MRes

Parasite Control

You are viewing this course for September start 2024

The Parasite Control course at Aberystwyth University leads to an internationally recognised MRes qualification that will provide training in transferable skills essential for those wishing to pursue a PhD or commercial or industrial research opportunities. Specifically focusing on parasites and the diseases that they cause, you will gain expert knowledge in the detection, prevention and control of protozoan as well as metazoan animal and human pathogens. You will be trained in specialisms including biochemistry, molecular biology, whole organism/cell culture and manipulation, bioinformatics, proteomics, transcriptomics, genomics, functional genomics, drug discovery, vaccinology, biomarker discovery, genetics/epigenetics, epidemiology, vector/intermediate host biology and ecology.

At the end of the course you will understand how interdisciplinary methods can be brought to bear on controlling some of the deadliest infectious organisms on the planet and be ready to pursue your career in parasitology. 

Typical Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements 2:2 Bachelors (Honours) degree in a relevant subject area or equivalent. Subject to agreement with project supervisor. Non-graduates will be considered individually based on relevant work experience.

English Language Requirements IELTS 6.5 with minimum 5.5 in each component, or equivalent

Other Requirements Applicants are encouraged to submit an up-to-date CV as part of their application.

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Fees and Finance

Course Fees

Please see the tuition fee pages for current tuition fees. Please note that all fees are subject to an annual increase.

Funding

Funding opportunities may be available, please check the funding calculator for details.

Course Overview

Parasitism is the most successful lifestyle on the planet and leads to diverse and highly-damaging infectious diseases of agricultural, veterinary and biomedical significance. Therefore, a greater understanding of the parasite species responsible for these conditions and the means by which they are controlled remain a priority for scientists, health care professionals and farmers in the 21st century. The development of novel, creative and integrated control strategies are urgently needed to combat the growing threat of changing parasite distributions due to climate change, human migration, animal transportation and farming practices. This MRes course will provide you with a range of vocational skills and prepare you for professional employment or further postgraduate PhD studies in Parasitology or related disciplines (such as infectious diseases, public health and epidemiology).

The MRes Parasite Control has a substantial component of independent supervised research (120 of 180 credits) and structured learning opportunities via 60 credits of taught modules, through which you will gain in-depth knowledge and an understanding of current issues of parasite control. The further development of generic attributes of decision-making, independent learning and communicating effectively to a range of audiences and in a variety of media will be developed in all modules.

About this course

An aspect of this course that uniquely positions itself from other Masters-level Parasitology courses in the UK is the 12-month dissertation project (Semesters 1-3). Working under the supervision of active researchers in the field, you will collaboratively develop a research project on diverse topics such as intermediate host and vector control, anthelmintic drug and target discovery, biomarker identification, visual cue selection for arthropod vectors, mathematical modelling of disease transmission, host responses to parasite biomolecules, parasite and host population studies and functional genomics manipulation of parasites.

A list of available projects and supervisors will be advertised closer to the start of each academic year.

Your supervisor/supervisory team will mentor you in hypothesis and discovery-driven experimental design, provide training in lab-based and computer-assisted methodologies, arrange instruction in analytical techniques, aid in the trouble-shooting of experimental challenges, assist you in the interpretation of results and prepare you for successful oral presentations. You will also be guided in how to most efficiently communicate your results during the dissertation write-up. It is expected that you will become an expert in your topic during this year-long research project.

Modules September start - 2024

Please note: The modules listed below are those currently intended for delivery during the next academic year and may be subject to change. They are included here to give an indication of how the course is structured.

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Hot Topics in Parasite Control BRM0920 20
Infection and Immunity BRM1620 20
Research Methods in the Biosciences BRM6420 20
MRes Dissertation (A) BRM6060 60
MRes Dissertation (B) BRM6160 60

* Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh

Careers

Careers

This course is an ideal training programme for those wishing to:

  • pursue PhD studies
  • work in industry, charities or funding bodies
  • improve animal and human health
  • influence governmental policies.

 Skills

Throughout this course you will:

  • develop strong data collection/analysis, fieldwork and laboratory skills
  • enhance your scientific communication and team work skills
  • write for a range of audiences including academics and the wider public
  • enhance your analytical abilities, critical thinking and problem-solving skills 
  • develop study and research skills
  • direct and sustain a self-initiated programme of study underpinned by good time management skills
  • work effectively and independently
  • hone your project management skills to deliver a demanding combination of research, analysis, communication and presentation.

Teaching & Learning

How will I learn?

This is a one-year full-time course. You will complete 60 credits of core modules centred on parasitology, parasite control and research methodologies, and a 120-credit dissertation for which you will undertake a prolonged period of experimental work/data gathering and research under the supervision of your dissertation supervisor.

What will I learn?

The modules included in this programme are designed to provide a fundamental basis for understanding and contributing meaningfully to parasite control strategies. You will also discover how research can address grand challenges in parasitology that we face as a society.

This interdisciplinary research training provides you with the skills needed to complete your individual research dissertation. The key feature of the course is that you are able to explore an area of parasitology that fascinates you and undertake an extended piece of higher level research with the support of a supervisor.

How will I be assessed?

The taught modules are assessed by scientific writing assignments (such as reports, critical reviews, essays and journalistic articles), presentations, contribution to group discussions in seminars and online assignments.

Subsequent successful submission of your dissertation leads to the award of an MRes. 

Personal Tutor  

You will be assigned a personal tutor who will be your main contact throughout the duration of your studies. Your personal tutor will be available to help you with academic or personal matters.