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Summary

Course details

Course type:

Master’s Programme

Director of studies:

Dr James Lacourse

Mode of study:

Duration:

1 Year

Home fee:

TBC

Overseas fee:

TBC

Additional costs:

Overseas Research Projects incur additional costs

Attachments

MSc_TDB_structure 2223.pdf

application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document

MSc Tropical Disease Biology 2023.docx

3 good reasons to study

You will develop a thorough, critical understanding of the biology and control of the pathogens and vectors that spread debilitating diseases blighting the lives of over a billion people globally.

Delivered by LSTM Departments of Vector Biology and Tropical Disease Biology, employing state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, industrial collaborations, and a strong research-base working across resource-limited tropical regions of the world.

Provides a scientifically active and exciting educational environment within which to develop key practical skills and theoretical knowledge in established and contemporary areas of the field of tropical disease biology.

Programme Overview

The MSc programme ‘Tropical Disease Biology’ provides advanced and research-informed contemporary learning in parasitology, microbiology, host-pathogen interactions, and the study of disease vectors and the pathogens they transmit in tropical and/or resource-limited regions of the world.

Delivered by an internationally diverse team of research-active experts in their disciplines, the broad scope of the programme ranges across the biology, biochemistry, immunology, ecology, and population biology of the organisms of importance to public health in predominantly tropical regions of limited resource, and their associated epidemiology.

The programme will give students the opportunity to develop employer-relevant transferable skills, producing independent and collaborative team workers, critical thinkers, adaptable problem-solvers, and as confident communicators in a range of environments. Experience in essential laboratory, field, and computing-based research techniques, as well as significant theoretical and applied practical knowledge in all important and topical areas of the field is further provided within core taught elements. Participants further demonstrate and apply their comprehensive understanding and critical awareness through completion of a research-based dissertation either overseas or in Liverpool, with opportunities to engage with professional and industrial bodies in global health as part of this process.

Programme Structure

The programme is offered within a dynamic research-led environment and its content is informed by the cutting-edge research activities of the academic staff. It is designed to enable the professional development of the student, to be relevant to students from both the UK and overseas and to promote approaches to study that will enable graduates to continue their learning into the future.

The programme comprises an introductory induction period including a residential field course element at the start of the programme, taught modules totalling 120 credits and a 60 credit dissertation. A 20 credit module (5 ECTS credits) represents 200 hours of student learning activity including assessment and self-directed study. Many students carry out a laboratory or data/literature-based dissertation project in LSTM but students can opt to conduct a fieldwork-based project overseas. All types of project have the key aims of developing the students’ skills in formulating a research question, designing and implementing a research project and critically interpreting and presenting the findings. The timing of modules across the academic year recognises the financial and time constraints faced by LSTM students, some of whom are from overseas. To allow students to access LSTM programmes in an economical and time-efficient manner, there are only 2 weeks holiday scheduled over Christmas and 1 week during the Easter period.

The modules available to students following the programme are shown in the programme specification. Required modules are necessary to achieve the programme learning outcomes and must be taken by all students following the programme. The optional modules listed have been identified as most suitable for contributing to the attainment of the programme learning outcomes. However, depending on their background or interests, students may opt to replace a recommended optional module with one offered as part of another LSTM MSc programme (Section 27c in specification), subject to the agreement of the Director of Studies and any restrictions on class size.

Semester 1	Core	Scientific & Professional Skills
	Core	Biology of Tropical Pathogens & Vectors of Disease
	Core	Research Methods in Tropical Disease Biology
Semester 2	Core	Scientific & Professional Skills
	Optional	Epidemiology & Control of Tropical Pathogens
	Optional	Applied Bioinformatics
	Optional	Vector Population Biology & Control
	Optional	Molecular & Cellular Biology of Pathogens & Vectors
	Optional	Climate Change and Health
		Applied Statistics for Health Research
		Immunology of Tropical Diseases
Semester 3	Core	Research Project: Tropical Disease Biology

Entrance Requirements

Academic requirements:

Open to graduates with an Honours degree (2.ii or equivalent) in the biological sciences or a medical/veterinary degree. Overseas candidates with other qualifications may be accepted, particularly if they have the relevant experience through working in an appropriate field for a number of years.

Medical or Veterinary students who have completed at least three years of study and wish to intercalate are also accepted onto the programme.

Recognition of prior learning:

All programmes of study will permit entry with credit attributed to previous certificated study up to a total of one third of the credits required to be awarded a MSc Degree, Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Award.

Work experience:

Non-graduates with considerable satisfactory work experience and evidence of appropriate in-service training will also be considered.

English language requirements:

The programme is taught in English. Applicants whose first language is not English must normally provide evidence of an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of at least 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in all learning components, or a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of at least 88 for the Internet-based Test (iBT), with minimum scores of 21 for Listening and Writing, 22 for Reading and 23 for Speaking.

Tests should be within their validity period of 2 years.

Other English Language Tests and country specific English Language qualifications are also accepted - a full list with details of levels required can be found on the LSTM website (http://www.lstmed.ac.uk/study/how-to-apply/english-language-requirements). Applicants who have recently completed a degree level qualification taught in a majority English speaking country (as defined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) may also be accepted at the discretion of the Director of Studies.

Aims

This course aims to:

To produce students with a critically developed, comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the current issues and priorities with regard to the biology of host-pathogen interactions, and control of pathogens, vectors of disease, and organisms of importance to public health in tropical and resource-limited regions of the world.

To enable students to identify, conceptualise and frame research questions, and critically analyse problems and challenges with relevance to the biology and control of the pathogens, vectors of disease, and organisms of importance to public health in tropical and resource-limited settings and contexts.

To provide applied experience, and equip students with the abilities to design strategies, and apply a range of specialised technical and analytical skills, to respond to biologically related research questions, problems, and challenges in regard to the pathogens, vectors of disease, and organisms of importance to public health in tropical and resource-limited settings and contexts.

To equip students with transferable abilities and skills in critical and reflective thinking, effective, independent, and collaborative team working, adaptable problem-solving, ethical project planning and management, and in confident communication within a range of environments/contexts.

Careers

Many alumni of LSTM hold prominent positions in health ministries, universities, hospitals, and international organisations throughout the world. Graduates are competitively placed to begin PhD programmes, seek employment within research programmes, work overseas in resource-limited areas with a wide variety of employers including NGOs, military and public health-related employers, enter teacher training, industry, or return to previous employers with enhanced knowledge and widely transferable skills with which to advance their existing careers.

Graduates of the MSc Tropical Disease Biology will have undergone excellent preparation for a career in laboratory and field research, or training, in the biological sciences, and are particularly well placed for careers in topics related to organisms of importance to public health, including a variety of pathogens and vector-borne diseases globally, and particularly within tropical or resource-limited regions of the world.

Testimonials

Being part of the LSTM community and completing a Master's degree here has been one of the most valuable experiences to date! Unforgettable and Unique. (Joe Clarkson 2019/20)

Study at LSTM was a wonderful experience that I will treasure for life. I met so many amazing people and now have a job in my chosen profession. (Molly Cliff, 2019/20)

Demanding but enjoyable. My year there provided a vital foundation on which to build a career in global public health. (Chris White, alumni survey comment)

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Apply

Start date	End date	Home fee	Overseas fee
8 September 2025	7 September 2026	TBC	TBC	Apply

Start date:
8 September 2025

End date:
7 September 2026

Home fee:
TBC

Overseas fee:
TBC

Apply

MSc Tropical Disease Biology