These courses aim: to provide epidemiological training by distance learning for professionals in academic departments, research units, or in the health services. Epidemiology is a key discipline for understanding and improving global health.
(by Distance Learning)
The Programme specification gives a detailed breakdown of the course. The core component consists of four modules which constitute the Postgraduate Certificate. These modules deal with the methodology and basic concepts including measures of disease occurrence and association; study design; the role of bias and confounding in epidemiological studies; data-handling skills, statistical analysis of data-sets and application of these by computer; research planning and implementation, and essential skills for writing research applications and epidemiological papers.
After completion of the core component, students registered for the Postgraduate Diploma or MSc study an additional compulsory component covering statistical methods and developing further skills in study design. Students then proceed to elective modules which explore more specific applications of epidemiological theory and practice, enabling them to tailor the course to suit their own experience, interests and training requirements. MSc students then apply their epidemiological skills to a Project and sit a final exam to test their overall knowledge and skills learnt from their degree.
The courses span communicable and non-communicable diseases in developed and developing countries, and are computer-based, with students using interactive methods within the teaching and learning materials. Tutorial support is available through web-based conferencing and personalised assignment feedback. The use of statistical software is an essential skill for the practising epidemiologist and comprehensive training in Stata is provided.
The courses are suitable for those aiming for careers in epidemiological research, academics in other health areas and other health professionals. The courses are also of interest to those who require an understanding of epidemiology, such as medical journalists and scientific officers in government and industry.
Course Duration
On successful completion of the EPM1 modules, students can exit the programme with a Postgraduate Certificate in Epidemiology or transfer their registration to the Postgraduate Diploma or MSc. PG Diploma and MSc students have a minimum period of two years and a maximum of five in which to complete their degree. Those registered for the Postgraduate Certificate have a minimum of one and a maximum of five years to complete their qualification.
Computing Requirements
Processor: Pentium, 90MHz (Pentium 2 class)
OS: Windows 98 SE, Windows 2000 or later (Windows XP)
RAM Memory: 512MB (1GB).
Hard disk space: 1GB recommended.
Graphics: 256 colours (minimum), 65536 colours or higher (recommended). Resolution 640 x 480 or higher.
The computer will need to be fitted with a CD-ROM drive and attached to either a laser or inkjet printer.
Email and regular web access is essential (students must be able to access the internet on average at least once a week).
Students should also have a sound card and headset (recommended), or sound card, speakers and microphone.
Please note: Most of the EP study material CD-ROMs are not compatible with Apple Mac computers.
" I would highly recommend this course to others and I would also strongly suggest that future students on the course take part in the online discussions with tutors and classmates as much as they can. Steve Hilts from Canada studied the MSc Epidemiology: Principles & Practice - Full profile
Objectives
To provide a comprehensive understanding of basic concepts and methods in epidemiology together with advanced skills in specific applications of epidemiological research methods.
The Programme specification gives a more detailed breakdown of how elements of the courses support and achieve learning objectives.
Course structures
The compulsory core EPM1 modules, which are common to the Certificate, Diploma and MSc courses, comprise:
- EPM101 Fundamentals of Epidemiology
- EPM102 Statistics with Computing
- EPM103 Practical Epidemiology
- EPM105 Writing and Reviewing Epidemiological Papers
These four modules constitute the Postgraduate Certificate.
After successful completion of the core EPM1 modules, those registered for the Postgraduate Diploma and MSc must successfully pass two further compulsory EPM2 modules and a specific number of elective modules to complete the award outlined as follows:
Students registered for the Postgraduate Diploma or MSc must complete the two compulsory EPM2 modules
and then two modules from the EPM3 list given below (one of these must be either Epidemiology of Communicable Diseases or Epidemiology of Non-communicable Diseases).
Those registered for the MSc must additionally select another one module from those listed below (EPM3, CTM2, IDM2, IDM3, IDM5 or PHM2). They are also required to complete a project report and sit an additional unseen written examination in their final year of study.
