Bachelor of Science in Medical Microbiology
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Medical Microbiology is the study of organisms or microbes that cause infection in humans. The discipline seeks to determine what organisms cause infections? Why? When? Who is at risk? Is there treatment available? It, therefore, provides the tools to understand the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of our most important infectious diseases. Some key applications of medical microbiology include clinical laboratory diagnosis, disease surveillance, development and testing of vaccines and therapeutics, quality assurance, food processing industries and waste management.
Malawi is faced with skills shortages in the areas of clinical laboratory support and quality assurance services. Malawi’s National Health Research Agenda (NHRA) aims to build capacity that will support services and research which is responsive to the county’s priority health needs.
MUST is the first institution in Malawi to offer a BSc in Medical Microbiology. The programme will produce high calibre graduates that will be able to apply principles of medical microbiology for the provision of laboratory diagnostic services and conduct high quality health research to address Malawi’s public health agenda.
Graduates of the programme will obtain a degree of BSc in Medical Microbiology with a double major which will be two of the following topics: Bacteriology, Mycology, Parasitology and Virology. These graduates will fit in various sectors of our healthcare system, including medical research institutions, pharmaceutical industries, quality control, laboratories and training institutions such as universities, colleges and polytechnics.
Career Prospects
Graduates in Medical Microbiology can work in medical laboratories, research laboratories and the pharmaceutical industry. They can also help in coming up with new vaccines and cures for diseases such as Tuberculosis (TB), HIV and AIDS, cholera, Ebola and many more. Essentially, a career in this field is about saving lives.
DURATION
Four YearsSem
1
-General Biology
-General Chemistry I
-Mechanics & Thermal Properties of Matter
-Algebra and Trigonometry
-Language and Communication Studies
-Introduction to Computer Applications
-Human Anatomy and Physiology I
Sem
2
-General Chemistry II
-Electricity and Magnetism
-Vibration and Waves
-Calculus I
-Technical and Business Communication
-Computer Programming
Sem
3
-General Microbiology
-Biochemistry
-Molecular Biology
-Biostatistics
-Practical I (Microbiology and Biochemistry)
-Practical II (Molecular Biology)
Sem
4
-Cell Biology and Biotechnology
-Microbial Physiology and Anatomy
-Human Anatomy and Physiology II
-Human and Microbial Genetics
-Practical III (Cell Biology and Biotechnology)
-Practical IV (Human and Microbial Genetics)
Sem
5
-Immunology
-Environmental Microbiology
-Pathology
-Tropical Health and Epidemiology
-Practical V (Immunology and Pathology)
-Practical VI (Environmental Microbiology)
Sem
6
-Research Methodology and Data Analysis
-Diagnostic Medical Microbiology
-Pharmacology
-Microbial Food Toxicology
-Practical VII (Pharmacology)
-Practical VIII (Microbial Food Toxicology)
Sem
7
-Bioethics and Research Ethics
-Bioinformatics
-Mycology 1
-Bacteriology I
-Virology I
-Parasitology I
Sem
8
-Practicals (Mycology, Bacteriology, Virology, Parasitology)
-Business Management and Entrepreneurship
-Research Project
-Mycology II
-Bacteriology II
-Virology II
-Parasitology II
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Malawian undergraduate students on generic intake pay K450,000 per academic year for tuition. However, the students also need K80,000 per annum for accommodation and an estimated K500,000 per annum for upkeep. Economic fee paying students pay K2,200,000 tuition fees per annum and K160,000 per annum for their accommodation. Foreign students from the SADC region pay US$3,000 tuition fees per annum while those from countries outside the SADC pay US$3,500 per academic year. Postgraduate students pay tuition fees of US$5,000 or Malawi Kwacha equivalent per academic year. Other costs include K40,000 per semester residence (depends on availability) fee; living expenses of approximately K250,000 per semester payable on prorate basis; research fee of US$500 or in Malawi Kwacha equivalent; dissertation/thesis binding fee of K25,000 and yet to be advised medical insurance fee. |
Entry in Year 1: MSCE, “O” Level, IGCSE, GCE at least six credits including; Biology, Physics, Chemistry (or Physical Science), Mathematics and English.
Entry in Year 2: A-level with at least C grade in the following subject Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, with Biology at ‘O’ level. But must take and pass Drawing 1 and Drawing 2.
OR
Any other related qualification from a recognized institution of higher learning may be assessed by the Admissions Office.