Microbiology with Professional Experience BSc (Hons)

Expand your knowledge of some of the planets most dominant life forms, and take part in research projects with a global impact on this BSc Microbiology with Professional Experience course.<br/><br/>As part of the UKs oldest microbiology department you can develop laboratory skills in purpose-built microbiology facilities and be taught by world-leading experts, with particular strengths in virology and bacteriology. Furthermore, you will benefit from membership of the Society for General Microbiology and strong links with industry.<br/><br/>Through the course, you will learn about the fundamental properties, genetics and physiology of diverse microbes. Options will then allow you to focus on areas that most interest you, including medical, environmental or food microbiology. You will also have the chance to carry out a year-long industrial placement or a paid vacation studentship in order to gain valuable work and research experience.<br/><br/>BSc Microbiology has a strong practical basis, and you will learn a wide variety of techniques such as microbial genetics, biochemistry and propagation. During your final year you will have the chance to spend three months working on an original research project of your choice. Recent projects have included the molecular engineering of viruses, and the mechanisms of bacterial pathogenicity and host colonisation.<br/><br/>In your final year you will also have the opportunity to take part in our unique Arctic microbiology field course in Iceland. There you will be able to examine the unusual microbes that inhabit extreme environments and learn field-based sampling techniques.<br/><br/>Our £60m Health and Life Sciences building is the home of the School of Biological Sciences. It offers state-of-the-art research and teaching laboratories, seminar rooms, and plenty of study and social space, including a café. The building also houses the Cole Museum of Zoology. The collection, featuring over 3,500 natural history specimens, provides a fantastic resource for biological scientists and the wider community.<br/><br/>For more information, please visit the School of Biological Sciences website. <br/><br/>**Placement**<br/><br/>You will carry out a year-long industrial placement between your second and final year. Student in previous years have worked at Public Health England’s Porton Down and Colindale laboratories, GSK, AstraZeneca and Covance. You can also choose to spend a year abroad, typically carrying out research in an academic laboratory.<br/><br/>You will be able to undertake paid vacation studentships funded by organisations such as the Wellcome Trust and the Society for General Microbiology. These can take place over six weeks during the summer break, or be carried out part-time over a longer period. During studentships you will typically work on a set project and benefit from valuable training in techniques, experimental design and the interpretation of data.<br/><br/>Additionally, you can take a work placement module.<br/><br/>Our department has a dedicated academic in charge of placements, who can provide you with advice and support.

Reading is green spaces and a bustling town centre. It's passionate staff and a friendly student community. It's a student experience unlike any other, and it's available through Clearing this summer.<br/><br/>As a top 30 UK University (The Times’ Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2024), Reading is an award-winning provider of educational excellence. You'll get quality teaching from expert academics, exciting modules to choose from, and a number of fantastic opportunities. Several courses, such as Food Business & Marketing, offer a built-in placement year to give you industry-relevant experience. Other programmes give you the chance to travel the world with optional study abroad; archeologists can attend digs in Seoul, Geographers can discover new environments in Dallas, and Lawyers can study in Melbourne. <br/><br/>Located just a 25-minute train from London, Reading is as convenient as it is charming. It's home to an array of restaurants, stunning parks and a buzzing nightlife. <br/><br/>Apply now, with Clearing.