This course aims to provide an introduction to the concepts and methods used in reproductive and sexual health research and to equip students with the principles, methods and research skills necessary to conduct policy-relevant research. It provides a non-clinical foundation in the main aspects of reproductive and sexual health: family planning, obstetric health and AIDS/STIs (not including laboratory-based studies). The MSc is Europe's only graduate course in reproductive health research, and is designed mainly for those interested in the developing world, but developed world issues are also accomodated.
This course is recognized by the ESRC as providing high quality research training and a small number of ESRC scholarships (including 1+3 scholarships) are available to UK or EU residents. These are advertised each year with the School scholarships information.
Graduates go into public health and reproductive health programmes, evaluation of family planning programmes, research for governmental and non-governmental agencies and university teaching.
A prize is awarded each year to the student who has submitted the best project of the year for examination.
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).
Alternatively, students taking the course by split study over two years attend full-time for part of Year 1, and then undertake the remainder of their course in Year 2. The split can occur anytime between the Christmas break and the end of the formal teaching in May, by prior arrangement with the Course Director. For split study, Paper 1 of the formal exams 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 of study mode on the application form.
" The School is a hub of activity and opportunity. Here I have met the very approachable names seen scattered across the top of Lancet articles. Andrea McDonald from New Zealand studied the MSc in Reproductive & Sexual Health Research - Full profile
Objectives
By the end of this course students should be able to: demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of evidence-based approaches to research of reproductive and sexual health issues; critically assess and apply these research approaches to inform development, health and social welfare programmes; demonstrate a good understanding of the socio-cultural, political and ethical issues surrounding reproductive and sexual health; identify and address appropriate research questions in reproductive and sexual health, using methods from a range of public health disciplines; carry out research activities to identify effective components of reproductive and sexual health services within programmes.
Programme specifications- showing which of the various elements of the Course support and achieve each of these specific Objectives.
Term 1
Students take the following compulsory modules: Foundations in Reproductive Health; Epidemiology; Principles of Social Research; Statistics; and either Population Studies, Health Policy, Process & Power or Introduction to Heath Economics. Additional option: Introduction to Computing.
Terms 2 and 3
Students take a total of five study modules, one from each timetable slot. One module (in D2) is compulsory. A typical selection of modules is given below; not all modules will be available in any one year.
C1: Research Design & Analysis; Health Care Evaluation; Designing Disease Control Programmes in Developing Countries; Health Promotion Approaches and Methods; Maternal & Child Nutrition.
NB Option 1 is strongly recommended.
C2: Family Planning Programmes; Statistical Methods in Epidemiology; Qualitative Methodologies; Conflict & Health; Design and Analysis of Epidemiological Studies.
D1: Current Issues in Safe Motherhood and Perinatal Health; Medical Anthropology in Public Health; Sociological Approaches to Health; Social Epidemiology; Population, Poverty and Environment.
D2: Sexual Health
E: AIDS; Proposal Development; Analysing Survey & Population Data; Control of Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Advanced Statistical Methods in Epidemiology; Applying Public Health Principles in Developing Countries.
A restricted number of modules may be taken by self-study, using electronic access teaching material.
Further details for the course modules can be found here.
Project Report
Students complete a research project. Acceptable types of project are: data analysis; a project proposal; an original literature or policy review.
Students normally remain in London for the preparation of their project report. Exceptionally, and only if appropriate, part of the project period may be spent away from the School, whether in the UK or abroad. Arrangements for this must be discussed and agreed with the Course Director.
Entrance Requirements
Either a Second-class Honours degree of a recognised university in any discipline, or a degree in medicine. Applicants with an appropriate technical qualification and work experience, or equivalent qualifications, are also welcome to apply and their applications will be considered.
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.
