This course aims to provide advanced theoretical knowledge and practical training in the immunology of infectious diseases through a comprehensive range of teaching and research methods. It equips students with the range of specialised knowledge and skills in applying scientific concepts, evaluating scientific data and carrying out modern immunological techniques.
This is facilitated by the unique mix of interests in immunology, molecular biology, virology, bacteriology, parasitology, mycology and clinical medicine at the School. Infectious diseases represent an increasingly important cause of human morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Vaccine development is thus of great importance in terms of global health. In parallel with this growth, there has been a dramatic increase in studies to identify the innate, humoral or cellular immunological mechanisms which confer immunity to pathogenic viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. As a result, increasing numbers of scientists, clinicians and veterinarians wish to develop their knowledge and skills in these areas.
The flexible nature of the course allows students to focus on attaining a broader understanding of infectious disease through attending taught units. Students can also undertake an extended research project within groups led by experienced team leaders. Such projects can involve basic investigations of immune mechanisms or applied field based studies.
Graduates from this course go into research positions in academia and industry, and further training such as PhD study.
Applying or interested students are encouraged to contact the Course Director at the earliest opportunity.
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 their 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 1 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.
" The teaching was of a very high standard and we covered a broad range of subject areas within the first term. Although a lot of diverse topics were covered, the tutorials and support from the staff was such that it was not overwhelming and staff were always on hand to answer any questions we had. Lena Fadda from the UK studied for the MSc Immunology of Infectious Diseases - Full profile
Objectives
By the end of this course students should be able to: demonstrate specialist knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of host immunity to infection against the diverse range of pathogens which confront human populations; apply this specialist knowledge to a range of practical skills and techniques, in particular modern molecular and cellular techniques for assessing immune responses to pathogens; critically assess, select and apply appropriate research methods to investigate basic immunological mechanisms and applied issues in the immunology of infection; critically evaluate primary scientific data and the published scientific literature, and integrate and present key immunological concepts at an advanced level, both verbally and in written form.
Programme specifications - showing which of the various elements of the Course support and achieve each of these specific Objectives.
Term 1
An initial 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 module, Immunology of Infectious Disease, consisting of lectures, practicals and journal clubs. Sessions on basic computing, molecular biology and statistics are run.
Terms 2 and 3
All students attend a five-week advanced immunology course in Term 2 based on current research literature. Students taking the extended project option start their project after completion of Advanced Immunology. Students taking the taught option attend a total of four further study 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: Advanced Immunology 1.
C2: Advanced Immunology 2.
D1: Applied Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases: Advanced Practical Training in Gene Cloning; Molecular Cell Biology & Infection.
D2: Clinical Immunology; Molecular Virology.
E: Immunology of Parasitic Infection: Principles; AIDS; Genetic Epidemiology; Mycology; Immunology of Parasitic Infection: Practice; Antimicrobial Chemotherapy; Control and Epidemiology of Malaria; Training in Research Methods.
Further details for the course modules can be found here.
Residential Field Trip
Towards the end of Term 1, students get the opportunity to hear about the latest, most exciting aspects of immunological research at the British Society of Immunology Congress.
Project Report
Students complete a research project on an immunological subject. Some of these projects may take place with collaborating scientists overseas or in other colleges or institutes in the UK. Students undertaking projects overseas will require additional funding of up to £1,500 to cover costs involved.
The majority of students who undertake projects abroad receive financial support for flights from the School's trust funds set up for this purpose.
Titles of some of the recent summer projects completed by students on this MSc.
Entrance Requirements
Either a Second-class Honours degree of a recognised university in science, or a related subject, 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.
