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
Vaccine Immunology
Module code
3191
Module Organisers
Dr Helen Fletcher and Professor Eleanor Riley
Contact email
Helen.Fletcher@lshtm.ac.uk or Eleanor.Riley@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 awards 15 credits on successful completion of this module
Accreditation
Not currently accredited by any other body
Keywords
[Vaccine, infectious disease, immunology, tuberculosis, BCG, malaria, parasitic
infections, immune correlates, animal models, clinical trials].
AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND AUDIENCE
Overall aim
To develop an understanding of the immune mechanisms important for the
development of vaccine-mediated protection from disease and of the
technologies used for vaccine development and their application
Intended learning
outcomes
By the end of this module, students should be able to:
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Target audience
Describe the immune mechanisms important for vaccine mediated
protection
Distinguish the different vaccine responses needed for different pathogens
Demonstrate knowledge of different types of vaccine products and
understanding of how these vaccines are developed, manufactured and
tested in humans
This module is designed for students with an interest in vaccinology, perhaps
with a view to a future career in this area. A background in biology including a
basic understanding of immunology is required.
CONTENT
Session content
The module is expected to include sessions addressing the following topics
(though please note that these may be subject to change):

Induction of antibody mediated immune response by vaccines
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Induction of T cellular immune response by vaccines
Innate immune responses and their importance in vaccine development
Vaccines for tuberculosis
Vaccines for malaria
Vaccine for other parasitic infections
Vaccine development and manufacture
Clinical trials for testing candidate vaccines and monitoring licenced
vaccines
Immune correlates in vaccine development
This module does NOT cover vaccine policy/vaccination programmes
TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT
Study resources
provided or required
Current research literature in major immunology journals/immunology text
books
Teaching and learning
methods
The teaching strategy will consist of formal lectures and student-centred
learning through interactive small group work, oral presentations and
discussion sessions. External speakers from industry and external vaccine
development groups will be invited to contribute to teaching, and practical
classes or visits may also be organised.
Assessment details
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News and Views style report on recent publications in the vaccine field:
50%
Exam: Problem solving/data analysis 50%
For students who are required to re-sit, or granted a deferral or new attempt,
the tasks will be alternative versions of the same assessments.
Assessment dates
Assessments will be due on the last day of the module, while the exam will take
place during the last week of the module.
For students who are required to re-sit, or granted a deferral or new attempt,
the next assessment deadline will be the standard School-recommended 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; this module runs between
Wednesday lunchtime and Friday afternoon.
Dates
For 2015-16, the module will start on Wednesday 20 April 2016 and finish on
Friday 20 May 2016.
Timetable slot
The module runs in LSHTM timetable slot E.
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 ≈ 55 hours
 Directed self-study ≈ 25 hours
 Self-directed learning ≈ 10 hours
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Assessment, review and revision ≈ 60 hours
APPLICATION, ADMISSION AND FEES
Pre-requisites
This module is designed for students with a basic knowledge of immunology.
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
As this is a taught course student numbers will only be limited by the size of
the available teaching space
Student selection
Preference will be given to LSHTM MSc students and LSHTM research degree
students. MSc IID students will have priority in case of the course being
oversubscribed.
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.
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 2016.

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 25th Feb 2015 by Helen Fletcher and Eleanor Riley
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St., London WC1E 7HT.
www.lshtm.ac.uk
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