Course content
This clinical Master's focuses on the impact of infectious diseases in low- and middle-income countries.
Semester 1
As well as a grounding Essential of Tropical Medicine, the first semester will provide core teaching on Evidence Application for Clinical Practice, looking at study design and critical appraisal, and applying it to practice. You'll also get an introduction to Leadership and Education in Clinical Practice, to help you utilise education principles in day-to-day clinical work and training programmes.
Semester 2
In the second semester you'll undertake core and optional modules that suit your interests and ambitions:
- Leadership and Education Principles in Clinical Practice (core)
- Epidemiology and Control of Tropical Pathogens OR
- Quality Improvement for Health in Low Resource Settings
- Advanced Clinical Management in HIV Endemic Settings (core)
- Immunology of Tropical Diseases OR
- Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Adolescent Health OR
- Applied Statistics OR
- Developing a Disease Control Programme
Semester 3
The third semester is your opportunity to carry out a self-directed 60-credit project on a subject you'd like to pursue. The type of project is up to you – it could be applied research or a systematic review; a quality improvement project or a clinical placement. You can choose to be based in Liverpool or take up a field work opportunity abroad.
Study pattern
After an introductory week, this one-year MSc is divided into three semesters. The first will cover mandatory taught modules, one of which will continue into the second semester. In the second semester, you'll study one core and two optional 20 credit modules from a variety of options. The third semester will be dedicated to your 60-credit project, which can be undertaken overseas.
For each 20 credit module, you are expected to spend about 200 hours learning, which includes contact time, self-directed learning and assessments.
Delivery
During the first two semesters, you'll be taught in-person by our academic and clinical experts, and learn from your fellow students and their valuable experiences across the world. Teaching methods are varied, combining theory and practice, and include lectures, case-based learning, small group work and simulation scenarios.
Your research project will be self-directed, giving you the chance to choose your topic, methods and location. It will build your research skills, enhance your professional competence and boost your personal confidence. We'll offer support throughout, and suggest modules that will develop the skills you want for your future.
Outcomes
Once you've completed the MSc in Tropical and Infectious Diseases, you'll have a comprehensive toolkit of knowledge and skills to take your career further.
You'll develop knowledge and understanding and be able to:
- Analyse current issues and priorities in the field of tropical medicine.
- Apply research and quality improvement methods to address important questions or quality improvement concerns.
- Evaluate how health systems and services respond to health issues.
- Review health research and apply statistical knowledge to research studies.
- Apply skills to the diagnosis, management and control of tropical parasitic, bacterial, viral and fungal infections.
- Assess the interplay with non-communicable diseases in a variety of regional and resource settings.
You'll build cognitive skills and be able to:
- Critically analyse, synthesise and evaluate information from a variety of sources.
- Use your knowledge and understanding in a variety of contexts to analyse and reach evidence-based conclusions on complex situations, problems and opportunities.
- Apply the principles and values of ethical practice to the design and conduct of research or quality improvement studies, and in the collection, analysis, interpretation, presentation and publication of data.
- Demonstrate creativity, innovation and originality in the application of knowledge.
- Learn independently through continuous professional development.
You'll add to your practical and professional skills and be able to:
- Manage your time and resources effectively.
- Lead in the management of patients, teams, clinical services and projects.
- Communicate effectively with colleagues, patients and the public, and act as an advocate to improve health for all, especially for disadvantaged groups.
- Undertake your project in a responsible, safe and ethical manner and accurately record the data collected.