MSc Biology & Control of Disease Vectors, Columbia College
Canada
Variations
Course Type:
Postgraduate
Duration of course:
Full-time for one year or split study over two years. Students taking the course by split study over two years attend full-time for part of Year 1, and then undertake the remainder of the course in Year 2. The split can occur anytime between the Christmas
Attendance:
Full Time
Entrance Requirements:
Either a Second-class Honours degree of a recognised university in science, or a related subject, or a degree in medicine. Applicants with an appropriate technical qualification and work experience, or equivalent qualifications, are also welcomed.
This course aims to provide training in the theoretical and practical aspects of the biology and control of disease vectors as well as the human pathogens that they transmit, and equip students with specialised skills to facilitate careers in global health that demand knowledge of the molecular biology of infectious diseases. Introductory sessions cover all aspects of major vector-borne diseases and offer a thorough grounding in the systematics of medically important arthropods, the main processes regulating vector populations, and in the biology of vector-parasite and vector-vertebrate interactions.
Graduates enter operational control programmes, applied basic research and academic fields.Students benefit from close interaction with staff who have extensive international expertise.
The James Busvine Memorial Medal and Prize, donated by Professor James Busvine in 1987, is awarded each year for outstanding performance.
Objectives
At the end of this course students should be able to: demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the biology of vectors and intermediate hosts of human pathogens together with methods for their control; describe the biology, pathogenesis and diagnosis of parasitic infections in humans and relate these to human health and disease control strategies; demonstrate a range of specialised technical and analytical skills relevant to vectors and vector-borne diseases; design and carry out a research project on biology or control of disease vectors, analyse and interpret the results and prepare a report including a critical literature review; design, undertake and evaluate vector control interventions, and show written and verbal competence in communicating scientific information.
This course aims to provide eye health professionals with the knowledge and skills required to reduce blindness and visual disability in their populations.
