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
Molecular Biology Research Progress & Applications
Module code
3160
Module Organiser
Professor David Baker
Contact email
David.Baker@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
Molecular Biology; Infectious Disease; Viral; Bacterial; Parasitic; Research;
Advanced Methodology
AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND AUDIENCE
Overall aim
To provide the knowledge and experience required to assess and to keep up to
date with rapidly advancing research frontiers in the molecular biology of
infectious diseases.
Intended learning
outcomes
By the end of this module, students should be able to:
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Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of up-to-date research
progress and future prospects for selected topics in the molecular biology
of infectious diseases;
Appreciate the range of molecular biology methodological approaches and
technologies applied to the following key areas of infectious disease
research: molecular epidemiology, taxonomy and evolutionary history of
disease agents; diagnostics; genomics; cell biology; virulence and
pathogenesis; analysis of chemotherapeutic targets; and vaccine
development;
Critically assess the design of molecular biological strategies as applied to
epidemiological investigations, clinical diagnosis or fundamental research
on infectious diseases;
Demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to understand, evaluate
and keep up to date with scientific literature on molecular biology and
infectious diseases.
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Target audience
This module is intended for students who wish to be thoroughly familiar with
latest advances in the molecular biology of infectious diseases and who wish to
maintain an active interest in this area of research.
CONTENT
Session content
The module is expected to include sessions addressing the following topics
(though please note that these may be subject to change):
 Recent advances in the field of the molecular biology of infectious diseases;
 Advanced techniques and methodological approaches;
 Cell biology, pathogenesis, immunology, vaccine and drug development,
genomics, taxonomy and evolution, molecular epidemiology and
diagnostics.
TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT
Study resources
provided or required
Seminar/Lecture/Computer based practical handouts; scientific research
papers.
Teaching and learning
methods
This module is built around research seminars but incorporates a range of
other teaching methods including reviews of relevant publications, lectures on
research methods and a computer based practical.
Assessment details
Assessment will be by a written assignment, consisting of short essay questions
(50%), and an individual 10 minute oral presentation (50%).
For students who are required to re-sit, or granted a deferral or new attempt,
the task will be to provide answers on the remaining options that were not
answered in the original assessment and make corrections to the original oral
presentation and present it to examiners.
Assessment dates
Oral presentations and hand ins will take place on 24th March 2016.
For students who are required to re-sit, or who are granted a deferral or new
attempt, the next assessment date/deadline 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).
TIMING AND MODE OF STUDY
Duration
The module runs for 5 weeks at 2.5 days per week, from Wednesday lunchtime
to Friday afternoon.
Dates
For 2015-16, the module will start on Wednesday 24 February 2015 and finish
on Friday 25 March 2016.
Timetable slot
The module runs in LSHTM timetable slot D2
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:
 Contact time ≈ 54 hours
 Directed self-study ≈ 24 hours
 Self-directed learning ≈ 12 hours
 Assessment, review and revision ≈ 60 hours
APPLICATION, ADMISSION AND FEES
Pre-requisites
Students must have either taken the core Molecular Biology (3333) module
taught in Term 1 and the Molecular Biology and Recombinant DNA Techniques
(3131) module in term 2 (C1) OR have an equivalent level of knowledge and
experience. If not attending module 3333, they are required to have taken and
passed its final formative assessment.
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 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.
Partial Registration (partial participation) by LSHTM research degree students
is allowed 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.
Scholarships
Scholarships are not available for individual modules. Some potential sources
of funding are detailed on the LSHTM website.
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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.

If registering specifically for this module, applications may be made at any
time; 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 22 May 2015 by David Baker
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St., London WC1E 7HT.
www.lshtm.ac.uk
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