Heriot-Watt University

The course

UCAS code
C500
Duration
4 years
Location
Edinburgh
Delivery type
Full-time
Find out how to apply More about this subject area

Contact

Overview

This course provides a thorough general training in the physiology, ecology and biotechnological applications of microorganisms. We focus particularly on microbes as producers, as spoilage agents of food, as components of the environment, and as agents of disease, with emphasis on new and emerging diseases.

The course aims to provide knowledge and understanding of the microbiological sciences, and sufficient training in scientific methods and procedures to advance to a career in relevant industries, postgraduate training or other spheres of research.

Go Global

This course is currently only delivered at our Edinburgh Campus and there are no current opportunities to study at exchange partner institutions.

However, other Go Global opportunities may be available. Please contact goglobal@hw.ac.uk for more information.

Detailed course information

Course content

Detailed course guide

Year 1

Introduces Biology largely as Human Biology with accompanying courses in Applied and Environmental Biology. Additional subjects include Mathematics for Scientists and Chemistry, as required for an understanding of future courses in Biochemistry and Physiology.

Year 2

Concentrates on broad topics in Biology, especially Whole Organism Biology of Animals, Plants and Microorganisms; Cell Structure and Biochemistry; and Nutrition and Health.

Year 3

The Microbiology course introduces detailed analysis of microbial systems, in particular: Microbial Physiology; Microbial Pathology and Infectious Diseases; Microbial Biotechnology; and Molecular Biology, including Genetic Engineering.

Year 4

Students are introduced to advanced topics in microbiology through courses dealing with: Microbial Interactions with the Human Body during Disease; Detection and Identification of Bacteria; Microbial Physiology and Molecular Biology; and Genomics. A laboratory-based research project introduces practical techniques at an advanced level.

Employability

Work and study

This is what our BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences (Microbiology) students are doing six months after graduating:

  • 48% are working
  • 39% are studying
  • 2% are working and studying.

Managerial/professional position

  • 80% of those working are in a professional/managerial position six months after graduating.

Salary

  • The average salary of students six months after graduating: £22000
  • The average UK salary of students six months after graduating from a similar course: £19000

Jobs

These are the most common jobs students go into six months after graduating:

  • Science, engineering and technology associate professionals
  • Engineering professionals
  • Natural and social science professionals

Entry requirements

Year 1

Standard entry requirements
  • Highers AABB/ABBBB (including a science subject)
  • A-Levels BBC (including a science subject)
  • Int. Baccalaureate 27 points to include a science subject at Higher Level 5
  • BTEC DMM (in relevant subject)
  • HNC C in graded unit (in relevant HNC)

Minimum entry requirements*

  • Highers BBBC (including a science subject at B)
  • A-Levels BCC (including a science subject)

Additional information
Suitable science subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Human Biology, Mathematics and Physics.

* Minimum: under our Fair Access Policy, we will relax our standard entry requirements for Scottish students depending on their circumstances. Our minimum requirements will apply if you:

  • live in an area within the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation lowest 20% (SIMD20), or
  • are care experienced.

We can also make exceptions for some Scottish students with grades above minimum but below standard. Read more about our Minimum and standard entry requirements

Year 2

  • Advanced Highers BB (including Biology or Human Biology plus Highers AABB/ABBBB)
  • A-Levels ABB (including Biology or Human Biology)
  • Int. Baccalaureate 32 points (with Biology at Higher Level 6)
  • HNC B in graded unit (in relevant HNC)
  • HND BB in graded units (in relevant HND)
  • BTEC DDM (in relevant subject)

Year 3

  • HND AB in graded units (in relevant HND)

Additional information

Fees

Tuition fees for 2020 entry (by residency status)
Status* Scotland / EU** England / Northern Ireland / Wales*** International
Fee Paid by SAAS £9,250 £19,400

* Your residency 'status' is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course. Find out more about tuition fees.

** European Union countries (not including England, Northern Ireland or Wales).

*** 'Rest of the UK' (RUK) students entering at Level 1 receive a fee waiver of one year's tuition fee. Normally this will be the final year, or a year during which students study abroad (either at a partnership institution, or at one of Heriot-Watt's overseas campuses).

4 years for the price of 3

If you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, study with us and save £9,250 over your 4-year degree.

Additional costs

You may incur additional costs in the course of your studies at Heriot-Watt over and above tuition fees in an academic year. Depending on your programme of study, these may include: protective equipment, field trips, professional memberships, studio fees, required course texts or other study resources.

Scholarships and bursaries

Featured scholarships

Bursaries for students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales starting undergraduate degree courses in 2020

In addition to government loans and grants towards the costs of fees and living costs, we are offering generous financial support to attract and support eligible students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales:

Merit Awards for international students starting undergraduate degree courses in 2020

If you are an international fee-paying, self-funded offer holder you may be eligible for:

View our full range of undergraduate scholarships.