Master of Science in Epidemiology

Purpose

The main aim of the Master of Science in Epidemiology is to develop capacity and excellence in the field of epidemiology as applied to the public health needs of South Africa and other African countries.

Rationale

The focus should be on the following

• Range of typical learners.
• Providing added value to qualifying learners.
• Occupation, jobs or areas of activity in which qualifying learners will operate.
• Proof of demand for the qualification- Benefit to society and the economy.
• Evidence of planned combination of outcomes which have a defined purpose and will provide learners with applied competence and a basis for further learning).

As there are very few trained Epidemiologists and Biostatisticians in Africa, the Masters program aims to address the skills gap. Since the courses within MSc (Med) started, demand for the new qualification has increased from 3 students enrolled in the first year to an average of 16 enrolled students in recent years. For 2005 we have received 50 applications.

Students completing courses in the current MSc (Med) have excellent career opportunities. These include

• Research institutions (e.g. Medical Research Council).
• Academic institutions.
• Statistics South Africa, National Institute of Non-communicable diseases.
• National, provincial and district health departments (e.g. Epidemiology and Surveillance section, National Department of Health).
• Public health departments.
• Research and demographic surveillance sites.
• Occupational health sector.
• International agencies such as WHO, SADC, UNICEF, UNAIDS.

To be considered for admission into the program applicants must have a four year BSc Honours or a professional Bachelor's degree in the Health Sciences. Applicants have to comply with the University and Faculty rules such as for English Language proficiency and comply with faculty rules.

Credits; NQF level 8; Total

• Fundamental; 240; 240.
• Core; 20-40*; 20-40*.
• Elective; 20-40*; 20-40*.

Total; 300.

• Depending on focus area chosen, a student does either have to take two additional core courses and four electives, or four additional core courses and two electives.

Proposed Curriculum Rules.

Name of curriculum

1. Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
2. Population Based Field Epidemiology.

Course name and code (if code exists); Year of study; Optional/Compulsory; Full/Half course; Wits points; SAQA credits; CESM; NQF Level; School and/or lecturer:

• Master of Science in Epidemiology consists of 13 to 15 courses and a research report. The 15 courses must include a minimum of 9 core courses. An additional 2-4 compulsory courses are added depending on the field of study and 2-4 selective options can be chosen; N/A; N/A; N/A; N/A; 300; 09 01; 8; N/A.
• Orientation; P/T 1; Optional; 3 days; N/A; 0; N/A; 8; Wits School of Public Health.
• Introduction to Biostatistics in Computing; P/T 1; Compulsory; Full course; N/A; 10; N/A; 8; Wits School of Public Health.
• Research Ethics; P/T 2; Compulsory; Full course; N/A; 10; N/A; 8; Wits School of Public Health.
• Epidemiology for Health Researchers I; P/T 1; Compulsory; Full course; N/A; 10; N/A; 8; Wits School of Public Health.
• Epidemiology for Health Researchers II; P/T 1; Compulsory; Full course; N/A; 10; N/A; 8; Wits School of Public Health.
• Epidemiology for Health Researchers III; P/T 1; Compulsory; Full course; N/A; 10; N/A; 8; Wits School of Public Health.
• Biostatistics for Health Researchers I; P/T 1; Compulsory; Full course; N/A; 10; N/A; 8; Wits School of Public Health.
• Biostatistics for Health Researchers II; P/T 2; Compulsory; Full course; N/A; 10; N/A; 8; Wits School of Public Health.
• Introduction to Demographic methods; P/T 2; Compulsory; Full course; N/A; 10; N/A; 8; Wits School of Public Health.
• Research Protocol Development; P/T 2; Compulsory; Full course; N/A; 10; N/A; 8; Wits School of Public Health.

And

• A Research report; P/T 2 and 3; Compulsory; Full course; N/A; 150; N/A; 8; Wits School of Public Health.

And Either

For Epidemiology and Biostatistics, additional compulsory modules

• Surveillance; P/T 2; Compulsory; Full course; N/A; 10; N/A; 8; Wits School of Public Health.
• Biostatistics for Health Researchers III; P/T 2; Compulsory; Full course; N/A; 10; N/A; 8; Wits School of Public Health.

And 4 electives; N/A; Compulsory; Full course; N/A; 40; N/A; 8; Wits School of Public Health.

Total for the focus on Epidemiology and Biostatistics; 300 credits.

