The exploitation and control of microorganisms impacts on human and animal health, industry (food, health, pharmaceutical, water, biotechnology), environment and climate.  We aim to provide students with a comprehensive knowledge and perspective of microbiology, coupled with valuable transferable skills that will improve their further education and employment opportunities within and beyond the scientific sector. The aim of this programme is to educate and train students in the discipline of microbiology to pursue careers in industry, scientific research, education, and related professions.  We aim to develop students to be expert, independent, critical thinkers, with strong practical knowledge.  Students will develop a deep understanding of microorganisms, their role in the environment, health, infection, and industrial applications. We provide a scholarly environment combining classical teaching methods with blended learning approaches, within state of the art facilities that enhance independent learning, questioning and investigational skills combined with problem solving skills.  The placement of final year undergraduate students in academic and industry laboratories offers students the opportunity to gain first hand experience of real-life professional environments that will prepare them for their career path and/or further education. This educational ethos will allow microbiology graduates to maximize their human resource potential at local, national and international levels to address societal needs.  The students' progress is assessed using a variety of methods including classical written exams, assessed essays/case studies, oral presentations, team exercises and written reports.

1 - Demonstrate a deep understanding of the subject and how it might be exploited for the benefit of humankind.
2 - Effectively collect, analyse and present experimental data
3 - Demonstrate an aptitude for life-long, self-directed learning
4 - Work independently and collaboratively
5 - Problem solve and think critically
6 - Understand the modern Microbiological research process including conceptualization, hypothesis, design, planning, execution, data analysis and dissemination.
7 - Appreciate the entrepreneurial spirit, process and roadmap for applied research.
8 - Exhibit a professional attitude and a range of transferable skills that can be applied to areas beyond microbiology.
9 - Demonstrate proficiency in a range of practical microbiological techniques.
10 - Be able to communicate microbiological concepts to other scientists and the broader community

Students who return failing grades in a trimester amounting to 15 credits, or more, will be identified under the UCD Continuation – Academic Progress policy. Students whose rate of progression and performance over two academic years is deemed unacceptable will be referred to the Governing Board to be reviewed for exclusion from the programme.
Students who fail to progress from the stage of the programme they are registered to for more than two academic years (except where a period of Leave of Absence has been granted for one of those years) will also be contacted under the Continuation – Academic Progress Policy.
As Stages 3 and 4 have the most dynamic components of the programme, and the material studied previously may no longer be relevant, a student who has been away from the programme for a significant period should be required to register again to Stage 3. The upper limit for completion of Stages 3 and 4 should be six years if they choose to do 120 credits with 20 in each year.

Students take eight core modules and two optional modules. Students may take additional option modules to complete Stage 3 or alternatively, take 10 credits from elective modules.
If you are interested in doing an Internship as part of Stage 4, you must indicate your interest now (in Stage 3). See full details www.ucd.ie/science/careers/internships/students/

Students take a total of 60 credits

Module ID	Module Title	Trimester	Credits
Stage 3 Core Modules
BMOL30030	Regulation of Gene Expression	Autumn	5
MICR30030	Microbial Physiology	Autumn	5
MICR30040	Microbial Diversity and Growth	Autumn	5
MICR30070	Skills in Microbiology	Autumn	5
ENVB30100	Ecological and Environmental Microbiology	Spring	5
MEMI30010	Medical Microbiology	Spring	5
MICR30020	Microbial Cell Factory	Spring	5
MICR30060	Pharmaceutical and Food Microbiology	Spring	5
Stage 3 Core Modules
Stage 3 Options - A)MIN2OF: Students should select 2 modules from this list.
BMOL30090	Immunology	Autumn	5
BSEN40410	Food Chain Integrity	Autumn	5
GENE30060	Undergraduate Research 1	Autumn	5
MEIN30240	Bioinformatics	Autumn	5
STAT20070	Data Modelling for Science	Autumn	5
ZOOL30030	Evolutionary Biology	Autumn	5
BMOL30050	Genomics and Proteomics	Spring	5
BMOL30100	Leading Teams in the Scientific Enterprise	Spring	5
CHEM30190	Chemistry of Biomolecules	Spring	5
GENE30070	Undergraduate Research 2	Spring	5
Stage 3 Options - A)MIN2OF: Students should select 2 modules from this list.
Stage 4 Core Modules
ENVB40480	Applied Microbial Ecology	Spring	5
MICR40040	Microbial Pathogenicity	Spring	5
MICR40060	Microbial and Mammalian Cell Bioprocessing	Spring	5
MICR40070	Enzyme Technology and Protein Engineering	Spring	5
MICR40080	Microbial Natural Product Biosynthesis	Spring	5
MICR40090	Systems Biology of Microorganisms	Spring	5
Stage 4 Core Modules
Stage 4 Options - A)MIN1OF: Students select one module from Set A.
BMOL40090	Research Project (Erasmus)	2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)	25
BMOL40200	Industry Research Project	2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)	25
MICR40030	Microbiology Research Project	2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)	20
Stage 4 Options - A)MIN1OF: Students select one module from Set A.
Stage 4 Options - B)MIN1OF: Students who take MICR40030 must take BOTH MICR40050 and MEMI40010. Students who take BMOL40200 or BMOL40090 must take MICR40150.
MEMI40010	Host-Pathogen Interactions and Medical Microbiology	Autumn	5
MICR40050	Microbiology of Foodborne Pathogens	Autumn	5
MICR40150	Host Pathogen Interaction	Autumn	5
Stage 4 Options - B)MIN1OF: Students who take MICR40030 must take BOTH MICR40050 and MEMI40010. Students who take BMOL40200 or BMOL40090 must take MICR40150.

		Award		GPA
Programme	Module Weightings	Rule Description	Description
BHSCI001	Stage 4 - 70.00% Stage 3 - 30.00%	Standard Honours Award	First Class Honours	3.68	4.20
			Second Class Honours, Grade 1	3.08	3.67
			Second Class Honours, Grade 2	2.48	3.07
			Pass	2.00	2.47