increasing demand for life scientists to contribute to the public understanding of science as journalists and information/liaison officers, in view of the ethical and environmental issues that arise, for example, by developments in molecular biology and biotechnology.

A number of routes are available for graduates to enter the teaching profession one of which is taking a postgraduate qualification (PGCE). There are significant financial inducements provided to meet the current demand for science teachers. In addition to all of the opportunities for graduates in general, including careers outside of biology (such as management, accountancy and human resources), where the skills you have obtained in our degree programmes will be of considerable benefit. Our degree programmes are also popular routes to postgraduate Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science.

Recent employers

• AstraZeneca
• BBC
• Blue Planet Aquarium
• Chester Zoo
• Crown Prosecution Service
• Eli-Lilly
• Glaxo SmithKline
• Home Affairs, Security and
• International Development
• United Utilities
• RSPCA
• NHS
• Ministry of Defence
• Unilever
• Vodafone
• Public Health England
• Red X Pharma
• Royal Society of Biology
• The Environment Agency.