Healthcare Infection (M.Sc.)

Overview

Course Overview

In the modern healthcare setting, the effective management of infection invokes the skills and expertise of a wide range of medically and scientifically qualified professionals. A comprehensive understanding of the principles and practice of infection control and epidemiology is essential for the effective management of healthcare infection.

The M.Sc. in Healthcare Infection is a postgraduate qualification that is offered by the Department of Clinical Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin to meet the need for a multi-disciplinary approach to modern healthcare infection control. The course provides specialist teaching that is delivered in conjunction with partner organisations including St. James’s Hospital, Tallaght University Hospital and the Health Service Executive.

The course is offered to nurses, doctors, pharmacists, microbiologists, biomedical scientists, infection control specialists and public health workers. It is delivered using a combination of interactive lectures and seminars as well as laboratory demonstrations and discussion workshops.

Is This Course For Me?

The M.Sc. in Healthcare Infection is a multidisciplinary qualification which is primarily designed to support healthcare professionals or graduates. Our students often have backgrounds in medicine, pharmacy nursing and biomedical science, and are currently in employment in these fields. This programme provides an opportunity to enhance the skills and knowledge applicable to infection control.

The course now caters for students who have undertaken full-time undergraduate studies in one of the Biomedical or Health Sciences and who wish to enter full-time postgraduate study in the area of healthcare infection.

Career Opportunities

Past students from Biomedical and Health Science backgrounds have pursued careers in research, industry and surveillance. Additionally, biomedical scientists have used this M.Sc. to gain fellowship to the Academy of Clinical Science and Laboratory Medicine (ACSLM).

Testimonials

“Since graduating from the MSc in healthcare infection, I began working in the biopharmaceutical industry in the Quality Control Microbiology department as a QC Microbiology Analyst. I have been promoted twice in less than 2 years and I am currently serving as the Quality Control Deputy Shift Lead.”

“Since graduating with this MSc I have been promoted to Associate Director level within the capacity as a microbiologist in the pharmaceutical sector.”  

“Shortly after graduating I got a job as a hospital-based Surveillance Scientist and since then I have progressed to the role of Senior Epidemiologist at the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.”

“It was the most rewarding decision of my life to pursue my MSc in TCD and specialize in healthcare infection. After gaining a lot of scientific and academic skills, I was able to secure my dream job that I have been pursuing for almost five years.  I am grateful to all the lecturers who shared their knowledge and wisdom with us. Your insights open our minds and give us more career opportunities.   Thank you!”

“In my opinion this course was a fantastic MSc, modules & continual assessment format work extremely well. Each module content had a great variety of topics, content was very relevant. I would certainly be an advocate for this course.” 

Course Structure

The M.Sc. in Healthcare Infection is offered as a 1-year full-time degree or as a 2-year part-time degree.  The P.Grad.Dip. in Healthcare Infection is offered only as a 1-year full-time degree.

Students must be in attendance on additional scheduled module assessment dates and class times as notified by the module convener or course director/course coordinator. It is expected that part-time students will successfully complete at least two taught modules in the first year of the Masters prior to progression to the second year of the Masters.

Course Content

Students take four taught modules: Basic and Molecular Microbiology. Antimicrobial Therapy & Resistance. Epidemiology & Infection Control. Multidisciplinary Management of Infection.

M.Sc. students will also undertake a laboratory research project on a subject relevant to contemporary infection control objectives. Students concluding their studies to qualify for a Postgraduate Diploma will not carry out a research project.

Click here for further information on modules/subjects.