M.Sc. Immunology of Infectious Diseases
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
| Application deadline: | Early application is encouraged |
| Tuition fee: |
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| Start date: | September 2013 |
| Duration full-time: | 12 months |
| Languages: |
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| Location: |
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| Delivery mode: | On Campus |
| Educational variant: | Part-time, Full-time |
| Intensity: | Flexible |
Description
This course aims to provide advanced theoretical knowledge and practical training in the immunology of infectious diseases through a comprehensive range of teaching and research methods. It equips students with the range of specialised knowledge and skills in applying scientific concepts, evaluating scientific data and carrying out modern immunological techniques.
This is facilitated by the unique mix of interests in immunology, molecular biology, virology, bacteriology, parasitology, mycology and clinical medicine at the School. Infectious diseases represent an increasingly important cause of human morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Vaccine development is thus of great importance in terms of global health. In parallel with this growth, there has been a dramatic increase in studies to identify the innate, humoral or cellular immunological mechanisms which confer immunity to pathogenic viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. As a result, increasing numbers of scientists, clinicians and veterinarians wish to develop their knowledge and skills in these areas.
The flexible nature of the course allows students to focus on attaining a broader understanding of infectious disease through attending taught units. Students can also undertake an extended research project within groups led by experienced team leaders. Such projects can involve basic investigations of immune mechanisms or applied field based studies.
Graduates from this course go into research positions in academia and industry, and further training such as PhD study.
Applying or interested students are encouraged to contact the Course Director at the earliest opportunity.
Course Duration
Full-time for one year or split study over two years. Students taking the course by split study over two years attend full-time for part of Year 1, and then undertake the remainder of their course in Year 2. The split can occur anytime between the Christmas break and the end of the formal teaching in May, by prior arrangement with the Course Director. Paper 1 may be taken at the end of Year 1 or at the end of Year 2. Paper 2 must be taken at the end of Year 2. Interested applicants should indicate their choice on the application form.
* Split study fees are calculated pro rata for the periods of attendance only. For example, students who've chosen a Term 1 split date will be charged approximately 12 weeks fees (at the Year 1 fee rate) for their first year of study, and approximately 38 weeks fees (at the Year 2 full-time fee rate) for their second year of studies.
Contents
Term 1
An initial one-week orientation period includes sessions on key computing and study skills and an introduction to major groups of pathogens. This is followed by two compulsory modules; Immunology of Infectious Diseases and Analysis & Design of Research Studies. Sessions on basic computing, molecular biology and statistics are run.
Terms 2 and 3
All students attend a five-week advanced immunology course in Term 2 based on current research literature. Students taking the extended project option start their project after completion of Advanced Immunology. Students taking the taught option attend a total of four further study modules, one from each timetable slot. Available modules are shown below. Some modules can be taken only after consultation with the Course Director. Compulsory modules are shown in italics.
C1: Advanced Immunology 1
C2: Advanced Immunology 2
D1: Advanced Training in Molecular Biology; Clinical Immunology; Clinical Virology; Extended Project; Clinical Infectious Diseases 3
D2: Extended Project; Immunology of Parasitic Infection: Principles; Molecular Biology Research Progress & Applications; Clinical Infectious Diseases 4; Epidemiology & Control of Communicable Diseases; Ethics, Public Health & Human Rights; Genetic Epidemiology; Immunology of Parasitic Infection: Principles; Molecular Biology Research Progress & Applications
E: AIDS; Antimicrobial Chemotherapy; Extended Project; Immunology of Parasitic Infection: Practice; Molecular Cell Biology & Infection; Mycology
Residential Field Trip
Towards the end of Term 1, students get the opportunity to hear about the latest, most exciting aspects of immunological research at the British Society of Immunology Congress.
Project Report
Students complete a research project on an immunological subject. Some of these projects may take place with collaborating scientists overseas or in other colleges or institutes in the UK. Students undertaking projects overseas will require additional funding of up to £1,500 to cover costs involved.
The majority of students who undertake projects abroad receive financial support for flights from the School's trust funds set up for this purpose.
Objectives
By the end of this course students should be able to: demonstrate specialist knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of host immunity to infection against the diverse range of pathogens which confront human populations; apply this specialist knowledge to a range of practical skills and techniques, in particular modern molecular and cellular techniques for assessing immune responses to pathogens; critically assess, select and apply appropriate research methods to investigate basic immunological mechanisms and applied issues in the immunology of infection; critically evaluate primary scientific data and the published scientific literature, and integrate and present key immunological concepts at an advanced level, both verbally and in written form.
Requirements
Applicants must normally satisfy LSHTMs general entrance requirements and additional programme specific entrance requirements to be considered for admission. Applications must be submitted in accordance with the procedures and deadlines given in the web-based or printed prospectus.
The normal minimum entrance qualification for registration is at least a second-class Honours degree of a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard, or a registerable qualification in medicine, dentistry or veterinary studies appropriate to the programme. Applications with an appropriate technical qualification, or equivalent qualification and experience from overseas, are also welcomed.
Any prospective student who does not meet the above minimum entry requirement, but who has relevant professional experience, may still be eligible for admission. The Registry can advise on eligibility to apply in such cases.
Funding
To find out the latest funding opportunities for this course, please visit http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/funding/index.html
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