This course aims to provide a thorough understanding and practical experience of molecular biology as it applies to infectious agents, particularly those that cause global health problems and problems in developing countries. It covers the application of molecular biology to studying all aspects of the agents, including their taxonomy, diagnosis, epidemiology and chemotherapy.
Available Funding
It aims to equip students with the specialised knowledge and skills necessary for a research career or, increasingly, commercial or management careers that demand knowledge of molecular biology.
Many graduates enter PhD programmes, become academic, hospital-based or industrial research assistants, or work for molecular biology companies.
The Ralph Neal Memorial Prize is awarded to the best student of the year. This prize was founded in memory of Dr Ralph Neal, a distinguished research worker who died in 1990 in tragic circumstances.
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.
* Split study fees are calculated pro rata for the periods of attendance only. For example, students who've chosen a Term 1 split date will be charged approximately 12 weeks fees (at the Year 1 fee rate) for their first year of study, and approximately 38 weeks fees (at the Year 2 full-time fee rate) for their second year of studies.
" My experience in London has been one of the best and most interesting of my life. Luis Gonzalez from Panama studied the MSc in Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases. - Full profile
Objectives
By the end of this course students should be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles underlying a wide range of molecular biological techniques and apply these techniques in practice
- demonstrate specialist knowledge and skills in the areas of gene cloning, DNA sequencing, bioinformatics and studies of gene function
- devise and critically assess molecular biological approaches to fundamental research, taxonomic studies, production of DNA probes and epidemiological tools, analysis of chemotherapeutic targets and vaccine development
- develop skills for further independent learning in the context of the molecular biology of infectious diseases
Programme specifications: A comprehensive summary of the key elements of the degree, including educational aims and intended learning outcomes, plus details on programme structure, assessment requirements, student support and more.
Term 1
There is an initial orientation period that includes an introduction to studying at the School, and sessions on key computing and study skills. This is followed by a ten week core module, selected from three options: bacteria and viruses, parasites and their arthropod vectors, or infectious disease immunology. Sessions on basic computing, statistics, molecular biology and global health are run throughout the term for all students.
Terms 2 and 3
Students select a total of five modules, one from each timetable slot (Slot 1, Slot 2 etc.). Modules shown in italics are compulsory.
Slot 1: Molecular Biology and Recombinant DNA Techniques; Advanced Immunology 1 (linked with Advanced Immunology 2); Basic Parasitology.
Slot 2: Advanced Diagnostic Parasitology; Molecular Virology; Advanced Immunology 2 (linked with Advanced Immunology 1); Clinical Bacteriology 1.
Slot 3: Advanced Training in Molecular Biology.
Slot 4: Immunology of Parasitic Infections: Principles; Molecular Biology: Research Progress and Applications; Clinical Bacteriology 2.
Slot 5: Antimicrobial Chemotherapy; Immunology of Parasitic Infection; Practice; AIDS; Mycology.
Further details for the course modules
Project Report
During Term 3 students complete an original research project, which must contain a major practical laboratory component, on a molecular biological aspect of a relevant organism. This can cover research in the broad areas of virology, bacteriology, parasitology or mycology. Projects may take place within the School or with collaborating scientists in other colleges or institutes in the UK. Occasionally projects take place overseas, in these cases students are eligible to apply for travel funds.
Titles of some of the recent summer projects completed by students on this MSc.
Applicants must normally satisfy LSHTM’s general entrance requirements and additional programme specific entrance requirements to be considered for admission. Applications must be submitted in accordance with the procedures and deadlines given in the web-based or printed prospectus.
• The normal minimum entrance qualification for registration is at least a second-class Honours degree of a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard, or a registerable qualification in medicine, dentistry or veterinary studies appropriate to the programme. Applications with an appropriate technical qualification, or equivalent qualification and experience from overseas, are also welcomed.
• Any prospective student who does not meet the above minimum entry requirement, but who has relevant professional experience, may still be eligible for admission. The Registry can advise on eligibility to apply in such cases.
Application for London-based Study
Applications can be made online by using the following links:
- MSc Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases 2013/4 (Full time)
- MSc Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases 2013/4 (Split study)
Alternatively, applications can be downloaded here:
Paper applications should be sent either by post to The Registry, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom or by email to registry@lshtm.ac.uk
Instructions on how to complete these forms and an outline of the application process are available with the relevant Application Forms or by viewing the Online Application Guidelines.
Please note: You must send a copy of the personal details and photograph page of your passport with your application form.
Your application will not be considered until you have provided the above documents.
Masters Courses
Applicants wishing to be considered for School scholarships are advised to apply by 1 March 2013. 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, 30 September 2013.
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 30 September 2013 and last one year for full-time study or two years for part-time study.
