Medical Microbiology

Module overview

Studied via blended learning (online and in-person sessions), this standalone module offers a comprehensive overview of medical microbiology, focusing on microbiology and infectious diseases in both community and hospital settings. Ideal for topping up your degree to become a registered Biomedical Scientist or advancing your professional development, it deepens your understanding of how microbial pathogens cause disease and how these infections are diagnosed and managed.

The indicative content of the module includes the structure, physiology and biochemistry of microorganisms; methods for their identification, classification and control; and the pathogenic mechanisms of various microorganisms. You will also explore public health microbiology, the laboratory investigation of infectious diseases, including isolation and identification of pathogens, and the principles of antimicrobial and antiviral therapy, with a focus on drug resistance and infection control. Specific infections covered include upper and lower respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections, gastrointestinal infections and the role of antibiotics.

This is a level 5 module (equivalent level of study to a foundation degree or Diploma of Higher Education) worth 10 credits.

Module tutor(s): Dr Jonathan Cox; Professor Andrew Devitt; Dr Ewan Ross

Why Medical Microbiology at Aston University?

Top-up your degree

Top-up your existing degree to become a registered biomedical scientist

Professionally accredited

This module is associated with an IBMS-accredited programme

Research active staff

Learn from passionate research-active academics in specialist areas of medical microbiology

Objectives and outcomes

Enables you to understand the core concepts of microbiology, including bacteriology, virology, mycology and parasitology within community and hospital settings.
Enables you to evaluate how microbial pathogens, primarily bacteria, establish themselves and cause disease across major body systems.
Enables you to understand the principles and theory of common laboratory investigations used to diagnose bacterial infections, and apply this knowledge to case studies.
Enables you to assess treatment options for infections, with a focus on antimicrobial resistance.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics (basic structure, classification, biochemistry) of clinically relevant pathogens.
Critically discuss the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment (including antibiotic resistance) of a broad range of clinically relevant pathogens.

Speak to our Admissions Team

If you have any questions about the application process please get in touch with our postgraduate admissions team:

Email: professionalcpd@aston.ac.uk

Call: 0121 204 3200 (Please note this line is open Monday-Friday between 09.30am-4.30pm)

Read our guide to applying

Entry requirements

You must have a non-accredited undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences or an undergraduate degree in a related field (such as biology or biochemistry).

Taking this module in order to 'top-up' your existing degree for IBMS registration:
Prior to registering for a top-up module (or modules) you need to contact the Institute of Biomedical Science. They will assess your degree in order to confirm that it is eligible for 'top-up' and to determine the additional subject areas in which you need further qualifications.
We recommend you contact the IBMS by June in the year of application to ensure that you have confirmation of your module requirements in time to register for your module(s) with Aston University.
Degrees not eligible for top-up:
If your degree is not eligible for top up but you still wish to become a registered Biomedical Scientist, we recommend that you apply to take our accredited BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science undergraduate degree.

Undertaking this module for professional development:
No additional requirements apply.

We welcome applications from international students who are already in the UK with a valid visa. Unfortunately we are not able to accept applications from international students who wish to come to the UK solely to take this course. We are also not able to accept international students to take the distance learning route. You will be asked to provide a scanned copy of your UK visa, and of your passport when you submit the online registration form so that we can check you are eligible to take the top up modules. Students taking this course by distance learning must be based in the UK.

Biomedical modules suite

Our full list of available modules in this suite of courses includes:

Cell Biology Cellular Pathology Clinical Biochemistry Human Anatomy and Physiology Haematology and Transfusion Science Immunology Molecular Biology and Genetics Medical Microbiology

Fees

UK students (2025/26)

£850

More information on fees

The United Kingdom government has confirmed that European Union (EU), other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals commencing academic courses in England from August 2021 will no longer be charged the same tuition rates as UK students.

Tuition fees for students are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. Any such increase shall always be in accordance with the law. When undertaking a placement year, a placement year fee applies.

More information on fees

Delivery and assessment

This course is delivered via blended learning. You must attend an online induction session in week zero (mid-September), at which we will show you how to access your university record and Blackboard (your Virtual Learning Environment).
All course material, including recorded lectures, self-assessment quizzes, timetables and some directed reading will be available on Blackboard online; coursework submission and feedback are also mainly via this route. Blackboard allows you to access a comprehensive range of study materials, scientific journals, e-journals, databases and much more.
Blended learning: the study can be spread out over the term and a week-by-week study guide is available. Recorded lectures are made available after they are delivered to attendance students as detailed above.
Practical experience: a single three-hour on-campus practical is associated with this module; attendance is compulsory unless you can provide evidence of equivalent learning in the workplace.
Assessment
The assessment for this standalone module comprises an on-campus essay-based class test, where you will choose one question from two options. There is no word limit for this assessment.

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Career prospects

Our CPD courses offer you the opportunity to enhance your knowledge and skills in order to develop your career. In addition, our ethos is to equip you to make a real difference in your field.
These modules will allow you to obtain the academic competences that are required to apply to the Health Professions Council for Registration as a Biomedical Scientist.