Epidemiology (MSc)

This course equips students with the knowledge and statistical skills to make valuable contributions to medical research as well as public health in low-, middle- and high-income countries. 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.

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.

- Full programme specification (pdf) (https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/files/epi_progspec.pdf)

Visit the website https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/masters/epidemiology

Career Prospects

Graduates from this programme enter medical research, academic medicine, public health and community medicine, epidemiological field studies, drug manufacture and with government or NGOs.

Want to read more about our graduate careers and destinations? Take a look at our infographics on our Graduate Careers & Destinations page.

Additional Requirements

Additional requirements for the MSc Epidemiology are:

- evidence of numeracy skills (e.g. A level Mathematics or Statistics or a module with a good mark in their university degree)

- it is preferable for a student to have some work experience in a health-related field

Any prospective student who does not meet the above minimum entry requirement, but who has relevant professional experience, may still be eligible for admission. Please contact the course directors ([email protected]) if you are not sure whether this is the right course for you.

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

Structure

Term 1:

All students take the compulsory modules and usually take optional modules.

Compulsory modules are:

- Clinical Trials

- Epidemiology in Practice

- Extended Epidemiology

- Statistics for Epidemiology and Population Health .

Optional modules include:

- Demographic Methods

- Molecular Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases

Terms 2 and 3:

Students take a total of five modules, one from each timetable slot (Slot 1, Slot 2 etc.).

*Recommended modules

- Slot 1:

Study Design: Writing a Proposal (compulsory)

- Slot 2:

Statistical Methods in Epidemiology (compulsory)

- Slot 3:

Epidemiology of Non-Communicable Diseases*

Medical Anthropology and Public Health*

Social Epidemiology*

Spatial Epidemiology in Public Health*

Applied Communicable Disease Control

Control of Sexually Transmitted Infections

Current Issues in Safe Motherhood & Perinatal Health

Medical Anthropology and Public Health; Nutrition in Emergencies

Tropical Environmental Health

- Slot 4:

Environmental Epidemiology*

Epidemiology & Control of Communicable Diseases*

Genetic Epidemiology*

Design and Evaluation of Mental Health Programmes

Ethics, Public Health & Human Rights; Globalisation & Health; Nutrition Related Chronic Disease

- Slot 5:

Advanced Statistical Methods in Epidemiology*

AIDS

Applying Public Health Principles in Developing Countries

Integrated Vector Management

Principles and Practice of Public Health

Further details for the course modules - https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/masters/epidemiology#structure

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. This is included in the £200 field trip fee.

Day field trip to Oxford

A one-day field trip to Oxford usually takes place in November during reading week. Students are encouraged to attend but it is not a compulsory part of the course.

Project Report

During the summer months (July - August), students complete a written research project on a topic selected in consultation with their tutor, for submission by early September. This can be a data-analysis of an adequately powered study, a study protocol, a systematic review or an infectious disease modelling study. Students do not usually travel abroad to collect data.

Find out how to apply here - https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/masters/epidemiology

Visit the Epidemiology (MSc) page on the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine website for more details!