Study with Us

What you can study

If you have a strong interest in the medical biological sciences and a passion to help others then you should consider studying Microbiology and Immunology at the Doherty.

Hear our students talk about studying Microbiology and Immunology.

Infectious diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses are a major cause of human suffering. In fact, it’s estimated that these diseases account for one in four deaths every year – that’s 15 million people worldwide.

Since the 1990s, around 30 new infectious diseases have emerged in humans.

 

 

Infectious diseases are even more dangerous when our natural defences, the immune system works against us, either by creating an allergic response or by attacking harmless proteins or even some of the proteins found in our bodies. Many people suffer from a range of autoimmune diseases like Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis, all caused by the misdirected actions of their immune systems.

From 2014, you can join the experts at the Doherty and the University of Melbourne and enrol in both undergraduate and postgraduate courses and a breadth of research programs, studying bacteriology, biotechnology, immunology and virology.

Choosing to study the Bachelor of Science or the Bachelor of Biomedicine can lead you to an exciting career focused on helping understand and solve some of our most complex and devastating diseases. A range of honours and research higher-degrees programs or employment opportunities will be available at the Doherty for graduates keen to explore and discover the fascinating world of microbes and the complexity of the immune responses they elicit.

Around the world, many governments are investing heavily in research to prevent the spread of infectious disease. Many factors will ensure this continues in the foreseeable future. These include - human population growth, climate change, the increasing size of cities, growth in the import and export of food products, and growing numbers of people travelling internationally. All add to the likelihood of the spread of disease and the importance of knowing how it should be managed or controlled.

Doherty graduates will succeed in a range of professions, including the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology, forensic microbiology, public sector health regulation, hospital-based clinical services, medical science research and diagnostics.

Who will teach you

Over 90 academic staff including 11 full Professors, 2 Emeritus Professors and 48 lecturers will be actively involved in teaching at the Doherty.

The Doherty will be home to a large number of highly experienced and successful researchers, including 14 chief investigators focused on five different Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Program Grants. These grants are only awarded to the most outstanding Australian research projects; with around eight to ten awarded each year. These researchers will join with academic staff to show students their lines of investigation and possible outcomes.

The Doherty’s educational experts will collaborate with experts from other organisations, including the Nossal Institute for Global Health and the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory. Through knowledge transfer and sharing resources students will gain access to the latest data on a range of public health issues.

Who to contact

Undergraduate students:
Ms Chantelle Linnett
clinnett@unimelb.edu.au
Tel: +61 3 8344 5817

Postgraduate students:
Ms Rebecca Whitsed
rwhitsed@unimelb.edu.au
Tel: +61 3 8344 5679