London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

The overall module aim is to examine the major aspects of human fungal infections and how to identify fungal pathogens.

Intended learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module, a student will be able to: 

• Describe the basic structure and classification of pathogenic fungi.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the pathogenesis of various mycoses, including clinical manifestations, diagnosis and management.
• Apply relevant identification techniques and skills applicable to a clinical laboratory setting for clinically relevant moulds and yeasts.

Session Content

The module is expected to cover the following topics: 

• The morphology and taxonomy of pathogenic fungi.
• The mycoses - superficial and cutaneous, subcutaneous, and systemic.
• Virulence factors, immunology, aspects of treatment.

Mode of delivery

This module is delivered predominantly face-to-face. Where specific teaching methods (lectures, seminars, discussion groups) are noted in this module specification these will be delivered by predominantly face-to-face sessions. There will be a combination of live and interactive activities (synchronous learning) as well as self-directed study (asynchronous learning).

Assessment

The assessment for this module has been designed to measure student learning against the module intended learning outcomes (ILOs) as listed above. Formative assessment methods may be used to measure students’ progress. The grade for summative assessment(s) only will go towards the overall award GPA. 

The practical assessment for this module will be on campus at LSHTM. Other assessments will be online. 

This course provides theoretical knowledge of fungal infections and practical skills to identify fungi in a laboratory, therefore the assessment tests both aspects. 

• The coursework essay tests the understanding of pathogenic fungi in terms of epidemiology, diagnosis, how infections are managed and treated and why fungal diseases pose an important threat to public health. It is representative of the lectures that will be covered for a range of medically important filamentous fungi and yeasts and it will provide an opportunity for the individual to explore key pathogens in greater depth. 
• The practical assessment tests the practical skills and understanding of identification keys and methods, which when combined lead to an identification result. However, it also requires knowledge and understanding of the clinical aspects of fungal infection which might be characteristic of a particular fungus or disease type. Many of the exam questions include clinical information.

Credits

• CATS: 15
• ECTS: 7.5

Module specification

For full information regarding this module please see the module specification.