- 2018

Undergraduate

Minor / Major

Commencement year

This area of study entry applies to students commencing this course in 2018 and should be read in conjunction with the relevant course entry in the Handbook.

Any units listed for this area of study relate only to the 'Requirements' outlined in the component of any bachelors double degrees.

Unit codes that are not linked to their entry in the Handbook are not available for study in the current year.

Managing faculty

Faculty of Science

Offered by

Malaysia School of Science

Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Lee Sui Mae

Location

Malaysia

Applied microbiology is the study of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses. Students will learn about their structure and way of life, how they interact with people and other living organisms in both harmful and beneficial ways and how they can be harnessed and utilized for industries such as the food and pharmaceutical industry. The field is at the core of game-changing new developments occurring in modern molecular biology. It is also vital to our ability to arrest emerging health issues, e.g. influenza outbreaks, SARS, ebola and the rise of antibiotic resistance in medically important bacteria.

Our teaching labs have state-of-the-art equipment and facilities for practical training. Practical classes in microbiology are designed to provide laboratory skills in safe handling of microorganisms, experimental procedures illustrating their properties and functions, laboratory diagnosis, and genetic manipulation and expression. This hands-on approach will ensure that students are well prepared for the job market. Our lecturers are all active researchers as well as teachers, ensuring each course taught at Monash reflects the most recent advances in the various microbiology disciplines.

Applied microbiology is integral to many areas of science and industry including biomedical science, biotechnology, ecology, food fermentation and food safety, and the pharmaceutical industry. Graduates with a major in applied microbiology find employment in medical research companies and institutes, hospitals, government departments, universities, and the food and beverage industry.

Availability

Applied microbiology is listed in S2000 Bachelor of Science at Malaysia as a major or minor.

Outcomes

In addition to achieving the broad outcomes of their course, students successfully completing this major will be able to:

  • demonstrate a broad understanding of the diversity and range of microorganisms, the interactions between humans and microorganisms, the role of microorganisms in industrial and environmental processes, and their role in the development of the techniques that underpin modern molecular biology
  • demonstrate proficiency in a set of core microbiological and molecular biological technical methods, including both an understanding of the principles of the methods and their utilisation in laboratory settings.

Units

Supporting studies

The following chemistry units are required to support the major in applied microbiology: CHM1051 (Chemistry 1 advanced) and CHM1052 (Chemistry 2 advanced).

Minor requirements (24 points)

12 points at level 1 and 12 points at level 2.

Students complete the following units (24 points):

Major requirements (48 points)

12 points at level 1, 12 points at level 2 and 24 points at level 3.

Students complete:

  1. The requirements for a minor in applied microbiology (24 points)
  2. The following two units (12 points):
    • FST3711 Food and industrial microbiology
    • BTH3732 Environmental microbiology
  3. Two additional units (12 points) from:
    • BTH3722 Medical microbiology
    • BTH3752 Molecular biology and biotechnology
    • SCI3990 Science in action research project

Requirements for progressing to honours and other further studies

Students must meet the entry requirements for S3701 Bachelor of Science (Honours) or S5003 Postgraduate Diploma in Science.

Students must also complete prerequisite study as per the intended discipline. Refer to the honours prerequisites table.

Relevant courses

Bachelors

Single degrees

Successful completion of this area of study can be counted towards meeting the requirements for the following single degree:*

  • S2000 Bachelor of Science

Students in other single bachelor's degrees may be eligible to complete the minor or major by using 24 or 48 points of their free electives.

* Students cannot complete a minor or major in the same area of study.