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
Introduction to Disease Agents & Their Control
Module code
3125
Module Organiser(s)
Professor Michael Miles
Contact email
Michael.Miles@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 25 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
Communicable diseases; infectious diseases, disease control; disease
prevention and control; tropical medicine; outbreaks; transmission cycles;
zoonotic diseases; epidemiology; health in emergencies; poverty; health
economics; pathogens; disease vectors; biomedical sciences; parasitic; malaria;
TB; HIV/AIDs; sexual and reproductive health; behavioural aspects; bacterial;
viral; worm infections; food; water; sanitation; statistics; research;
multidisciplinary; international; global; rural urban; teaching; communication;
health policy; health systems; vulnerable groups.
AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND AUDIENCE
Overall aim
The main aim (in conjunction with other core term 1 components for MSc
Control of Infectious Diseases) is to provide a multidisciplinary framework for
understanding the principles of interventions against infectious diseases. This
module specifically provides knowledge and understanding of important
disease agents in the context of their routes of transmission and the potential
intervention strategies, and considers some of the reasons for the success,
partial success and failure of control programmes.
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Intended learning
outcomes
By the end of this module, students should be able to:
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Target audience
Describe the importance of principal major pathogens in the different
regions of the world;
Outline the practicalities and limitations of diagnostic techniques for these
pathogens;
Apply knowledge of the life cycles of a range of pathogens to their
transmission routes and pathogenesis, and to the selection of appropriate
interventions;
Appreciate the inter-relationships between clinical skills, laboratory
science, epidemiology, and health policy in the selection of interventions;
Assess the implementation of interventions and understand reasons for
their success and failure;
Select appropriate interventions, taking account of the diverse social,
political and economic contexts in which health systems operate.
This module is a compulsory core module for all students on the MSc course in
the Control of Infectious Diseases.
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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The life cycle and characteristics of major infectious disease agents
according to their principal transmission routes, namely: respiratory
(proximity) diseases; contact diseases; water-borne; food-borne; sexually
transmitted; blood-borne; congenital and perinatal; arthropod vectorborne; opportunistic, or emergent infections. This will include examples of
laboratory methods for identifying disease agents;
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The principal intervention strategies used to combat such infectious
diseases, namely: case management, vaccination, treatment and
chemoprophylaxis and the many means of preventing exposure, from
individual protection to environmental management;
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Analysis of factors contributing to the success or failure of systems of
control and intervention strategies will be considered including:
fundamental scientific difficulties with implementation procedures,
managing people and resources; contextual problems associated with
finance and interagency relationships; social and political issues.
TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT
Study resources
provided or required
Course handbooks; reading lists; lecture handouts; electronic access to pdfs of
selected PowerPoint presentations.
Teaching and learning
methods
Teaching methods will include lectures, practicals, group discussions, debates
and problem solving exercises that will build on the previous experience and
future career intentions of the students.
Assessment details
By written examination in June (Paper 1). The Paper 1 written examination
includes one section (25% of the examination marks) based on module 3125.
For students who are required to re-sit, or granted a deferral or new attempt,
the task will be to take the written examination in the following year.
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Assessment dates
Assessment(s) will take place as part of the written examination in June. For
students who are required to re-sit, or granted a deferral or new attempt, the
next assessment date deadline will be May/June of the next year.
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
Tuesday afternoons, Thursdays and Fridays.
Dates
For 2015-16 the module will start on Tuesday 6 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. For full-time students, other LSHTM
modules are available in the remainder of the week.
Learning time
The notional learning time for the module totals 250 hours, consisting of:
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Contact time ≈ 120 hours
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Directed self-study ≈ 60 hours
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Self-directed learning ≈ 20 hours
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Assessment, review and revision ≈ 50 hours
APPLICATION, ADMISSION AND FEES
Pre-requisites
A class II degree in a biological, biomedical or public health orientated topic or
some equivalent experience are desirable but 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 30 to 40 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 MSc Control of Infectious Diseases (for which this module is obligatory) and
LSHTM research degree students. Other suitable 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.
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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 22 August 2012 by Michael Miles; 10th July 2015 minor updates by Sarah Bathie
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St., London WC1E 7HT.
www.lshtm.ac.uk
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