Other options

If you study Biological Sciences BSc at XJTLU you can choose from these options to study at the University of Liverpool on the XJTLU 2+2 programme.

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Microbiology and Infection BSc (Hons): XJTLU 2+2 programme

Course details

Our BSc Microbiology course involves the study of microorganisms with particular emphasis on the biology of bacteria, viruses and fungi. In spite of their size, the impact of microorganisms on the planet is so extensive that life as we know it could not exist without them.

Course overview

For those transferring to Liverpool via the 2+2 programme in September 2024, the course title is Microbiology BSc (Hons). For those transferring to Liverpool via the 2+2 programme from September 2025, the course will be called Microbiology and Infection BSc (Hons).

Microorganisms cause many of the known diseases of humans, animals and plants. Knowledge of microbiology will enable you to improve the quality of our lives in relation to the environment, to fight disease, and to combat pollution. Microbiology plays a key role in genetic engineering and other modern biotechnologies, such as antibiotic production and the exploitation of new sources of food and energy.

Our degree programme aims to give you an appreciation of the full range of Microbiology while also allowing you to pursue areas of specific interest. During the course of your degree you will study modules such as Virology, Biotechnology, Bacterial disease mechanisms, Microbiomes and Advanced Microbiological Techniques. You will also have the opportunity to select from a wide range of optional modules.

The programme is taught by a mixture of lectures, workshops, seminars, tutorials, and laboratory courses, culminating in an extended research project in your third year. This is your chance to study an area of cutting edge microbiology in depth, while getting a real taste of life in an active research environment and the opportunity to work alongside microbiologists working in the Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, the Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

Teaching Excellence Framework 2023

We’re proud to announce we’ve been awarded a Gold rating for educational excellence.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.

Tuition fees

All XJTLU 2+2 students receive a partnership discount of 10% on the standard fees for international students. We also offer 50 XJTLU Excellence Scholarships providing a 25% discount on tuition fees to the students that score most highly in stage 2 at XJTLU across the different subject areas. Allocation is based on the number of applications received per programme.

The net fees (inclusive of the discounts) can be seen below.

XJTLU 2+2 fees
2024 tuition fee (full) £27,200
2024 tuition fee for XJTLU 2+2 students (inclusive of 10% discount) £24,480
2024 tuition fee for XJTLU 2+2 students qualifying for Excellence Scholarship (inclusive of 25% discount) £20,400
Fees stated are for the 2025-26 academic year.

Course content and modules

Year two

This programme covers a broad range of topics, with in-depth knowledge of both natural processes and human affairs. You will study modules such as Virology, Biotechnology and Advanced Microbiological Techniques.

You will be able to identify individual species and grow them in pure culture, using aseptic techniques so that they can be safely handled and examined by microbiological methods.

Regarding optional modules

You will choose two modules from the following three practical options:

  • LIFE225 or LIFE 242
  • LIFE226
  • LIFE237.

You will choose two modules from the following five theory options:

  • LIFE201
  • LIFE202
  • LIFE208
  • LIFE221
  • LIFE216

On the 2+2 programme, you'll study your third and fourth years at the University of Liverpool. These will be year two and year three of the University of Liverpool's programme of study.

Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.

Compulsory

Virology (LIFE209)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1

This module is an introduction to modern virology.

The module provides an overview of different virus families and aims to explain the fundamental properties of different viruses, their infection in different organisms, their detection and control, and positive applications of viruses.

The lectures will be supplemented with online resources. Students will be given guided reading, and regular formative assessment exercises will enable students to evaluate their understanding of the module.

The module will be assessed by continuous assessment.

Biotechnology (LIFE210)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 2

This module will examine the ways in which biological processes are applied for solving technological processes.

Examples of specific processes will be used including production of antibiotics, biomass, single cell protein, biopolymers, vaccines and other therapeutic agents.

The lectures will be supplemented with on-line reading resources. Students will be given guided reading, and regular formative assessment exercises will enable students to evaluate their understanding of the module.

The module will be assessed by two assessments.

Essential Skills for the Life Sciences 2 (LIFE223)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 3

This module will continue, extend, and broaden the transferable skills developed in Year 1. It will focus on improving the students’ analytical, communication, quantitative, and employability skills. The communication skills component is assessed through a portfolio whereas the quantitative skills component is assessed through a group poster and SAQ.

Techniques in Cell Biology (LIFE227)

Credits: 7.5 / Semester: semester 1

This practical module aims to provide practical and theoretical experience in techniques currently used in cell biology. These techniques include assay, culture, histology and microscopy. The module is assessed through coursework and a final exam.

Advanced Microbiological Techniques (LIFE228)

Credits: 7.5 / Semester: semester 2

This practical module aims to provide students with an opportunity to learn and apply a range of microbiological laboratory techniques in order to develop their ability to plan and execute research projects in microbiology. The module is continuously assessed.

