Doctor of Philosophy in Epidemiology

Purpose

The main purpose of the qualification is to produce epidemiologists who are well-grounded in quantitative and analytical techniques, design and conduct of epidemiological studies, demographic methods, and Use the management of large data sets that can to solve problems in private, public and other health-related institutions. The learners of the qualification will be well suited to function as collaborators or team leaders on research projects in the biomedical and public health sciences.

The learners will be able to apply epidemiological methods to address critical and emerging public health and clinical research issues in South Africa and beyond through the use of appropriate epidemiological research designs, advanced statistical analysis methods for health and other related areas of study, Data structures and measurement methods for health and other disease-related research, Biological, behavioural and social theory applied to the understanding and prevention of contemporary threats to health and well-being in public and private sectors, In-depth knowledge in the area of specialisation in epidemiology. They will be able to:

• Design and develop new epidemiological methods.
• Begin careers in academia, government, or pharmaceutical research institutions.
• Demonstrate the ability to write a proposal for grant funding.
• Demonstrate proficiency in matters of biomedical and public health study design, data management, analysis, and presentation of findings.
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Understand and be capable of using advanced statistical analysis methods appropriate for the study design and of controlling for confounding.
• Manage data collection and quality control in research data, including the development of questionnaires.
• Understand and demonstrate specific risk factors and disease processes in a specialised area of epidemiology.
• Review literature and conceptualise theoretical models of diseases and causations and develop hypotheses building upon prior research.
• Conduct independent research, including design, data collection, analysis, and translation into applied and theoretical constructs.
• Demonstrate in writing and oral presentation knowledge of epidemiological concepts and methods.
• Demonstrate in writing and by oral presentation, the ability to explain research study design and results of learner-initiated research and to defend the results and its implications.
• Gain specialist knowledge in the area of epidemiology.
• Achieve the advantage in a competitive job market, work in higher education and health institutions in an economy that is becoming increasingly knowledge-based.
• Develop transferable skills: problem-solving, critical reasoning, do research in government and private institutions and also do private consultancy.
• Make a positive impact on society, economy, and the environment, through research.

Rationale

The qualification aims to train independent researchers who are interested in the development and application of epidemiological methods and to prepare them for positions as scientific leaders in academia and industry. The qualification meets specific needs in the sector of public health at large in a sense that:

The qualification is a terminal academic degree and represents outstanding academic achievement. Doctor of Philosophy in Epidemiology is a research degree, centred on a major thesis research project within a broad public health context. The qualification aims to educate persons to be independent researchers and public health professionals in academia, research institutes such as South African Centre of Excellence in Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA), South African Field Epidemiology Training Program (SAFETP), National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), government or industry. While learners sometimes seek additional training after graduation through postdoctoral fellowships, a learner of the qualification is prepared to be a faculty member of a learner qualification in an institution or a position in a public health organisation, multidisciplinary setting, government or industry.

The primary goal of the qualification in the Department of Epidemiology is to prepare learners for professional careers as scientists, teachers, and practitioners of epidemiological methods. Career opportunities in epidemiology exist in academic institutions, local, state and federal health agencies, and in commercial enterprises.

The qualification resides in Public Health pathway.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Yes: The UFH and Faculty of Science and Agriculture RPL policy shall apply.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is a

• Master of Science in Epidemiology, NQF Level 9.

Or

• Master of Science in Biostatistics, NQF Level 9.

Or

• Master of Science in Applied Statistics, NQF Level 9.

Or

• Master of Mathematical Statistics, NQF Level 9.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at National Qualifications Framework Level 10 totalling 360 Credits:

• Dissertation, 360 Credits.

1. Conceptualise, identify, design and implement research in medical, pharmaceutical and public health fields.
2. Independently undertake a study and evaluation of the literature and current research in epidemiology, medical statistics, and the design of clinical trials and public health.
3. Create of new knowledge: the learner should be able to create new knowledge in medical research, public health and the design of clinical trials.
4. Show a critical understanding of epidemiological concepts, design and analysis of data in the medical, pharmaceutical and public health fields.
5. Carry out independent research in medical, pharmaceutical and public health fields.
6. Effectively present and communicate the results of research and opinion to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
7. Apply appropriate advanced data analysis methods and techniques to complex practical and theoretical problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Formulate and prepare a research topic of relevance to the qualification to be approved by the Department/Faculty.
• Prepare and present a research proposal, including an extensive literature review on the approved topic.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Present a research proposal to the satisfaction under the guidance of the supervisors and promoters.
• Undertake field research based on the approved topic and write a thesis which will be sent to external examiners for assessment to the satisfaction of the Higher Degrees Committee.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Publish of at least two peer-reviewed papers demonstrating the application of new knowledge.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Produce a thesis using these concepts.
• Publish of at least two peer-reviewed papers and present at the conference(s).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Conduct research for the fulfilment of the requirements of a thesis under the supervision of a competent person.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Defend the thesis in an oral presentation after submission and examination.
• Publish the research findings in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Apply advanced statistical analysis techniques in survival and categorical data analysis to large sets of data.

Integrated Assessment

Since the assessment is by thesis only, the integrated assessment will be as follows.

A formal assessment of the competence of the PhD student will be carried out at the end of the project by examination of a thesis by three external examiners, two of which must come from outside South Africa.