Module Specification
An online version of this specification is available to prospective students at
http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/currentstudents/studentinformation/msc_module_handbook/section3_moduledescript/in
dex.html
GENERAL INFORMATION
Module name
Basic Parasitology
Module code
3146
Module Organiser
Claire Rogers
Contact email
Claire.Rogers@lshtm.ac.uk
Home Faculty
Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases
Level
This module is at Level 7 (postgraduate Masters ‘M’ level) of the QAA
Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales & Northern
Ireland (FHEQ)
Credit
LSHTM award 15 credits on successful completion of this module.
Accreditation
Not currently accredited by any other body.
Keywords
Parasitic, malaria, worm infection, zoonotic diseases, pathogens Biomedical
sciences/disciplines, laboratory science (incl. quality assurance),team-work,
parasites, medical parasitology, medical helminthology, diagnostic
parasitology.
AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND AUDIENCE
Overall aim
To provide students with basic knowledge of the major human parasite
diseases, concentrating on diagnosis.
Intended learning
outcomes
By the end of this module, students should be able to:



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Target audience
Demonstrate knowledge of the appearances, life cycles and modes of
transmission of the major helminth and protozoan parasites of man;
Diagnose microscopically those parasitic diseases for which this technique
is appropriate;
Demonstrate basic knowledge and understanding of the medical
importance and epidemiology of parasitic diseases;
Demonstrate more detailed knowledge and understanding of up to two
selected parasitic diseases.
This module is designed for those with little or no knowledge of parasitic
diseases.
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CONTENT
Session content
The module is expected to include sessions addressing the following topics
(though please note that these may be subject to change):

Life-cycles, modes of transmission and appearance of the causative agents
of the major parasitic infections including:

Malaria;

Leishmaniasis;

Trypanosomiasis;

Amoebiasis;

Giardiasis;

Coccidial and Opportunistic parasitic infections by, e.g. Toxoplasma,
Cryptosporidum, Pneumocystis and Microsporidial species ;

Practical skills of microscopical diagnosis of blood, faecal and tissue
parasites;

Approaches to Parasite Diagnosis , concentrating on those appropriate in
low income countries;

A brief introduction to Medical Entomology and to the organisation of a
diagnostic laboratory;

In addition students will, in small groups, research a parasitological topic in
depth, prepare a poster and discuss it with the Module Organiser.
TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT
Study resources
provided or required
Laboratory handbook provided.
Teaching and learning
methods
Lectures, laboratory practicals and small group work.
Assessment details
The assessment will consist of two components: evaluation of the group poster
presentation (which will result in a group grade) and a practical test. The
grades for each will be weighted 40% and 60% respectively and combined to
give an overall GPA.
For students who are required to re-sit, or granted a deferral or new attempt,
the tasks will be an essay covering the same points as the poster (but in less
depth) and a practical exam in the same format as the original.
Assessment dates
Assessments will take place or be due on: Poster assessment Monday 21 March
2016 and Practical exam Wednesday 23 March 2016.
For students who are required to re-sit, or who are granted a deferral or new
attempt, the next assessment dates/deadlines will be the standard Schoolrecommended date in mid/late September 2016.
Language of study and
assessment
English (please see ‘English language requirements’ below regarding the
standard required for entry).
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TIMING AND MODE OF STUDY
Duration
The module runs for 5 weeks at 2.5 days per week; this module runs between
Monday morning and Wednesday lunchtime.
Dates
For 2015-16 the module will start on Monday 22 February 2016 and finish on
Wednesday 23 March 2016.
Timetable slot
The module runs in LSHTM timetable slot D1.
Mode of Study
The module is taught face-to-face in London. Both full-time and part-time
students follow the same schedule. For full-time students, other LSHTM
modules are available in the other half of the week for the C and D slots.
Learning time
The notional learning time for the module totals 150 hours, consisting of:

Contact time ≈ 32 hours

Directed self-study ≈ 60 hours

Self-directed learning ≈ 44 hours

Assessment, review and revision ≈ 14 hours
APPLICATION, ADMISSION AND FEES
Pre-requisites
There are no formal prerequisites for this module and in particular no prior
knowledge of parasitology is expected. In practice, most students choosing this
module have some prior clinical laboratory experience but while useful this is
not essential.
English language
requirements
A strong command of the English language is necessary to benefit from
studying the module. Applicants whose first language is not English or whose
prior university studies have not been conducted wholly in English must fulfil
LSHTM’s English language requirements, with an acceptable score in an
approved test taken in the two years prior to entry. Applicants may be asked to
take a test even if the standard conditions have been met.
Student numbers
Student numbers are typically 15-20 per year; numbers may be capped due to
limitations in facilities or staffing.
Student selection
Preference will be given to LSHTM MSc students particularly those registered
for specific courses or who have taken specific prior modules, where applicable
and LSHTM research degree students. Other applicants meeting the entry
criteria will usually be offered a place in the order applications are received,
until any cap on numbers is reached. Applicants may be placed on a waiting list
and given priority the next time the module is run.
Full Registration (full participation) by LSHTM research degree students is
required for this module.
Fees
For registered LSHTM MSc students, fees for the module are included within
MSc fees (given on individual course prospectus pages).
If registering specifically for this module, as a stand-alone short course,
individual module fees will apply.
Tuition fees must be paid in full before commencing the module, or by any fee
deadline set by the Registry.
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Scholarships
Scholarships are not available for individual modules. Some potential sources
of funding are detailed on the LSHTM website.
Admission deadlines
For 2015-16:

For registered LSHTM MSc students, the module choice deadline (for Term
2 and 3 modules) is Friday 20 November 2015.

If registering specifically for this module, applications may be made at any
time but, as places are limited, applications ahead of the MSc deadline are
strongly advised. All applications should be submitted at the latest 8 weeks
prior to the start of the module. Formal registration will take place on the
morning of the first day of the module.
ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
This module specification applies for the academic year 2015-16
Last revised 4 July 2014 by Claire Rogers Minor amendments SDB 20th July 15
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St., London WC1E 7HT.
www.lshtm.ac.uk
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