MSc Course in Microbiology & Immunology

Organized by the Department of Microbiology & Immunology (DMI).

 

The DMI provides postgraduate clinicians and scientists interested in infectious diseases and immunity of the human body with a modern scientific training in both theoretical and practical aspects of the discipline.

 

Last year, the DMI celebrated the 10th anniversary of commencing the MSc program in the department (which started back in 1995). This year's patch of MSc students (started March 2006), includes physicians currently working at Hospitals in different specialties such as Intensive Care Units (ICU), General Surgery and Pediatric Cardiology. Some of the students are Dentists who wish to expand their knowledge in Dental Microbiology. The course provides an excellent training opportunity for graduates intending to pursue a career in scientific research. Most of the MSc holders who graduated from the DMI proceed to a higher degree (PhD) study, or, if medically qualified, to clinical practice or research.

 

 

MSc Course Entry Requirements:

 

Degree or equivalent in Medicine or Dentistry.

 

 

Objectives:

 

The course aims at providing an advanced academic and laboratory training in modern (cellular & molecular) Microbiology & Immunology, with emphasis on the interface between the basic and clinical aspects of the subject.

 

 

MSc Course Outline:

 

The course consist of 9 months taught module, comprising lectures, seminars, practical sessions and journal clubs, followed by a 12 months laboratory research project. The main outlines of the MSc course is as follows:

 

A) Lectures & Seminars (Taught module): All lectures must be attended to fulfill the requirements for entering the MSc exam. Subjects covered in the course include the following:

  • Introduction to Microbiology

  • Basic Bacteriology

  • Systemic Bacteriology

  • Basic Immunology

  • Advanced Immunology

  • Immunopathology

  • Virology I

  • Virology II

  • Mycology

  • Tropical Medicine.

  • Hospital Acquired (Nosocomial) Infections.

  • Research Methods and Statistics

  • Basics of Computer Science

B) Practical (Laboratory) Sessions: Students are required to attend all laboratory sessions to fulfill the requirements for entering the MSc exams. Students will gain experience in all the major Microbiology & Immunology laboratory techniques and understand their application in both routine and research laboratories. In summary, the practical sessions will mainly cover the following aspects:

  • Introduction to Laboratory and research environments.

  • Learning Bacteriology, Immunology, Virology, and Mycology laboratory techniques and methods.

Students should pass all (written and practical) exams in order to proceed to the research and project part.

 

C) Research (Project Part): By completing the research project, students will have received a thorough training in the methods and techniques of laboratory research, including:

  • Designing of a good research project

  • Designing and planning of experiments

  • Trouble shooting for experimental problems

  • Data presentation and analysis

  • Literature searching and critical review

  • Preparing work for publication

  • Writing up and submission of thesis

D) Assessment:

 

By the end of the course, a date would have been set for each student to discuss his/her thesis in front of a panel of external examiners. Successful candidates will be granted the MSc degree in Microbiology & Immunology from the Faculty of Medicine of Alfateh University.