London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

This module will provide students with a broad understanding of the key aspects of insect vector behaviour, vector ecology and vector-parasite interactions relevant to the epidemiology and control of vector-borne diseases. 

By the end of this Study Module students should be able to: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key aspects of vector behaviour, vector ecology and vector-parasite interactions. Demonstrate an understanding of how these features impact on the epidemiology and control of vector-borne diseases. Apply a range of practical entomological techniques and tools used in research on vector competence and ecology. Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate the relevant scientific literature. Demonstrate some of the skills required to design a research project related to vector biology or competence. 

This module is intended primarily for entomologists and parasitologists who wish to develop an active research interest in this discipline in a field or laboratory, or apply it within the context of a control programme. Some basic knowledge is assumed (e.g. contents of Parasitology and Entomology in term 1). 

This module will be divided into three teaching blocks covering research areas in vector biology, vector behaviour, vector ecology, and vector-parasite interactions.

Intended learning outcomes

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

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key aspects of vector behaviour, vector ecology and vector-parasite interactions.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how these features impact on the epidemiology and control of vector-borne diseases.
• Apply a range of practical entomological techniques and tools used in research on vector competence and ecology.
• Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate the relevant scientific literature.
• Demonstrate some of the skills required to design a research project related to vector biology or competence

Session Content

The module is expected to cover the following topics:

• Vector nutrition.
• Dispersal.
• Host seeking and host selection.
• Blood-feeding behaviour.
• Anthropophily and zoophily.
• Chemical ecology.
• Sexual (mating) behaviour and pheromones.
• Seasonality and diapause.
• Circadian activity rhythms and the gonotrophic cycle.
• Genetic and physiological determinants of vector competence and vector-parasite specificity.
• Effects of parasites on vector behaviour, survival and parasite transmission.
• Host-parasite interactions with reference to mosquitoes and Plasmodium, Lymphatic filariae and Wolbachia; sandflies and Leishmania; blackflies and Onchocerca; ticks and viral pathogens. 
• Vector sampling and collection of overwintering mosquitoes (larvae and adult) for practical sessions on genus and species identification.

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's 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 assessment for this module will be online. 

Short test of multiple-choice questions on the module (33%); Written submission of a research proposal in the form suitable to submit to an appropriate grant funding agency such as MRC, Welcome Trust, BMGF, WHO or BBSRC (67%, approx. 2,000 words).

Credits

• CATS: 15
• ECTS: 7.5

Module specification

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