Structure
The below structure outlines the proposed modules for this programme. Programme and module specifications provide full details about the aims and objectives of each module, what you will study and how the module is assessed.
- Structure of the year
Term 1 (September - December) consists of ten teaching weeks for AB1 slot modules, plus one Reading Week* in the middle of the term. Followed by the Winter break.
Term 2 (January - March) consists of examinations, followed by a further ten weeks of teaching for C and D slot modules, plus a Reading Week in the middle of the term. C modules are taught in five half-week blocks before Reading Week. D modules are taught in five half-week blocks after Reading Week. Followed by the Spring break.
Term 3 (April - September) consists of five weeks of teaching for E slot modules, taught in half-week blocks, and the project report.
*Reading Week is a week during term where no formal teaching takes place. It is a time for private study, preparing for assessments or attending study/computer skills workshops. There are two Reading Weeks at LSHTM: one in November and the other in February.
- Term 1
Students take two compulsory AB1 modules:
- Analysis & Design of Research Studies
- Parasitology & Entomology
Sessions on basic computing and statistics are run throughout the term for all students.
- Terms 2 and 3
Students take a total of five study modules, one from each timetable slot (C1, C2, D1, D2, E). The list below shows recommended or compulsory modules. There are other optional modules which may be taken only after consultation with the Programme Director.
C1 slot
- Designing Disease Control Programmes
- Vector Sampling, Identification & Incrimination
C2 slot
- Advanced Diagnostic Parasitology
- Design & Analysis of Epidemiological Studies
D1 slot
- Advanced Training in Molecular Biology
- Malaria: From Science to Policy and Practice
- Spatial Epidemiology
D2 slot
- Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases
- Immunology of Parasitic Infection
- Molecular and Cell Biology of Infectious Diseases
- Vector Biology and Vector-Parasite Interactions
- Field trip (
E slot
- Integrated Vector Management
- Neglected Tropical Diseases
- Novel Drug Discovery & Antimicrobial Resistance
- Pathogen Genomics
- Residential field trip
There is a compulsory one-week field course, between Terms 2 and 3 (usually in the D2 slot), on vector and parasite sampling and identification methods. The cost of this is included in the field trip fee.
- Project report
During the summer months (July - August), students complete a research project, for submission by early September. 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 LSHTM's trust funds set up for this purpose.
Please note: Should it be the case that you are unable to travel overseas or access laboratories in order to complete your project, you will be able to complete an alternative desk-based project allowing you to obtain your qualification within the original time frame. Alternatively, you will be able to defer your project to the following year.
Prize
The Patrick Buxton Memorial Medal and Prize is awarded to the best student of the year.
Changes to the programme
LSHTM will seek to deliver this programme in accordance with the description set out on this programme page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for LSHTM to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. For further information, please see our page on changes to courses.
