Description

Contents

Term 1

Term 1 begins with an initial one-week orientation period for all students. During this time students are introduced to the LSHTM and members of staff, given time to settle into London and to meet the other students on their course. There is an introduction to the MSc course and studying at the LSHTM, plus sessions on key computing and study skills. The Term 1 Module for the MSc Medical Microbiology consists of two compulsory modules; Bacteriology & Virology and Analysis & Design of Research Studies A further optional module is Molecular Biology. There is a separate assessment at the end of each Core Module, which both take the form of a practical examination and Multiple Choice Question test. Sessions on basic computing, molecular biology and statistics are run throughout the term for all students.

Terms 2 and 3

Students take a total of five modules, one from each timetable slot (C1 to E). Available modules are shown below. Some modules can be taken only after consultation with the Course Director.

Term 2 choices

C1: Basic Parasitology; Molecular Biology & Recombinant DNA Techniques

C2: Clinical Bacteriology 1; Molecular Virology.

D1: Advanced Training in Molecular Biology; Clinical Virology;

D2: Clinical Bacteriology 2; Molecular Biology Research Progress & Applications

Term 3 choices

E: Antimicrobial Chemotherapy; Mycology; Pathogen Genomics; Molecular Cell Biology & Infection

Project Report

Students complete a laboratory-based original research project on an aspect of a relevant organism. Projects may take place within the School or with collaborating scientists in other colleges or institutes in the UK or overseas.

The majority of students who undertake projects abroad receive financial support for flights from the School's trust funds set up for this purpose

Objective

By the end of the course students should be able to: demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the nature of viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi and basic criteria used in the classification/taxonomy of these micro-organisms; explain the modes of transmission and the growth cycles of pathogenic micro-organisms; explain the modes of transmission and the growth cycles of pathogenic micro-organisms; demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis and the outcomes of infections; distinguish between and critically assess the classical and modern approaches to the development of therapeutic agents and vaccines for the prevention of human microbial diseases; demonstrate knowledge of the laboratory diagnosis of microbial diseases and practical skills; carry out a range of advanced skills and laboratory techniques, including the purification of isolated microbial pathogens, study of microbial growth cycles and analyses of their proteins and nucleic acids for downstream applications, and demonstrate research skills.

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