Or

For Population-Based Field Epidemiology additional compulsory courses

• Intermediate Demographic Methods; N/A; Compulsory; Full course; N/A; 10; N/A; 8; Wits School of Public Health.
• Principles and operation of relational databases; N/A; Compulsory; Full course; N/A; 10; N/A; 8; Wits School of Public Health.
• Applied Field Epidemiology; N/A; Compulsory; Full course; N/A; 10; N/A; 8; Wits School of Public Health.
• Advanced seminars in research leadership; N/A; Compulsory; Full course; N/A; 10; N/A; 8; Wits School of Public Health.
• Students will only be able to choose two elective optionsN/A; Compulsory; Full course; N/A; 20; N/A; 8; Wits School of Public Health.

Total for the focus on Population-Based Field Epidemiology; 300 credits.

The elective options include the following options

Course name; SAQA credits

• Surveillance; 10.
• Biostatistics for Health Researchers III; 10.
• Intermediate Demographic Methods; 10.
• Applied Field Epidemiology; 10.
• Principles and Operation of Relational Databases; 10.
• Advanced Seminars in Research Leadership; 10.
• Communicable Disease Epidemiology; 10.
• Clinical Epidemiology; 10.
• Statistical Considerations in Randomized Controlled Trials; 10.
• Non Communicable Disease Epidemiology; 10.
• Cancer Epidemiology; 10.
• Integration of Qualitative and Quantitative Research; 10.
• Nutritional and Lifestyle Epidemiology; 10.
• Health Care Financing; 10.
• Problem-Solving and Decision-Making for Managers; 10.
• Project management for Health Practitioners; 10.
• Data models for longitudinal population data; 10.
• Project management for Health Practitioners; 10.
• Introduction to DSS management systems; 10.

Total for 15 Courses and Research Report; 300 credits.

1. Apply theories of epidemiology to analyse, interpret and evaluate various critical biomedical and public health problems.
2. Apply theories of other relevant social sciences to analyse, interpret and evaluate various critical biomedical and public health problems
3. Apply theories of biostatistics and data management to analyse, interpret and evaluate various critical biomedical and public health problems.
4. To be able to integrate epidemiological, bio statistical, demographical and other social science in research work. To be able to conduct research work, analyze obtained data, summarize, evaluate and disseminate the research findings.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

(a) "Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made."

Refer to all Exit Level Outcomes.

(b) "Working with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community."

Refer to all Exit Level Outcomes.

(c) "Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively."

Refer to all Exit Level Outcomes.

(d) "Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information."

Refer to all Exit Level Outcomes.

(e) "Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion."

Refer to all Exit Level Outcomes.

(f) "Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others."

Refer to all Exit Level Outcomes.

(g) "Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation."

Refer to all Exit Level Outcomes.

(h) "Contributing to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of":

• Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.

Refer to all Exit Level Outcomes.

• Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities.

Refer to all Exit Level Outcomes.

• Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts.

Refer to all Exit Level Outcomes.

• Exploring education and career opportunities.

Refer to all Exit Level Outcomes.

• Developing entrepreneurial opportunities.

Refer to the following Exit Level Outcomes: 4.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Ability to calculate and interpret measures of disease frequency, risk and impact.
• Ability to identify, assess and deal with bias and confounding in epidemiological studies.
• Ability to critically assess and interpret epidemiological literature.
• Ability to apply and implement epidemiological concepts in field settings.
• Ability to describe the theoretical and practical issues in setting up, maintaining, analysing and evaluating a public health or demographic surveillance system.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Ability to describe the essential concepts in the study of demography.
• Ability to define and use demographic measures and basic demographic assumptions.
• Ability to apply basic demographic techniques to fertility, migration and mortality research.
• Ability to use qualitative methods and to integrate these with quantitative methods.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Ability to use various bio statistical techniques.
• Ability to compute and manage data for health research.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Ability to show research competence through the production of research report which demonstrates skills including the ability to evaluate research, review literature, ask relevant research questions, design and perform a study, collect data, perform and interpret statistical analyses on data, interpret results, draw conclusions and write the research report in acceptable structure, style and language.
• Ability to conduct research with due regard for the moral, legal and ethical accountability and requirements of the profession.
• Ability to critically evaluate published literature in the field and apply it in practice.
• Ability to present research ideas and results to colleagues.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated assessment will be both summative and formative. The summative component will take the form of a research project, which has design and technical components. Students will be required to formulate a research question, carry out a literature review, design an appropriate research strategy, present a research protocol, carry out the research, analyze, evaluate and interpret the results and present their findings as a scientific report. The assessment will thus integrate practical, theoretical and reflective competence and will be examined as an integrated piece of work in an oral examination incorporating verbal, written and visual submissions. In addition there will be objective structured examinations which will require integration of information from different areas of the course content. Formative integrated assessment will take place during seminar presentations, discussions and tutorials during which students are expected to participate in self-assessment, peer assessment and assessment by members of the academic staff.