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Overview
Important
As of 2013, this course will only be available for continuing Bachelor of Applied Science students and those students who are commencing with advanced standing of 96 credit points of first year units. New students should refer to ST01 Bachelor of Science. Please contact sef.enquiry@qut.edu.au for any enquiries.
- Specialise in organism evolution, structure, growth and reproduction; pathogenesis and disease; animal and plant diseases; food microbiology; molecular microbiology; bioremediation and electron microscopy
- Gain experience in small practical classes, studying light microscopy, isolating and culturing micro-organisms and controlling microbial growth
- Prepares you for a career in a laboratory in fields such as bacteriology, immunology, mycology, disease testing, metabolic engineering, parasitology, virology or in a technical advisory role
- Graduate eligible for membership of the Australian Society for Microbiology
| QTAC course code | 418011 |
| QUT course code | SC01 |
| Attendance | Part-time or Full-time |
| Course duration | 3 years full-time
6 years part-time |
| Start month |
2013
February, July
Note: This course has been replaced by ST01 Bachelor of Science. However if you are offered a second or third year place you will be admitted to this course instead as only the first year of ST01 Bachelor of Science will be offered in 2013. |
| Deferment | You can defer your offer and postpone the start of your course for one year. |
| Delivery |
On campus
|
| Faculty |
|
| Course contact |
Student Business Services (SBS) Admissions:
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| CRICOS code | 003502J |
Details
Microbiology is the study of living organisms of microscopic size. In the microbiology course you will study bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites, and antimicrobial drugs that selectively target these micro-organisms. In microbiology practical sessions you will develop skills that enable you to safely grow, manipulate and identify micro-organisms, and also to visualise micro-organisms using microscopy.
Scientists within the Infectious Diseases Research Program at QUT’s Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI) are working towards the development of effective vaccines, patient-friendly treatment methods and effective diagnostic tests for a range of important bacterial and viral diseases including chlamydia infections in humans and koalas, asymptomatic upper genital tract infections in infertile invitro fertilisation (IVF) couples, and dengue virus infections. This group is also developing novel testing and typing methods for significant pathogens such as ‘golden staph’ and bacteria which cause meningococcal meningitis and campylobacter gastroenteritis.
Why choose this course?
QUT microbiology lecturers are leaders in infectious diseases research, environmental and food microbiology, and electron microscopy. Your microbiology units will all contain sessions in QUT’s new state-of-the-art microbiology teaching laboratories, to ensure you graduate with the practical skills sought by employers. Small practical class sizes will allow you to gain maximum benefit from your teachers, including some of QUT’s most respected researchers. You may wish to apply for a Vacation Research Experience Scholarship and gain experience working with research scientists at IHBI.
Career outcomes
Microbiology graduates find employment in a variety of interesting careers. Many microbiologists are employed by human pathology laboratories within the departments of bacteriology, immunology, mycology, parasitology and virology. You may also find employment in laboratories testing for animal and plant diseases, or testing for pathogens or spoilage organisms in food, air, water and soil. Microbiologists can also be employed as metabolic engineers developing microbial production systems.
If working in a laboratory is not for you, there are positions available as technical product and sales representatives, intellectual property specialists/patent attorneys, or even with scientific publishers. Many microbiologists find employment within government departments such as Health; Employment, Economic Development and Innovation; and Environment and Resource Management.
If you wish to study for a research higher degree, you may pursue a research career in university, government or private research laboratories.
Professional recognition
Graduates are eligible for membership of the Australian Society for Microbiology.
Units
Year 1
You will undertake introductory core studies in a range of scientific areas including life sciences, chemistry, physics, mathematics and environmental science to give you a solid foundation for your future studies. Following these introductory studies you should be in a position to confirm your choice of major area of study.
Year 2
You will be introduced to diverse micro-organisms and study how they have evolved, their structure, how they obtain nutrients and how they grow and reproduce. Importantly you will also learn how to control microbial growth by sterilisation, disinfection and using antimicrobials. In practical classes you will learn how to stain and visualise micro-organisms using light microscopy and electron microscopy. You will isolate and culture micro-organisms and learn how to control microbial growth. You will practise identifying micro-organisms by their appearance, biochemical testing or by using molecular assays.
Year 3
Advanced studies will allow you to expand your knowledge and expertise in specialised areas including pathogenesis and disease where you can study bacterial, fungal and parasitic diseases. Other advanced topics include animal and plant viral diseases, food microbiology, molecular microbiology, bioremediation and electron microscopy. You will also cover environmental microbiology which includes the testing of soil, air and water.
Entry requirements
Assumed knowledge
Before you start this course we assume you have sound knowledge in these areas:
- Maths B
- English
We assume that you have knowledge equivalent to four semesters at high school level (Years 11 and 12) with sound achievement (English (4, SA) and Maths B (4, SA)). Recommended Study: At least one of Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Earth Science or Maths C.
Did you get an OP 1-5?
If you receive an OP 1-5 or equivalent, you're guaranteed an offer for this course in the major offer round.
Course fees
Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. All fees are based on current fixed fee prices. We review fees annually.
You may wish to apply for a Vacation Research Experience Scholarship and gain experience working with research scientists at IHBI.
2013: CSP $4200 (indicative) per Semester (48 credit points) (subject to annual review)
Student Services and Amenities Fee
You'll need to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) as part of your course costs.
HECS-HELP: loans to help you pay your course fees
You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.
Find out if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan
Scholarships and financial support
You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.
You may also be eligible for Centrelink payments
Apply
How to apply for Bachelor of Applied Science (Microbiology)
You apply through QTAC for all our undergraduate courses.
Are you ready to submit your application?
You're ready if you've:
- Found all the courses you want to apply for - you can apply for up to 6.
- Checked important dates.
- Checked you meet the entry requirements.
- Checked your course costs and if you're eligible for financial support.
All done? Then you're ready to apply.
Important: Make a note of the QTAC code for this course (418011) because you'll need to enter it as part of your QTAC application.
After you've submitted your application to QTAC
If you've studied before or if you have at least two years' work experience, you may want to apply for credit for prior learning.