Note that restrictions and pre-requisites may apply to some of the modules below. Not all modules will be available every year. Those marked ‘recommended’ have been classified as of high epidemiological content / relevance.
EPM3 (all recommended):
- EPM301 Epidemiology of Communicable Diseases
- EPM302 Modelling and the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases
- EPM303 Epidemiology of Non-Communicable Diseases
- EPM304 Advanced Statistical Methods in Epidemiology
- EPM306 Human Genetic Epidemiology
CTM2:
- CTM202 Trial Designs (recommended)
- CTM203 Project Management and Research Co-ordination
- CTM204 Regulatory affairs, Good Clinical Practice and Ethics
- CTM208 Further Statistical Methods in Clinical Trials
- CTM209 Cluster Randomised Trials (recommended)
IDM2:
- IDM201 Bacterial Infections
- IDM202 Nutrition & Infection
- IDM203 Parasitology
- IDM205 Hospital Infection
- IDM210 Water & Sanitation
- IDM213 Immunology of Infection and Vaccines
IDM3:
IDM5:
PHM2:
- PHM201 Analytical Models for Decision Making
- PHM202 Communicable Disease Control (recommended)
- PHM203 Economic Analysis for Management & Policy
- PHM204 Economic Evaluation
- PHM205 Environmental Epidemiology (recommended)
- PHM206 Environmental Health Policy
- PHM207 Health Care Evaluation
- PHM208 Financial Management
- PHM209 Globalisation and Health
- PHM210 Managing Health Services
- PHM211 Medical Anthropology in Public Health
- PHM212 Organisational Management
- PHM213 Principles & Practice of Health Promotion
Project Report
The compulsory project report (MSc only) will consist of either the analysis of an existing data-set or a critical literature review.
Combining DL studies with studies at the School - 'blended learning' study
After successful completion of a minimum number of core modules, Postgraduate Diploma and MSc students may also be eligible for the 'blended learning option', which allows for the study of up to two modules only (from a restricted list) at LSHTM in London during the Spring or Summer terms in place of distance learning modules. Please note that these options, and the dates when the modules are held at the School, are subject to change - full details will be sent to all DL students in July each year. The fee for attending LSHTM in-house modules is payable directly to LSHTM, not to the University of London International Programmes, and is in addition to the distance learning course fees.
Course Content
Students can choose to study an MSc, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate, or individual modules. The last option is ideal if you wish to sample the degree or update your professional knowledge.
Method of assessment
All distance learning modules are assessed by means of a two-hour unseen written examination (with 15 minutes planning/reading time at the start of the examination). Examinations are only held once a year, usually in June. Students may sit examinations in any one of a wide range of examination centres around the world - please click here to view details of the examination centres available.
Credits awarded
Credits will be awarded to all modules (15 credits each) and (MSc only) the project (45 credits) successfully completed. To successfully pass an award the following credits must be gained:
Postgraduate Certificate – 60 credits
Postgraduate Diploma – 120 credits
MSc – 180 credits
Entrance Requirements
A second-class Honours degree or equivalent, from a university or other institution acceptable to the University of London, in health-related disciplines or in statistics or another appropriate subject. Work experience in a health sciences/health care setting is desirable but not essential. Candidates with an appropriate professional or technical qualification in a health-related field, together with at least three years' relevant experience, which satisfies the University as a qualification equivalent to a Second-class degree may also be considered.
Students who do not satisfy the above requirements may still be admitted at the discretion of the School on the basis of their academic qualifications, work experience and references.
For all applicants, an advanced level of ability to work in English is required. Applicants may be required to pass or to have passed within the last five years, at the appropriate level, a test of proficiency in English acceptable to the University. Further information on the English language tests and scores accepted by the School are available in the How to Apply section of the University of London International Programmes website.
Application for Study by Distance Learning
The Information Centre, University of London, Stewart House, 32 Russell Square, London, WC1B 5DN
Email: enquiries@london.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)20 7862 8360
Tel: +44 (0)20 7862 8361
Tel: +44 (0)20 7862 8362
Fax: +44 (0)20 7862 8358
