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Study Microbiology at Otago

• Overview
• Qualifications
• Papers
• Major Subject and Programme Requirements
• Minor Subject Requirements
• Further Information

Overview

Microbiology is the study of the large and diverse group of living organisms of microscopic size which includes viruses, bacteria, fungi, algae, worms and protozoa. Microbiology is the science which is concerned with the study of micro-organisms including their distribution and role in the environment and their relationship to other living organisms including humans (in health and disease) and other animals. An understanding of the basic nature and molecular structure of the microbes has been a major factor in the advancement of molecular biology as a scientific discipline and in establishing microbial genetics as an advancing science.

Microbiology plays a central role as one of the basic biological sciences and has been at the forefront of research aimed at probing the nature of life processes. During the past several decades many of the major discoveries which have helped to elucidate the fundamental principles of molecular biology, biochemistry and genetics have arisen from studies using micro-organisms. Micro-organisms are also closely associated with the health and welfare of animals including human beings, with some micro-organisms having beneficial effects and others having detrimental effects.

Many large-scale industrial processes, involved in the manufacture of food and beverages, as well as the production of many pharmaceutical, chemical and agricultural products, are microbiologically based. Microbiology also plays a vital part in the control of pollution in the environment through treatment processes for water and industrial, agricultural and domestic wastes.

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Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science (BSc)
• Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons))
• Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci)
• Master of Science (MSc)

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Papers

See the full list of Microbiology (MICR) papers.

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Programme Requirements

Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Microbiology

Level	Papers	Points
100-level	CELS 191 CHEM 191 HUBS 191	18 18 18
200-level	MICR 221 MICR 222 MICR 223 GENE 221 MICR 221-223, GENE 221 should normally be passed before proceeding to 300-level MICR papers	18 18 18 18
300-level	Four of MICR 331, MICR 332, MICR 334, MICR 335, MICR 336, MICR 337	72
Plus	162 further points; must include 36 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science	162
Total		360

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Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) in Microbiology

Stage	Papers	Points
1st stage	CELS 191 CHEM 191 HUBS 191 72 further points	18 18 18 72
2nd stage	MICR 221 MICR 222 MICR 223 GENE 221 36 further 200-level points 18 further points	18 18 18 18 36 18
3rd stage	MICR 360 Five of MICR 331, MICR 332, MICR 334, MICR 335, MICR 336, MICR 337 18 further 200- or 300-level points from Science subject lists In exceptional cases one of MICR 331-337 may be replaced by an approved 300-level paper from Science subject lists	18 90 18
4th stage	MICR 490 MICR 461 MICR 462 MICR 463 MICR 464	48 24 24 24 24
	There is no second stage Honours course in this subject; admission to the Honours programme is normally at third stage (after passing a total of 252 points, including at least 108 points above 100-level, in the first and second years of study).

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Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) in Microbiology

Papers
MICR 480 MICR 461, MICR 462, MICR 463, MICR 464
Note: With the approval of the Head of Department or Programme Director concerned, a 48 point dissertation or project may be substituted for any project of fewer points prescribed in the table above.

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Master of Science (MSc) in Microbiology

Papers
MICR 495, MICR 461, MICR 462, MICR 463, MICR 464. MICR 5 (thesis)

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Minor Subject Requirements

Microbiology as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc) or Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree

Level	Papers	Points
100-level	See below
200-level	MICR 221 MICR 222 MICR 223	18 18 18
300-level	Two 300-level MICR papers	36
	Prerequisites for MICR 221 include CELS 191 and HUBS 191; prerequisite for MICR 222 is CELS 191; prerequisite for MICR 223 is HUBS 191
Total		90

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Further Information

Email us at microbiology@otago.ac.nz or visit our home page http://www.otago.ac.nz/microbiology