Download or Print

1. Study
2. Postgraduate
3. Taught Courses
4. Masters
5. Microbiome Science

Course Fact File

Code	MSCMSC
Duration	12 Months
Teaching Mode	Full-time
Qualifications	MSc
NFQ Level	Level 9
Closing Date	Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.
Non-EU Closing Date	Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.
Start Date	8 September 2025

Course Outline

Our NEW MSc Microbiome Science, designed by the School of Microbiology at University College Cork (UCC), has been developed to meet the demands of academia and industry in the field of microbiome science.

The MSc is a one-year course that offers a unique combination of microbiology and computational biology. There is a strong emphasis on practical skills training alongside state-of-the-art academic and theoretical content. As well as learning how to evaluate the current place of microbiome science in society today, you will also acquire career-related skills such as data analysis, technical skills, communicating, and presenting ideas and data in a written and oral format. 

UCC is at the forefront of microbiome research through the School of Microbiology and APC Microbiome Ireland and is ideally placed to deliver an MSc in Microbiome Science where you will learn about the role of the microbiome in health, disease, and sustainability. The MSc will provide you with the prerequisite knowledge of microbial physiology, metabolism, and phylogeny required for the biological interpretation of microbiome data. In addition, you will be provided with essential training in computational analysis of microbiome data of different technical types.

Our MSc graduates will be highly sought-after by industry as they will possess the skills that are required to implement the translation of microbiome science from the laboratory to industry and the clinic. 

Modules

MSc Microbiome Science comprises 90 credits including taught modules to the value of 60 credits followed by a research dissertation worth 30 credits. 

Part I

• MB6003 Functional Foods for Health (5 credits)
• MB6302 Computational Microbiome Analysis (5 credits)
• MB6401 Cross-kingdom Signalling in Microbe-Host Interactions (5 credits)
• MB6402 Ecology of Microbial Communities (5 credits)
• MB6403 Microbiomes in Health and Disease (5 credits)
• MB6404 Introduction to Computational Analysis of Microbiome Data (5 credits)
• MB6405 Practical Skills in Microbiome Science (10 credits)
• MB6406 Literature Review in Microbiome Sciences (10 credits)
• ML6005 Molecular Techniques in the Life Sciences (5 credits)
• PG6001 STEPS Scientific Training for Enhanced Postgraduate Studies (5 credits)

Part II

• MB6407 Research Dissertation in Microbiome Sciences (30 credits)

Course Practicalities

The MSc in Microbiome Science is a full-time, in-person 12-month course. In Part I, from September to March/April, you will attend lectures on campus from Monday to Friday. While extensive use will be made of technology to aid teaching and learning, this is an in-person course and students are required to be on campus. In Part II, from March/April to the end of August, you will carry out a mentored research project within a research laboratory at UCC or APC Microbiome Ireland or another institution. This can also be at an international location.

Assessment

The taught modules will be assessed using a combination of continuous assessment and final written exams as per UCC Marks and Standards. The research project will be assessed via the dissertation that the student submits.

Who teaches this course?

You will be taught by academic staff in UCC and APC Microbiome Ireland. In addition, other experts with a broad range of national and international experience including from industry, research and innovation, and regulatory affairs may contribute to the course in the form of guest lectures and seminars.

Why Choose This Course

Microbiomes impact upon health and disease in humans, animals and plants, as well as underlying biogeochemical cycles which are key to global sustainability. In addition, microbiomes can be manipulated and/or exploited for a variety of industrial and clinical purposes. Therefore, the study of microbiomes will underpin the future well-being of both humans and the planet.

Microbiome science requires a unique and distinct skill set and training in this area is not readily available elsewhere. Whilst there are many graduates with skills in either microbiology or computational biology, there are few courses, if any, that provide significant levels of both. In addition, this course provides an extended research project which offers an opportunity for practical hands-on training with the development of the appropriate skills in data handling and analysis.

Our students have access to our world-leading research laboratories allowing you the opportunity to carry out an extended cutting-edge research project in the field of microbiome science. 

UCC is uniquely positioned as a world-leading site for microbiome research through the activities of internationally-recognised research centres/institutes such as APC Microbiome Ireland, Environmental Research Institute (ERI), and MaREI - the Research Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine Research and Innovation. Both UCC and the APC Microbiome Ireland hold pre-eminent global roles in microbiome research and therefore this programme offers students a unique opportunity to train at one of the world-leading hubs in microbiome sciences. 

APC Microbiome Ireland is a world-leading Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) research centre focused on understanding the gastrointestinal bacterial community and harnessing the power of the microbiome for the health and well-being of people and the planet. Hosted by UCC and Teagasc, in collaboration with institutions across Ireland, our students are well-placed to benefit from APC Microbiome Ireland's cutting-edge research. 

Hack Your Health: The Secrets of your Gut launched on Netflix in April 2024 and features Professor John Cryan, Vice President of Research and Innovation at UCC who is a renowned researcher and global expert in the field of gut health. Watch the official trailer of this light-hearted and informative documentary.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

The MSc has both research dissertation and literature review modules. It is envisaged that the research project will be primarily based at UCC, the opportunity may arise where it can be undertaken at another academic or research institution in Ireland or abroad.

Students wishing to undertake the research project outside of UCC will first discuss this proposal with the course director. In each instance, this will be considered on case-by-case basis and only following discussion with course director. Where students are permitted to undertake the research project outside of UCC, this will only be following approval by the course director. Students wishing to avail of an international research placement can utilise the network of academic collaborations already in place with this programme.

Skills and Careers Information

Our MSc Microbiome Science graduates will be highly sought-after in the rapidly emerging microbiome science sector, which includes the identification and development of probiotics and other live biotherapeutic products, biomanufacturing, and personalised medicine. Our graduates will not only have the technical skills needed to develop solutions, but they will also have the transversal personal skills and attributes that are vital for work in the academic and industrial sectors. 

As UCC is recognised as a world leader in the field of microbiome research there is already an excellent influx of post-doctoral fellowships, highlighting the international recognition of UCC as a hub of microbiome research.

Requirements

Applicants must have:

At least a Second Class Honours Grade 2 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in the biological sciences including, but not limited to, microbiology, biochemistry, immunology, molecular biology. 

Consideration under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may also be given to applicants who do not meet the minimum academic entry requirements as stated above but who present with significant and directly relevant experience such as in industry or research.

All admissions are subject to approval by the Programme Director.

Fees and Costs

How To Apply

The closing date for non-EU applications is Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.

Apply Now