Course overview

Description

This course provides advanced training in the field of infectious diseases including topics in medical microbiology, tropical infectious diseases and public and environmental health microbiology. It includes options of an individual research project or a research practicum within the research streams, and a coursework-only stream. Practicums are not offered every year. Students who complete the first year of the course with weighted average mark of at least 70% may apply to complete a research project or an extended research project in the second year, subject to availability of projects. Students undertaking the extended research project complete fewer coursework units. Students not undertaking a research project or practicum take the coursework-only stream. The course is aimed at science-based and medical professionals intending to work in research and hospital diagnostic laboratories, medical clinics, government health departments and international agencies.

Course title
Master of Infectious Diseases (coursework or coursework and dissertation)
Award abbreviation
MInfectDis
Course code
54540
Course type
Master's degree by coursework or by coursework and dissertation
Status
Current / 2024
Administered by
Biomedical Sciences
CRICOS code
107726F

Course details

Intake periods
Beginning of year only
Attendance type
Full- or part-time (Student visa holders should read Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 for more information.)
Credit points required
96
A standard full-time load is 24 points per semester.
Standard course duration
2 years
Time limit
5 years
Delivery mode
Internal
Locations offered
UWA (Perth)
Domestic fee type
Commonwealth supported and/or HECS-HELP
Available to international students
Yes. For information on international student fees see 'Student Procedures: Fees'. (Enquiries: https://www.uwa.edu.au/askuwa)
Course Coordinator(s)
Professor Barbara Chang, Associate Professor Christopher Peacock, Dr Katherine Hammer
Fees
Visit the fees calculator.

Prospective students should see the Future Students website for details on admission requirements, intake periods, fees, availability to international students, careers information etc.

Example Study Plan

See study plans for more information.

Course structure

Key to availability of units:
S1
Semester 1
S2
Semester 2
NS
non-standard teaching period

All units have a value of six points unless otherwise stated.

Take all core units (48 points).
1) Students in the course by coursework and dissertation undertaking 48 points of dissertation take all units in Group A (48 points).
2) Students in the course by coursework and dissertation undertaking 24 points of dissertation take all units in Group B (42 points) and 6 points from Group C.
3) Students in the course by coursework only take 6 points from Group C and 42 points from Group D.

Take all units (48 points):

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1MICR5829Foundations of Infectious Diseases
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
51330 Graduate Diploma in Infectious Diseases
or 54540 Master of Infectious Diseases
or 92510 Master of Clinical Pathology
or 01810/52520 Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Infectious Diseases
lectures/tutorials: 3 hours per week; labs/demonstrations: 4 hours per week
S1MICR5830Principles of Mycology and Parasitology
Prerequisites
enrolment in
the Graduate Diploma in Infectious Diseases
or Master of Infectious Diseases
lectures: 2 hours per week; practical classes: 2 hours per week
S2MICR5831Molecular and Cellular Microbiology
Prerequisites
enrolment in
the Master of Infectious Diseases
lectures: 2 hours per week; practical classes/assignments: 3 hours per week
S2MICR5832Diagnostic Medical Microbiology
Prerequisites
enrolment in
the Graduate Diploma in Infectious Diseases.
or Master of Infectious Diseases.
or Master of Clinical Pathology
lectures: 2 hours per week; practical classes 4 hours per week
S1MICR5842Principles of Infection and Immunity
Prerequisites
enrolment in
the Graduate Diploma in Infectious Diseases.
or Master of Infectious Diseases
lectures/eLearning tutorials: average of 2 hours per week; labs/demonstrations: 3 hours per week for 5 weeks; 3 seminars of 15 min each, per group of 3 students.
S2MICR5846Molecular Epidemiology and Microbial Communities
Prerequisites
enrolment in
the Master of Infectious Diseases
lectures: 2 hours per week; practical classes/assignments: 3 hours per week
S1, S2PUBH4401Biostatistics I
Prerequisites
enrolment in
honours
or postgraduate courses
lectures: 2 hours per week; tutorials: 1.5 hours per week
S1, S2PUBH4403Epidemiology INonelectures: 60-70 minutes recorded lectures per week; online tutorial worksheets: ~ 2-3 hours per week

Take unit(s) to the value of 48 points:

