Radboud University’s Master’s specialisation in Microbiology deals with the interface between fundamental biological and medical sciences. It focuses on molecular, medical and environmental microbiology to improve our health and environment and provides in-depth insight into present-day microbial research in general and clinical microbiology.
The major topics of the Microbiology specialisation are:
Microorganisms can be used to break down environmental pollutants and toxic chemicals. Therefore microbiology has the potential to replace common energy-intensive chemical processes with more sustainable solutions. Radboud University collaborates closely with environmental scientists and industrial partners to create energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions for societal waste problems.
Unfortunately some microorganisms make us ill. A better understanding of battle between our immune system and these microorganisms will lead to the development of improved vaccines.
The genome of a microorganism is a key factor in research, because it determines how the organisms interact with the host cell and how they cause diseases. Molecular Microbiology acts on the interface between microbiology, molecular biology and genetics and is fundamental for the development of novel antibiotics and improvement of vaccines against microorganisms.
The department of Microbiology at Radboud University has been bestowed with the most prestigious science prizes, including two ERC Advanced Grants, a Spinoza Prize, and two Gravitation Grants. Additionally, many of out students have been awarded prizes for best thesis, poster and paper. The department works at the forefront of environmental microbiology and is specialised in the discovery of ‘impossible’, new anaerobic micro-organisms. The laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art bioreactors, electron microscopy, GC-MS, metagenomics, and metaproteomics facilities to grow and study micro-organisms that contribute to a better environment by consuming greenhouse gasses and nitrogenous pollutants.
- Research themes
The Master's specialisation Microbiology is mainly focused on research. You can choose one of the following themes as the subject of your research internship:
- Environmental Microbiology & Biotechnology
For students who are intrigued by questions like: How does life without oxygen work? How do global biogeochemical (nutrient) cycles govern the functioning of the Earth? Can we use microorganisms to create a more sustainable wastewater industry? How do microorganisms break down environmental pollutants and toxic chemicals?
You will do research at the interface between Microbiology, environmental sciences and biochemistry. The research questions cover several levels, from gaining fundamental understanding of energy metabolism of bacteria to their applications in wastewater treatment.
Societal relevance: Microbiology has the potential to replace common energy-intensive chemical processes by more sustainable solutions. Radboud University collaborates closely with environmental scientists, animal ecologists and industrial partners to create energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions for societal waste problems.
- Immunology
For students who are intrigued by questions like: Why do some bacteria make us ill whereas others do not? How do bacteria outsmart our immune system? What are the mechanisms of human defence against microorganisms?
You will do research at the interface between Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, and can, for example, work on how microorganisms are recognised by the host defence system
Societal relevance: A better understanding of host defence will lead to the development of improved vaccines against microorganisms.
- Molecular Microbiology
For students who are intrigued by questions like: How are microorganisms able to persist inside the human body and how do they cause diseases? What does gene regulation tell us about their pathogenic capabilities? Can microbial genomes help us determine how microorganisms interact with human host cells?
You will do research at the interface between Microbiology, molecular biology and genetics, and can, for example, work on functional gene analyses by mutagenesis studies and on the interaction between epithelial cells and pathogenic bacteria.
Societal relevance: Understanding host-pathogen interactions is fundamental for the development of novel antibiotics and improvement of vaccines. Radboudumc collaborates with public health institutes – such as the RIVM (National Institute of Public Health) – and with industrial partners.
- Personal tutor
Our top scientists are looking forward to guiding you during a challenging and inspiring scientific journey. This programme offers you many opportunities to follow your own interests under the excellent supervision of a personal tutor. This allows you to specialise in a field of personal interest.
- The Nijmegen approach
The first thing you will notice as you enter our Faculty of Science is the open atmosphere. This is reflected by the light and transparent building and the open minded spirit of the people working, exploring and studying there. It is no wonder students from all over the world have been attracted to Nijmegen. You study in small groups, with direct and open contact with members of the staff. In addition, Nijmegen has excellent student facilities, such as high-tech laboratories, libraries and study ‘landscapes'.
Studying by the ‘Nijmegen approach' is a way of living. We will equip you with tools which are valuable for the rest of your life. You will be challenged to become aware of your intrinsic motivation. In other words, what is your passion in life? With this question in mind we will guide you to translate your passion into a personalised Master's in Biology.
See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/microbiology
Our long-running MSc Medical Microbiology course is ideal if you are a graduate looking to develop your skills as a microbiologist.
The course is unique because you will spend much of your time actually in the laboratory, learning how to be a microbiologist. You will cover the medical and molecular aspects of bacteriology, virology, mycology and immunity to infection.
We aim to give you a significant level of theoretical and practical understanding of the subject, which will be important if you want to follow a career in clinical sciences or academic and industrial research.
This course runs alongside our MSc Medical Virology course.
We aim to provide you with an understanding of the scientific basis of traditional and modern microbiological concepts.
