Master of Science in Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Purpose

The primary purpose of the qualification is to educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge in public health epidemiology and biostatistics in both the private and public sectors. This will be done in the context of health and healthcare systems relevant to low- and middle-income settings, and to sub-Saharan and southern Africa in particular. Knowledge generation at an advanced level will be informed by engagement with public health and health research professionals from a variety of fields.

The qualification will equip learners with the tools, methods and thinking appropriate for working at an advanced level with quantitative data in the health sciences, including skills in:

• Broad range observational and experimental study design.
• Measurement science including reliability and validation.
• Understanding the sources, impact, and handling of systematic and random error in quantitative research.
• Causal thinking in the health sciences.
• Application of diverse statistical tools used in contemporary health sciences research, including generalised linear models and time-to-event methods.

Graduates will apply methods and problem-solving skills to contribute to the health sector, both private and public, Non-Government Organisation (NGO) and Government.

Rationale

South Africa has a challenge of dealing with a double burden of disease: infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis (TB) are high while non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are rapidly increasing. TB, HIV, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases are leading causes of death in this country. In response, the South African Government passed a bill to establish the National Public Health Institute of South Africa (NAPHISA) which will "conduct disease surveillance, develop public health interventions and research directed towards major public health challenges affecting the population of South Africa." Epidemiology and biostatistics are scarce skills desperately needed in soon to be established NAPHISA, other governmental agencies, research institutions, academia, and NGOs.

This qualification is a timely response to the national, provincial, and local needs of the country. The qualification will provide intensive training in epidemiology and biostatistics to enable learners to conduct and interpret quantitative research studies in the health sciences. Further, it will equip learners to enter Doctoral studies across a wide range of areas or to enter research environments in both the private and public sector with a set of in-demand and scarce analytic and critical thinking skills related to public health epidemiology and health research.

As there are very few trained Epidemiologists and Biostatisticians in Africa, the qualification aims to address the skills gap. The high annual number of applications (over 600) received for the Master of Science (MSc) in Epidemiology and Biostatistics have been observed. This qualification responds directly to a sectoral need. Most South African institutions of higher learning offer limited epidemiology and biostatistics qualifications only introductory courses at a Masters level. In turn, the Master of Public Health (MPH) in the Epidemiology and Biostatistics stream admits significant numbers of learners for non-degree purposes. This demonstrates that the demand for an MSc in Epidemiology and Biostatistics may outstrip the demand for any of the Master of Public Health qualifications, which is already substantial.

Learners completing this qualification have excellent opportunities to pursue the following careers

• 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.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL will be applied in line with the institution policies.

RPL for access

• RPL for access is applied to learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• Advanced standing may be granted.

Exemption from module

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted for modules that form part of the qualification.
• For a learner to be exempted from a module and the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

Credits

• Learners may apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Science Honours in Epidemiology, NQF Level 8

Or

• Bachelor of Science Honours in Biostatistics, NQF Level 8.

Or

• Bachelor of Science in a cognate field, NQF Level 8.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and/or elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 186 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 9, 84 Credits

• Introduction to Epidemiology, 12 Credits.
• Biostatistics 1, 12 Credits.
• Quantitative Research Methods, 12 Credits.
• Biostatistics II, 12 Credits.
• Evidence Based Medicine, 12 Credits.
• Biostatistics III, 12 Credits.
• Advanced Epidemiology, 12 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 9,12 Credits (Select one module from the following three options)

• Epidemiology of Non-communicable Diseases, 12 Credits.
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology, 12 Credits.
• Seminars in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, 12 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 9, 90 Credits

• Epidemiology and Biostatistics minor dissertation, 90 Credits.

1. Demonstrate a comprehensive and systematic knowledge of analytic methods in epidemiology and biostatistics that can be used to investigate and answer questions in the health sciences.
2. Demonstrate the ability to relate theory to practice and vice versa.
3. Apply research methods, towards a dissertation under supervision.
4. Identify, design, and analyse a diverse range of research studies to address complex health questions.
5. Advanced information retrieval and processing skills; identification, critical analysis, synthesis, and independent evaluation of quantitative data.
6. Review the literature regarding current research in epidemiology and biostatistics under supervision.
7. Present and effectively communicate the results of quantitative health sciences research to specialist and non-specialist audiences using the resources of an academic/professional discourse.
8. Conceptualize and produce a dissertation that meets the standards of scholarly/professional writing.
9. Critically self-evaluate and continue to learn independently for continuing scholarly development.
10. Manage learning tasks autonomously, professionally, and ethically.
11. Rigorously critique and evaluate current research in quantitative health sciences and participate in scholarly debates in the field of epidemiology and biostatistics.
12. Critically evaluate own and others' work with justification.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be applied in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes

• Master basic and intermediate-level biostatistical methods including descriptive and graphical analyses, null hypothesis testing & p-values, generalised linear models including linear, logistic, Poisson, survival and time to event models (Cox and parametric survival), generalised estimating equations.
• Design, select and apply advanced biostatistical methods including linear mixed models, frailty models, weighted regression, multiple imputations/missing data handling methods processes or technologies to complex practical and theoretical problems.
• Evaluate and apply key concepts in epidemiological thinking about the distribution of health status in populations, the determinants (aetiology) of health states, and the methods for understanding the impact of prevention interventions (primary, secondary, tertiary) on health outcomes.
• Examine and apply key concepts in epidemiology including basic study designs and their variants including clinical trial design, random error, bias and systematic error, confounding, intermediate variables (direct and indirect effects), interaction/effect measure modification.
• Evaluate and apply concepts and methods used in thinking about causality in health science (causal inference).
• Apply critical thinking in the synthesis of findings from different studies on a specific health issue.
• Analyse, synthesise, and evaluate a wide range of information and evidence.
• Plan and conduct research, using appropriate research methods such as instrument design, protocol, operating procedures, and project management for the solving of problems in health science.
• Analyse and apply intermediate and advanced concepts and methods in epidemiology and/or biostatistics to a research question in the health sciences.
• Communicate effectively in written and oral presentations, showing graphical, statistical and language skills and computer literacy.