One Health: Parasitology & Pathogen Biology

Overview

The MSc programme in Parasitology and Pathogen Biology is designed for students seeking training in parasite-borne infectious diseases that severely undermine: human health in the developing world and tropics; agri-food production systems globally (including plant health and animal health and welfare).



Students taking the course will develop expertise directly applicable to human, plant and animal health and welfare, food security and the future sustainability of food production, particularly within livestock and plant/crop production systems.



The course will be run entirely by research active and will offer students the opportunity to gain experience in internationally competitive laboratories.



Introduction

The MSc programme in One Health: Parasitology and Infection Biology is designed for students seeking training in parasite-borne infectious diseases that severely undermine: human health in the developing world and tropics; agri-food production systems globally (including plant health and animal health and welfare).



Students taking the course will develop expertise directly applicable to human, plant and animal health and welfare, food security and the future sustainability of food production, particularly within livestock and plant/crop production systems. In addition, students may also acquire knowledge of bioinformatics or mass spectrometry methods and application by availing of one of the optional modules offered.

Year 1

Students undertaking this MSc course will study the following modules:



Core Modules:

• Key Skills in Parasitology and Infectious Disease Research (40 CATS)

• One Health: Emerging and Re-emerging Infection (30 CATS)

• Emerging Tools and Technologies in Parasitology and Infection Biology (30CATS)

• Research Project (60 CATS)



Optional Module (student choose one of the following three):

• Advances in Parasitology and Infectious Disease (Literature Review) (20 CATS)

• Bioinformatics and Systems Biology (20 CATS)

• Mass Spectrometry (20 CATS)

Graduate

Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or above in a relevant area of science or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Applicants with qualifications below 2.2 Honours degree standard (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) will be considered on a case-by-case basis, if they can demonstrate appropriate experience, acceptable to the School.



External medical or veterinary students wishing to intercalate must have successfully completed the third/fourth year of their course. Applicants must have passed all relevant assessments for the year in which they are applying. External intercalating applicants should also ensure they have the permission of the Head of Undergraduate Medical/Veterinary Education or equivalent from their home University.



Intercalating medical students from within Queen's University Belfast will also be considered if they have successfully completed the third/fourth year of their course at first attempt and achieved at least a lower second class honours standard. Intercalating applicants from Queen's University Belfast should ensure they have permission to intercalate from their Director for Medical Education.



International Students

Please see International Student's link below.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 31st July 2023 for courses which commence in late September.



In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal.



Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.



Please note a deposit may be required to guarantee a place on the course. Due to high demand, applications may not be considered if the course has reached its maximum class size and will be placed on a waiting list. Please see deposit terms and conditions for more details.

1 year full-time



Teaching Times

Teaching times will be across morning and afternoon, at various times throughout the week.

Entry Year: 2025/26

Career Prospects

Introduction

The skills set and knowledge acquired will equip you with a comprehensive academic and methodological repertoire to undertake careers in agriculture, plant science, animal and human health, pharmaceutica, academia and food security.