This course aims to provide training in the theoretical and practical aspects of the biology and control of disease vectors as well as the human pathogens that they transmit, and equip students with specialised skills to facilitate careers in global health that demand knowledge of the molecular biology of infectious diseases.
Introductory sessions cover all aspects of major vector-borne diseases and offer a thorough grounding in the systematics of medically important arthropods, the main processes regulating vector populations, and in the biology of vector-parasite and vector-vertebrate interactions.
Graduates enter operational control programmes, applied basic research and academic fields. Students benefit from close interaction with staff who have extensive international expertise.
The James Busvine Memorial Medal and Prize, donated by Professor James Busvine in 1987, is awarded each year for outstanding performance.
Course Duration
Full-time for one year or split study over two years. Students taking the course by split study over two years attend full-time for part of Year 1, and then undertake the remainder of the course in Year 2. The split can occur anytime between the Christmas break and the end of the formal teaching in May, by prior arrangement with the Course Director. Paper 2 may be taken at the end of Year 1 or at the end of Year 2. Paper 2 must be taken at the end of Year 2. Interested applicants should indicate their choice on the application form.
" At first I was worried about coming to London as I had never been to the UK but after only one week of being here I felt the staff and students were like old friends. Hmooda Toto from Sudan studied the MSc Biology & Control of Disease Vectors. - Full profile
Objectives
At the end of this course students should be able to: demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the biology of vectors and intermediate hosts of human pathogens together with methods for their control; describe the biology, pathogenesis and diagnosis of parasitic infections in humans and relate these to human health and disease control strategies; demonstrate a range of specialised technical and analytical skills relevant to vectors and vector-borne diseases; design and carry out a research project on biology or control of disease vectors, analyse and interpret the results and prepare a report including a critical literature review; design, undertake and evaluate vector control interventions, and show written and verbal competence in communicating scientific information.
Term 1
The one-week orientation period includes sessions on key computing and study skills and an introduction to major groups of pathogens. This is followed by a ten-week compulsory core teaching module, Parasitology & Entomology. 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. A typical selection of modules is given below; not all modules will be available in any one year. Some modules can be taken only after consultation with the Course Director.
C1 Vector Sampling, Identification & Incrimination.
C2: Advanced Diagnostic Parasitology; Statistical Methods in Epidemiology; Epidemiology and Control of Malaria; Design and Analysis of Epidemiological Studies.
D1: Spatial Epidemiology in Public Health; Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases: Advanced Practical Training in Gene Cloning; Molecular Cell Biology & Infection; Designing Disease Control Programmes in Developing Countries.
D2: Epidemiology & Control of Communicable Diseases; Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases: Research Progress & Field Applications; Vector Biology & Vector-Parasite Interactions; Tropical Environmental Health..
E: Integrated Vector Management
Further details for the course modules can be found here.
Residential Field Trip
There is a compulsory one week field course, after the Term 3 examinations, on vector and parasite sampling and identification methods.
Project Report
Students complete a field or laboratory research project on an appropriate entomological topic.
Titles of some of the recent summer projects completed by students on this MSc
Due to our collaborative networking, students are given the opportunity to conduct research projects overseas. This unique experience provides students with skills that are highly desirable to potential employers. For example, all of our 2005-6 graduates are now either working in relevant posts overseas (e.g. as field managers or NGO's in Bènin, Sudan and Tanzania), or have registered as research students (e.g. "Novel control strategies against leishmaniasis", Dept of Biological Sciences, University of Warwick, "PCR assay to diagnose agriculturally important biotypes of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci", University of Nottingham/Rothamsted Research and "Chemical ecology of bed bugs", London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine/Rothamsted Research).
The majority of students who undertake projects abroad receive financial support for flights from the School's trust funds set up for this purpose.
Entrance Requirements
Either a Second-class Honours degree from a recognised university in a scientific, social sciences or humanities field, or a degree in medicine. Applicants with an appropriate technical qualification and work experience, or equivalent qualifications, are also welcomed.
Application for London-based Study
Application for Masters degrees in London must be made using the School's MSc Application Forms.
Application for Research degrees (MPhil/PhD or DrPH) and for occasional research study in London must be made using the School's Research Application Forms.
Instructions on how to complete these forms and an outline of the application process are available with the relevant Application Forms.
The MSc and Research Application Packs are also available from: The Registry, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom. Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7299 4646 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7299 4656 E-mail: registry@lshtm.ac.uk).
Masters Courses
Applicants wishing to be considered for School scholarships are advised to apply by 1 March 2012. Please note that this is not a closing date. Although we accept applications all year round, other applicants are also advised to apply before this date as courses can become full rapidly. While early application is encouraged, late applications are always considered until all places on the course have been filled. All applicants should be able to start the course on the first day of the academic year, 24 September 2012.
All Masters courses are offered on a part-time basis over two years. Students interested in part-time study should contact the appropriate Course Organiser, via the Registry, to discuss course requirements and likely timetables, and should read the Masters degree information.
There are two ways of undertaking part-time study:
1) attending part-time throughout the two years: Students need to be available for up to four or five half days every week for 27 weeks per year. Evidence may be required to prove that applicants are able to commit this minimum period of time to their study
2) attending full-time for modules in the first two terms in Year 1 (September-March), and undertaking third term modules, exams and project in Year 2 (April - September). Such an option may be attractive to applicants who are unable to be released from employment for a continuous twelve-month period. This option is called split study.
All courses commence on 24 September 2012 and last one year for full-time study or two years for part-time study.
