MSc Control of Infectious Diseases

Structure

The below structure outlines the proposed modules for this programme. Module specifications provide full details about the aims and objectives of each module, what you will study and how the module is assessed.

Term 1

After orientation, students take two compulsory modules: Basic Statistics for PHP 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, and Introduction to Health Economics; and Health Policy, Process and Power (3 modules)
• Extended Epidemiology and Health Economics or Health Policy, Process and Power (2 modules)

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*
• Health Care Evaluation*
• Malaria: From Science to Policy and Practice* (formerly Epidemiology & Control of Malaria)
• 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 Maternal & Perinatal Health
• Economic Analysis for Health Policy
• Medical Anthropology & Public Health
• Spatial Epidemiology in Public Health
• Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, and Health (formerly 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
• Neglected Tropical Diseases
• Advanced Statistical Methods in Epidemiology
• Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
• Integrating Module: Health Promotion
• Health Services Management
• Mycology
• Nutrition Programme Planning
• Principles and Practice of Public Health

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.