Course details

Summary

Pathway to masters

A postgraduate diploma is the stepping stone to a research-based degree such as a masters.

WHAT IS IT LIKE?

Massey University’s Postgraduate Diploma in Science (Microbiology) gives you the opportunity to join the pathway to in-depth research at a masters level. The programme consists of 90 credits of taught programmes and 30 credits of research.

The programme gives you the opportunity to show your analytical thinking and high-level research capability. If you complete the programme at a satisfactory level you may be able to proceed to the Master of Science (Microbiology). If so, credits you have gained through this qualification may be credited to the masters programme.

An essential science

Microbiology is an essential science that could hold the key to the transition to a sustainable bio-based economy. Microbiology aims to prevent and treat infectious diseases and provides an understanding, and even the curing, of ill health and diseases such as cancer.

Multi-disciplinary

You will gain the advantage of learning in a multi-disciplinary environment. Massey has world-leading expertise in many areas of science, especially veterinary, animal, health and environmental science. You can take advantage of this for your learning and research to look at microbiological sub-disciplines, such as environment/ecology, food and biotechnology.

Let our expertise become yours

You will learn from world-leading specialists in microbiology and related areas like biochemistry, biotechnology, immunology and epidemiology.

At Massey we use a diverse range of molecular, cellular, and animal model tools to investigate the molecular biology of diseases. Our biomedical interests are diverse. We research mechanisms of neurological, skeletal and muscular disorders, infectious microbial diseases and cancer.

Research areas active in our labs include genetic testing, display technologies, vaccine development, production of biopharmaceuticals and nanomaterials from biological systems and the bioengineering of environmentally friendly materials and processes.

Careers

If you are interested in pursuing further research, microbiology is a key discipline of biological studies and is a particularly useful skill for work in medical, dental and veterinary schools.

There are also roles in the legal sector, for instance assisting with the drafting of patents and technology transfer agreements.

Big pharma and biotechnology industries are key employers; however there are numerous other opportunities in cosmetics, breweries, and oil industries. For instance industrial microbiology (production of antibiotics, microbial products), vaccines,, cosmetics and toiletries, food and beverage production, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, oil industry and mining, breweries, the dairy industry.

Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology (Microbiology) structure

You will follow a flexible course of study, which shall consist of courses totalling at least 120 credits of courses at 700-level or above from the Schedule and may include attending field trips, studios, workshops, tutorials, and laboratories as required.

Entry criteria

Admission to the Postgraduate Diploma in Science (Microbiology) requires you to have either

• a bachelor’s degree majoring in Microbiology, with a minimum B- average in the majoring 300 level courses, or
• a bachelor’s degree followed by a Graduate Diploma endorsed in Microbiology, with a minimum B- average in the 300 level courses

English language requirements:

• IELTS score of 6.5 (no band less than 6.0)
• TOEFL iBT score of 90 overall (min 20 in Writing)
• PTE Academic score of 58 Overall (min 50 in communicative skills)
• Cambridge English score of 180