Microbiology and Immunology

This major focuses on learning about viruses, bacteria, and parasites of medical significance, their diagnosis and treatment. 

With both theoretical and practical laboratory training, you will learn about the global challenges of infectious disease and how this is being met in various ways, including by the development of anti-viral agents, immunotherapeutics, vaccines and antibiotics.  

3 reasons to study Microbiology and Immunology at Murdoch  

1. Studying at Murdoch University will put you at the centre of the vibrant health and research precinct, which includes hospitals and many research facilities such as the cutting-edge Anti-Microbial Resistance and Infectious Disease (AMRID) laboratory.  
2. Prepare for the workforce or further study as you learn about the latest advances in microbiology and immunology.  
3. Learn by doing, with laboratory content to ensure you acquire relevant practical skills and reinforce theoretical principles.  

What you’ll learn  

Build the knowledge and skills you need to meet your career or study goals. Here are some of the things you’ll learn about:  

• Medical microbiology (bacteria and viruses that cause disease)  
• Medical immunology (how the body defends itself against infection)   
• Molecular biology (structure and function of molecules and macromolecular systems associated with biological processes) 
• Cell biology (structure and function of cells)  
• Parasitology (study of human parasitic organisms) 
• Clinical microbiology (prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases) 
• Clinical Immunology (develop and apply flow cytometry skills to immunophenotype single cells and diagnose patients)

Your future career 

This major is excellent preparation for a range of careers including:  

• Medical Researcher/Scientist  
• Microbiologist/Immunologist/Parasitologist 
• Laboratory Technologist (in hospitals, medical research institutes or universities)  
• Biomedical Sales and Marketing Specialist  

You could work in research institutes and universities, hospitals and laboratories, performing infectious disease surveillance, medical biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies, focusing on vaccine, immunotherapy or anti-microbial drug development or food companies and various organisations, overseeing biosafety and regulation.