Bachelor of Applied Science (Microbiology)

Overview

• 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

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

Minimum academic requirements

Did you complete secondary school in Australia?

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.

Scholarships and financial support

You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.

View all scholarships