Aims & objectives

The course aims to teach doctors the skills required to understand, diagnose, treat and prevent communicable, non-communicable and neglected tropical diseases that are especially prevalent in tropical and developing countries where resources are constrained. The course has a strong epidemiological base but the scientific basis of infectious diseases is also given priority.

Students can expect to:

• Prepare and examine biological specimens (e.g., parasitic, bacterial pathogens) and identify disease vectors
• Compare and contrast disease management strategies in different contexts (resource-limited vs higher income settings)
• Critically evaluate the evidence for public health interventions in resource-limited settings
• Analyse and apply epidemiological methods relevant to communicable diseases, including understanding water, sanitation, nutrition, maternal and child health etc.
• Develop skills to design, implement, and evaluate health programmes in low-resource settings
• Deepen understanding of the biological basis of infectious disease: pathogen biology, microbiology, parasitology, vectors, etc.
• Critically understand the epidemiology of pathogens and their vectors, including strategies for control, elimination, or eradication.

A particular feature of the course is the diversity of students who attend. Among the 70 students who take the diploma course each year, more than 25 different countries are usually represented. Students range in experience from recently qualified doctors (though usually no earlier than 3 years post-graduation) to specialist infectious disease physicians and surgeons with many years of experience working in tropical and developing countries.

The course is continually updated in response to changing needs, new developments in knowledge and technology, and student feedback. It has remained highly popular with students throughout its history which spans over 100 years.

Course outline

Much of the course is devoted to seminars, in which a multi-disciplinary team of experts from within and outside LSHTM covers a particular disease or group of diseases in depth. Lectures cover the causative organisms, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, management and prevention of these diseases. Time is set aside after each lecture for discussion. Implications for travel medicine are discussed where appropriate.

Other seminars focus on aspects of community health. These include an introduction to epidemiological methods used in the study of communicable diseases, and lectures on water supply, sanitation and nutrition. Seminars are also held on maternal and child health, non-communicable disease, population and reproductive health and health in emergencies.

Two days a week are dedicated to laboratory practicals and small group case-based teaching. 

The course is intensive, without much free time during the three months. Sessions start at 09:00 most mornings and teaching continues most days until 17:00.

The DTM&H programme forms the first term of the MSc Tropical Medicine & International Health programme. If you have completed the LSHTM DTM&H programme in the last five years, you may request for recognised prior learning to enable you to progress onto our MSc Tropical Medicine & International Health. Please contact the admission team for further advice and guidance.