Master of Science in Tropical and Infectious Diseases Program Offered at University of Nairobi

Masters 2 years Fulltime Fee: on application Intake: Ongoing

Masters (Accredited by: University of Nairobi)

About Master of Science in Tropical and Infectious Diseases Masters program.

Diseases caused by infectious pathogens specifically bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi are the most frequent as well as the most life threatening health problems occurring in tropical countries, of these, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as well as malaria and pulmonary tuberculosis cause the highest morbidity and mortality in the tropics. Many other diseases have emerged, some of which cause epidemics further complicating the already worsened situations in resource limited countries. Bacterial and viral meningitis, yellow fever, rift valley fever and other viral haemorrhagic infections (Ebola and Marburg), and more recently in Kenya the swamp fever (leptospirosis) are among diseases increasingly becoming common causes of epidemics in Africa south of Sahara.




Lack of adequate personnel well equipped with innovative approaches in dealing with innovative approaches in dealing with such major communicable and emerging disease problems together with inadequate supply of the relevant equipment and material to fight epidemics further complicating the situation. The Master course in Tropical and Infectious Diseases is designed to build core Infectious Diseases Control teams consisting of physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, epidemiologists and biologists, capable of predicting disease outbreak, carrying out disease surveillance and controlling disease epidemics. The established core teams will be expected to work closely with the relevant government ministries to combat and control diseases. They will also be expected to work with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other international agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO) and other relevant organisations.



Objectives of Master of Science in Tropical and Infectious Diseases

 


  1. To build capacity for the management and control of infectious disease outbreaks in the tropical.



  2. To provide health personnel with an in-depth knowledge of tropical and infectious diseases.



  3. To equip trainees with specialized skill in the diagnosis, prevention, control and management of tropical and infectious diseases.



  4. To equip the trainees with the necessary skills to conduct research in tropical and infectious diseases.



  5. To assist the various Government and Non-Governmental health organisation in establishing systems capable of predicting disease outbreaks, surveillance, management and control.


Entry requirements for Master of Science in Tropical and Infectious Diseases

 


  1. Candidates eligible for admission into the Master of Science on Tropical and Infectious Disease shall have any of the following minimum qualifications:




    • Holders of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of Dental Surgery, Bachelor of Pharmacy, Bachelor of Nursing Sciences and Bachelor of veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Nairobi.



    • Holders of Bachelor of Science upper second class degree or above in biomedical sciences from the University of Nairobi with at least three years working experience in medical research or in disease control programmes.



    • Holders of Bachelor of Science lower second class degree in biomedical sciences from the University of Nairobi with at least five years working experience in medical research or in disease control programme.



    • Any other equivalent qualifications to the above from institutions recognised by the Senate of the University of Nairobi.



Transfer of Credits


A candidate may be allowed to transfer up to a maximum of one third of the taught units provided that these are from institutions recognised by the Senate.


Applicants seeking transfer of credits shall:




  1. Send a formal application to the Director,Board of Postgraduate Studies through the Director, Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases seeking transfer of credit, justifying the request and attach evidence of credentials which would support such a request.



  2. Apply for transfer of credit, which shall be processed only after payment of the prescribed fees.


Applicants will only be allowed to transfer a unit, which is equivalent and/or at the same level with what is offered by the University of Nairobi.


No transfer of credits will be allowed in the clinical subjects.

Master of Science in Tropical and Infectious Diseases Course Subjects

 


  1. The Master of Science degree course in Tropical and Infectious Diseases shall cover a minimum of 4 semesters and a maximum of 10 semesters of 15 weeks each.



  2. A candidate shall be required to take a minimum of 3 course units and a maximum of 5 course units in a semester.



  3. The course shall consist of 15 units of 60 hours each, a practicum and project.



  4. The course shall be conducted through lectures, seminars, tutorials laboratory and practicals.



  5. The first year of study shall be by course work,tutorial,seminars, continuous assessment and end of year examinations. A candidate shall only proceed to the second year of study after successful completion of the first year examination.



  6. In the second year of study ,candidates shall take up an attachment / practicum in a discipline of their interest. They shall develop a research proposal so as to conduct original research, write a dissertation and sit for the final year examinations.


Course Outline


First year,Semester 1


Medical Parasitology, Medical Entomology, Medical Microbiology, Virology and Prior Infections, Immunology.


Semester 2


Molecular Biology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Clinical Microbiology, Non-Infectious Tropical Conditions, Research Methods.


Second year,Semester 1


Tropical Paediatrics and Maternal Health, Social Science and health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Health Systems Management, Tropical and Travel Medicine.


Semester 2


Practicum, Research project.

About University of Nairobi

The University of Nairobi is a world-class university committed to scholarly excellence. University of Nairobi mission is to provide quality university education and training and to embody the aspirations of the Kenyan people and the global community through creation, preservation, integration, transmission and utilization of knowledge.

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