Optional

From Genes to Proteins (LIFE201)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the fundamental processes whereby genetic information is expressed as proteins in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Lectures will be supplemented with on-line resources. Students will be given guided reading, and regular formative assessment exercises will enable students to evaluate their understanding of the module. The module will be assessed two assessments.

Cell Signalling in Health and Disease (LIFE202)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1

This module will describe the molecular mechanisms that allow cells to communicate with each other;

The basic properties common to all signalling pathways will be studied and then a series of individual pathways will be examined in more detail, in the light of these general principles;

The importance of cellular signalling mechanisms will be illustrated by examining diseases (e.g. cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, neurological disorders) that result from defects in these mechanisms;

The lectures will be supplemented with on-line resources. Students will be given guided reading, and regular formative assessment exercises will enable students to evaluate their understanding of the module;

The module will be assessed by continuous assessment

MOLECULAR AND MEDICAL GENETICS (LIFE208)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 2

This module aims to introduce students with an interest in Genetics and Molecular Biology to the range of biological mechanisms that control structure and stability of the genetic material and their impact on health and disease.

It uses examples from both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, to develop principles that explain DNA replication, repair and recombination. These principles and processes are then discussed in a clinical/medical genetics context.

The lectures will be supplemented with on-line resources. Students will be given guided reading, and regular formative assessment exercises will enable students to evaluate their understanding of the module.

The module will be assessed by continuous assessments.

The Immune System in Health and Disease (LIFE221)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1

The module will develop knowledge and understanding of the immune system, the molecules, cells and tissues that are involved in its function, its role in combating infection and how its dysfunction can contribute to disease.

Lectures will be supplemented with on-line resources. Problem solving workshops dedicated to case studies will be held to help students prepare for the assessments. Students will be given guided reading, and formative and summative assessment exercises held during the course will enable students to monitor and evaluate their progress and to prepare for the final assessment.

By the end of the course students should be able to understand the vital role of the immune system in health and disease and be able to apply this understanding to range of clinical and research scenarios.

The module will be assessed by two assessments: one 1000 word coursework assignment (40%) and one exam (60%).

E-Biology: Informatics for Life Sciences (LIFE225)

Credits: 7.5 / Semester: semester 1

Many aspects of modern biology are being revolutionized by high-throughput methods that make copious amounts of data available in digital form. The aim of this module is to provide students with a practical appreciation of the nature and significance of this revolution. While the focus will be on analysis of data from areas such as genome sequencing, gene expression, and protein structure studies, the module will also look at use of such data in the context of understanding higher order phenomena within cells, such as metabolism, gene regulation, and protein-protein interaction. The module is continuously assessed.​​

Advanced Genetics Techniques (LIFE226)

Credits: 7.5 / Semester: semester 1

This practical module aims to provide practical experience in a range of modern genetic techniques including genetic manipulation, mutagenesis, population genetics, molecular analysis of genomes and bioinformatics. Students will also develop the skills required to apply, evaluate and interpret this knowledge to solve biological problems. This module is continuously assessed.

Veterinary Parasitology and Public Health (LIFE216)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1

The aim of this module is to develop knowledge of the important parasitic diseases of companion and food producing animals in the U.K. and globally, leading also to an understanding of the importance of these diseases to human and animal public health. The lectures will be supplemented with on-line resources.

Students will be given guided reading, and regular formative assessment exercises will enable students to evaluate their understanding of the module.

The module will be assessed by two items of continuous assessment.

Molecular Science (LIFE237)

Credits: 7.5 / Semester: semester 1

This module is a 6 weeks molecular biology practical to provide experience in techniques to isolate, clone and analyse genes (analysis of DNA fragments by agarose gel electrophoresis, PCR, transformations, plasmid DNA preparations, gene cloning). The module has a range of different formative and summative assessments to include in-course problem-solving exercises, online quizzes and abstract writing, which ensure the student becomes confident to continue genetic manipulations in specialist Year 2 Semester 2 practical modules and for project work in Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology.  ​The module will encourage confidence, teamwork and communication through active learning in lectures and practicals centred around authentic assessments.

E-Biology: Informatics for Life Sciences (S2) (LIFE242)

Credits: 7.5 / Semester: semester 2

Many aspects of modern biology are being revolutionized by high-throughput methods that make copious amounts of data available in digital form. The aim of this module is to provide students with a practical appreciation of the nature and significance of this revolution. While the focus will be on analysis of data from areas such as genome sequencing, gene expression, and protein structure studies, the module will also look at use of such data in the context of understanding higher order phenomena within cells, such as metabolism, gene regulation, and protein-protein interaction. The module is continuously assessed.​​​

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  • Programmes taught by internationally-renowned scientists and clinicians
  • Research-connected education covering the full life science spectrum from biochemistry to zoology
  • Access to world-class facilities
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  • Options for intercalating students
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I'm very grateful that I had this opportunity to study in Liverpool because I met two professors who gave me so much useful advice on how to study and how to do research. I feel so lucky to make good relationships with these professors in Liverpool.