Department of Medical Microbiology

Medical Microbiology department in Cihan University- Erbil was established in 2009-2010. The Department offers a four years program that awards the students a bachelor degree in Medical Microbiology (B.Sc. Medical Microbiology). Our community dedicated to research, teaching, and provide best environment for the students to learn and explore an exciting, and diverse fields starting from cells that are the basic unit of life to different living things having the ability to acquire and transform energy. The goals of the biology department are attained through a variety of different measures, including lectures, debates, laboratory experiments, field studies, seminars, and guest speakers. Students may engage in research in different manners within the course structure or independently under the guidance of a faculty member. The program also provides a thorough education in the history of scientific discovery in Medical Microbiology as well as technical skills that needed for running contemporary medical microbiology research. The department occupies eight laboratories that provided with state of the art equipment that helps the students to conduct experiments in chemistry, botany, zoology, microbiology, Genetics and a variety of biological and biomedical sciences as well as medically related courses such as pathogenic bacteria, basic and clinical hematology, mycology, basic and medical virology, parasitology, immunology and medical laboratory analysis techniques.

The mission of the department is to provide comprehensive scientific instruction to students, conduct novel and meaningful research, and offer consultation in medical microbiology and immunology as they relate to human disease. In addition, it is essential to provide comprehensive theoretical knowledge of Medical Microbiology, including the sources and spread of microorganisms, etiology, diagnosis and treatment of pathogens that are of major significance to public health. Moreover, advanced practical training in this diverse field is also provided. The Department seeks to produce professional Medical Microbiologists and health care workers who lead the Microbiological diagnostic laboratory systems in the country, offering comprehensive testing for the diagnosis of infectious diseases. Graduates should also be capable of executing prevention programs and vaccination campaigns to prevent diseases that pose a threat to human health.

Infectious diseases cause a great burden to the world, with millions of illnesses and deaths still attributable to diarrheal diseases, tuberculosis, HIV, malaria and most recently the COVID-19 pandemic that has been responsible for the death of many people around the world. With global, environmental and behavioral changes, and the innate ability of microorganisms to evolve rapidly, newly emerging infections always represent a major problem. The vision of the Department of Medical Microbiology is to be globally recognized for the achievements of in health care, education, leadership, and research. The research fields most importantly include the development of vaccines and antimicrobial agents to treat infections.

To provide knowledge of the principles of Medical Bacteriology, Virology, Mycology, Parasitology and Immunology, including the nature of pathogenic microorganisms, pathogenesis, laboratory diagnosis, transmission, prevention and control of diseases common in the country and around the world.
To prepare graduates capable of describing the epidemiology of infectious agents including how infectious diseases are transmitted and can be prevented.
Prepare qualified graduates for leadership roles in basic and advanced professional microbiological practice.
Prepare competent researchers in all fields of Medical Microbiology, emphasizing on vaccine development and improvement of antimicrobial agents to serve the community.

Job opportunities of graduates of Medical Microbiology Department

Diagnostic Microbiologist in hospital and private laboratories
Academic researcher in all fields of Microbiology, including vaccine and drug development, immune disorders and cancers
Academic instructor and lecturer after accomplishing post graduate studies
Biotechnologist
Clinical scientist, including research regarding immune disorders
Food technologist
Medicinal chemist, in reference to antimicrobial agents
Nanotechnologist
Water, food and drug quality control