Infection and Immunity

Graduate Certificate in Infection and Immunity

Graduate Diploma in Infection and Immunity

Master of Medicine (Infection and Immunity)

Master of Science in Medicine (Infection and Immunity)

Overview

Infectious diseases are a major threat to human health worldwide. As well as increasing resistance to antibiotics, the recurrence of known pathogens and the spread of new ones make infectious diseases a challenge for biomedical and clinical science.

This program analyses the fundamental mechanisms of infectious diseases to find improved ways of combating them. It covers a broad range of topics with a focus on understanding the functions of bacteria and viral genes, the mechanisms of viral and bacterial persistence, the immune control of viral and bacterial infections and the mechanisms involved in the generation and regulation of immune responses.

The integrated scientific approach taken will reflect the current state of knowledge regarding infectious microorganisms and their pathogenesis, immunology and the immune responses to infection, and the epidemiology and control of infectious diseases. The principles and practices advocated for the effective prevention or minimisation of infectious disease (in hospitals, laboratories, the general community and during outbreaks of disease) are central issues in one of the major units of study. The course will also provide training in various state-of-the-art laboratory techniques used in the disciplines of infectious diseases and immunology, including culture and identification of infectious organisms, antibiotic sensitivity testing, serology, immunohistochemistry, cellular immunology and molecular microbiology.

The Master of Medicine (Infection and Immunity) and the Master of Science in Medicine (Infection and Immunity) are essentially the same program with different admission requirements. Only medical graduates (with an MBBS) may be admitted to the Master of Medicine while non-medical graduates with a science degree and assumed undergraduate knowledge in microbiology and immunology may be admitted directly to the Master of Science in Medicine if they satisfy the admission requirements below. Students follow the same program of study with the only difference being the title of the course they are awarded on completion.

The Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate programs are open to both medical and science graduates with assumed undergraduate knowledge in microbiology and immunology. Science graduates that do not satisfy the admission requirements for direct entry to the Master of Science in Medicine will be offered a place at the Graduate Diploma level.

Students with a minimum weighted average mark of 70 percent in all core units study may obtain approval from the course coordinator to enrol in the dissertation unit of study. Students enrolled in this unit of study undertake supervised research which is then written up in a dissertation for examination.

Course outcomes

The aim of these courses is to produce graduates who can effectively participate in future health care or research programs in infection or immunity anywhere in the world.

Further enquiries

Dr Jim Manos
Phone: +61 2 9351 8942
Fax: +61 2 8627 1608
Email: