This is a 3-module course series that provides progressive training for those working in the bioscience industries to attain a level of proficiency in microbiology for testing of food, water and environmental samples.

Modern men are plagued by an increasing incidence of community-acquired infections as a result of changing environment, ease and speed of travelling around, or living habitat. Some of the pathogens that affect us include Legionella, TB that are air-borne, and others acquired via the food chain such as E.coli 0157:H7 from contaminated beef, hepatitis from shell-fish, cholera and other vibrios from polluted water. Consequently, there is an increasing demand for industrial and private laboratories to have properly trained personnel ready for the detection of possible microbial contaminants. In view of this, a 3-module course leading to the award of a Certificate in Microbiology Testing is offered by HKU SPACE.  

 

The 3-module course series comprises:

Module 1:     Workshop in Microbiology Testing

Module 2:     Advanced Workshop in Microbiology Testing I

Module 3:     Advanced Workshop in Microbiology Testing II

The series have to be completed in the sequence of Workshop in Microbiology Testing, Advanced Workshop in Microbiology Testing I and Advanced Workshop in Microbiology Testing II, spanning over approximately a year and no exemptions will be granted to applicants. Candidates are normally expected to attend classes of not less than 80% and successfully completed all 3 modules and passing all the assessments before granting the Certificate in Microbiology Testing.

Application Code	2265-HS028A	-

Days / Time

• Tue, Fri, starting 6:45 pm for 2 - 3 hours

Duration

• Please note that the course dates are tentative and subject to change.
  
  Module 1 - 9 meetings (07 Jan 2025 - 21 Feb 2025)
  Module 2 - 13 meetings for continuing students
  Module 3 - 24 meetings for continuing students
  

Venue

• HKU SPACE Learning Centre

Module 1:     Workshop in Microbiology Testing

This is the first module of the Microbiology Testing course series.  The purpose of this module is to familiarise laboratory staff with the basic microbiological techniques and laboratory safety control measures and to equip them with knowledge in the isolation and handling of microorganisms which might constitute a public health hazard.  Special reference will be made to food and environmental pollutants.  Topics covered include basic microbiological techniques, sterilization and disinfection, principles of bacterial diagnosis, presumptive identification of specific bacterial pathogens and basic laboratory setup.  A practical assessment on the knowledge and laboratory skills will be conducted.  

Module 2:     Advanced Workshop in Microbiology Testing I

This is the second module of the Microbiology Testing course series.  The purpose of this module is to provide laboratory staff with further hands-on experience in the isolation and handling of food, water, and air-borne microorganisms known currently to constitute a public health hazard in Hong Kong.  Topics covered include microbiology laboratory set-up, indicator organisms, molecular and other advanced techniques in microbial identification, continuous quality improvement.  Particular emphasis will be on laboratory biosafety when handling environmental pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, Cholera, Mycobacteria and Legionella.  An assessment on the knowledge and laboratory skills acquired will be conducted.  

Module 3:     Advanced Workshop in Microbiology Testing II

This is the third and last module of the Microbiology Testing course series leading to Certificate in Microbiology Testing.  The module contents include: Laboratory organization & management; training of technical personnel; quality system audit and review; documentation of standard operation procedure and laboratory records in accordance to current legislation requirements; evaluation of new tests; internal and external proficiency testing schemes, introduction of ISO 17025, statistics in Microbiology Testing laboratory, uncertainty of test results and integrated laboratory diagnosis.  A practical and written assessment on the knowledge and laboratory skills will be conducted.

Upon successful completion of all THREE modules and passing all the assessments, a Certificate in Microbiology Testing will be awarded by HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education. Holders of the Certificate are considered to have met the minimum training requirements as set by the Hong Kong Accreditation Services (HKAS) for application to be an Approved Signatory for Microbiology Testing.

Course Fee

• Module 1 : HK$9500 (payable upon application for Module 1)
  Module 2 : HK$12000 (payable upon start of Module 2)
  Module 3 : HK$23500 (payable upon start of Module 3)
  

Applicants shall:

• hold a Higher Certificate in Medical Laboratory Science awarded within the HKU system through HKU SPACE; or
• hold a Higher Diploma in Medical Laboratory Science of Hong Kong Polytechnic University; or
• hold an Associate Degree or a Higher Diploma or a degree in a science discipline; or
• hold an Associate Membership of the Institute of Biomedical Science (AIBMS); or
• be a Registered Medical Laboratory Technologist of the HKSAR Medical Laboratory Technologists Board.

  Preference will be given to those who are employed in testing laboratories in Hong Kong.

Application Form Download Application Form

Enrolment Method

• duly completed application form;
• a copy of HKID Card;
• photostat copies of relevant certificates and transcripts/result slips;
• company reference / work proof letter 
• cheque payment for the course fee of Module 1

Payment Method

Course fee can be paid by crossed cheque or bank draft made payable to "HKU SPACE".  Please specify the programme title(s) for application, student's name, and student card no. (if applicable).

Applicants may also pay the course fee by VISA or MasterCard.