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Microbiology

  • Years2 Years
  • ECTS credits120

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Introduction

Objectives and content

Microbiology is a specialization in the Master's Programme in Biology.

Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms: bacteria, archaea, fungi, single-cell algae and protozoa, and includes also viruses. Fundamental to the field is the study of the microorganisms' properties and their functions in different environments. The field ranges from basic cell biological and molecular questions to ecology and the use of microorganisms in practical and commercial applications.

Knowledge about microbiology is important in e.g. food industry, human and veterinary medicine, farming, oil industry, biotechnology and in relation to ecology and ecological processes in nature. Knowledge of microbiology therefore has large social implications and is also important for the understanding of the origin and diversity of life, and as a model for possible extraterrestrial life.

The goal of Microbiology specialization is to give an insight into the subject through theory, experiments and other relevant work, so that the student gets an overall understanding of the characteristics, activity and role of microorganisms in the environment. The specialization will enable you to enter into a wide range of positions where microbiology is relevant.

What you Learn

Learning Outcomes

During the study the candidate will gain knowledge about:

  • The most characteristic features of microorganisms; bacteria, archaea, fungi, microalga, protozoa and virus
  • The functions and importance of microorganisms in different environments
  • Interactions between microorganisms and between micro and macro-organisms (symbiosis), including their importance of development of deceases.
  • Microbial diversity, physiology, metabolism, microbial food-webs and biogeochemical cycles.
  • Microbial gene regulation and gene transfer mechanisms.
  • The role of prokaryotes in the early evolution of life.
  • The social applications of microbiology
  • Basic methods and techniques used in microbiology, molecular technology and biotechnology.

During the study the candidate should have gained the following skills:

  • Be familiar with relevant research questions in microbiology and contribute constructively to the design and performance of microbiological experiments and analyse the results in view of the given hypothesis.
  • Pursue, critically evaluate and implement microbial knowledge and scientific litterature
  • Practical and theoretical knowledge about basic microbial methods.
  • Be able to present and analyse quantitative data, discuss the precision and accuracy of the data and combine the analysis with the most basic statistical principals.
  • Present, analyse and discuss microbial results in a good scientific and critical manner both oral and in a written style, also for non-spesialists.

General competences

  • Be able to work in accord with scientific principles, and understand and respect openness, precision, accountability and the significance of distinguishing between knowledge and opinion.
  • Consider central scientific and ethical tasks, in the student¿s own work and others work.
  • Communicate scientific issues, analyzes and conclusions within microbiology, both to specialists and non-specialists
  • Be able to analyze general biological scientific questions and contribute to discussions to enlighten these questions
  • Be able to work independently and as part of a team with comprehensive and demanding biological assignments, in accordance with research ethics standards.
  • Be able to discuss the student's research field in public discussions.

How to Apply

Semester

Autumn (main admission) & Spring (supplementary admission if not all spots are filled)

Admission Requirements

In order to apply for the Master Programme in Biology, you need a bachelor degree in biology or related field. You must hold a minimum of:

  • 60 ECTS in biology
  • 7,5 ECTS in chemistry that must include lab work
  • 7,5 ECTS in statistics
  • 7,5 ECTS in mathematics

Bachelor degrees from UiB that qualify:

  • Bachelor degree in Biology,
  • Bachelor degree in Sustainable Aquaculture,
  • Bachelor degree in Environment and Resources (Natural Sciences specialisation, Biology track)

Bachelor degrees that qualify

Other bachelor degrees may qualify, if they include the required subjects listed above .

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Photo:
Mikal Heldal

More information

About the programme

See full study plan