MSc Veterinary Microbiology
This novel programme will provide you with an in-depth understanding of veterinary infectious diseases and their impact on man.
Diseases have no boundaries and can be transmitted by many mechanisms. In the UK incursions of foot and mouth disease, blue tongue and avian and swine flu and the continued issues of endemic and zoonotic diseases such as bovine tuberculosis and E. coli O157 have major political, economic and social impact. Worldwide there are many other issues such as brucellosis in the Mediterranean rim, the Middle and Far East, rabies in Africa, the Indian sub-continent and South America and many other diseases causing devastating issues in the developing world.
The course will provide you with an excellent grounding in molecular biology, immunology and microbiology relevant to the study of veterinary microbiology. This will lead onto the study of the complex mechanisms of host/microbe interactions that are involved in the pathogenesis of specific animal diseases. This will provide insights into diagnosis and interventions such as vaccines essential for disease control.
As well as taught components, our programme provides students with unique specialist practical training in the diagnosis of important viral and bacterial diseases of global importance. These practical elements will be delivered during placements at nearby prestigious partner institutes, the Institute for Animal Health (IAH) and the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA). Further research training will be provided by undertaking a practical research project within the Faculty or one of the partner institutes.
Why study Veterinary Microbiology at the University of Surrey?
- The programme is unique in being run jointly with local world-leading veterinary research institutes, the AHVLA and IAH. It also gives you the unique opportunity to undertake practical training and a research project within these laboratories.
- The programme covers both endemic and exotic animal diseases, many of the teaching being provided by experts from the AHVLA and the IAH that host WHO and OIE reference laboratories.
- You will be provided with a broad appreciation of subjects such as biological and pathogenic properties of microorganisms, their role in health and disease of animals (and indirectly humans), the response of the host to infection, and the scientific basis for the detection, control and anti-microbial treatment of infectious diseases.
- You will learn about the latest advances in research that are contributing to our understanding of animal health and disease.
- You will be uniquely positioned as a veterinary microbiologist to contribute to a number of scientific disciplines including animal, human and environmental health issues.
- You will acquire knowledge that provides a global perspective to animal and zoonotic diseases and gain unique insights into how to control diseases that have social, economic and political impact.
- The programme offers flexibility in the method of study, allowing you to meet personal and professional commitments. You may choose to undertake the whole MSc at once or build up modules over time (up to 5 years).
- The University of Surrey has a long tradition as an international university and you will have access to all the facilities that such an institution can provide.
- The programme is run within the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, which was rated as one of the top research faculties in the country by the latest Research Assessment Exercise.
- Staff associated with the programme have research expertise in the fields of microbial physiology and biochemistry, molecular biology, virology, bacteriology, food microbiology, immunology, toxicology, nutrition, veterinary microbiology, pathology and epidemiology.
Entry standards
Applicants should normally possess at least a second class honours degree in a relevant subject (biosciences) or a degree in medicine or veterinary medicine. However, relevant research experience may also be considered.
Selection will be based upon the candidate's application, references and an informal interview. In special circumstances, a student may be set work for assessment before being offered a place on the programme.
English language requirements
Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 7 or above, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (or equivalent).
Please note that the University of Surrey offers English language programmes and is also an IELTS Test Centre.
MSc Veterinary Microbiology - structure and modules
Module Titles
Modules
- Basic microbiology and research skills
- Molecular biology
- Viral infections of the gastrointestinal tract of animals
- Viral respiratory infections of animals
- Viral infections of the skin, CNS and reproductive system of animals
- Zoonoses/public health/outbreak control/one health concept
- Bacterial infections of the gastrointestinal tract of animals
- Bacterial respiratory infections of animals
- Bacterial infections of the skin, CNS and reproductive system of animals
- Practical module (AHVLA and IAH)
- Veterinary microbiology research project
Short courses
All our modules are offered as stand-alone short courses. The fee structure for short courses is different to that for registered students and details may be obtained via admissions enquiries:
T: +44 (0)1483 689733
E: fhms-pg1@surrey.ac.uk
Module Overview
The programme consists of nine taught modules totalling 135 credits, two practical modules worth 15 credits and a research project worth 30 credits.
Basic microbiology and research skills
This module introduces students to the major groups of veterinary pathogens and provides a basic understanding of how to culture and classify them. Coverage will be extensive to cover farmed, exotic and wild animals. In this module you will also learn how disease status may be determined and how to analyse data (such as research data or outbreak data) using statistical methods.
Molecular biology
This module first covers the basics of molecular biology and microbial genetics with examples of the application of molecular biology to diagnosis. It will then progress to the detailed study of gene function and regulation particularly relevant to survival, transmission, host adaptation and pathogenesis. This will be underpinned by discussing how new approaches such as next generation sequencing, proteomics, metabolomics and systems biology provide new insights into the disease process and aid in the diagnosis and advancement of veterinary microbiology research.
The following modules will include aspects of the diagnosis, epidemiology, immune response and the mechanisms of pathogenesis.
Viral infections of the gastrointestinal tract of animals
This module will provide you with a deep understanding of important viral pathogens of the gastrointestinal tract of animals (mainly livestock), such as bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV).
Viral respiratory infections of animals
This module will provide an indepth coverage of the important viral pathogens that infect the respiratory tract of animals, such as avian influenza.
Viral infections of the skin, CNS and reproductive system of animals
This module will consider important viral pathogens of the skin, CNS and reproductive tract of animals (mainly livestock), such as rabies.
