Suitably qualified graduates (normally those who have obtained a Bachelor of Science with honours in class I or IIA, or have qualifications considered equivalent) may become candidates for the degrees of MSc or PhD. They will be required to undertake supervised research on an approved topic and present the results in the form of a thesis.
There are various major areas of research in the department including molecular biology of a range of microorganisms, microbial pathogenicity, microbial physiology, and biotechnology. Specific areas include
(1) the molecular biology of the malaria organism Plasmodium falciparum; (2) adhesion behaviour of cells and microorganisms; (3) development of a vaccine against malaria; (4) field studies of immunity to malaria; (5) cell biology and malaria-infected red blood cells; (6) genes and proteins of the organism that causes tuberculosis; (7) the molecular basis for immunity and pathogenisis in leptospirosis; (8) molecular biology of flaviviruses and caliciviruses; (9) the genetics of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and a study of adhesion of this organism to host cells; (10) molecular and genetic analysis of antibiotic resistance determinants and virulence factors from Clostridium perfringens; (11) molecular approaches to the pathogenesis and diagnosis of ovine footrot; (12) molecular analysis of degradative plasmids and pathways; (13) biological removal of phosphate from sewage; (14) the molecular biology of plant potyviruses and fungal viruses; (15) the epidemiology of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases; (16) chlamydial infections in koalas; (17) the genetics of virulence in bacillary dysentry and in pasteurellosis; (18) sexually transmitted diseases; (19) development of gene probes for environmental monitoring of microorganisms; (20) the epidemiology and aetiology of sexually transmitted diseases including the role of Chlamydia in cervical infection.
For further information about current fields of study in the department and potential sources of scholarships, intending students should contact the coordinator.