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

VECTOR BIOLOGY & VECTOR-PARASITE INTERACTIONS (3166)

ORGANISERS: Dr Mark Rowland, Dr Matt Rogers

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


AIM
To provide students with a broad understanding of the key aspects of insect vector behaviour, vector ecology and vector-parasite interactions relevant to the epidemiology and control of vector-borne diseases.


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

  1. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key aspects of vector behaviour, vector ecology and vector-parasite interactions;
  2. demonstrate an understanding of how these features impact on the epidemiology and control of vector-borne diseases;
  3. apply a range of practical entomological techniques and tools used in research on vector competence and ecology;
  4. demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate the relevant scientific literature;
  5. demonstrate some of the skills required to design a research project related to vector biology or competence.


CONSTITUENCY
This module is intended primarily for entomologists and parasitologists who wish to develop an active research interest in this discipline in field or laboratory, or apply it within the context of a control programme. Some basic knowledge is assumed (e.g. contents of Parasitology and Entomology (3122) in term 1).


CONCEPTUAL OUTLINE
This module will be divided into three teaching blocks covering research areas in vector behaviour, vector ecology, and vector-parasite interactions. Areas covered will include most of the following: vector nutrition and blood-feeding behaviour; host seeking and selection: anthropophily and zoophily; endophily-exophily; sugar feeding behaviour; dispersal and learning; sexual (mating) behaviour and pheromones; vector saliva; larval competition; serology; seasonality and diapause; circadian activity rhythms and the gonotrophic cycle; genetic and physiological determinants of vector competence and vector-parasite specificity; effects of parasites on vector behaviour, survival and parasite transmission; host-parasite interactions with reference to mosquitoes and Plasmodium, sandflies and Leishmania, blackflies and Onchocerca, ticks and viral pathogens.


TEACHING STRATEGY
Teaching will include formal lectures by specialists in each field, many with associated laboratory practicals; small group work for developing research proposals on selected topics related to the course. Visits will be made to research institutions working on vector behaviour and host-parasite interactions.


LEARNING TIME
The module is made up of 150 Notional Learning Hours – 40 hours contact time, 30 hours directed self-study, 40 hours self-directed learning, and 40 hours assessment, review and revision.


ASSESSMENT
Short test of multiple choice questions on the module (33%); written presentation of a research proposal in the form suitable to submit to a named grant funding agency (67%).

 

FEE

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

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