Tropical Medicine
| Module title | Tropical Medicine |
|---|---|
| Module code | CSC3035 |
| Academic year | 2027/8 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Dominic Wiredu Boakye (Convenor) Dr James Butler (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 60 |
|---|
Module description
In an era marked by unprecedented migration due to violent conflicts, climate hazards and the ease of international travel, diseases that were once confined to specific regions can now rapidly cross borders, causing widespread morbidity and challenging public health systems. In this module you will explore the molecular biology and control of infections, focusing on those prevalent in tropical regions but less known in Western contexts. Through an in-depth examination of parasitic infections, vector biology, and the immune responses elicited in the human host, this module aims to prepare you as future scientists to contribute to the prevention, diagnosis, and management of infectious diseases worldwide. The content of this module is intended to build on learning in other modules, such as Microbiology and The Immunology of Infectious Disease.
Module aims - intentions of the module
Drawing on past, current and future plague contexts, this module aims to cover the molecular biology of globally significant infectious agents and the vectors that transmit them. Using historical case studies, you will unpack how factors beyond disease biology such as policymaking, healthcare infrastructure, and socioeconomic conditions can shape both the successful and unsuccessful control of infectious diseases.
Next, the module shifts to current challenges in global health, focusing on the epidemiology and transmission dynamics of neglected tropical diseases. In collaboration with students from partner universities in endemic regions and through expert lectures from international specialists, participants will gain a non-Western-centric perspective on current research methods, including molecular and bioinformatic techniques. Depending on availability and funding, students may also have the opportunity to collect samples at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine before the module begins. Through hands-on experience with large datasets (metadata) and Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), students will learn to track experiment progress, record data, and interpret findings to inform evidence-based public health policies.
The module then explores potential “future plagues” by exploring how factors such as global warming and drug resistance can drive the emergence and reemergence of infectious diseases. Students will also investigate emerging monitoring, diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies currently being developed to combat these threats. Assessment will take the form of an online tests and practical skills assessment.
Whether operating in government advisory boards, disease surveillance networks, international NGOs, or the NHS, graduates will be well-positioned to shape resilient global health systems for present and future generations.
Graduate attributes: as part of this module, you will develop the key employability skills in team working, data management and protocol execution.
The module aligns with the following sustainable development goals (SDGs) SDG3 (Good Health and Wellbeing)
SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and (SDG 17) Partnership for the Goals.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Use metadata to design a multi-pronged intervention against a hypothetical disease outbreak of global significance
- 2. Describe how socioeconomic conditions and the biology of infection of emerging and globally significant diseases relates to their management
- 3. Assess the appropriate diagnostic techniques for key infectious diseases
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Describe and evaluate the key principles and challenges for healthcare planning and delivery, including the development and implementation of new health technologies.
- 5. Independently and accurately collect data, selecting appropriate methods for analysis and interpreting findings to test hypotheses. Exhibit the ability to consider further lines of investigation and effectively manipulate data for clear and impactful presentation, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the investigation's context within the field.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Work independently and as part of a team to manage sample tracking, protocol execution and storage using a laboratory information management system
Syllabus plan
While the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:
- Introduction
- Overview of global health systems and frameworks
- Principles of Parasitology, Immunology, and Vaccinology
- Past Plagues
- Students will explore historical case studies, such as Malaria in Europe and Smallpox, to understand how effective policies, treatment campaigns, and socio-political factors contributed to historically successful disease control efforts.
- Current Plagues
- This section introduces students to infectious diseases that pose significant contemporary global health challenges. Students will examine the biology, epidemiology, transmission dynamics, diagnostic methods, and treatment strategies associated with these diseases, with a particular focus on:
- Neglected Tropical Diseases, especially vector-borne infections and snakebite
- Influenza and Viral Respiratory Infections
In addition, students will gain hands-on experience in molecular biology, bioinformatics, and laboratory management techniques relevant to disease tracking and surveillance.
- Future Plagues
- In this section, students will explore emerging and re-emerging threats driven by climate change, drug resistance, and migration. A particular focus will be given to fungal infections as a critical area of concern. Additionally, students will be introduced to the latest monitoring, diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies under development, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary for effective future outbreak preparedness.
- Consolidation: Infectious Disease Epidemiology for Policy Advisors
- Application of epidemiological principles to inform policy decisions
- Case studies and discussions on evidence-based policymaking in infectious disease control
Accessibility Statement:
As part of this module, you will undertake three laboratory sessions in the teaching laboratory (of up to 40 students) that are of 3 hrs in duration. These sessions will be undertaken in pairs, and sessions involve fine laboratory work. During this time, you are allowed short breaks and students are able to leave the laboratory for short periods.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | 115 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 11 | 1 hour lecture x 11 delivered either remotely or in person. Some external providers will be in oversees locations and so will deliver their sessions remotely |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 4 | 1 hour podcasts x 4 delivered remotely |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 9 | 3 hours x 3 of laboratory work |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 11 | 2 hours x 4 of workshops 3 hours x 1 workshop |
| Guided Independent Study | 15 | Pre-lecture preparatory studies |
| Guided Independent Study | 40 | Post-lecture consolidatory studies |
| Guided Independent Study | 5 | Pre-workshop preparatory studies |
| Guided Independent Study | 10 | Post-workshop consolidatory studies |
| Guided Independent Study | 15 | Pre-Laboratory preparatory studies |
| Guided Independent Study | 15 | Post-Laboratory consolidatory studies |
| Guided Independent Study | 30 | Preparing for Assessment |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Test | The duration of the assessment will be 3 hours | 1 | Online |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 75 | 25 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online Tests (Post Introduction and End of module Exam) | 75 | 45 mins | 1- 4 | Online |
| Practical Skills Assessment | 25 | 3 hours | 5, 6 | Online |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Tests (Post Introduction and End of module Exam) (75%) | Online Test | 1-4 | Referral/deferral period |
| Practical Skills Assessment 3 hours (25%) | Cannot be deferred. Extensions are not permitted for this. There will not be alternate forms of assessment for this. Students who miss this assessment for valid reasons or who fail will be given the opportunity to take an online simulation exam during the referral/deferral period | 6 | Referral/deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons that are approved by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. If deferred, the format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). The mark given for a deferred assessment will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral - if you have failed the module (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) and the module cannot be condoned, you will be required to complete a re-assessment for each of the failed components on the module. The format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). If you pass the module following re-assessment, your module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Davidson, R., Brent, A. J., Seale, A. C., & Blumberg, L. (Eds.). (2022). Oxford handbook of tropical medicine. Oxford University Press.
- Ryan, E. T., Hill, D. R., Solomon, T., Aronson, N., & Endy, T. P. (2019). Hunter's tropical medicine and emerging infectious diseases. Elsevier Health Sciences.
- Brett, J. (2014). Robert Menzies' forgotten people. Melbourne Univ. Publishing.
- Guerrant, R. L., Walker, D. H., & Weller, P. F. (2006). Tropical infectious diseases. Elsevier Inc.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Module ELE page containing formative quizzes and access to on-line learning resources
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 13/05/2024 |
| Last revision date | 27/02/2025 |
