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Microorganisms play a vital role in sustaining Earth's ecosystems. They make up over half of all living organisms on our planet, but scientists have only identified and examined approximately 1% of them. Disease-causing microbes such as bacteria and viruses can invade our systems, making our immune defenses crucial for protection. This makes the interaction between microbes and immune cells fundamental to human health.
The University of Otago stands as New Zealand's sole provider of undergraduate programs in both Microbiology AND Infection and Immunity. These courses explore the hidden realm of microorganisms and immune responses while demonstrating real-world applications of this knowledge.
Students pursuing the degree through coursework and a thesis typically complete two to three years of full-time study, while those opting for thesis-only research generally devote one to two years. Any variations to these timelines require approval from the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sciences).