Course Catalogue

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Project for the MSc in EPID and AMR

Students will meet regularly with their supervisors throughout the project period.

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Written project report (80%), 8,000 - 10,000 words a poster presentation of the subject (10%) and a viva (10%).

The overall aim of this course is to enable students to undertake an investigate research project, in vitro, in vivo or in silico, on an aspect of the epidemiology of infectious disease and antimicrobial resistance. The project will be supervised by one or more appropriate members of academic staff. Projects will focus on a clearly delineated hypothesis or research question that requires either laboratory or quantitative or bioinformatic skills, or a combination to these, and critical evaluation and synthesis of information from different sources.

Specifically, this course aims to:

■ Enable students to investigate in depth a topic in epidemiology of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance;

■ Enable students to benefit from leading-edge research-led supervision;

■ Enhance students' conceptual, analytical and intellectual skills

■ Enhance students' written and oral communication skills

■ Carry out an independent piece of research

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Critically evaluate and debate the scientific basis and global health contexts of a specific aspect of the epidemiology of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance, using information obtained from critical appraisal of scientific literature;

■ Critically evaluate and explain state-of-the-art knowledge and understanding of the underpinning methodologies or technologies used within a specific area of the epidemiology of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance

■ Identify and debate ethical, professional, and societal issues raised by a specific aspect of the epidemiology of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance

 Intellectual skills

■ In-depth critical evaluation of a subject in the form of a substantial written report

■ Critical appraisal of scientific data from the literature and integration of information from different sources

■ Ability to differentiate between evidenced based information, and policy or advocacy based information

■ Formulation of a research question or hypothesis

■ Quantitative or bioinformatics analysis of research data

Transferable/key skills

■ Writing a project proposal

■ Writing of a well-structured report with correct spelling and grammar and clear lay-out

■ Oral communication of scientific subject matter

■ Use of computers to search relevant databases, analyse data and present research findings

■ Performing a well-structured literature review

■ Time management, including planning and prioritisation of tasks and meeting deadlines

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.