Switch to low bandwidth version Close

Continuing Professional Development: MSc Programme Modules (London-based)

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY RESEARCH PROGRESS & APPLICATIONS (3160)

ORGANISER: Dr Michael Lewis

22 February – 23 March 2012 (Wednesdays 2pm to Fridays 5pm)


AIM
To provide the knowledge and experience required to understand and to keep up to date with rapidly advancing research frontiers in the molecular biology of infectious diseases.


OBJECTIVES
By the end of this module students should be able to:

  1. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of up-to-date research progress and future prospects for selected topics in the molecular biology of infectious diseases;
  2. appreciate the applications of molecular biology to several of the following key areas of research: identification, taxonomy and evolutionary history of disease agents; diagnostics; analysis of chemotherapeutic targets; and vaccine development;
  3. assess critically the design of molecular biological strategies as applied to epidemiological investigations, clinical diagnosis or fundamental research on infectious diseases;
  4. demonstrate knowledge and skills required to understand, evaluate and keep up to date with scientific literature on molecular biology and infectious diseases.


CONSTITUENCY
This module is intended for students who wish to be thoroughly familiar with latest advances in the molecular biology of infectious diseases and who wish to maintain an active interest in this discipline.  It is assumed that students have either taken the core Molecular Biology (3333) module taught in Term 1 and the Molecular Biology and Recombinant DNA Techniques (3131) module in term 2 (C1) OR have an equivalent level of knowledge and experience.  If not attending module 3333, they are required to have taken its final formative assessment.


CONCEPTUAL OUTLINE
Students are introduced to a range of advanced techniques in areas including molecular epidemiology, sequencing and genomics, immunology, phylogenetics and population genetics with reference to diverse agents of infectious disease.  Leading research workers contribute to lectures and research seminars on applications of molecular biology to specific research questions.  Topics may vary from year to year: examples are the Molecular Biology of Malaria; Molecular Epidemiology-Case Studies; Bacterial Virulence & Pathogenesis; Viral Pathogenesis; the Molecular Biology of Trypanosomes & Leishmania.  Students also participate in group syndicates (tutor-facilitated literature-based research) focussing on a specific topic of their interest, culminating in a brief informal presentation; examples of topics considered through syndicates include Studies in Molecular Taxonomy and Molecular Diagnostics, Origins and Outbreaks of Viral Infection, and Functional Genomics.  


TEACHING STRATEGY
This module is built around research seminars but incorporates a range of other teaching methods including reviews of relevant publications, a short written assignment and a computer practical.   Approximately 60% of time will be devoted to research seminars, and the remainder to syndicate activities and private study, with some formal lectures. 


LEARNING TIME
The module is made up of 150 Notional Learning Hours – 54 hours contact time, 24 hours directed self-study, 12 hours self-directed learning, and 60 hours assessment, review and revision.


ASSESSMENT
Assessment will be by a written assignment, consisting of 4 short answer questions (50%), and an individual oral presentation (50%).

FEE

£1,600 including access to LSHTM library and learning resources, study materials and assessment.

Back to top