Microbes are organisms too small to be seen without a microscope and Microbiology is the study of these organisms and the role they play in health and disease and the environment.
Introduction
A major in Microbiology and Immunology covers a range of fields, from immunology, which studies how the body's immune system protects it from infectious disease, to microbial genetics and genetic engineering and the environment.
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Course description, features and facilities
Your studies will teach you how microbiology can be applied in areas as diverse as medicine, brewing, food spoilage, control of environmental pollution and space science. You will receive a thorough grounding in the scientific basis of the discipline and its applications in the real world. As a graduate, you will be eligible for a membership of Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM), the national scientific and employment body of the profession. To complement your lectures from renowned experts in their various fields, you will have the chance to discuss, apply and expand on the theory of your unit in weekly practical laboratory classes and structured tutorials. The Microbiology and Immunology course at UWA is distinguished by the embedding of the discipline's research strengths in Virology, Bacteriology and Immunology. Moreover, this embedded research is taught by the very people doing the research which in turn becomes part of the communication embedding.
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Student profile
Student profile – Kimberly Goh
I majored in Microbiology and Pathology at UWA, and found the structure of the curriculum to be well organized, with a heavy emphasis on research skills and building a solid foundation for further studies.
The lecturers and tutors are helpful and encourage us to meet up with prospective supervisors for attachments. The supervisors in UWA are happy to take students in for short attachments as well, and this is really important in the field of life sciences where work experience is most valuable. The diversity of the student body also made for a wonderful social environment as I got to interact with people from many different backgrounds and cultures.
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Structure
UWA's streamlined course structure allows you to pursue studies in a wide range of areas and to take one or two majors in your degree. Your second major can be from a similar field to your first (degree-specific) major, or from a different area or degree entirely.
As well as the units specified in your major, you will study broadening units outside your main area of study and may be able to take a number of elective subjects as well.
You can explore the structure of this major in detail in the University Handbooks.
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Professional Recognition
As a graduate, you will be eligible for a membership of Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM), the national scientific and employment body of the profession.
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Career opportunities
Career opportunities for graduates exist in a wide range of areas. These include the health care industry, pharmaceutical industry, hospitals and biomedical research institutes, environmental science, the mining industry, food service, food and pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, private laboratories and the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories. Other options include further studies and employment in both research and clinical positions in public health, agricultural, veterinary and university laboratories and the CSIRO.
I want to be a…
This course could lead to becoming a:
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Further study opportunities
Students with a Microbiology and Immunology major can pursue further studies at honours level, Graduate Diploma in Science, Master of Science or PhD. Other further study options include the Graduate Diploma in/Master of Infectious Diseases, Master of Food Science, and the Master of Science (Biotechnology), Master of Science Communication or the Master of Science Communication and Education.
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Check the Entrance requirements
This course is available to Australian and international students.
On this page
- Prerequisites and minimum scores
- Additional information
- Recommended subjects
- English competency
- Advanced standing
Prerequisites and minimum scores
| Qualification and prerequisite subjects | Course entry score |
|---|
Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)
- A scaled score of 50 or above in at least WACE Mathematics 2C/2D
| 80 |
International Baccalaureate
- A score of 4 or above in SL or HL Mathematics (at least Mathematical Studies)
| 29 |
Additional information
If you do not have a pass in Mathematics 3C/3D, you will need to do additional mathematics study during your first year.
If you do not have a pass in Mathematics Specialist 3C/3D, you will need to do an additional mathematics unit during your first year.
Please note: to complete this major within the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) will require a minimum ATAR of 98 (or equivalent).
Recommended subjects
| Qualification and recommended subjects |
|---|
Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)
- A scaled score of 50 or above in WACE Chemistry 3A/3B
- A scaled score of 50 or above in WACE Mathematics 3C/3D
|
International Baccalaureate
- A score of 4 or above in HL Chemistry
- A score of 4 or above in HL Mathematics
|
English competency
University study demands strong English language competency. To be eligible for admission to a undergraduate program at UWA, you must demonstrate satisfactory performance in a UWA-approved test of English. This is the case even if English is your first language.
The minimum requirement is a scaled score of 50 or more in WACE English, Literature or English as an Additional Language/Dialect achieved at Stage 2 or Stage 3 – or an equivalent level of achievement in an interstate or international qualification.