Group A
AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S2, NSMICR5843Extended Research Project in Infectious Diseases Part 1 (12 points)
Prerequisites
approval from the Course Coordinator and either
enrolment in
the Master of Infectious Diseases (52530) with a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 70 per cent in the first year,
or completion of the Graduate Diploma in Infectious Diseases (51330) with a WAM of at least 70 per cent in that course
research: 16 hours per week
NS, S2MICR5844Extended Research Project in Infectious Diseases Part 2 (12 points)
Prerequisites
approval from the Course Coordinator and either
enrolment in
the Master of Infectious Diseases (52530) with a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 70 per cent in the first year,
or completion of the Graduate Diploma in Infectious Diseases (51330) with a WAM of at least 70 per cent in that course
Co-requisites
MICR5843 Extended Research Project in Infectious Diseases Part 1
research: 16 hours per week
S1, S2MICR5845Extended Research Project in Infectious Diseases Part 3 (12 points)
Prerequisites
approval from Course Coordinator and either
enrolment in
the Master of Infectious Diseases (52530) with a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 70 per cent in the first year,
or enrolment in
completion of the Graduate Diploma in Infectious Diseases (51330) with a WAM of at least 70 per cent in that course.
Co-requisites
MICR5844 Extended Research Project in Infectious Diseases Part 2
research: 16 hours per week
S1, S2MICR5848Extended Research Project in Infectious Diseases Part 4 (12 points)
Prerequisites
approval from the Course Coordinator and either
enrolment in
the Master of Infectious Diseases (52530) with a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 70 per cent in the first year,
or completion of the Graduate Diploma in Infectious Diseases (51330) with a WAM of at least 70 per cent in that course
Co-requisites
MICR5845 Extended Research Project in Infectious Diseases Part 3
research: 16 hours per week

Take unit(s) to the value of 42 points:

Group B
AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S2MICR5817Vaccine & Drug Design & Development
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
54540 Master of Infectious Diseases
2 x 45 minute lectures per week; 4 practical classes of 3 hours; 6 tutorials of 2 hours
S2MICR5834Tropical, Travel and Remote Area Infectious Diseases
Prerequisites
enrolment in
the Graduate Diploma in Infectious Diseases
or Master of Infectious Diseases
lectures: 2 hours per week; tutorials/practical classes: 10 hours per semester
S2MICR5836Public and Environmental Health Microbiology
Prerequisites
enrolment in
the Graduate Diploma in Infectious Diseases.
or Master of Infectious Diseases
lectures: 2 hours per week; practical classes: 3 hours per week
NSMICR5838Research Project in Infectious Diseases Part 1 (12 points)
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
54540 Master of Infectious Diseases
Research: 16 hours per week
NSMICR5841Research Project in Infectious Diseases Part 2 (12 points)
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
54540 Master of Infectious Diseases
research: 16 hours per week

Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points:

Group C
AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S2MICR5833Antimicrobial Agents
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
or 54540 Master of Infectious Diseases
or 51500 Master of Pharmacy
or 01810/52520 Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Infectious Diseases
or 52530 Master of Infectious Diseases
lectures: 2 hours per week; laboratory classes: 2 hours per week
S2PUBH5761Epidemiology and Control of Communicable DiseasesNoneonline tuition: 3 hours per week

Take unit(s) to the value of 42 points:

Group D
AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1MICR5815Science Communication in Infectious Diseases
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
54540 Master of Infectious Diseases
Lecture/Seminars 2 hours per week Tutorials/Workshops 2 hours per week
S1MICR5816Infectious Diseases Literature Review
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
54540 Master of Infectious Diseases
1 hour per week
S2MICR5817Vaccine & Drug Design & Development
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
54540 Master of Infectious Diseases
2 x 45 minute lectures per week; 4 practical classes of 3 hours; 6 tutorials of 2 hours
S2MICR5834Tropical, Travel and Remote Area Infectious Diseases
Prerequisites
enrolment in
the Graduate Diploma in Infectious Diseases
or Master of Infectious Diseases
lectures: 2 hours per week; tutorials/practical classes: 10 hours per semester
S1MICR5835Vectors of Infectious Diseases and Vector Control
Prerequisites
enrolment in
the Graduate Diploma in Infectious Diseases.
or Master of Infectious Diseases
lectures: 2 hours per week; labs: 2 hours per week
S2MICR5836Public and Environmental Health Microbiology
Prerequisites
enrolment in
the Graduate Diploma in Infectious Diseases.
or Master of Infectious Diseases
lectures: 2 hours per week; practical classes: 3 hours per week
S1PATH5191Clinical Laboratory Skills
Prerequisites
92510 Master of Clinical Pathology (ID 383)
or 54540 Master of Infectious Diseases (ID 1899)
Incompatibility
PATH5511 Clinical Laboratory Skills 1 (ID 3685)
and PATH5514 Clinical Laboratory Skills 2 (ID 3687)
4-5 lectures per week and a 3-hour tutorial every 3 weeks

See also the rules for the course and the Student Rules.

Rules

Applicability of the Student Rules, policies and procedures

1.(1) The Student Rules apply to students in this course.

(2) The policy, policy statements and guidance documents and student procedures apply, except as otherwise indicated in the rules for this course.

Academic Conduct Essentials and Communication and Research Skills modules

2.(1) Except as stated in (2), a student who enrols in this course for the first time irrespective of whether they have previously been enrolled in another course of the University, must undertake the Academic Conduct Essentials module (the ACE module) and the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module).

