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
Parasitology & Entomology
Module code
3122
Module Organisers
Dr Vanessa Yardley and Dr Mary Cameron
Contact email
Vanessa.Yardley@lshtm.ac.uk or Mary.Cameron@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
This module is weighted as equivalent to 40 credits, within the larger 60-credit
Term 1 super-module for each MSc course. Credits are not awarded for this
module individually, but only for successful completion of the Term 1 supermodule.
Accreditation
Not currently accredited by any other body
Keywords
Medical Parasitology, Medical Entomology, Burden of Disease, Parasitic,
Malaria, Worm infections, Zoonotic diseases, Disease prevention & control,
Tropical medicine, Pathogens (incl. ecology), Disease vectors, Laboratory
science (incl. quality assurance), International / global.
AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND AUDIENCE
Overall aim
To provide an overview of the major parasitic diseases of man and their vectors
Intended learning
outcomes
By the end of this module, students should be able to:
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Target audience
Demonstrate understanding of the biology and the life cycles of the major
parasites and of their vectors or intermediate hosts;
Identify the major parasites, vectors and intermediate hosts;
Demonstrate understanding of the pathogenesis and pathology of the major
parasitic diseases and the immune responses to these parasites;
Appreciate the epidemiology of the major parasitic infections;
Interpret and apply basic epidemiological and statistical methods;
Appreciate methods available for chemotherapy and control.
Students studying for the MScs Medical Entomology for Disease Control,
Medical Parasitology, Tropical Medicine & International Health and Molecular
Biology of Infectious 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):
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For each disease, consideration will be given successively to: biology, life
cycles, diagnosis and vector identification (where appropriate),
pathogenesis and pathology, immunology, epidemiology, treatment and
control.
Vector concepts and parasite transmission
Biology and control of parasitic diseases.
TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT
Study resources
provided or required
A folder containing timetable, module description and feedback sheets is
provided to students at the beginning of the module. Lecture notes and reading
lists are provided for each lecture and also available on Moodle. Practical
handbooks are provided for the Parasitology lab and the Entomology lab
sessions respectively. Relevant texts for this module are available from the
School library.
Teaching and learning
methods
About half the time will be spent on theoretical work and half on practicals.
Laboratory work is particularly important, since, in addition to practical
instruction, there is ample opportunity for in-depth discussion with students
on aspects of particular interest. To facilitate this, a substantial number of staff
will attend each practical session.
Students taking the MSc Tropical Medicine & International Health course will
spend each Wednesday at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases. The rest of the
class will have private study at these times. In addition, for the first five weeks
MSc Tropical Medicine & International Health students will study Clinical Trials
on Thursday afternoons while the rest of the class are taught specialized
aspects of medical entomology. MSc Tropical Medicine & International Health
students will have the opportunity to see insect vectors from these sessions in
the relevant parasitology laboratory classes.
Assessment details
A tutor-marked essay of the students' own choice plus a mock written
examination, neither of which count towards formal assessment, will be
completed during the first term for the purpose of internally monitoring
student progress.
A practical examination will be held in week 11 of the module. For MSc MEDiC
and MSc MP students this will consist of a “sit down” element (a review of a
number of slide specimens to include a blood film, a faecal specimen and a
tissue sample) and a "spots test” (40 individually numbered items and
microscope specimens for students to identify). Students from other MSc
courses will only take the “spots test”. These practical elements count as the
degree practical exam for the respective MSc disciplines. The practical exam
tests students’ competence in identification of the major parasites, their vectors
and intermediate hosts. It will be preceded by practical revision sessions.
This module is formally assessed by written examination in June.
For students who are required to re-sit, or granted a deferral or new attempt,
the practical examination will be held in the December of the following
academic year (2016-17) and the written examination will be held in May/June
of the following academic year.
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Assessment dates
Practical assessment will take place on Thursday 17 December 2015(TBC).
For students who are required to re-sit, or granted a deferral or new attempt
the practical examination will be held in December 2016 at LSHTM. The re-sit
of the written examination (Paper 1) will be held in May/June 2017 and this
can be arranged through an overseas site.
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 10 weeks at 2.5 days per week; this module runs on
Mondays, Tuesday mornings and Thursdays. There is one allocated Reading
Week (with no classes) halfway through the module.
Dates
For 2015-16 the module will start on Monday 5 October 2015 and finish on
Friday 18 December 2015.
Timetable slot
The module runs in LSHTM timetable slot Term 1
Mode of Study
The module is taught face-to-face in London. Both full-time and part-time
students follow the same schedule.
Learning time
The notional learning time for the module totals 400 hours, consisting of:
 Contact time ≈ 122 hours
 Directed self-study ≈ 138 hours
 Self-directed learning ≈ 70 hours
 Assessment, review and revision ≈ 70 hours
APPLICATION, ADMISSION AND FEES
Pre-requisites
Parasitology & Entomology assumes no prior knowledge of medical
parasitology or entomology.
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 45 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 MScs listed under ‘Target audience’, 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. However, LSHTM research degree students must
discuss attendance requirements with the Module Organisers beforehand
as attendance may be restricted to lectures only; attendance at practical
sessions is strictly dependent on student numbers.
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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 is the end
of Term 1 Orientation Week, Friday 2 October 2015.
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If registering specifically for this module, applications may be made at any
time. The School gives priority to the needs of students registering for
Masters and Research Degrees, and so places on any module may be limited
- early application is therefore advised. 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: 5 August 2014 by Vanessa Yardley. Minor amendments Sarah Bathie 10th July 2015
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St., London WC1E 7HT.
www.lshtm.ac.uk
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