Advanced standing
If you have undertaken prior tertiary study within the last five years, you may be eligible for advanced standing (credit and/or exemption).
Applications for advanced standing are assessed upon acceptance of any offer of admission made by the University.
On this page
- Prerequisites and minimum scores
- Advanced standing
Prerequisites and minimum scores
| Qualification and prerequisite subjects | Course entry score |
|---|
French Baccalaureat
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 12 |
International Baccalaureate
A score of 4 or above in SL or HL Mathematics (at least Mathematical Studies) | 29 |
UWA Foundation Programme (UWAFP)
Mathematics units as specified in UWAFP prospectus | 66 |
GCE or Cambridge Advanced-level Examinations
A minimum grade of B or above in GCSE O-level Mathematics, or E or above in GCE AS-level Mathematics. | 8 |
Western Australian Universities Preparatory Program (WAUPP)
A scaled mark of 50 or more in at least Mathematics 2C/2D | 63 |
Trinity College Foundation Program
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 85 |
Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY)
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 270 |
Canadian Matriculation (except Quebec)
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 60 |
Chinese Unified Examinations (UEC)
A grade of B6 or above in Mathematics; if you do not have Advanced Mathematics (I) or (II), you will be required to complete a mathematics unit in your first year. | 12 |
Chinese Gao Kao
A score of 80 (out of 150) or above in Mathematics | 525 |
All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE)
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 12 |
Indian School Certificate (CISCE)
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 60 |
Norwegian Vitnemål
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 4.14 |
Swedish Slutbetyg
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 15.70 |
German Abitur
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 3.17 |
Singapore-Cambridge A-Levels
A minimum grade of B or above in GCSE O-level Mathematics, or E or above in H1-level Mathematics. | 8 |
South African National Senior Certificate
A grade of 3 (40%) or above in Mathematics | 4.60 |
These are the required prerequisites for applicants who have completed these particular qualifications.
If you are applying for a place based on other qualifications
you need to demonstrate that you have knowledge at least equivalent to the subjects specified.
Advanced standing
Students with previous tertiary level qualifications will be considered for advanced standing (credit).
How to apply
This course is available to Australian and international students.
On this page
- First semester entry
- Second semester entry
- How to apply
- Information for…
- Contact details - admission information
We have two intakes of undergraduate students each year: first and second semester.
First semester entry
Australian citizens or permanent residents, including humanitarian visa holders, and New Zealand citizens apply through the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre.
Contact the Admissions Centre for advice.
Second semester entry
Apply online for second semester entry to a range of courses at UWA.
After the closing date, contact the Admissions Centre for advice.
How to apply
Information for
UWA Admissions Centre (M353)
- Address
- The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley, Perth
Western Australia 6009
- Location
- UWA Map
- Telephone
- (+61 8) 6488 2477 – General enquiries
- 1800 653 050 – General enquiries (country callers)
- Fax
- (+61 8) 6488 1226
- Enquire on-line
- askUWA
- Opening hours
- Monday – Friday, 9am–4pm
On this page
- First semester entry
- Second semester entry
- How to apply
- Fees
- Information for…
- Contact details - admission information
First semester entry
International undergraduate applicants must complete this application form and submit it through an authorised UWA overseas representative or directly to the UWA International Centre.
You must also:
Second semester entry
International undergraduate applicants must complete this application form and submit it through an authorised UWA overseas representative or directly to the UWA International Centre.
You must also:
How to apply
This contains text about How to Apply - International
Fees
$30980, per year.
This figure has been arrived at by assuming that you study a full-time study load for one year made up of units all within the same fee band. As some units vary in cost, the actual student fee will depend on the mix of units you choose. The international student fees page has further details.
Information for
UWA International Centre (M352)
- Address
- The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley, Perth
Western Australia 6009
- Telephone
- (+61 8) 6488 3939
- Fax
- (+61 8) 9382 4071
- Contacts
- International Centre
- Enquire on-line
- askUWA
- Location
- UWA Map
- Opening hours
- Monday - Friday, 9am - 4pm
- About UWA
- Find out what makes UWA an internationally recognised university.
- Foundation and preparatory courses
- There are a range of programs available to help give you the opportunity to gain the academic qualifications or prerequisites required for admission to UWA.
- Social life on campus
- There are over 20,000 students enrolled at UWA - lots of new friends not only from Perth and Western Australia but from all areas in Australia and around the world.
