Microbiology is one of the largest and most vibrant Disciplines in
NUI, Galway’s School of Natural Sciences and College of Science.
Microbiology underpins many of the strategic research areas and
educational programmes of the University, while the Discipline
has constituted three research teams working in the areas of:
Energy and Environment
Marine
Infectious Diseases
with important cross-cutting activities in Microbial
Biotechnology and Biomedical Microbiology
Microbiology offers a dedicated Undergraduate Degree and also
several Postgraduate Degree programmes. The Discipline also
makes a major contribution to programmes in Environmental
Science, Engineering, Biotechnology and Marine Science.
Microbiology at NUI, Galway
Head of Discipline: Prof. Vincent O’Flaherty
For information:
Caroline O’Connell
Department of Microbiology,
School of Natural Sciences,
National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
Tel: 353 (0)91 492294 Fax: 353 (0)91 494598
microbiology@nuigalway.ie
www.nuigalway.ie/microbiology
TT-COC-002507
Research and Postgraduate Degrees
Microbiologists at NUI, Galway carry out basic research on three
broad topics:
Energy and Environment: Microbes are being exploited for
sustainable energy generation from renewable biomass and waste,
e.g. biofuel cells, anaerobic digestion..
Marine::Marine microbiology underpins the study of climate change,
and marine productivity and diversity. NUI, Galway researchers are
studying the microbes that drive geochemical nutrient cycles.
Infectious Diseases: All infectious diseases are caused by
microorganisms. Research foci are infection mechanisms, food-borne
illnesses, antibiotic resistance and diagnostics.
Why Study Microbiology?
Microbes are, by far, the most abundant living things on Earth and make
up more than 50% of all living matter. 99% of these organisms have no
function known to man - we don’t know what they do!
Are you interested in:
! Studying, preventing and controlling Infectious disease?
! Understanding how bacteria cause disease in humans?
! Development of new products through biotechnology?
! Harnessing microbes to produce sustainable energy?
!
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Cleaning up toxic wastes in our environment and preventing
environmental damage?
Discovering new, wild microbes for medical, food or environmental
biotechnology?
If so, Microbiology may be for you.
Microbiology is a diverse discipline with almost limitless applications in
health, industry, biotechnology, environmental science, and basic
research. With the increase in emerging infectious diseases and
antibiotic resistance, the rapid advances in biotechnology, concerns over
energy security and numerous other environmental problems,
microbiologists are in higher demand than ever before.
Some of the most important scientific discoveries of the last century
have involved microbiologists. Since 1910, more than one third of the
Nobel Prizes in Medicine and Physiology have been awarded to
Microbiologists and individuals in related disciplines. Microbiology was
introduced as a subject at NUI, Galway in 1963. It is now one of the
major Biology hubs in Ireland. Do you have what it takes to make the
first big discoveries of the 21st century?
Microbiology staff are also involved in Biotechnology - applying
microbiology to produce new technologies, therapies and diagnostic tools.
The Microbiology Degree Programme
Entry to the programme is currently via the NUI, Galway
Undenominated Science course on the CAO. In First Year, an
introduction is given to microorganisms, their properties and their
role in nature as well as basic and human genetics. In Second Year,
a broad coverage of the fundamental and applied aspects of the
subject are covered in lectures and in practical laboratory work. In
Third and Fourth Year, particular aspects of Microbiology are
covered in more detail, e.g.
! microbial physiology and metabolism
! microbial genetics and genetic engineering
! environmental microbiology
! immunology and virology
! medical microbiology
! food microbiology
Practical classes and interactive assignments are designed to
support the theory presented in lectures and tutorials. In Fourth
Year, students also pursue an original research project, and give
and attend research seminars.
The Discipline of Microbiology runs postgraduate research programmes
(both M.Sc. and Ph.D.) in its thematic areas, supported by national
agencies, such as Science Foundation Ireland, the EU Commission and by
Irish industry. The Discipline also directs a taught M.Sc. in Biotechnology.
Microbiology also offers a highly successful Post-Graduate Diploma
in Applied Microbiology, with focused training in business, regulation
and industrial practice, for students interested in an industrial career.
Careers in Microbiology
A degree in Microbiology can lead to careers in many fields, for example:
! Hospital and public health laboratories
! Teaching and Academia
! Health care, food, fermentation and biotechnology industries
! Research centres
! Pharmaceutical and medical diagnostic companies
! Research laboratories at universities, government agencies,
and medical centers
! Environmental laboratories and
bioremediation companies
! Renewable energy sector