The Master of Science is a two-year full-time program providing graduates with the opportunity to undertake advanced study and research. This program is designed to provide students with a thorough training in applied scientific research and methodology and will also prepare students for higher degree studies and professional employment. The program consists of both theoretical and practical coursework, as well as a research dissertation. Students complete advanced coursework and specialist laboratory classes prior to completing their research project. The coursework will provide a critical evaluation of research and presentation, develop the student's knowledge and understanding of statistical analyses techniques as applied to scientific research, and develop an awareness of research proposal design and background. Students will have the opportunity to develop a research proposal including aims, methodology and a literature review. The dissertation involves applied research on a specific project, a seminar and thesis describing the research in detail. The Clinical and Molecular Microbiology major will provide pathways in public health microbiology or applied and environmental microbiology and comprises of advanced microbiology and molecular microbiology coursework. My career opportunities This program will provide students with advanced cutting-edge theoretical knowledge in their chosen area of specialisation together with the practical and research skills necessary for employment in the industry and/or research laboratories. Clinical and Molecular Microbiology: The presence of microbes was first discovered some 300 years ago but to date only a meagre 1% of the total planetary population has been studied. Microbes are often viewed negatively due to their association with many human illnesses; microbes are also responsible for many beneficial processes currently used in modern biotechnology and molecular microbiology. The recent rapid advent of technological advances has provided us with a myriad of avenues by which we can now improve our environment and health using a systems microbiology approach. The Clinical and Molecular Microbiology major has interwoven the fundamental concepts of microbiology with the new technological advances to provide students with a knowledge base that can be used as a springboard to launch into a research driven modern microbiology career path, in either the public health microbiology domain or the applied molecular microbiology domain. Pathways to further study Students who successfully complete the Master of Science program at the required level will be eligible to apply for entry to Doctoral Research programs.