Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences

This program addresses the emergence of new diseases and the reemergence of diseases previously thought to be under control, as well as the effect of global climate change and the changing international security environment under the spectre of bioterrorism.

The Masters and Graduate Diploma in Infectious Diseases courses have been developed in response to the international need for advanced training in infectious diseases to better prepare medical scientists, medical professionals, the public sector and other groups.

You will have the opportunity to gain practical experience in Western Australia’s public diagnostic pathology laboratory, PathWest, through the integration of placements for research projects and practicums with coursework.

Comprehensive training at graduate diploma and master's levels is provided through foundation units followed by a choice of specialised programs, which include:

Medical Microbiology

This program provides students with advanced and comprehensive knowledge of microbial, parasitic, fungal, viral and unconventional agents associated with human disease.

The following topics are covered:

• the means by which these agents cause disease
• the diagnosis of disease and the causative agent involved
• the role of the immune response in restricting infection
• the role of emerging and re-emerging infectious agents
• the epidemiology of infectious diseases and the control of these diseases by antimicrobial agent.

Students complete their studies with an individual research project in an area of their choice, or alternatively may undertake a practicum in the PathWest laboratories.

Tropical Infectious Diseases

This program introduces students to infectious diseases and emerging infectious diseases in tropical and subtropical parts of the world.

The following topics are covered: infections of special relevance in tropical countries and their diagnosis and control, including cholera, melioidosis, tuberculosis, leprosy, viral hepatitis, dengue, yellow fever and arboviral encephalitis, HIV, malaria, Leishmaniasis, and other parasitic infections; vectors of tropical infectious diseases and their control.

The program will suit individuals wishing either to work in these areas or to undertake research on tropical infectious diseases, and will also provide advanced training to those who are involved in policy development in government or related agencies.

Public and Environmental Health Microbiology

This program introduces students to the threats posed by infectious agents, in food, water or the environment, to the health of the community and the measures used to protect the community against such infections will be discussed.

Laboratory classes will illustrate microbiological techniques used in surveillance for infectious agents.

The program will suit individuals who seek employment in public health microbiology laboratories or those working in public agencies whose focus is on the risks associated with community acquired infection or the use of regulations to reduce these risks.

Course structure

Master of Infectious Diseases

Level 1:  You complete core units in the areas of infectious diseases, mycology, parasitology, molecular and cell microbiology;and additional units in bioinformatics, science communication and epidemiology

Level 2: You complete units in the areas of epidemiology and control of communicable diseases; and additional units from one of the three specialised programs; Medical Microbiology, Tropical Infectious Diseases, Public and Environmental Health Microbiology; and a research project or practicum

Graduate Diploma in Infectious Diseases

Students complete core units which are taken during the first semester followed by the specialised units from one of the three programs in the second semester.

Fees

Ten commonwealth-funded places have recently been awarded to this course. Places are also available to fee paying domestic and international students. Australian citizens are eligible to apply for FEE-HELP to defer payment of their fees.

Career prospects

It is expected that graduates of the Master's and Graduate Diploma in Infectious Diseases will be employed in a variety of institutions, including:

• hospital and private diagnostic laboratories
• health Department or non-government national or international agencies
• research laboratories.

This course provides specialised training of value to medical graduates who may go on to seek further postgraduate medical training.

Teaching

Professor Barry Marshall, who with Emeritus Professor Robin Warren, was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2005 for the discovery of the role of Helicobacter pylori in peptic ulcer, is a member of staff. A new Centre for Infectious Diseases honouring professors Marshall and Warren is being established with a Commonwealth grant.

The discipline of Microbiology and Immunology, within the School of Biomedical, Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences is located at the QE II Medical Centre adjacent to the PathWest diagnostic laboratories and the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. It has a distinguished research record in immunology, virology, medical microbiology & bacterial pathogenesis and for the research training of BSc Honours and PhD students.