Program Overview

---

Microbiology and Immunology

Microbiology and Immunology together form the basis of our understanding of human health and disease.

Course Details

Careers and further study

This course opens up a world of future study pathways and career opportunities.

Career Pathways

Career opportunities for graduates exist in a wide range of areas. These include the health care industry, pharmaceutical industry, hospitals and biomedical research institutes, environmental science, the mining industry, biotechnology companies, private laboratories and the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories. Other options include further studies and employment in both research and clinical positions in public health, agricultural, veterinary and university laboratories and the CSIRO.

Further Study

Students with a Microbiology and Immunology major can pursue further studies at postgraduate level. Further study options include the Graduate Diploma in Infectious Diseases, Master of Infectious Diseases (coursework and dissertation) or the Master of Science Communication.

Fees and Scholarships

Domestic Student Fees

Fee calculator

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

International Student Fees

Annual course fee

2025

$46,300.00

Onshore international students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load. Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Admission Requirements

Minimum entry requirements

Below you’ll find a list of admission equivalencies for this course's Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).

• All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE)
  • 9
• Canadian High School (except Quebec)
  • 68
• French Baccalaureate
  • 10
• Gao Kao (PR China NCEE)/750
  • 507
• GCE A-Levels
  • 8
• German Abitur
  • 3.6
• Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education
  • 14
• Indian Senior School Certificate (CISCE)
  • 45
• Indonesian Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA) - Pass of 65
  • 75.5
• International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
  • 24
• Malaysian STPM
  • 10
• Monash University Foundation Year
  • 254
• NCUK Foundation Program
  • 8
• Norwegian Vitnemål
  • 3.5
• Singapore - Cambridge A Levels
  • 6.5
• South African National Senior Certificate
  • 4
• South Korean College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT)
  • 324
• Sweden Slutbetyg
  • 14.5
• Trinity College Foundation
  • 280
• Unified Examination Certificate (UEC)
  • 14
• University of Western Australia College (UWAC) Foundation Program
  • 61
• US College Board Advanced Placements
  • 7
• US College Board SAT
  • 1130
• Western Australian Universities' Foundation Program (WAUFP)
  • 56
• Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) 2016 onwards
  • 75

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

Chemistry / biology requirement

Applicants are recommended to have completed Chemistry ATAR and Biology ATAR / Human Biology ATAR.

International students commencing in semester 2 must have completed Biology ATAR and Chemistry ATAR or equivalent to be admitted.

How to apply

The application process to this course is different for the assured and graduate entry pathways, and for international and domestic applicants.

Domestic Pathways

• Domestic Assured Pathway/School Leaver Entry: Applications are lodged via TISC. Refer to TISC Online for current course codes and application deadlines.
• Domestic Graduate Entry: Applications are lodged via GEMSAS, which open and close in accordance with the GEMSAS timeline. All domestic applicants must submit a valid GAMSAT score by the application closing date.

International Pathways

• International Assured Pathway/School Leaver Entry: Applications are lodged via UWA's online application system or via an authorised international education agent.
• International Graduate Entry: Applications are lodged via UWA's online application system or via an authorised international education agent.

Course Structure

Our undergraduate degrees offer you a broad range of options allowing you to combine subjects in a way that matches your career goals and personal interests.

Popular combinations

• Anatomy and Human Biology
• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Course Details

About the course

Microbiology is the study of microorganisms and how they interact with the macro-world to influence health and disease of all life forms on earth. Microbes are organisms too small to be seen without the aid of a microscope and include bacteria, viruses, protozoa, algae and parasites. Immunology studies the role of the immune system in maintaining health by defending against infectious diseases or causing disease such as allergies when it becomes dysregulated.

Quick details

• Status: Available
• Locations: Perth (Crawley campus)
• Attendance: Full-time, Part-time
• Delivery: On-campus
• Starting dates: Semester 1, Semester 2
• Weekly contact time: 16-25 hours teaching time, plus study time
• Level of study: Undergraduate
• Course Code: MJD-MCBIM
• Full time/part time duration: 3 years (BBiomedSc), 3 years (BSc), 4 years (BBiomedSc[Hons])

Graduate Membership

As a graduate, you will be eligible for membership with the Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM), the national scientific and employment body of the profession.

Your degree options

This major is offered as a degree-specific, or first, major for these degrees. It is also offered as a second major in our other bachelor's degrees.

• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Philosophy
• Bachelor of Biomedical Science

Course Structure Details

Level 1

• Take all units in level 1. There is no exception for prior ATAR level study in Biology or Human Biology.
• For the following co-majors, take the following level 1 core units. Students undertaking MJD-BCHMB are advised to complete BIOC1001, CHEM1001 and SCIE1104. Students undertaking MJD-PHARY are advised to take BIOC1001. Students undertaking MJD-PLMED are advised to take ANHB1102. IMED1001 and IMED1002 is only available to students enrolled in the MJD-MEDSI, MJD-IMSCP, MJD-EBMEG, MJD-PHMSC and MJD-DENTS. MICR1101 is an elective unit for those interested in the principles of scientific discovery in microbiology.

Core

• Take all units (12 points):
  • BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology (6)
  • SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell (6)

Bridging

• Take units if applicable:
  • CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry (6)
  • MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals (6)

Level 2

• Take all units (12 points):
  • MICR2208 Introductory Microbiology (6)
  • MICR2209 Introduction to Infectious Diseases and Immunology (6)

Level 3

• Take all units (24 points):
  • MICR3305 Immunobiology and Immune Diseases (6)
  • MICR3310 Microbial Ecology and One Health (6)
  • MICR3320 Viruses and Viral Disease (6)
  • MICR3330 Bacteria and Bacterial Disease (6)