Immunology & Microbiology

Why this course?

Immunology helps us understand how the immune system is tricked into attacking its own tissue, leading to diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes or allergy.

Microbiology is the study of the smallest living organisms (micro-organisms or microbes). Microbes are a major cause of disease in humans but they can also be useful in industrial processes from pollution control to the production of important therapeutic compounds.

The development of both has long been linked with the development of vaccines for smallpox and anthrax by Jenner and Pasteur respectively.

More recently, the application of modern techniques of biology to the immune system has led to a dramatic increase in our understanding of the immune system and its impact on body function, as well as in the control of microbial and other types of disease.

The interface between immunology and microbiology is a very active area for both fundamental research and for the development of new biotechnological products to diagnose or prevent disease.

Modern techniques based on monoclonal antibodies are revolutionising the identification of micro-organisms in the clinical laboratory, as well as in the food industry and agriculture.

Highers	Standard entry requirements*: Year 1 entry: AABB/AAAC (two sciences – Biology/Human Biology B and Chemistry B; Maths and English National 5 B) Minimum entry requirements**: AABB /AABCC (Biology B, Chemistry B, Maths and English National 5 B)
Advanced Highers	Year 2 entry: BB (Chemistry B, Biology/ Human Biology B, plus Year 1 above)
A Levels	Standard entry requirements*: Year 1 entry: BBB (two sciences required, at least one of which must be Biology or Chemistry; GCSE Chemistry 6/B (if not at A Level); GCSE Maths 6/B, GCSE English Language 6/B or Literature 6/B) Year 2 entry: BBB (Chemistry and Biology, GCSE Maths 6/B, and GCSE English Language 6/B or English Literature 6/B)
International Baccalaureate	Standard entry requirements*: Year 1 entry: 30 (Two science subjects at HL5 at least one of which must be Biology or Chemistry. Maths SL5 and English SL5) Year 2 entry: 30 (Chemistry and Biology, one at HL6, the other at HL5. Maths SL5 and English SL5)
HNC/HND	Year 1 entry: HNC, Graded Unit B Year 2 entry: HNC, Graded Unit A or HND, Graded Units BB Year 3 entry: HND, Graded Units AB
International students	View the entry requirements for your country.
Deferred entry	Accepted

Careers

You could be involved in the development of drugs, food processing, protecting the environment, fighting disease or even slowing down the ageing process.

Our graduates have found jobs in the pharmaceutical, biotech and agrochemical industries, hospitals and public service laboratories, environmental centres, analytical and forensic science labs, universities, the scientific civil service and teaching at all levels.

Many students also continue onto postgraduate studies and research.

The transferrable skills you gain from this course will not only prepare you for a career in science but also in areas such as finance, management, marketing, sales, business and media.