Airborne Infectious Agents & Allergens MSc

Infectious diseases have a huge impact on the health of humans, animals and plants. This unique programme meets the demands of curious minds of young scientists, nurses and clinicians in this field.

The emergence of old and new pathogens, together with increasing spread of allergens originating from pollen and spores that trigger hay fever and asthma demonstrates why research is imperative. This unique programme meets the demands of curious minds of scientists, nurses and clinicians in this field.

In our theoretical and translational scientific research programmes, experts of international standing work together at the frontiers of plant and human health to translate negative impacts of the airborne infectious agents and allergens into positive outcomes. They address dispersal mechanisms and forecasting of airborne particles, hostmicrobe interactions, allergens, and new molecular and immunological diagnostic platforms for the prevention and cure of infections and allergies.      

This MSc introduces exciting new themes that reflect the research excellence within the NPARU Division of Institute of Science and the Environment at University of Worcester.  Students will benefit from working in the first-class teaching facilities, molecular, immunological, microbial, forensics and imaging laboratories.  The affiliated staff are the UK’s best in theoretical and translational research.      

You will have contact with first-class teaching staff who will challenge you to consider the impact of all the elements of infectious agents and allergens.  You will be in a professional dynamic environment with strong links with agricultural and biotech industry, clinical trials and international centres.      

The National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit (NPARU) is a designated research centre of the University of Worcester (UW) involved with Health, Science, Environment and Forensics. NPARU primarily conducts research and consultancy on topics related to infectious agents and allergens, including air quality and health, pollen monitoring and forecasts for the UK media and Met Office, detection and diagnostics of infectious agents, respiratory allergies, forensic palynology and testing appliances for allergen removal/reduction. NPARU is unique in the UK and has earned a national and international reputation for its combination of expertise in allergens, aerobiology, indoor air quality and medical knowledge.

How to Apply

For all taught postgraduate and PG Cert programmes, please apply directly to University of Worcester. You can download an application form, or can contact the Admissions office on 01905 855111 / pg-admissions@worc.ac.uk 

Please post your completed application form to:
Admissions Office
University Of Worcester
Henwick Grove
Worcester
WR2 6AJ

Alternatively you can apply online for postgraduate programmes at University of Worcester via the Prospects online directory of postgraduate programmes. There is no fee for using the online application service.

When we receive your application form, your details will be passed to the Masters Programme Leader who will contact you to arrange an informal interview. You may include additional material, such as references, in support of your application or bring them with you to interview.

You can apply for postgraduate taught courses and PG Certs at any time, but preferably as early as possible before the start of the academic year, which begins in September.

Study options

Full-time and part-time study available.

The Airborne Infectious Agents and Allergens programme launched in September 2011. A new cohort will start each year.

MSc: one calendar year full-time, two calendar years part-time (180 credit including 6 modules and a 3-month research project)
Postgraduate Diploma: 9 calendar months full time (6 x 20 credit modules without the 3-month research project), two calendar years part-time
Postgraduate Certificate: up to 12 weeks full-time (3 x 20 credit modules), and up to two academic years part-time

Get in touch

Dr Mahmut Tor
Programme Co-ordinator
m.tor@worc.ac.uk 

Admissions Office
01905 855111
admissions@worc.ac.uk

Bursaries are available.

Candidates will be expected to hold a minimum lower second-class honours (2:2) degree from a UK university or an equivalent qualification if obtained outside the UK. Relevant experience will also be taken into account during assessment of the applications.

Students whose native language is not English and who did not undertake their undergraduate degree in English will be expected to pass the British Council IELTS test at grade 6.5 or above including a score of 6.0 or better in the written and spoken English elements of the academic test. An acceptable alternative is TOEFL qualification with a score of not less than 90 overall in the internet-based test (iBT), to include 24 in Writing and 20 in Speaking; or 600 in the paper-based test (PBT), or 250 in the computer-based test (CBT), both to include a minimum score of 4.5 in the written English.

Short-listed candidates will be assessed through references and interviewed, either in person or if overseas, by telephone. This ensures maximum take-up of offers and further control on aptitude and language ability.

Suitable applicants will be identified on the basis of academic excellence and demonstrable interest in life sciences.

Modules

Six modules spread across eight months with more than 200 hours of contact time.

There are six modules containing exciting themes including airborne allergenic particles, pollen biology and biotechnology, forecasting at national level, allergen carriers and allergy management, virulence factors of pathogens, modulation of immune system by microbial elicitors and inflammation of tissues.

The last three months are spent on a practical research project that can be undertaken within ISE/NPARU at Worcester or in a related company or another institute in the UK. Strong links exist with several biotech companies or universities.

The modules are:
Fundamental and translational aerobiology
Detection and diagnostics of micro-organisms
Impacts of infectious agents on humans, animals and plants
Airborne allergens and allergen carriers
Allergy diagnostics and management
Research methods

Research projects leading to a dissertation will be offered in the areas of:
Microbiology
Environmental Biology
Pollen biology and biotechnology
Immunology
Host-pathogen interactions
Allergy
Forensics
Diagnostics
Forecasting and modeling
Agro- and medical Biotechnology

For more detailed information, please read our module descriptions and course handbook.

Assessment

The programme leads to an MSc in Airborne Infectious agents and Allergens. Dispersal of airborne particles, forecasting and modeling, detection and diagnostics, forensics, palynology, allergy, host-pathogen interactions and immunology are the specialized subjects. Student’s preference and availability will be taken into account. It is taught by the Institute of Science and the Environment with affiliated department, National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit.

Academic department

Institute of Science & the Environment

“The Institute’s acclaimed research has a common thread: our belief that science should be centred around its impact on people”
Professor John Newbury, Head of Institute

Employability

Postgraduate study will mark you out in today’s competitive job market, showing that you have enhanced knowledge in this subject area, as well as highlighting your ability to analyse, communicate and apply theory – all skills which are sought after by employers.