Medical Microbiology Board
5 Years
Full-time training (R1–R5)
9
Training areas
5
Training hospitals in Riyadh
2–3
Positions per year
About the Program
Medical microbiology is the medical specialty concerned with diagnosing, treating, and preventing infectious diseases. Medical microbiologists direct the clinical microbiology laboratory, consult on infected patients, and are involved in infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship programs.
The KSU Board in Medical Microbiology is a five-year, full-time, competency-based program aligned with the CanMEDS framework. Graduates are competent specialists capable of independent practice .
What You Will Train In
Bacteriology
Mycobacteriology
Virology
Mycology
Parasitology
Molecular Diagnostics
Immunology & Serology
Infection Prevention & Control
Clinical Infectious Diseases
Training Pathway
R1
Foundation
Bench-level training across all microbiology subunits and immunology, with at least half the year in bacteriology, plus a two-month infectious diseases rotation.
R2
Broadening
Rotations at affiliated Riyadh hospitals and KSUMC, continued infectious diseases training, and the start of the resident’s research project.
R3
Consultative Skills
First infection control rotation and junior day call: answering laboratory and clinical queries, calling critical results, and reviewing reports under supervision.
R4
Advanced
Second cycle of external rotations, including an approved site outside Riyadh where available; day call at KSUMC; writing of the research manuscript.
R5
Senior Training
The senior resident becomes the laboratory’s first point of contact, authorizes results under supervision, serves as chief resident and completes the research project.
Learning & Research
Academic Learning
- Plate rounds and laboratory rounds
- Topic presentations and departmental seminars
- Journal club meetings
- Riyadh Microbiology & Infectious Diseases Club monthly meetings
- Support to attend local, national, and international conferences
Research & Scholarly Activity
- A supervised research project running from R2 to R5
- IRB submission, data collection and analysis
- Manuscript writing and completion
- Peer-reviewed presentation or publication
Assessment & Certification
Workplace-Based Assessment
End-of-rotation evaluations, bench assessments, presentations and in-training reports
Annual Examinations
Year-end written examinations, with practical and oral components in R3.
Final KSU Board Examination
Written, practical, and oral components at the end of R5
KSU Board Certificate
King Saud University Board in Medical Microbiology
Training Sites
Affiliated Training Sites
- King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre
- King Abdulaziz Medical City – National Guard
- King Fahad Medical City
- Security Forces Hospital
Residents rotate through all microbiology disciplines, infection control, and infectious diseases at each site. The Residency Training Committee in R4 may approve a site outside Riyadh.
Ready to Apply?
Applications Closed · Next cycle: Spring 2027
Applications for the current cycle have closed and will reopen in spring 2027. Admission requirements and the application process are shared across all department programs and are published on the Residency & Fellowship Programs page.

Program Director: Dr. Khalifa Binkhamis,
MBBS, M.Ed, FRCPC, D(ABMM), FCCM
Director, KSU Board in Medical Microbiology
Associate Professor & Consultant Medical Microbiologist
Tel: 0096611-4689772
Email: kbinkhamis@ksu.edu.sa
