Master of HIV > About the Master > Structure > Courses - Master of HIV > HIV Epidemiology

HIV Epidemiology, Prevention, Immunology & Virology

This course covers the evolution of the HIV pandemic and current epidemiological trends in HIV transmission including national, regional and local differences and minority populations.

Teaching on HIV transmission and HIV and AIDS prevention will focus on drivers of the HIV epidemic e.g. legal, social, cultural and individual factors, coinfection with sexually transmitted infections, illicit drug use, and risk taking behaviour and perception.

Further, the course will cover immunology and virology with an emphasis on HIV-related issues, e.g. HIV antibodies and cytotoxic lymphocyte response, HIV replication and evolution, and HIV-subtypes.

Coordinator of the course: Ulrik Bak Dragsted

Duration of course: 4 weeks

ECTS credits for the course: 5

Language of the course: English

Course Aim: Students completing this course will have a profound understanding of the viro-immunologic, historical, social and cultural mechanisms underlying the HIV pandemic. 

Content comprises:
Basic (HIV) immunology
Basic (HIV) virology
Viral transmission from animal to man
Drivers of the HIV epidemic
Patterns of disease
Co-morbidities and HIV/AIDS
Sexually transmitted infections
Minority populations and HIV
Gender inequality and HIV
Paediatric and adolescence HIV infection
HIV and AIDS Preventive measures
Surveillance and reporting of the HIV/AIDS epidemic

Teaching methodologies of the course:
45-minute lectures
Group work and discussions
Exercises w/ oral presentations
Multiple Choice Question tests
Field trips

Learning objectives of the course
Students completing this course will be able to:

• Describe the current status of the HIV pandemic and its drivers
• Describe the (historic) HIV transmission patterns and points of intervention
• Describe and explain the key components of the human immune system
• Describe the HIV replication process and targets for pharmaceutical interventions
• Describe the immune response to HIV-infection and its implications for HIV vaccine development
• Compare national, regional and global differences in estimated HIV incidence and prevalence
• Understand the importance of at-risk and minority populations in the spread of HIV
• Explain the complex interplay between HIV, HIV-related and other (chronic) diseases
• Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of various HIV/AIDS reporting and surveillance systems
• Discuss possibilities for HIV and AIDS interventions in a social and viro-immunological context

Conditions for obtaining course certificate

The student must attend and participate actively in classes, group work and exercises. Furthermore, multiple choice question tests must be answered at a satisfactory level in order to obtain a course certificate. 

Grading: Pass/Fail  

Tuition Fee: 

Reduced fee (students from the European Community, and the European Economic Community)
DKK 10,400 / EUR 1412

Standard fee (all other students):
DKK 13,500 / EUR 1828

Fees in Euro include a 16 EUR exchange fee.
All fees are subject to regulation.