In addition, you will develop the knowledge, specialist practical skills and critical awareness needed to pursue a career in medical microbiology.
IBMS accreditation
This course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science and meets the requirements for registration with the Science Council as a Chartered Scientist (CSci).
Extensive practical learning
The lab-focused nature of this course means you will gain maximum exposure to both the practical and theoretical aspects of a wide range of clinically relevant pathogens, helping develop practical skills that are valued by potential employers.
Various study options
You can study either full-time or part-time on both the MSc and PGDip routes, enabling you to fit learning around your other commitments if needed.
Research experience
You will typically carry out research projects within one of the microbiology, virology or mycology research groups. The close relationship between the diagnostic microbiology and virology services and the University department enable our research activities to be directly related to current relevant issues in medical microbiology.
This course is delivered by academics from the University and NHS specialists in infectious disease and medical microbiology.
You will learn via a range of methods, including lectures, seminars, tutorials and comprehensive practical classes.
We use both face-to-face sessions and blended learning methods, with some material delivered and assessed online.
Find out more by visiting the postgraduate teaching and learning page.
You will be assessed via continual assessment and formal theory and practical examinations.
The course consists of 120 credits of taught material and followed by a 60-credit research project (MSc only). There are shared and course-specific units across the Medical Microbiology and Medical Virology courses as follows:
Shared units
Course-specific units
MSc Medical Microbiology students should take Clinical Microbiology 1 and 2. Students wishing to have a more virology-focused curriculum should enrol on the MSc Medical Virology course and will take Clinical Virology 1 and 2.
All MSc students carry out a three-month research project after the taught components have been successfully completed.
Full-time (FT) students take the above units and research project in Year 1. Part-time (PT) students can undertake the MSc over two years, one full semester per year.
Our graduates typically find employment in the NHS and related organisations, or as medical microbiologists in industrial and pharmaceutical settings.
In addition, many graduates progress to PhD study and a research or academic career.
Our MSc is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS).
Developed in partnership with the pharmaceutical industry, the four pathways of our MSc in Pharmaceutical Industrial Advanced Training (PIAT) are postgraduate-level training programmes designed for scientists and managers working in the pharmaceutical industry and NHS in the fields of product development, manufacturing and quality assurance.
Many of our units have been developed to support those seeking to build their QP portfolio and our team includes QPs who are willing to support your development through this pathway.
You can also take individual units as standalone CPD courses. Please contact us for further details of the units that can be taken.
We offer a three-day summer school each year to allow you to meet fellow students and your tutors while attending workshops to support your learning and development in the units.
For our Business Development and Licensing pathway, we offer a two-day winter school held in London that covers the units within this key course for business development executives.
Below are some links that may be useful if you're thinking about studying PIAT.
Example dissertation titles
Below are examples of previous dissertations undertaken on the PIAT course.
All units commence in April and October. You can see a list of units in the table below, or view units specific to each of the four pathways:
Our alumni have used the learning and opportunities gained from this course to advance their careers in a range of roles and areas.
Some have moved to management positions, while others have taken on roles with more responsibility, becoming team leaders, heads of projects or responsible for new and larger areas, regions or territories.
As part of the course, our students build networks of contacts and join a growing community of leaders within the industry.
Civil engineering develops and improves facilities and services that society needs – from the supply of clean water and energy to the design and construction of roads, railways and stations. Solving problems of air, land and water pollution and protecting society against natural disasters are also important aspects of civil engineering.
Engineering graduates are in high demand from recruiting companies worldwide.
This 18-month MSc course has been designed to meet the needs of a broad range of engineering industries. As a Masters student, you’ll gain the specialist and generic skills necessary to lead future developments, with practical experience provided by the industrial placement.
The course has a significant design element based on the most up-to-date specialist design guidelines. This includes a major design project that integrates acquired knowledge and acts as a platform for structured self-learning.
This MSc in Civil Engineering with Industrial Placement is suitable for graduates with a background in any discipline of civil engineering. Applicants with a degree in environmental engineering, earth science, mathematics, physics and mechanical engineering may also be considered.
The MSc in Civil Engineering with Industrial Placement has four optional specialist streams:
You'll complete an industry-linked project or industrial placement in the period from June to August. The Department will support you in making applications for industry internships, and will provide project topics with industry partners, for industry-linked projects. Industry-linked projects generally involve a short secondment to industry as part of the project.
You'll take the compulsory module Civil Engineering Design Projects. This module gives you the opportunity to work on real projects. Students currently undertake a renewable energy project. You’ll develop comprehensive and innovative designs that involve structural engineering, geotechnical engineering and water engineering, management, environmental and financial planning.
In additional to the industrial placement you'll also take the compulsory module Research Protocols for Science & Engineering which supports the dissertation project. You also have a wide choice of optional modules.
Following successful completion of the taught component, you’ll undertake a dissertation. If you’re on one of the specialist streams you’ll undertake a research project on a topic related to that stream. The dissertation can be linked to the industrial placement and worked on together with the industrial partner.
