Major Overview
- Description
Microbes are organisms too small to be seen without the aid of a microscope and include bacteria, viruses, protozoa, algae and parasites. The study of these organisms and the role they play in health, disease and the environment is known as microbiology, and immunology is the study of how the body defends itself against such organisms. This major covers a range of fields, from the more applied disciplines such as medical, public health, industrial, and food microbiology, to basic fields of immunology, microbial ecology, physiology and genetics of microbes. Your studies will teach you how microbiology can be applied in areas as diverse as medicine, brewing, food spoilage, control of environmental pollution and space science. You will receive a thorough grounding in the scientific basis of microbiology and its applications in the real world. Graduates in Microbiology and Immunology will be eligible for membership in the Australian Society of Microbiology (ASM)—the national scientific and employment body of the profession.
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) describe the fundamental divisions of the microbial world including bacteria, viruses, protozoa, algae and parasites; (2) describe the genetic and molecular biological processes involved in their life cycles, and in their pathologic and environmental interactions; (3) describe the steps involved in the initiation, perpetuation and resolution of infectious diseases; (4) describe the role of the innate and adaptive immune system in these processes; (5) integrate and apply principles of microbiology and immunology to understanding a wide array of diseases in the various body systems of humans, such as the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, central nervous system, liver and kidney, gastrointestinal and reproductive tracts; (6) describe the role of microbes and their ecology in environmental and industrial processes; and (7) through laboratory/tutorial exercises, acquire skills in (a) methods relevant to microbiology and immunology; (b) experimental design; (c) data collection, analysis and interpretation; (d) critical thinking skills, integration of concepts, precepts and fundamentals; (e) working independently, as well as in teams; and (f) communication to a high level, of results and analyses in both oral and written forms.
- Broadening guidelines
All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.
- Prerequisites
Student without WACE Chemistry or equivalent, are required to take CHEM1003 in their first year.
Students without ATAR Mathematics Applications, ATAR Mathematics Methods, WACE Mathematics: Specialist 3A/3B or equivalent or higher, will need to take MATH1720 in their first year.
Chemistry ATAR OR a bridging unit. Mid-year applicants must have Chemistry ATAR AND Biology OR Human Biology ATAR to complete their degree in three years.
- Courses
Microbiology and Immunology can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:
Example Study Plans
See study plans for more information.
Units
Key to availability of units:
- S1
- Semester 1
- S2
- Semester 2
Students who do not have ATAR Mathematics Applications or equivalent or higher, are required to complete MATH1720 in their first year.
Level 1
Degree-specific major units
Students without ATAR Chemistry will need to take CHEM1003 in first semester to meet prerequisites for SCIE1106. Students without ATAR Human Biology or ATAR Biology will need to take ANHB1101 in first semester to meet prerequisites for SCIE1106.
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | BIOL1130 | Frontiers in Biology | None |
| S2 | SCIE1106 | Molecular Biology of the Cell |
|
Degree-specific major units
Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | ANHB1101 | Human Biology I: Becoming Human | None |
| S2 | ANHB1102 | Human Biology II: Being Human | None |
Bridging units
Take units if applicable:
Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in ATAR Mathematics Applications or equivalent or higher, will need to successfully complete MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals in their first 48 points of study in this course. Student who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in ATAR Chemistry or equivalent, are required to successfully complete CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry in their first 48 points of study in this course.
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | CHEM1003 | Introductory Chemistry |
|
| S1, S2 | MATH1720 | Mathematics Fundamentals |
|
Level 2
Degree-specific major units
Take all units (12 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | MICR2208 | Introductory Microbiology |
|
| S2 | MICR2209 | Introduction to Infectious Diseases and Immunology |
|
Level 3
Degree-specific major units
Take all units (24 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | MICR3305 | Immunobiology and Immune Diseases |
|
| S2 | MICR3310 | Microbial Ecology and One Health | |
| S2 | MICR3320 | Viruses and Viral Disease | |
| S1 | MICR3330 | Bacteria and Bacterial Disease |