MPH in Infectious Diseases

Key Facts

Duration
1.5 - 2 Yrs
Mode
Online
CREDITS
138
Dual Degree
Optional

Overview

The COVID 19 pandemic has highlighted the need for capacity building for infectious diseases, not only in the developing world but also for the developed nations. The healthcare infrastructure worldwide has been caught by a surprise and is struggling to keep pace with the rapid contagion. Infectious disease specialists both at tertiary care and public health grassroots levels are important in treating and controlling infectious diseases.

There is a tremendous need for infectious disease professionals worldwide. In addition, continuous training of healthcare professionals is extremely important, to help them know about the evolving best practices in the management of novel and emerging infectious diseases.

The ‘MPH Infectious Diseases’ program provides a focussed understanding of infectious diseases including microbiology principles, public health, nosocomial infections, epidemiology, biostatistics, nutrition, immunology, research methodology, surveillance and drug development.

This is a comprehensive program for students to acquire an advanced understanding of diverse infectious diseases including their diagnosis, treatment, control, and epidemiology. Towards the end of the program, students complete a project under the mentorship of an expert infectious disease specialist. 

What You Will Study

The program is comprised of 138 ECTS credits and can be completed in about 18 months. For a detailed list of courses taught in this program, please refer to the curriculum.

After completion of 42 credits, an interim qualification of Advanced Diploma in Public Health Management is awarded. This part of your studies only includes coursework.  This is followed by the completion of additional 72 credits via coursework and 24 credits via dissertation under the guidance of a mentor.

See Curriculum

Curriculum

Introduction To Public Health and Healthcare

This course introduces the principles, history, and practice of public health and healthcare. It covers preventive medicine, healthcare systems across developed, developing, and transition countries, and key global health challenges including disease control and health inequalities. Learners explore the role of public health in health promotion, disease prevention, and improving population health through lectures, case studies, videos, and supplementary resources.

Community Medicine

This course introduces the fundamental concepts of health, disease, and disease prevention, covering the natural history of diseases, levels of prevention, globalization and health, and the determinants and indicators of health. It also explores health assessment methods, the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10 and ICD-11), healthcare strategies, and evidence-based public health. Through lectures, presentations, videos, and supplementary reading materials, learners develop an understanding of public health challenges and strategies for improving population health and health equity.

Epidemiology

This course introduces the fundamentals of epidemiology, covering the concepts of disease occurrence, causation, epidemiological study designs, and statistical analysis. It also explores evidence-based medicine, disease patterns, and the application of epidemiological methods in public health research. Through lectures, presentations, videos, and supplementary reading materials, learners develop a foundational understanding of epidemiology and its role in disease prevention and population health.

Health Planning and Hospital Management

This course explores the principles of health planning, management, and hospital administration, covering managerial planning and forecasting, planning tools, staffing and selection processes, organizational structures, delegation, time management, and control techniques. It also examines hospital planning and design, linen and laundry services, hospital waste disposal, medical records, quality assurance, medical audits, marketing of health services, and evaluation of hospital services. Learners develop an understanding of effective healthcare management and strategies for improving hospital operations and service quality.

Health Economics

This course introduces the fundamental principles of health economics, covering economic concepts, health economics, demand and supply in healthcare, healthcare markets, and externalities. It explores the role of competition, regulation, and government intervention in healthcare, along with healthcare financing and affordability. Through lectures, presentations, and supplementary readings, learners develop an understanding of how economic principles influence healthcare resource allocation, service delivery, and decision-making.

Biostatistics

This course introduces the fundamental principles of biostatistics, covering data handling, data presentation, tests of significance, categorical data analysis, and non-parametric methods. It also explores statistical applications in clinical trials, sample size estimation, metabolomics, and public health research. Through lectures, presentations, and assignments, learners develop the skills to interpret data, apply statistical methods, and support evidence-based decision-making in healthcare and research.

Nutrition

This course explores the fundamental principles of nutrition, covering nutritional screening and assessment, nutritional counselling, micronutrient and macronutrient deficiencies, metabolic disorders, and medical nutrition therapy (MNT). It also examines nutrition in non-communicable and infectious diseases, food hygiene and safety, pregnancy and lactation, nutrition policies and programs, and food processing. Learners develop an understanding of the role of nutrition in disease prevention, health promotion, and improving health outcomes across different stages of life.

Data and Communication
Environmental Health
Mental Health
Introduction to Surveillance
Preventive Medicine and Population Health
Resources and Administration
Infectious Diseases
Immunization
Global Health Policy and Development
Planetary Health
Fundamentals of Sexual and Reproductive Health
Health and Human Rights
Research Methods
Occupational Health
Evaluating International Public Health Issues
Public Health Disasters: A Global Ethical Framework
Public Health Risk Assessment for Human Exposure to Chemicals
Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Urban Living and Public Health
Pharmaceuticals in Global Public Health
Geospatial Analysis of Public Health
Global Health Security
Global Health Collaboration

Specialization Courses:

Infectious Disease: Past and Present
Principles of Biology
Basic Microbiology
Immunology of Infection and Vaccines
Parasitic Infections
Bacterial Infections
Viral Infections
Fungal Infections
Hospital-Associated Infections
Nutrition & Infection
Medical Anthropology in Public Health
Drug Development for Infectious Diseases

Dissertation

How You Will Study

This program is conducted fully online in an asyncronous format.

Once you are enrolled you will be provided a username and password to login to our e-Campus. All the courses that you are supposed to study will be available in your account. You can log in and complete your courses at any time of your convenience. Study materials are provided in the form of lectures, reading materials, additional videos, research papers, and so on. The faculty can be contacted for any assistance when required. All tests and assignment submissions also take place via the e-Campus. For more information please refer to the online learning section of the website.

EXPECTED TIMELINE
Start

Start Your Program

About 6 to 8 months

Complete 42 Credits

Provisional Certificate Issued

Interim Award - Advanced Diploma in Public Health Management

About 8 to 10 months

Complete Additional MPH and Specialization Courses (72 Credits)

About 4 to 6 months

Submit Dissertation - 24 Credits

Graduated