Emerging Infections and Pandemics

Introduction

What does this course offer

While studying the MSc Emerging Infections and Pandemics, you will be provided with a breadth of interdisciplinary expertise and practical role-play in the epidemiology, immunology, control and management of epidemics and pandemics in a One Health (integrated medical and veterinary) context. You will experience sessions led by leading experts in their respective fields.

This MSc takes you from the laboratory bench into the highly topical field of modelling, showing you how models and data can be used to both understand how epidemics spread and contribute to outbreak control. You will be introduced to the different phases, complexities, and cross-sectoral workings of outbreaks at global, national, and local levels. Through this, you will come to understand the critical role of policy, communication and the media in the success (or otherwise) of translating scientific knowledge into effective disease control.

Our MSc programme will develop your skills in communications and statistics beyond those gained at undergraduate level. You will be trained in how to critically evaluate and synthesise aspects of infectious diseases, with practical applications in public health and outbreak control.

Liverpool has a long-established, distinguished track record in the understanding and management of infectious disease. Dr. William Henry Duncan, a Liverpudlian, was appointed ~200 years ago as the first ever Medical Officer of Health and was a pioneer in uncovering the link between poor sanitation and disease. Dr. Duncan’s work laid the foundations for modern public health. Moving to the present day, work conducted in The University of Liverpool and Liverpool City Region continues to have an international impact on the management of infectious disease outbreaks and epidemics. University of Liverpool research into viruses such as Ebola and Zika has contributed to the management of outbreaks of associated disease; and a clinical trial of rotavirus vaccine in Malawi informed a WHO recommendation in 2009 that children in low income, high mortality countries should receive the vaccine.

Liverpool City Region also played a critical role in the Covid-19 pandemic by rolling-out the first mass asymptomatic testing programme worldwide and was selected as a key location of the Events Research Programme, which determined that large social gatherings could be held safely using testing or confirmation of vaccination status. The University is a major partner in the city’s Pandemic Institute and our academics have advised Government policy continue to work on new treatments and improved understanding of Long Covid.