MSc Sexually Transmitted Infections & HIV

This course aims to train individuals in all aspects of STI management and control. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are a global health issue as they are a major cause of morbidity worldwide, and recognised as facilitating the transmission of HIV infection. The World Development report 1993, 'Investing in Health' rated STIs, not including HIV infections, among the three top causes of healthy life years lost in women in developing countries. This course is run jointly by the School and University College London (UCL).

Graduates go into a broad range of communicable diseases/reproductive health posts. The modular nature of the course allows students to tailor the course to their own learning objectives.

Objectives

By the end of this course students should be able to: demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the microbiology, virology and immunology of STIs, including HIV; describe the laboratory methods used for diagnosing and monitoring STIs; demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts of communicable disease epidemiology; identify and apply principles of good clinical practice in the care and treatment of patients with STIs, including HIV; communicate effectively with patients and professional colleagues on issues related to the care and treatment of people affected by STIs and HIV; demonstrate knowledge and understanding of different models of health care and evaluate their relative benefits and disadvantages in the field of STIs and HIV; critically assess different approaches to prevention and control of STIs and HIV in different populations, and plan, implement, manage and evaluate STI control programmes.

Programme specifications- showing which of the various elements of the Course support and achieve each of these specific Objectives.

Term 1

Core modules in Epidemiology & Public Health (UCL), Basic Science & Laboratory Diagnosis (UCL), and Clinical are taken by all students. Optional LSHTM modules in Health Policy, Process & Power; Health Promotion Theory; Introduction to Health Economics; and Principles of Social Research can be taken by students taking the course part-time over more than one year.

Terms 2 and 3

The core module Clinical Aspects of STIs (UCL) is taken by all students in the C1 timetable slot. Students choose one module from each of the remaining timetable slots as follows:

C1: Clinical Aspects of STDs (UCL) - compulsory.

C2: Family Planning Programmes; Conflict & Health; Design & Analysis of Epidemiological Studies; Health Promotion Approaches and Methods; Qualitative Methodologies; Statistical Methods in Epidemiology.

D1: Communicable Disease Control in Developed & Middle Income Countries; Designing Disease Control Programmes in Developing Countries; Medical Anthropology in Public Health. Clinical Aspects of HIV disease (UCL)

D2: Sexual Health; Epidemiology & Control of Communicable Diseases; Ethics, Public Health & Human Rights; Organisational Management.

E1: AIDS; Principles and practice of public health; Mycology; Proposal Development.

E2: Control of Reproductive Tract Infections/Sexually Transmitted Infections; Current Issues in Safe Motherhood & Perinatal Health; History & Health.

Further details for the course modules can be found here.

Project Report

Students will spend up to four months on project work. If appropriate, part of this may take the form of an optional period in a relevant overseas location.

Course Duration

Full-time for one year or part-time over two years. (Please note that for UK residents, the course can be taken part-time over a minimum of 2 years and up to a maximum of 5 years)

Entrance Requirements

Either a Second-class Honours degree of a recognised university in science, nursing or a related subject, or a degree in medicine. Applicants with an appropriate technical qualification and work experience, or equivalent qualifications are also welcomed. Students are usually health professionals involved in the treatment or prevention of STIs.

Application forms and further details may be obtained from:

The Registrar, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7679 3000, Email: lclinton@gum.ucl.ac.uk