This major provides students with a detailed understanding of Microbiology and Immunology. It combines the study of infectious microbial agents, predominantly bacteria and viruses, with the study of the host’s immune responses, which are most often beneficial but sometimes detrimental to the host. It describes how these disciplines are studied and their application to a range of areas in the biomedical sciences. The major opens up careers in infectious disease, diagnostics, molecular biology, biotechnology, vaccinology, antimicrobial chemotherapeutics, biosafety and regulation, as well as post-graduate research into infectious agents, their genes and mechanisms of disease together with the various beneficial and harmful aspects of the immune system. It provides a basis for further study into medicine and other paramedical disciplines. Students intending to undertake this major should be aware that it requires successful completion of a practical-based subject in which products and reagents derived from animals are used. Life on Earth began with, and has always depended on, the activities of micro-organisms. Most of these activities are helpful to the planet and to us, but occasionally micro-organisms can do bad things, like cause infections, with potentially disastrous outcomes. Our immune system fights infections, and usually wins, but it’s an arms race and we must constantly adapt to battle new infections. Learn about the incredible ability of micro-organisms to evolve and survive, and how our immune system works to control infections and provide immunity against those micro-organisms that are out to harm us. You can study this major in the Bachelor of Biomedicine or the Bachelor of Science This major combines the study of infectious microbial agents - predominantly bacteria and viruses - with the study of immune response. This major offers you two specialisations: Microbiology, and Infection and Immunity. The Microbiology specialisation explores infectious micro-organisms and the infections they can cause. The Infection and Immunity specialisation combines the study of infectious disease with the response of the immune system to pathogenic micro-organisms. Career outcomes After completing this major you might pursue career paths in biosafety and regulation, biotechnology, diagnostics, forensic microbiology, molecular biology, pharmacology, and vaccine development, and research into a range of infectious diseases, the genetics and pathogenesis of the causative agent, and the immune system in relation to infection, autoimmunity and cancer.