Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (Online Learning) MSc, PgDip (ICL), PgCert (ICL), PgCert, PgDip, PgProfDev

The programme will provide a fundamental understanding of the science, biology and detection of pathogens as well as our immune response to them, anti-infective therapy, and infection control among other topics. However, beyond this, you will:

• Develop an increased understanding and awareness of the scientific and medical background of infectious diseases.
• Achieve a command of existing knowledge in your field of research, through a critical and comprehensive review of relevant literature.
• Understand the principles of data analysis, dissemination of results and implementation of key findings, thus making informed judgements on new and emerging treatments.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how specialist knowledge in clinical microbiology and infectious diseases is applied to the treatment and management of infectious diseases.
• Successfully communicate scientific results.
• Ensure an understanding of infectious diseases to enable the undertaking of independent research.

We designed the Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases MSc programme with your training and your professional development aspirations in mind. It is an excellent opportunity to advance knowledge and skills for many professionals such as biomedical scientists, researchers, educators and health care professionals. Our curriculum draws on the British medical syllabus for Combined Infection Training and Higher Specialty Training in Infectious Diseases of the Royal College of Pathologists and Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board. Our programme is ideal for junior doctors who wish to specialise in infectious diseases or clinical microbiology and can support trainees/specialists in preparation for FRCPath Part 1/CICE.

This degree will also be attractive to those who have completed their training but wish to fulfil continuing medical education requirements, or those who wish to obtain a formal qualification in Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.

Some of our students have taken our MSc degree in preparation for a doctoral research degree. The programme also provides a good foundation for healthcare professionals wishing to conduct research studies within the infectious disease field.

Postgraduate Certificate (Part-time 1 year; intermittent study 2 years)

The courses currently on offer in Year 1 are compulsory and include the following.

Introduction to immunology

This course covers the immune response to infection and the role of innate and adaptive immunity.

Science and biology of bacteria

This course will develop your understanding of the basic biology of bacterial pathogens and how they cause disease in humans.

Science and biology of fungi, parasites and prions

This course focuses on major parasitic (protozoan and helminth), fungal and prion diseases of humans.

Science and biology of viruses

This course covers the basic biology of viral pathogens and how they cause disease in humans.

Laboratory practice in microbiology, virology and serology

This course aims to develop your understanding of the clinical laboratory in the investigation, management and prevention of infection.

Anti-infective therapy and resistance

This course will develop your understanding of antimicrobial agents and their rational use in clinical settings based on evidence and existing policies. You will also be encouraged to investigate the evidence that underpins antimicrobial stewardship.

Postgraduate Diploma (Part-time 2 years; intermittent study 4 years)

In Year 2 you will select six elective courses. Year 2 course offerings and availability are subject to annual academic review and demand.

Courses currently on offer during Year 2 comprise the following:

Clinical syndromes and infection

You will develop your understanding of the pathogenesis, laboratory diagnosis, clinical investigation and treatment of a broad range of complex infection syndromes as well as the relationship between co-morbidities and infection.

Community-acquired infections and public health.

You will develop your understanding of factors contributing to community-acquired infections, learn about diagnosis and review case studies. Furthermore, the course encourages you to investigate principles of public health, disease surveillance, epidemiology and the importance of immunisation in preventing infectious diseases.

Emerging infectious diseases

You will develop an understanding of the emergence of infectious diseases, the risk factors of disease emergence and the implications for disease surveillance and control in public health.

HIV-infected and other immune-compromised patients

This course aims to provide you with the ability to understand the causes of, and risk factors leading to, immune deficiency, and the ability to recognise infection in immune-compromised patients. It will also cover the management of specific therapies in both HIV-infected and non-HIV immune-compromised patients as well as relevant counselling to patients, carers and relatives.

Infection prevention and control

You will examine the principles of infection prevention and control to reduce the risk of acquiring infections and to control their spread.

Molecular diagnostics of infection

This course aims to develop your knowledge of modern and emerging diagnostic technologies for infectious diseases. Our focus will be on rapid pathogen detection, antibiotic resistance determination, point-of-care testing, and high-throughput technologies such as next-generation sequencing and mass spectrometry.

Scientific analysis, review and presentation: Infectious diseases

This course is designed to develop your ability to critically review biomedical publications, to analyse and interpret data and to apply your skills to the design of research studies. Furthermore, you will be encouraged to critically assess the methodologies used in systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Travel medicine and infectious diseases

This course aims to introduce the challenges of travel medicine, considering the recreational short-term traveller as well as long-term population movement.

Masters (Part-time 3 years; intermittent study 6 years)

In Year 3 you will carry out a dissertation project on a topic of your choice to complete your Masters degree.

Part-time

You can study this programme on a part-time basis. On successful completion of the courses and assessments you can graduate:

• with a postgraduate certificate (after one year; this is worth 60 credits)
• with a postgraduate diploma (after two years; this is worth 120 credits)
• with a Master's (after three years; this is worth 180 credits)

Intermittent study

Intermittent study allows more flexibility in how you choose to study. With this option, you will have up to 2 years to complete the certificate, up to 4 years to complete the diploma, and up to 6 years to complete the MSc.

The standard programme structure is still maintained in terms of the progression requirement for entry into the dissertation year. However, you can tailor your education to fit more closely with commitments in both your private and professional life.

Postgraduate Professional Diploma

Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD) is aimed at working professionals who want to advance their knowledge through a postgraduate-level course, without the time or financial commitment of a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma. You may take a maximum of 50 credits worth of courses over two years through our PPD scheme. These lead to a University of Edinburgh postgraduate award of academic credit. Alternatively, after one year of taking courses, you can choose to transfer your credits and continue to study towards a higher award on a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma programme.

Although PPD courses have various start dates throughout the year, you may only start a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma programme at the start of the academic year in September. Any time spent studying PPD will be deducted from the amount of time you will have left to complete a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma programme.