Clinical Microbiology - Standalone module - Professional courses/CPD

This course is ideal if you wish to 'top-up' your existing degree to become a registered Biomedical Scientist or complete a course in clinical microbiology as part of your professional development. You'll develop your knowledge in microbiology and infectious disease within community and hospital settings, and explore topics such as clinical microbiology, infectious organisms and general diagnostic principles and considerations.

Location: Aston University, Birmingham

Available via distance learning or on campus study, this module allows you to develop your knowledge in microbiology and infectious disease within the community and hospital setting. It is ideal if you wish to “top-up” your existing degree to become a registered Biomedical Scientist, or if you are looking to take a course as part of your continuing professional development.

You will be provided with a theoretical overview of microbiology and infectious disease within the community and hospital setting. It will develop your knowledge in infectious disease caused by microbial pathogens, primarily bacteria and the ways in which they can establish themselves and cause disease. Principles and theory of common laboratory investigations undertaken to diagnose bacterial infection.

The following areas will be covered:

• Introduction to clinical microbiology, infectious organisms, normal flora: friend and foe
• General diagnostic principles and considerations (aims of clinical microbiology, specimen collection/transport/processing, culture and non-culture techniques, methods of bacterial identification and sensitivity testing).

The following infections will be studied:

• Upper respiratory tract infection
• Lower respiratory tract infection (pneumonia, tuberculosis)
• Urinary tract infection
• Sexually transmitted infection (gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis)
• Gastrointestinal infection (Clostridium difficile)
• Antibiotics.

Please note, in order to offer you the best possible experience and keep our programmes up to date and relevant, the University is going through a transition period and is reconfiguring a number of our programmes. These improvements will affect applicants from September 2021onwards. This webpage will be updated with new course information in due course.

This course is part of the School of Biosciences which sits within the College of Health and Life Sciences.

• A 2:2 (or above) UK Honours degree, or equivalent internationally recognised qualification, in an Engineering, Science or technology subject. Other qualifications and relevant experience will be assessed on an individual basis.

As well as:

• Two professional references - at least one must be from an academic referee
•  A completed application form.

To be accepted onto our programmes, you must be able to satisfy the University's English language requirements. The level required will depend on the programme you are applying for. We strive to make your application process as easy as possible, however in all cases we reserve the right to request an English language qualification and / or conduct an interview.

We accept a wide range of English language qualifications including:

• IELTS Academic
• TOEFL
• PTE Academic
• TOEFL iBT Home Edition
• Password
• Duolingo English Test (for entry onto Pre-Sessional English programmes, and direct entry courses starting in January 2022 and September 2022, excluding Aston Medical School, OSPAP, and Postgraduate Research degree programmes).
• Kaplan International Tools for English (KITE) 

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