Zoonoses/public health/outbreak control/one health concept
This module will focus on those diseases that are of veterinary public health importance (e.g. BSE, Campylobacter and Salmonella). As well as learning about the latest advances in understanding the pathogenesis of these micro-organisms, using specific case studies you will also gain an understanding of how disease outbreaks are investigated, reported and controlled; the modelling of disease outbreaks will also be featured in this module.
Bacterial infections of the gastrointestinal tract of animals
This module will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of important bacterial pathogens of the gastrointestinal tract of animals (mainly livestock), such as E. coli, Clostridia, Brachyspira and others.
Bacterial respiratory infections of animals
This module will consider a number of important bacterial pathogens of the respiratory tract of animals (mainly livestock), such Pasteurella, Streptococcus, Actinobacillus and others. Lectures and self-directed learning will result in you gaining expertise in all aspects of disease mechanisms, diagnosis and control.
Bacterial infections of the skin, CNS and reproductive system
This module will provide you with a deep understanding of important bacterial pathogens of the skin, CNS and reproductive system of animals (mainly livestock), such as Leptospira, Contagious Equine Metritis and Brucella.
Practical training
Our course provides you with the unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the diagnosis of important veterinary diseases within the world reference laboratories of the AHVLA and IAH. These 2 x one week placements will familiarise you with a range of diagnostic techniques, including culture, ELISA-based assays, PCR, etc. and molecular/forensic microbiology methods for outbreak studies (e.g. next generation sequencing, PFGE and DGGE). Furthermore, these study visits will provide you with detailed knowledge of the role of reference laboratories in the context of global animal health.
Research project
All students will undertake a novel research project and submit a dissertation. This project can be carried out in the University microbial science research laboratories or at the AHVLA or IAH. This will provide you with an excellent training in state of the art veterinary microbiology research techniques and data analysis.
MSc Veterinary Microbiology - entry standards
Entry standards
Applicants should normally possess at least a second class honours degree in a relevant subject (biosciences) or a degree in medicine or veterinary medicine. However, relevant research experience may also be considered.
Selection will be based upon the candidate's application, references and an informal interview. In special circumstances, a student may be set work for assessment before being offered a place on the programme.
English language requirements
Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 7 or above, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (or equivalent).
Please note that the University of Surrey offers English language programmes and is also an IELTS Test Centre.
Start date
October
MSc Veterinary Microbiology - fees and funding
Fees
Veterinary Microbiology (full time):
UK/EU - £5,740
Oveseas - £14,440
MSc Veterinary Microbiology - professional context
MSc Veterinary Microbiology - teaching
Staff perspective
Professor Roberto La Ragione
Roberto graduated in 1995 and then went on to study for a post graduate degree at the Royal Veterinary College. A year later he moved to the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) to undertake a PhD on the pathogenesis of E. coli in poultry.
On completion of his PhD he commenced a post-doctoral position at the University of London, studying E. coli virulence factors and vaccine development. In 2005 Roberto was appointed to his current position of Head of Pathogenesis and Control at the AHVLA.
His current research focuses on the pathogenesis of food-borne pathogens with a particular interest in the development of intervention strategies - including pre and probiotics for the control of bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli in food producing animals.
In 2010 Roberto was appointed Professor of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology at the University of Surrey. Roberto also holds a visiting position in Veterinary Microbiology at Royal Holloway (University of London). Roberto gained the FRCPath in 2010.
MSc Veterinary Microbiology - learning
Assessment
Each taught module will be assessed by examination and/or coursework. This may take the form of essays, data manipulation and analysis, practical reports, presentations, multiple choice questions or literature searches.
MSc Veterinary Microbiology - graduate profile
MSc Veterinary Microbiology - more
Programme Objectives
The programme leads to the award of Master of Science. It will provide advanced training in veterinary microbiology for those working in veterinary research, veterinary medicine, disease control, veterinary public health, all branches of microbiology and environmental health. The programme has been designed to increase your understanding and the development of critical and analytical skills, such that you may identify problems, formulate hypotheses, design experiments, acquire and interpret data, and draw conclusions. Upon successful completion of the programme you will have a greater depth of knowledge of animal infectious diseases and research skills.
Who is the programme for?
This programme is a full-time programme, intended mainly for graduates and those already working in veterinary diagnostic/research laboratories. Staff from other laboratories who want to enhance their understanding of the role of microorganisms in animal health and disease will also benefit from this programme. This includes:
- Microbiology/Bioscience/Animal science graduates
- Pharmaceutical research personnel
- Food and water laboratory personnel
- Veterinary laboratory personnel
- Medical laboratory personnel
- Policy makers
- Veterinarians
- Veterinary nurses
- Public health personnel
- Environmental biologists
MSc Veterinary Microbiology - apply
You can apply for this programme online using the link(s) below. We recommend making an application as soon as you can, even if you do not have all the necessary supporting information ready at that time.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to enter a username and password. If you've used our application system before, please enter your details or click the forgotten password link.
If you are a new user, you will need to create a username and password by clicking the New User button.
Start date
October
Programme length
12 months full time but the course can be completed part time within a 5 year period.
For general enquiries
T: 0800 980 3200 or
+44 (0)1483 681681
E: pg-enquiries@surrey.ac.uk
For admissions enquiries
T: +44 (0)1483 686487
E: fhms-pg1@surrey.ac.uk