Microbiology and Immunology, What can’t be seen – matters
Whether it is microbes or immune cells, the role they play
in our lives is critical to our survival. Microbes compose
greater than 50 per cent of life forms on our planet, and
yet it is estimated that only one per cent have been identified
and studied. Their metabolism is essential for maintaining
life on Earth. Equally when infectious microbes attack our
bodies, it is the immune system that kicks into action to
ensure our survival.
The University of Otago is the oldest institution in New
Zealand offering a bachelors degree in Microbiology and
Immunology and will provide you with insight into the
unseen world of microbes and immunity and an understanding
of the practical applications.
“An immunologist is kind of like a military analyst with a microscope.
You learn about different pathogens attacking the body, and it’s so
interesting to watch how the body defends itself.”
Zarina D’Costa,
Microbiology Honours Student
Why study Microbiology and
Immunology?
Microorganisms are everywhere – in our
bodies, our food and in the air, soil and water
and because they are everywhere, they’re
involved in virtually every aspect of our lives.
They are used in producing foods such as
cheese, wine and beer, as well as many
pharmaceutical, chemical and agricultural
products. They are important in soil fertility,
decomposition of food and other materials
and they can cause major disease in humans,
animals and plants.
The harmful effects of some microorganisms
on humans and animals link microbiology with
immunology. Immunologists investigate how
we can artificially protect humans and animals
from disease using vaccines and the role of
the immune system in non-infectious diseases
such as allergies and cancer.
Microbiology and Immunology offer exciting
areas of research. As basic biological sciences,
they are at the forefront of research into life
processes. A microbiology major at Otago
offers a variety of interesting and up-to-date
topics and with many practical applications
offers a chance to embark on a wide choice
of career options.
Background required
There are no first-year papers labelled
microbiology or immunology. Instead you
prepare for the subject by taking biology papers
relating to cells and human health. The course
is biologically orientated so it is helpful to have
studied Year 13 biology and chemistry.
Career opportunities
An Otago graduate of Microbiology and
Immunology will be limited only by their
imagination. As the American Society of
Microbiology has succinctly stated on their
website “Projections for the next 20 years
suggest that there will be a demand for trained
microbiologists to fill positions in all aspects
of microbiology”.
Recent developments in fields such as
biotechnology, aquaculture, molecular biology,
microbial genetics, immunology and medicine
have increased the demand for graduates with
a microbiology and immunology major. The
range of job opportunities continues to expand
and diversify each year. As well as the
traditional areas of teaching and research,
graduates work in medical and veterinary
laboratories, biotechnological and agricultural
industries. Graduates are also employed as
managers and advisers in the Health
Department and Crown Research Institutes
and other government agencies.
Graduates can also use their degree in
Microbiology and Immunology as a stepping
stone for entry into professional courses such
as dentistry and medicine. Working and
studying in an exciting research environment,
postgraduate courses in the department allow
you to specialize in an area of microbiology
or immunology of your choosing.
Microbiology and Immunology at Otago
Microbiology and Immunology is offered as a
major for a three-year Bachelor of Science (BSc)
and four-year BSc Honours degree. We also offer
the Infection and Immunity theme as part of the
Biomedical Science (BBiomedSc) degree. This can
be taken at the Bachelor (three year) or Honours
(four year) level.
The BSc will train you in all aspects of microbiology
and immunology and the BBiomedSc offers a
wider range of biomedical subjects with an
emphasis on medical microbiology and
immunology.
The Department also contributes to the teaching
of microbiology in Pharmacy, Medicine and Medical
Laboratory Science degrees.
What does a BSc in MICR involve?
In the first year in which the general subjects of
cell biology and human body systems are taken,
you will learn about the diversity of microorganisms,
microbial virulence and diseases as well basic
knowledge of the immune system and how it
functions.
In your second year, specialist microbiology and
immunology papers will introduce you to microbes
in health and disease, immunology, applied and
environmental microbiology, microbial plant and
animal interactions, biotechnology, ecology and
environmental microbiology, molecular biology
and microbial genetics.
In your third year the papers offered build on
your knowledge from second year. Topics cover
food production and safety, microbial disease and
antibiotic resistance, the body’s response to
diseases, molecular biotechnology, microbial
genetics, virology and biotechnology.
Teaching Style
First year papers are taught through lectures and
laboratory sessions including some self-directed
learning tutorials. Second and third year classes
are also taught through lectures and laboratories,
but the classes are more interactive and make
use of web-based resources. In your third year,
you will collaborate with other students and
improve your oral communication skills. Laboratory
classes are exciting and ‘hands-on’ with modern
laboratories that are well-equipped. Assessment
is mainly by written examination, with up to 30
per cent from internal assessments.
Postgraduate Study
Fourth year honours students undertake an original
research project and can continue onto further
postgraduate study, such as a one-year Postgraduate
Diploma in Science, a Masters qualification or a
PhD. The department has a reputation for a
familial and interactive environment for students
of a high calibre.
Further information
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Tania Hennessy
 Tania Hennessy’s interest in Microbiology and
Immunology was kindled after she spent a day at
a community laboratory as a Year 12 student on
work experience. There she was shown fluorescent
bacteria under a microscope and was hooked
“from the day I did work experience I wanted to
study microbiology.”
Tania graduated with a BSc in Microbiology and
Immunology from the University of Otago, and
since graduating in 2004 has worked at the
University in the Pharmacy department. She now
runs two laboratories and is involved in “working
on the development and formulation of new anticancer
vaccines.”
Even at school, Tania showed an interest in the
sciences, biology in particular, and this continued
at university. She especially enjoyed the smaller
classes of microbiology in second year, where she
was able to talk with her lecturers. Her third year
classes in immunology were fascinating as she
learnt about “how the immune system works and
how bacteria and viruses attack the body.”
For Tania, the laboratories were the most interesting
part of her study where she was able to “do what
I was learning about in the lectures.” Tania felt she
learnt better by being able to consolidate lecture
material by doing the laboratory tasks.
In the future Tania hopes to be able to work in
laboratories around the world and extend her
skills and continue to learn about the new
advancements in this area. “These areas are
constantly changing and you always need to learn
as new things are discovered and new equipment
is developed. It’s exciting work and I love it!”
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