This is a multidisciplinary programme that bridges the fields of epidemiology, laboratory sciences and public health. It includes a strong practical component and the opportunity to undertake a research project overseas. The course will train students in all aspects of the control of infectious diseases and prepare them for a career in a range of organisations.
This course will equip students with specialised skills that will facilitate a career in the control of infectious diseases as staff of health ministries, health departments, national or international disease control agencies, aid organisations or universities.
The majority of the research projects are performed overseas, with collaborating public health or research organisations and NGOs. Students are encouraged to take advantage of this overseas opportunity, which is crucial to the nature of the course.
- Full programme specification (pdf) (https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/files/cid_progspec.pdf)
- Intercalating this course (https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/courses/ways-study/intercalating-study-masters-degree)
Visit the website https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/masters/control-infectious-diseases
By the end of this course students should be able to:
- investigate the transmission of endemic and epidemic infections
- select appropriate methods of control
- design, implement and evaluate co-ordinated control methods
- assess constraints of local public health delivery systems
- manage available resources in the context of the control of infectious diseases
- focus their efforts on particular geographical regions or specific diseases
Term 1:
After orientation, students take two compulsory modules: Basic Statistics and Introduction to Disease Agents & Their Control, which focus on the life cycle and characteristics of infectious disease agents according to their principal transmission routes; the principal intervention strategies used to combat infectious diseases; and examples of successes, partial successes and failures in intervention programmes against infectious diseases.
In addition, students take one of the following module combinations:
- Basic Epidemiology; Health Economics; and Health Policy, Process and Power
- Extended Epidemiology and Health Economics or Health Policy, Process and Power
An interdisciplinary approach is emphasised which takes account of the social, political and economic context in which health systems operate.
Terms 2 and 3:
Students take a total of five study modules, one from each timetable slot (Slot 1, Slot 2 etc.). The list below shows recommended modules. There are other modules which may be taken only after consultation with the Course Directors.
*Recommended modules
- Slot 1:
Designing Disease Control Programmes in Developing Countries*
Epidemiology & Control of Malaria*
Health Care Evaluation*
Childhood Eye Disease and Ocular Infections
Clinical Infectious Diseases 1: Bacterial & Viral Diseases & Community Health in Developing Countries
Clinical Virology
Economic Evaluation
Health Promotion Approaches and Methods
Maternal & Child Nutrition
Research Design & Analysis
Study Design: Writing a Study Proposal.
- Slot 2:
Clinical Bacteriology 1*
Conflict and Health*
Design & Analysis of Epidemiological Studies*
Population, Poverty and Environment*
Statistical Methods in Epidemiology*
Advanced Diagnostic Parasitology
Clinical Infectious Diseases 2: Parasitic Diseases & Clinical Medicine
Health Systems
Qualitative Methodologies
- Slot 3:
Applied Communicable Disease Control*
Control of Sexually Transmitted Infections*
Current Issues in Safe Motherhood & Perinatal Health*
Economic Analysis for Health Policy*
Medical Anthropology & Public Health*
Spatial Epidemiology in Public Health*
Tropical Environmental Health*
Vector Sampling, Identification & Incrimination*
Basic Parasitology
Clinical Infectious Diseases 3: Bacterial & Viral Diseases & Community Health in Developing Countries
Modelling & the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases
Nutrition in Emergencies
Organisational Management
Social Epidemiology
- Slot 4:
Clinical Bacteriology 2*
Epidemiology & Control of Communicable Diseases*
Analytical Models for Decision Making
Clinical Infectious Diseases 4: Parasitic Diseases & Clinical Medicine
Ethics, Public Health & Human Rights
Globalisation & Health; Sexual Health
Vector Biology & Parasite Infections
- Slot 5:
AIDS*
Applying Public Health Principles in Developing Countries*
Integrated Vector Management*
Advanced Statistical Methods in Epidemiology
Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
Integrating Module: Health Promotion
Integrating Module: Health Services Management
Mycology
Nutrition Programme Planning
Principles and Practice of Public Health
Further details for the course modules - https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/courses/masters-degrees/module-specifications
Project Report:
During the summer months (July - August), students complete a research project studying aspects of an intervention programme, for submission by early September. If appropriate, this may take the form of an optional period in a relevant overseas location. Most students on this course undertake projects overseas. Students undertaking projects overseas will require additional funding of up to £1,500 to cover costs involved.
Find out how to apply here - http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/masters/mscid.html#sixth
Visit the Control of Infectious Diseases (MSc) page on the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine website for more details!