MSc Immunology of Infectious Diseases
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
About this program
MSc Immunology of Infectious Diseases
This programme combines theoretical knowledge and practical training in the immunology of infectious diseases through comprehensive teaching and research methods. Students will gain specialised skills in applying scientific concepts, evaluating scientific data and carrying out modern immunological techniques. Students will benefit from the unique mix of immunology, vaccinology, molecular biology, virology, bacteriology, parasitology, mycology and clinical medicine at LSHTM.
Infectious diseases represent an increasingly important cause of human morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Vaccine development is thus of great importance in terms of global health. In parallel with this growth, there has been a dramatic increase in studies to identify the innate, humoral or cellular immunological mechanisms which confer immunity to pathogenic viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. As a result, increasing numbers of scientists, clinicians and veterinarians wish to develop their knowledge and skills in these areas.
The flexible nature of the programme allows students to focus on attaining a broader understanding of infectious disease through attending taught units. Students can also undertake an extended research project within groups led by experienced team leaders. Such projects can involve basic investigations of immune mechanisms or applied field based studies.
Objectives
By the end of this program students should be able to:
- demonstrate specialist knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of host immunity to infection against the diverse range of pathogens which confront human populations
- apply this specialist knowledge to a range of practical skills and techniques, in particular modern molecular and cellular techniques for assessing immune responses to pathogens
- critically assess, select and apply appropriate research methods to investigate basic immunological mechanisms and applied issues in the immunology of infection
- critically evaluate primary scientific data and the published scientific literature
- integrate and present key immunological concepts at an advanced level, both verbally and in written form
Admission requirements
The normal minimum entrance qualification for registration at the School on a Master's program is at least one of the following:
- a second-class honours degree of a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard, in a subject appropriate to that of the course of study to be followed
- a registrable qualification appropriate to the course of study to be followed, in medicine, dentistry or veterinary studies
Applications with an appropriate technical qualification, or equivalent qualification and experience from overseas, are also welcomed.
For more information about admission requirements, please visit the institute website.
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Structure
Term 1
There is a one-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, followed by two compulsory modules:
- Immunology of Infectious Diseases
- Analysis & Design of Research Studies
- Optional module: Molecular Biology
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 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 program Director.
Slot 1
- Advanced Immunology 1 (compulsory)
Slot 2
- Advanced Immunology 2 (compulsory)
Slot 3
- Advanced Training in Molecular Biology
- Immunology of Clinical Diseases
- Extended Project
Slot 4
- Immunology of Parasitic Infection
- Molecular Research in Infectious Diseases
- Extended Project
Slot 5
- Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
- Cell Biology of Host-Pathogen Interactions
- HIV
- Mycology
- Neglected Tropical Diseases
- Vaccine Immunology
- Extended Project
Scholarships & funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the institute website for more information.
Tuition
Up to date information on tuition fees can be found on the LSHTM website.
Career paths
Graduates from this programme go into research positions in academia and industry, and further training such as PhD study.
Below you will find just a few of the positions and organisations that our graduates from this course have entered:
Example job titles:
- Biomedical Scientist
- Director
- Education Officer
- Healthcare Scientist
- Junior Immunologist
- Laboratory Assistant
- Medical Copy Writer
- Pharmacist
- Research Assistant
- Research Funding Officer
- Science Teaching Assistant
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About this institute
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Established in 1899, The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is dedicated to improving health worldwide through training the next generation of health leaders to address major public and global health challenges. LSHTM has a unique range and...
Why study at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
LSHTM is highly ranked in various university league tables, winning the Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2021 in recognition of its response to COVID-19 and pandemic preparedness, as well as being #1 in the UK and #3 in the world for Public Health in the ShanghaiRankings (2021).
Teaching staff are all experts in their respective fields and continue as active researchers, bringing their wealth of experience and up-to-date knowledge directly into the lecture halls and seminar rooms. Many of the staff are well renowned, so students may find themselves being taught by figures they have read about in previous studies.
Contact info
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
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