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_moduledesc
ript/index.html
GENERAL INFORMATION
Module name
Clinical Virology
Module code
3187
Module Organiser
Dr Nick Dorrell
Contact email
nick.dorrell@lshtm.ac.uk
Home Faculty
Faculty of Infectious and 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
Viral; laboratory science
AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND AUDIENCE
Overall aim
To provide a review of the aetiology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnosis,
control and therapy of human viral infections of clinical importance.
Intended learning
outcomes
By the end of this module, students should be able to:
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Target audience
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of pathogenetic, diagnostic and
therapeutic aspects of clinical virology;
Evaluate recent molecular and immunological research developments that
have important implications on the pathobiology, clinical management and
laboratory diagnosis of virus infections;
Perform various clinical laboratory procedures including specimen
processing, isolation, identification and susceptibility testing of viral
pathogens.
This module is intended for students who wish to understand the principles of
clinical virology and to be introduced to diagnostic laboratory practice and
management. This module is a natural progression for students who have taken
the Core Virology module during Term 1 and will complement the Clinical
Bacteriology modules in Term 2 – C2 & D2.
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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):
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Lectures will cover an introduction to diagnostic virology, the application of
NAATS in virology, Quality Assurance and Health & Safety issues,
gastrointestinal infections, STIs (not including HIV or hepatitis), congenital
and paediatric infections, childhood infections, respiratory infections, HIV
diagnosis & management, hepatitis, vital infections of immunocompromised patients, travel-associated viral infections and emerging viral
infections.
Practical sessions will cover Enzyme-ImmunoAssay (EIA), serology and
electron microscopy applications for diagnosis, PCR-based applications for
diagnosis, an Infection Control exercise and applications of immunefluorescence for diagnostics.
There will also be a day visit to the Department of Medical Microbiology at
St George’s Hospital and an afternoon of Clinical Case Presentations from
clinicians from St George’s Hospital.
TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT
Study resources
provided or required
All materials and equipment for the practical sessions will be provided.
Detailed handouts for lectures will also be provided.
Teaching and learning
methods
The module consists of lectures and practical sessions, plus an afternoon of
Clinical Case Presentations from clinicians from St George’s Hospital.
Assessment details
Students will sit a two hour written examination covering all aspects of the
module. The written examination will consist of short notes questions.
For students who are required to re-sit, or granted a deferral or new attempt,
the task will be a coursework assessment consisting of 4 short essay questions.
Assessment dates
Assessments will take place during Week 5 of the C1 slot.
For students who are required to re-sit, or granted a deferral or new attempt,
the coursework assessment deadline will be the standard Schoolrecommended date in mid/late September 2016; short essay titles will be
provided in early September.
Language of study and
assessment
English (please see ‘English language requirements’ below regarding the
standard required for entry).
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 11 January 2016 and finish on
Wednesday 10 February 2016.
Timetable slot
The module runs in LSHTM timetable slot C1.
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.
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Learning time
The notional learning time for the module totals 150 hours, consisting of:
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Contact time ≈ 48 hours
Directed self-study ≈ 26 hours
Self-directed learning ≈ 26 hours
Assessment, review and revision ≈ 50 hours
APPLICATION, ADMISSION AND FEES
Pre-requisites
This module is a natural progression for students who have taken the Core
Virology module during the autumn term. Students who have not taken this
module should be aware of the large practical component of this module that
builds on areas covered during the Core Virology course.
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 20 to 30 per year; numbers will be capped at 30
students due to available spaces in the LSHTM Microbiology teaching
laboratory.
Student selection
Preference will be given to LSHTM MSc Medical Microbiology and Molecular
Biology of Infectious Diseases students who studied the Core Virology module
in Term 1. 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.
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.
Scholarships
Scholarships are not available for individual modules. Some potential sources
of funding are detailed on the LSHTM website.
Admission deadlines
For 2015-16:
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For registered LSHTM MSc students, the module choice deadline (for Term
2 and 3 modules) is Friday 20 November 2015.
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If registering specifically for this module, applications may be made at any
time but, as places are limited, early application is recommended. All
applications should be submitted by, 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.
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ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
This module specification applies for the academic year 2015-16
Last revised 10 June 2015 by Dr Nick Dorrell
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St., London WC1E 7HT.
www.lshtm.ac.uk
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