(2) A student who has previously achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the CARS module is not required to repeat the module.

(3) A student must successfully complete the ACE module within the first teaching period of their enrolment. Failure to complete the module within this timeframe will result in the student's unit results from this teaching period being withheld. These results will continue to be withheld until students avail themselves of a subsequent opportunity to achieve a passing grade in the ACE module. In the event that students complete units in subsequent teaching periods without completing the ACE module, these results will similarly be withheld. Students will not be permitted to submit late review or appeal applications regarding results which have been withheld for this reason and which they were unable to access in the normally permitted review period.

English Language competency requirements

3. To be considered eligible for consideration for admission to this course an applicant must satisfy the University's English language competence requirement as set out in the University Policy on Admission: Coursework.

Admission requirements

4. To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—

(a) a relevant bachelor's degree1, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;

and

(b) (i) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 60 per cent in the Level 3 units; or

(ii) at least three years of relevant full-time professional experience; or

(iii) evidence of adequate research outputs, as recognised by UWA.

And

(c) for students who have completed 48 points of the Graduate Diploma in Infectious Diseases, a course UWA weighted average mark of at least 60 percent

1A relevant bachelor's degree includes a Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences, or Bachelor of Science in a biomedical or biological discipline, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of Dental Science, or a bachelor's degree in applied biomedical science or public health (medical technology, nursing, pharmacy, public health, and veterinary science).

Admission ranking and selection

5. Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on—

(a) The grade point average (GPA) of the most recent two years full time equivalent study within a relevant degree; and

(b) The intake quota for the year

Articulations and exit awards

6.(1) The following courses form part of an articulated sequence:

  • 51330 Graduate Diploma in Infectious Diseases (48 points)
  • 54540 Master of Infectious Diseases (96 points)

(2) A student who withdraws from the Master of Infectious Diseases course before completing it, but after fulfilling the requirements of a lesser award in the above sequence, may apply for the relevant award.

(3) Students may require to substitute MICR5834 Tropical Travel and Remote Area Infectious Diseases and MICR5836 Public and Enviromental Health Microbiology, for MICR5831 Molecular and Cellular Microbiology and MICR5846 Molecular Epidemiology and Microbial Communities

Course structure

7.(1) The course consists of units to a total value of 96 points.

(2) Units must be selected in accordance with the course structure, as set out in these rules.

Satisfactory progress

8. To make satisfactory progress a student must pass units to a point value greater than half the total value of units in which they remain enrolled after the final date for withdrawal without academic penalty.

9. A student who has not achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module) when their progress status is assessed will not have made satisfactory progress even if they have met the other requirements for satisfactory progress in Rule 8.

Progress status

10.(1) A student who makes satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 8 is assigned the status of 'Good Standing'.

(2) Unless the relevant board determines otherwise because of exceptional circumstances—

(a) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the first time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'On Probation';

(b) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the second time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Suspended';

(c) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the third time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Excluded'.

11. A student who does not make satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 9 is assigned the progress status of 'On Probation', unless they have been assigned a progress status of 'Suspended' or 'Excluded' for failure to meet other satisfactory progress requirements in Rule 8.

Award with distinction

12. To be awarded the degree with distinction a student must achieve a course weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 80 per cent which is calculated based on—

(a) all units above Level 3 attempted as part of the course that are awarded a final percentage mark;

(b) all relevant units above Level 3 undertaken in articulating courses of this University that are awarded a final percentage mark;

and

(c) all units above Level 3 completed at this University that are credited to the master's degree course.

Deferrals

13. Applicants are not permitted to defer admission to this course and are expected to commence their course in the offered intake only. Approved leave is not available during the first academic year of this course. Applicants seeking admission to an alternative intake must submit a new application for that intake.

Additional rules
Supplementary assessment

14. Academic Council has granted permission for an opportunity for supplementary assessment to be granted to a student who—

(a) obtains a mark of 45 to 49 inclusive in any of the following units:

MICR5829 Foundations of Infectious Diseases

MICR5830 Principles of Mycology and Parasitology

MICR5831 Molecular and Cellular Microbiology

MICR5832 Diagnostic Medical Microbiology

MICR5833 Antimicrobial Agents

MICR5834 Tropical, Travel and Remote Area Infectious Diseases

MICR5835 Vectors of Infectious Disease and Vector Control

MICR5836 Public and Environmental Health Microbiology

MICR5842 Principles of Infection and Immunity

MICR5846 Molecular Epidemiology and Microbial Communities

MICR5817 Vaccine & Drug Design & Development

Research project

15. Research project

Students who request approval to undertake a research project in this course must—

(i) have a weighted average mark of at least 70 per cent in 42 points of Level 4 and 5 units in the first year of the course. The weighted average mark will be calculated using the highest marks achieved in units comprising 42 points in the first year.