Masters Programme - Handbook of Modules 2011 - 2012
SECTION 3 - MODULES
DESCRIPTION OF MODULES
PARASITOLOGY & ENTOMOLOGY (3122)
ORGANISERS: Dr Vanessa Yardley, Mrs Cheryl Whitehorn
TIMETABLE SLOT: Term 1
AIM
To provide an overview of the major parasitic diseases of man and their vectors.
OBJECTIVES
By the end of this module students should be able to:
- demonstrate understanding of the biology and the life cycles of the major parasites and of their vectors or intermediate hosts;
- identify the major parasites, vectors and intermediate hosts;
- demonstrate understanding of the pathogenesis and pathology of the major parasitic diseases and the immune responses to these parasites;
- appreciate the epidemiology of the major parasitic infections;
- interpret and apply basic epidemiological and statistical methods;
- appreciate methods available for chemotherapy and control.
CONSTITUENCY
Parasitology & Entomology lasts ten weeks and assumes no prior knowledge of medical parasitology or entomology.
CONCEPTUAL OUTLINE
For each disease, consideration will be given successively to: biology, life cycles, diagnosis and vector identification (where appropriate), pathogenesis and pathology, immunology, epidemiology, treatment and control. Special sessions will be devoted to vector concepts and parasite transmission, and to the biology and control of parasitic diseases.
TEACHING STRATEGY
About half the time will be spent on theoretical work and half on practicals. Laboratory work is particularly important, since, in addition to practical instruction, there is ample opportunity for in-depth discussion with students on aspects of particular interest. To facilitate this a substantial number of staff will attend each practical session. Students taking the MSc Tropical Medicine & International Health course will spend each Wednesday at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases. The rest of the class will have private study at these times. In addition, for the first five weeks MSc Tropical Medicine & International Health students will study Clinical Trials on Thursday afternoons while the rest of the class are taught specialized aspects of medical entomology. MSc Tropical Medicine & International Health students will have the opportunity to catch up with these entomology sessions during Reading Week.
LEARNING TIME
The module is made up of 400 Notional Learning Hours – 122 hours contact time, 138 hours directed self-study, 70 hours self-directed learning, and 70 hours assessment, review and revision.
ASSESSMENT
A tutor-marked essay of the students' own choice plus a mock written examination, neither of which count towards formal assessment, will be completed during the first term for the purpose of internally monitoring student progress. A "spots" test, which will count as the degree practical exam, will be given in week 10 to test competence in identification of the major parasites, their vectors, and intermediate hosts. It will be preceded by practical revision sessions. This module is formally assessed by written examination in June.
MODULE CREDIT
40 M-level credits when taken as part of an MSc Term 1 ‘super-module’.
