This course aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to make valuable contributions to both epidemiological research and public health. Epidemiological methods underpin clinical medical research, public health practice and health care evaluation to investigate the causes of disease, and to evaluate interventions to prevent or control disease. Epidemiology is a key discipline for understanding and improving global health. This course covers both communicable and non-communicable disease epidemiology.
Graduates enter careers in medical research, public health and community medicine, epidemiological field studies, drug manufacturers, government or NGOs.
The Nand Lal Bajaj and Savitri Devi Prize is awarded to the best project each year. The prize was donated by Dr Subhash Chandra Arya, former student, in honour of his parents Dr Nand Lal Bajaj and Mrs Savitri Devi.
Course Duration
Full-time for one year or part-time over two years. Students taking the course over two years can choose to attend part-time throughout both years (this involves attending the School at least two days each week during term-time) or by split study.
Students taking the course by split study over two years attend full-time for part of Year 1, and then undertake the remainder of the course in Year 2. The split can occur anytime between the Christmas break and the end of the formal teaching in May (IF RETURNING TO WORK A BREAK AT THE MIDDLE OF TERM 2 IN MID FEB MAY BE MORE APPROPRIATE), by prior arrangement with the Course Director. Paper 1 may be taken at the end of Year 1 or at the end of Year 2. Paper 2 must be taken at the end of Year 2. Interested applicants should indicate their choice on the application form.
Insights from course alumni
To read a BMJ Careers article by clinicians who completed the MSc Epidemiology please click here.
" It was an intense but carefully guided process, and a most rewarding year. Quique Bassat from Spain studied the MSc in Epidemiology. - Full profile
Objectives
By the end of this course, students should be able to: demonstrate advanced knowledge and awareness of the role of epidemiology and its contribution to other health-related disciplines; choose appropriate designs and develop detailed protocols for epidemiological studies; enter and manage computerised epidemiological data and carry out appropriate statistical analyses; assess the results of epidemiological studies (their own or other investigators'), including critical appraisal of the study question, study design, methods and conduct, statistical analyses and interpretation.
Programme specifications - showing which of the various elements of the Course support and achieve each of these specific Objectives.
Term 1
All students take the compulsory modules and usually take optional modules.
Compulsory modules are: Extended Epidemiology; Statistics; Clinical Trials; Practical Epidemiology. Recommended modules are: Introduction to Computing; Data Management for Epidemiological Studies; Public Health Lecture Series.
In addition, up to two optional modules from the following: Molecular Epidemiology for Infectious Diseases; Basic Demographic Methods.
Terms 2 and 3
Students take a total of five modules, one from each timetable slot. Where only one module is shown, this is compulsory. The list below shows recommended modules. Further optional modules are available, after consultation with the Course Directors. The modules offered may change slightly from year to year.
C1: Study Design: Writing a Study Proposal & Grant Application.
C2: Statistical Methods in Epidemiology.
D1: Communicable Disease Control in Developed & Middle Income Countries;Current Issues in Safe Motherhood & Perinatal Health; Epidemiology of Non-Communicable Diseases;Modelling & The Dynamics of Infectious Diseases. Social Epidemiology;Spatial Epidemiology in Public Health;Tropical Environmental Health
D2: Epidemiology & Control of Communicable Diseases; Ethics, Public Health & Human Rights; Global Mental Health; Genetic Epidemiology; Environmental Epidemiology
E: AIDS; Advanced Statistical Methods in Epidemiology; Control of Reproductive Tract Infections/Sexually Transmitted Infections
It is also possible to mix modes of learning, taking up to two of the modules from the School's distance learning programme instead.
Further details for the course modules can be found here.
Residential Field Trip
This course has a compulsory two-day residential retreat outside London. This is held on the Wednesday and Thursday of the first week in Term 1.
Project Report
Students complete a written research project on a topic selected in consultation with their tutor.
Entrance Requirements
Either a Second-class Honours degree of a recognised university in science or a related subject, or a degree in medicine. Candidates should show evidence of numeracy skills (e.g. A level Mathematics or Statistics or a module with a good mark in their university degree). Applications with an appropriate technical qualification, or equivalent qualification and experience from overseas, are also welcomed. It is preferable for candidates to have some work experience in a health-related field.
Application for London-based Study
Application for Masters degrees in London must be made using the School's MSc Application Forms.
Application for Research degrees (MPhil/PhD or DrPH) and for occasional research study in London must be made using the School's Research Application Forms
Instructions on how to complete these forms and an outline of the application process are available with the relevant Application Forms.
The MSc and Research Application Packs are also available from: The Registry, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom. Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7299 4646 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7299 4656 E-mail: registry@lshtm.ac.uk).
Masters Courses
Applicants wishing to be considered for School scholarships are advised to apply by 1 March 2012. Please note that this is not a closing date. Although we accept applications all year round, other applicants are also advised to apply before this date as courses can become full rapidly. While early application is encouraged, late applications are always considered until all places on the course have been filled. All applicants should be able to start the course on the first day of the academic year, 24 September 2012.
All Masters courses are offered on a part-time basis over two years. Students interested in part-time study should contact the appropriate Course Organiser, via the Registry, to discuss course requirements and likely timetables, and should read the Masters degree information.
There are two ways of undertaking part-time study:
1) attending part-time throughout the two years: Students need to be available for up to four or five half days every week for 27 weeks per year. Evidence may be required to prove that applicants are able to commit this minimum period of time to their study
2) attending full-time for modules in the first two terms in Year 1 (September-March), and undertaking third term modules, exams and project in Year 2 (April - September). Such an option may be attractive to applicants who are unable to be released from employment for a continuous twelve-month period. This option is called split study.
All courses commence on 24 September 2012 and last one year for full-time study or two years for part-time study.
