Entry requirements

At least 180 credits (i.e. three years of full-time studies), in biology, (bio-)medicine, biotechnology, pharmacy, pharmaceutical bioscience, (pharmaceutical)chemistry, medical science, agriculture, animal science, veterinary medicine or international education giving relevant knowledge in cell biology, genetics (bio)chemistry and molecular biology.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course the students should be able to thoroughly report and explain the principles behind

• classification, structure and function of medically relevant microbes
• the function of the innate and adaptive immune system regulating the defence against microbial infections
• microbial strategies to evade the immune response of the host organism
• the infection cycle of a number of medically important virus and bacteria
• molecular interactions between plants and their pathogens
• how plants defend themselves against infections
• organisation, evolution and function of microbial genomes
• the function, regulation, diversity, adaptation and spreading of virulence factors
• microbial strategies to regulate the biosynthetic machinery of the host cell
• how to use viral vectors in gene and cancer therapy
• important transmission routes and how these may be prevented

From this theoretical knowledge the student should be able to

• independently assemble facts, summarise and draw conclusions from scientific texts
• critically analyse methods and interpret results, as well as discuss these in orally and in writing

and in addition have obtained

• in depth knowledge about experimental strategies and scientific approaches used to address questions about microbial processes at the molecular level
• experience from practical molecular and genetic tools used in infection biology research and understanding of how to plan and conduct scientific investigations
• understanding of how to plan and conduct and evaluate scientific investigations, how ethical legislation is applied and how research and scientific results are cummunicated to society

Content

The course consists of the three partially integrated topics immunology, bacteriology and virology.

This first course in the Master programme in infection biology aims to give in depth knowledge about structure and function of pathogenic virus and bacteria, with emphasis on molecular mechanisms regulating pathogenesis. The host organism’s defence against infection are discussed in detail, as well as the ability of the infecting microbes to evade the immune response. A number of particularly important microbes are discussed in detail. Practical exercises illuminate experimental techniques to study the host cell – microbe interactions.

During a series of lectures given jointly for other medical Master programs, you will also get an insight in a number of general science-related topics.

Instruction

The education includes lectures, compulsory lab training, seminars and project work. All lectures are deeply rooted in current international research. Practical lab exercises are connected to ongoing research projects and performed side by side with graduate students in the research laboratory.

Assessment

Separate written examinations in bacteriology and virology, seminars with written reports, completed lab projects and lab reports. To pass the examination, all individual tasks must be completed.