Short Courses: MSc Programme Modules (Distance Learning)

If you wish to take an individual module or modules, perhaps for professional updating or special interest, or you would like to "sample" the distance learning programme, you may take modules as a short course student. Grades obtained may be credited towards a distance learning PG Diploma or MSc, provided you register for the MSc or Diploma within four years of completing the short course module.

Before applying for a distance learning MSc or Diploma, applicants who do not have the usual academic qualifications may also be required to take one or more specific distance learning modules as a short course student in order to qualify for consideration for entry to the course.

Which modules are available?

Most of the distance learning modules are available to be taken as individual short courses. The core modules comprise 120-150 learning hours and are examined by a 2-hour unseen written paper held in June. Advanced modules comprise between 80-100 learning hours, and each are assessed by coursework and a 2-hour unseen written examination. The modules available to be taken as a short course are listed below:

Core modules:

Epidemiology:

• Fundamentals of Epidemiology,
• Statistics with Computing,
• Practical Epidemiology (students choosing this unit must have a basic knowledge of epidemiology and statistics),
• Writing and Reviewing Scientific Papers (students choosing this unit must be familiar with issues covered in the other core units and is examined solely by coursework).

Infectious Diseases:

• Principles of Biology,
• Biology of Infectious Diseases,
• Control of Infectious Diseases.

Public Health:

• Basic Epidemiology
• Basic Statistics for Public Health & Policy
• Introduction to Health Economics
• Principles of Social Research, Issues in Public Health
• Environment,
• Health & Sustainable Development
• Health Promotion Theory
• Health Services
• Health Policy Process & Power

Advanced modules:

Epidemiology:
Modules in epidemiology require students to have prior knowledge of basic epidemiology and statistics.

• Statistical Methods in Epidemiology.
• Epidemiology of Communicable Diseases
• Epidemiology of Non-Communicable Diseases
• Advanced Statistical Methods in Epidemiology (students must have completed the unit Statistical Methods in Epidemiology prior to studying this unit)
• Molecular & Genetic Epidemiology.

Infectious Diseases:

• Bacterial Infections
• Nutrition and Infection
• Parasitology, Hospital Infection
• Food Microbiology
• Water and Sanitation.
• Epidemiology and Control of Infectious Diseases in Developing Countries.
• AIDS
• Tuberculosis
• Malaria

Public Health:

• Analytical Models for Decision Making
• Communicable Disease Control
• Economic Analysis for Management & Policy
• Economic Evaluation
• Environmental Health Policy
• Health Care Evaluation
• Financial Management
• Globalisation & Health
• Managing Health Services
• Medical Anthropology in Public Health
• Principles & Practice of Health Promotion

How to Apply

Applications must be made on the application form in the centre of the distance learning prospectus direct to the University of London External Programme. The module(s) chosen must be clearly stated at the bottom of the front page of the application form. The distance learning prospectus and application form can be downloaded from the External System's website and clicking on one of the School's four courses: Clinical Trials, Epidemiology, Infectious Diseases, or Public Health. Deadline for submission of applications is 30 June.

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is committed to improve global health through its programme of short and full-time postgraduate study.