Medical microbiology is both a branch of medicine and microbiology which deals with the study of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites which are of medical importance and are capable of causing diseases in human beings. It includes the study of microbial pathogenesis and epidemiology and is related to the study of disease pathology and immunology. In the medical laboratory, these microbiologists also work in a sub department dedicated to parasitology. The discipline consists primarily of four major spheres of activity:

• The provision of clinical consultations on the investigation, diagnosis, and treatment of patients suffering from infectious diseases.
• The establishment and direction of infection control programs across the continuum of care.
• Public health and communicable disease prevention and epidemiology.
• The scientific and administrative direction of a diagnostic microbiology laboratory.

 

Teaching Hours – 150 hours in 1 year (Theory – 100 hours; Practicals – 50 hours)