Offered by the Department of Plant Sciences
Microbiology is a multifaceted discipline playing an integral role in our day to day lives. Microbiological techniques provide a basic platform to learn culturing, handling, identifying, manipulating, etc. of microorganisms which have become essential tools in a variety of disciplines such as medicine, agriculture, biotechnology and in food and beverages & pharmaceutical industry. The credibility of an industrial process relies mainly on the reliability of the process and competency and education of an employee. The industrial sector is increasingly aware of the benefits of being proving their credibility in an increasingly competitive business environment. This necessitates employing a properly trained, skilful and knowledgeable workforce. Hence, this programme is designed to produce high caliber employees, specially trained to meet up to date requirements in microbiological techniques of many of the biotechnology, agricultural, pharmaceutical, healthcare and food and beverage based industries.
Objectives
The programme is designed,
- To enhance knowledge on theoretical and practical aspects of microbiological techniques.
- To develop high level of skills in microbial techniques.
- To provide essential training to work in a range of microbiology-based industries.
- To provide an understanding on the application of quality management systems in a microbiology laboratory setting.
Eligibility
Candidates possessing,
At least three passes in one sitting with biology as a subject at GCE A/L Examination (in its present format)
OR
At least four passes in one sitting with Botany as a subject at GCE A/L Examination (in its earlier format)
OR
Candidates who have passed the GCE O/L Examination with at least a credit pass in Science and having at least one year of relevant industrial/ research experiences, which are acceptable to the Senate.
Programme Duration
The duration of the course will be 12 months (part-time) including the periods of study leave and examinations. The courses will be conducted on weekends. The maximum period allowed to complete the Diploma will be eighteen months from the date of registration.
Assessment Criteria
End of the module examination (50%), Assessments on Practical (25%), Mini Project (25%)
*This depends on the module. Please refer the modules in the course content.
How to apply?
Registration link
Course Fees
The course fee payment is acceptable in installments.
Target Group
- Personnel already engaged in microbiological analysis in private/public sector laboratories.
- Personnel intending to pursue a career in microbiology related work.
Course Structure
The programme shall consist of 14 modules, with lectures and practical sessions in accordance with the credit value specified for a particular module. In a theory module, fifteen lecture hours of instruction is considered as one credit and in the practical components, thirty hours of work is considered as one credit. The total number of modules is 14 which is equivalent to 30 credits.
Course Modules
| Course Code | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DMT 01 | Fundamentals of Microbiology | 3C |
| DMT 02 | Molecular Microbiology | 2C |
| DMT 03 | Plant Diseases and Disease Management | 2C |
| DMT 04 | Human Disease-causing microorganisms | 1C |
| DMT 05 | Managing a Microbiology Laboratory | 3C |
| DMT 06 | Scientific Writing & Methodology | 1C |
| DMT 07 | Soil and Water Microbiology | 2C |
| DMT 08 | Microbes and Food | 2C |
| DMT 09 | Seminar/ Directed study | 1C |
| DMT 10 | Microbes in Pharmacy and Cosmetics | 3C |
| DMT 11 | Microorganisms in Industry | 2C |
| DMT 12 | Basic IT | 1C |
| DMT 13 | Emerging concepts | 1C |
| DMT 14 | Industrial Placement | 6C |
Evaluation
Course modules | Method of Evaluation | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | |||
| DMT 01 | Fundamentals of Microbiology | 3C | End of Semester written theory paper and a corresponding practical assessment |
| DMT 02 | Molecular Microbiology | 2C | End of Semester written theory paper and a corresponding practical assessment |
| DMT 03 | Plant Diseases and Disease Management | 2C | End of Semester written theory paper and a corresponding practical assessment |
| DMT 04 | Human Disease-causing microorganisms | 1C | End of Semester written theory paper and a corresponding practical assessment |
| DMT 05 | Managing a Microbiology Laboratory | 3C | End of Semester written theory paper |
| DMT 06 | Scientific Writing & Methodology | 1C | Assignment based |
| DMT 09 | Seminar/ Directed study | 1C | Report and presentation |
| DMT 12 | Basic IT | 1C | End of Semester corresponding practical assessment |
| Semester 2 | |||
| DMT 07 | Soil and Water Microbiology | 2C | End of Semester written theory paper and a corresponding practical assessment |
| DMT 08 | Microbes and Food | 2C | End of Semester written theory paper and a corresponding practical assessment |
| DMT 10 | Microbes in Pharmacy and Cosmetics | 3C | End of Semester written theory paper and a corresponding practical assessment |
| DMT 11 | Microorganisms in Industry | 2C | End of Semester written theory paper and a corresponding practical assessment |
| DMT 13 | Emerging concepts | 1C | Assignment based |
| DMT 14 | Industrial Placement | 6C | Report and Viva-voce examination |
Examination Criteria
The Diploma in Microbial Techniques will be awarded to candidates who obtain a minimum GPA of 2.0, as described in the Guidelines for Diploma Programmes conducted by the Faculty of Science in 2007.
Repeat Examination
A candidate who fails to satisfy above examination criteria will be permitted to sit such papers only once at the next available occasion in order to obtain a minimum GPA of 2.0 to satisfy the requirements of the Diploma.
Further Information
Further information regarding the Diploma Program can be obtained by contacting the programme coordinator.
Contact details of the programme coordinators are as follows.
| Intake | Coordinator | Phone No. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Dr. Surani Ediriweera | surani@pts.cmb.ac.lk | +94 77 3157639 |