Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms.
Immunology is the study of the immune response to infection and other challenges in man and animals. Both disciplines are exciting and rapidly developing sciences with new information constantly displacing older theories and assumptions. Microorganisms affect all areas of human endeavour and applications of microbiology are an integral part of medicine, biochemistry, agriculture, biotechnology, genetics and environmental remediation. Immunology embraces the host response to microorganisms, vaccine development, autoimmunity, tumour immunity and transplantation medicine. The Department also contributes significantly to the teaching of molecular biology.