This course aims to provide core training in the theoretical and practical aspects of medical parasitology, covering the protozoan and metazoan parasites of humans and the vectors which transmit them, and equip students with specialised skills to enable them to pursue a career in research, control or teaching related to medical parasitology. Specialised study modules are chosen from a list of diverse topics.
Graduates enter a range of global health fields ranging from diagnostics through to applied basic research and operational control to higher degree studies and academic/teaching-related positions.
The Patrick Buxton Memorial Medal and Prize is awarded to the best student of the year. Founded by relatives of Patrick Alfred Buxton, Professor in Entomology, who died in 1955.
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 school's cultural diversity is one of the features that sets LSHTM apart from all other graduate schools. Karina Gunarto from USA studied the MSc in Medical Parasitology. - Full profile
Objectives
By the end of this course students should be able to demonstrate: detailed knowledge and understanding of the biology, life cycles, pathogenesis, and diagnosis of parasitic infections in humans and their relevance for human health and control; detailed knowledge and understanding of the biology and strategies for control of the vectors and intermediate hosts of human parasites; carry out practical laboratory identification of parasite stages both free and in tissues and diagnose infections; specialised skills in: advanced diagnostic, molecular, immunological, genetic, chemotherapeutic, ecological and/or control aspects of the subject; the ability to design a laboratory or field-based research project, and apply relevant research skills; prepare a written report including a critical literature review of relevant scientific publications, and show competence in communicating scientific findings.
Programme specifications - showing which of the various elements of the Course support and achieve each of these specific Objectives.
Term 1
There is an initial two-week orientation period that includes an introduction to studying at the School, sessions on key computing and study skills and an introduction to major groups of pathogens. This is followed by a ten-week 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: Molecular Biology & Recombinant DNA Techniques; Vector Sampling, Identification & Incrimination; Advanced Immunology 1; Designing Disease Control Programmes in Developing Countries.
C2: Advanced Diagnostic Parasitology; Advanced Immunology 2; Vector Biology and Vector-Parasite Interactions; Statistical Methods in Epidemiology; Epidemiology and Control of Malaria; Design and Analysis of Epidemiological Studies..
D1: Molecular Cell Biology & Infection; Spatial Epidemiology in Public Health; Tropical Environmental Health; Advanced Training in Molecular Biology.
D2: Genetic Epidemiology; Molecular Biology Research Progress and Applications; Epidemiology & Control of Communicable Diseases; Vector Biology and Vector Parasite Interactions; Immunology of Parasitic Infection: Principles..
E: Immunology of Parasitic Infection: Practice; Integrated Vector Management; AIDS; Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
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 research project. This may be based on a critical review of an approved topic, analysis of a collection of results or a laboratory study. 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.
