Infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic micro-organisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoa and also by larger organisms such as worms. In studying this topic you will examine the mechanisms for transmission and establishment of these diseases. You will look in detail at how specific infections give rise to disease symptoms, how the body defends itself and why this isn't always successful. Finally you will examine the various approaches available for controlling these diseases and how successful they are, focussing on current problem areas such as AIDS, malaria and TB. From a practical standpoint there will be an emphasis on how diseases are diagnosed and how we can improve current diagnostic technology.

• The programme at UEL aims to provide students with a broad overview of the field with a focus on applied aspects.
• Emphasis is on the ways in which knowledge of infectious doseases may be applied for the benefit of mankind e.g. in the development of vaccines and antimicrobial drugs.
• Offers extensive laboratory training through all years of the programme
• Shares a common first year with other Bioscience degrees at UeL, leaving you an option to transfer at the end of the first year

• Most students follow a 4-year sandwich degree pathway however 3-year full-time and part-time routes are also available.
• At Level 1 Immunology is introduced within modules on Microbiology and Skills for Life Sciences (2 modules). Essential Biochemistry is studied in modules on Cellular Biology and Cellular processes. A module on Human Physiology completes the basic overview.
• At Level 2, four modules introduce further aspects of Medical Microbiology, Pathogens & Commensals; Physiological Function and Dysfunction and physiological Regulation. Two modules continue essential biochemistry (Molecular Biology with either Metabolism or Molecular Genetics).
• The third year of study can be spent away from the University in an agreed work placement
• The final year (Level 3) has four taught modules specialising in Infectious Disease Processes; Infectious Disease Control; Medical Parasitology and Immunology.
• In your final year, you do an individual research project (one third of final year work), involving original work (normally laboratory-based).

Learning is encouraged through participation in a wide variety of activities including lectures, seminars, workshops, laboratory-based practicals, external visits, distance learning, web-based learning etc. Each module has 5 to 6h contact per week, and may need up to10h further individual study per week on each module (it varies with the student!).

Success at university depends on developing your ability to study independently using library resources, CAL, handouts and web-based study activities.

The first year has a Skills module each semester. These help you make the major shift to independent learning needed at university, compared to schools and FE colleges, and also help to develop those transferable skills so important in working life.

Students are assessed in practical work and theory. In most modules 30% of the module mark is derived from coursework during the semester (this can take a variety of forms including laboratory work, data analysis, essays, oral presentations etc.) and 70% from unseen written theory examination at the end of the semester.

• Level 1 (Year 1) modules introduce you to the standards and types of assessment used at university. Some have theory exams staged at intervals through the semester. Not everyone does well at first, but you are expected to achieve at least 40% in all Level 1 modules.
• Level 1 module marks do not contribute to your Honours classification. Your final Honours grade uses marks from Level 2 and Level 3 modules only. This is important. If you have found it difficult to do well at first with new material, then poorer Level 1 marks will not pull your grade down.

• The 4yr Sandwich programme offers a year working in a laboratory and may be in a hospital, research institution or in medical, industrial and food companies. Placements are available nationwide and sometimes abroad.
• Your experience can be written up to pass a Work Experience module that will appear on your degree transcript. You also have the opportunity to take a work-based learning module which can contribute to your final degree classification
• Recent examples of placements include: Central Public Health Laboratory, Colindale; Dept. of Retrovirology, Royal Free Hospital; Bart's Hospital

• Project work is an essential component of an honours degree programme and one that most students enjoy. Small projects and group work exercises feature throughout the programme.
• One third of your final year is spent on an individual research project. This contributes over 20% to your total Honours mark.
• Project work encourages students to show initiative in their individual work under supervision in a laboratory, using appropriate techniques to generate and interpret new data.
• Most projects continue developing lines of research within the School in areas such as the investigation of plant extracts in the treatment of bacterial infections; patterns of carriage of Staph. aureus in the community; immunology and treatment of Leishmania infections.
  Library based research projects may also be undertaken.

• Extensive personal support throughout the programme.
• Sound practical as well as academic training.
• The sandwich year working in a laboratory will add value to your job prospects at the end of the programme.
• Effective careers advice and support available.