Masters Training

Program Overview | Masters Training | PhD Training

Masters level training includes one year of classroom training and one year of research. A total of 30 credit hours is required. There are three possible training tracks, each designed to develop measurable research skills.The tracks are:

• Ecology of Vector-borne Diseases (field research/GIS/epidemiology emphasis)
*Short Rotations: VB Field Methods, Mosquito Abatement District, GIS methods

• Molecular Biology of Vector-borne Diseases (laboratory research/diagnostic emphasis)
*Short Rotations: VB Lab Methods, Arbovirology Methods, LSU Arbovirus Diagnostics

• Control/Prevention of Vector-borne Diseases (field research/epidemiology/prevention-control emphasis)
*Short Rotations: Office of Public Health – Epi Section, Mosquito Abatement District

Regardless of final track selected, each student will complete a “rotation” in each track area to gain familiarity with the field and develop diverse research skills. The tracks listed here are not mutually exclusive, and in fact, our primary goal is to produce individuals trained to be highly functional in all three areas. However, given the nature of modern research, students will need to be somewhat focused in approach to advance toward a degree in the time frame set forth.

Masters Level Course Requirements:

Medical Entomology (3 credit)
Medical Protozoology (3 credit)
Medical Helminthology (3 credit)
Malaria (2 credit)
Public Health Geographic Information Systems (2 credit)
Tropical Virology (2 credit)
Arbovirology Methods (1 credit)
Vector Biology Lab Methods (1 credit)
Vector Biology Field Methods (1 credit)
Epidemiologic Methods (3 credit)
Introductory Biostatistics (3 credit)
Thesis Research (6 credits)

Students are expected to identify a research topic and choose a preceptor within the first 6-12 months of training. All students in the Fellowship Training Program (FTP) will participate in a weekly FTP seminar meeting attended by students and preceptors. This is a forum for presentation of research results, journal article review, invited speaker presentation, and general discussion of current vector-borne infectious disease topics. In addition, all students will identify faculty to serve as an advisory committee, with Masters committees containing 3 individuals. Masters students are expected to formally present their Thesis or Dissertation project to their committee, and obtain committee approval, before a degree is awarded. This constitutes a degree requirement.

To Apply:

Online applications may be obtained through the Graduate School website. To apply click here.

On the first page of the application, for Department, fill in 'Parasitology' and for Area of Specialization, fill in 'Vector-Borne Infectious Disease'.

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