Starting in session 2017-18, a new class on Building Information Modelling (BIM) will be available as an option for students who register for this MSc. Knowledge of BIM, a process for creating and managing information on a construction project across the project lifecycle, is sought after by employers.
Our £6 million state-of-the-art laboratory facilities are well-equipped with high-technological instrumentation and available space to investigate:
The MSc Civil Engineering programme (including the specialist streams except for the water engineering stream) has been fully accredited by Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired a partial CEng accredited undergraduate first degree.
The accreditation of MSc in Civil Engineering with Water Engineering & Project Management will be applied three years after initial launch in 2016.
You'll take 210 credits made up of 120 credit taught modules, 30 credits industrial placement and 60 credits dissertation. The 18 months full-time MSc course spans three semesters as follows:
Some classes involve fieldtrips and/or lab work. For fieldtrips, you need to wear warm clothing, waterproof jacket/trousers and sturdy shoes/boots (e.g. hiking boots or non-slip wellington boots).
High-calibre civil engineers are in demand throughout the world. As a graduate you'll have many different career options including:
For lab work, you’ll need a lab coat.
Why are microbes the most important group of organisms on our planet? How is knowledge of microbiology applied in medicine and industry, or in food production? What research techniques are used to study viruses, bacteria and other microbes? These are important questions, and you can find answers to these and many others in the study of Microbiology and microbial biotechnology.
Upon completing your degree, you will:
Further information about the studies on the Master's programme website.
The key contents of the study programme in Microbiology and microbial biotechnology are:
You'll receive the highest-quality teaching in the leading Institute of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences in Scotland by staff dedicated to your personal and scientific development.
This course will provide you with a comprehensive three-part postgraduate life sciences training.
First, unlike many MSc courses, we offer you dedicated training in a broad suite of practical laboratory skills.
Secondly, this is complemented by two unique classes that develop your transferable skills in statistics, presentations, career development, and ethics, as well as honing your science writing skills and your ability to design experiments and analyse sophisticated datasets.
Thirdly, our taught classes capture the excitement of cutting-edge research fields and you will be taught by active researchers or practising clinical professionals. There is a choice of classes that allows you to select a pathway to suit your future aspirations.
Our MSc Molecular Microbiology focuses on the molecular biology of important microbial pathogens and industrial microorganisms.
Students study the molecular mechanisms by which bacteria cause disease or can be exploited for the synthesis of biotechnologically important products.
The course content and research projects are driven by the expertise in microbial genomics, genetics and biochemistry research that exists within the institute.
State-of-the-art research facilities, such as our own genome sequencer, protein purification facilities, mass spectrometers and fluorescence microscopes means that students obtain first-hand experience in the latest molecular microbiological techniques.
Together, the course provides the perfect springboard to future training at PhD level or gives you a range of skills and experience that will prove attractive to employers from industry or the health-care provision sector.
The course is taught in the Strathclyde Institute for Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences. It’s located in our new building with state-of-the-art laboratories.
The course is delivered through lectures, tutorials and hands-on practical sessions.
If you successfully complete the required taught classes you may undertake a laboratory project for the MSc.
Assessment of taught classes is through multiple choice tests, computer quizzes, problem-solving scenarios, poster and oral presentations, essays, and formal written exams.
The laboratory project is assessed through a written thesis.
After graduating you should be ideally qualified for positions in biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries as well as hospitals and universities.
You may wish to continue studies for an MPhil or PhD.
This course provides the background training for a career in:
This masters course is an integrated, industrially focused programme aimed at graduates in chemical, biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences wishing to develop their research skills in the pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences.
Graduates are equipped with a well-rounded, laboratory-based skill set and are fully prepared for employment within the pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences industries, as well as for further academic study.
Throughout the course, you have the opportunity to assess your suitability for a career in industry or further research training. The research project provides a real intellectual challenge and allows you to demonstrate your creativity and initiative.
You will develop and carry out a significant piece of research covering a wide range of specialities, ranging from the development of new treatments to diagnostic procedures which enhance detection, prevention and cures for diseases found in modern society.
A series of supporting taught courses make up the remainder.
The course provides a flexible opportunity to gain high-level research training and to develop your professional skills. The focus of the course depends on your choice of research topic, which also affects what you study on your modules, so the MRes is to some extent individual to each student.
As you progress through the programme, you will gain: a critical appreciation of the stages of the research process; extensive training in research methodology; the capacity to design and undertake a substantial research project; awareness of the specialist techniques appropriate to your research subject; the ability to provide a rationale for the selection of specialist analytical techniques; and a contextualised understanding of the potential relevance of scientific research to business and industry.
Compulsory modules
Options:
The course intends to maximise both your personal and professional potential, and in particular provides a foundation for careers in research, industry, the public sector and academia.
On course completion, you will be equipped with practical research based training, plus the necessary transferable skills to prepare you for career progression.
