2017/18 Taught Postgraduate Programme Catalogue
MSc Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Programme code: | MSC-EPIB-FT | UCAS code: | |
---|---|---|---|
Duration: | 12 Months | Method of Attendance: | Full Time |
Programme manager: | Dr Richard Feltbower | Contact address: | r.g.feltbower@leeds.ac.uk |
Total credits: 180
Entry requirements:
Academic entry requirements:
Normally a first degree in a science allied with medicine, including biology, ecology, biochemistry, statistics, mathematics, computing, psychology, economics or biomedical science (at least 2:2). We will also consider working experience (two years or more) of research in a quantitative subject area. Non-graduates who have successfully completed three years of a UK medical degree, are normally ranked in the top 50% of the year 3 cohort and wish to take the Epidemiology & Biostatistics course as an intercalated programme will also be accepted.
English language requirements:
- An overall score of 7.0 on IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with at least 6.0 in writing and no other skill below 6.5
- from a TOEFL paper based test the requirement is a minimum score of 600, with 4.5 in the Test of Written English (TWE)
- from a TOEFL computer based test the requirement is a minimum score of 250, with 4.5 TWE
- from a TOEFL Internet based test the requirement is a minimum score of 100, with 25 in the "Writing Skills" score.
School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme:
Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine (LICAMM), School of Medicine
Examination board through which the programme will be considered:
Postgraduate examination board of the School of Medicine
Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Groups:
Masters degrees are awarded to students who have demonstrated:
i) a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of their academic discipline, field of study, or area of professional practice
ii) a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship
iii) originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline
iv) conceptual understanding that enables the student to:
- evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline
- evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses.
Typically, holders of the qualification will be able to:
a) deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences
b) demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level
c) continue to advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level
and will have:
d) the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring:
- the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility
- decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations
- the independent learning ability required for continuing professional development.
Programme specification:
This revised Masters Programme will make a valuable contribution to the teaching portfolio of the Faculty of Medicine and Health. The programme will produce excellent students wishing to pursue a PhD, and this will improve the Faculty’s ability to recruit excellent PhD students. Increasing the number and quality of PhD students is a major strategic goal of the Faculty, and the LIGHT. The existing MSc in Statistical Epidemiology has delivered graduates have used their enhanced analytical expertise in population health research to bring rigorous methods and new solutions to long-standing analytical questions after: progressing to PhD (n=5); returning to clinical practice (n=2); or securing posts as independent data analysts within academic and applied research institutions (n=3).
Distinctive features include:
1. A focus on statistical methods for observational health and health services research;
2. Extensive links to practice and practice-derived datasets maintained by the LIGHT Data Management Group (including routine health service data);
3. Suitability for graduates with mathematical and/or clinical backgrounds;
4. A balance of semester-long modules providing a sound grounding in fundamental and advanced statistical methods for population health research;
5. Substantial scope for student choice across a range of optional multidisciplinary modules to accommodate different interests and needs;
6. A compulsory generic and transferable skills module to prepare graduates for professional careers as independent researchers;
7. Research projects using clinically-relevant data, supervised by research-active academics and leading to the production of journal papers suitable for publication.
8. The use of blended learning to meet the differing learning styles of individual students, and to provide student paced-learning for those with different aptitudes for mathematical and/or clinical material.
Sustained recruitment to the MSc Epidemiology and Biostatistics indicates that it has established itself as the only advanced training course within the UK specialising in the analysis of observational studies and routine healthcare data tailored to the needs of career enhancers and career changers with either mathematical and/or clinical expertise. In response to growing student demand and the evolving analytical needs of population health, the range of taught modules will be enhanced by introducing additional specialisation in Statistical Epidemiology, Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology or Applied Population Health through careful guidance in the selection of optional modules.
The formal structures of three large research institutes within the School of Medicine does not reflect any insularity, and the MSc draws on a range of multidisciplinary skills both within and between the School’s three Institutes, including access to optional modules delivered by colleagues based in other Institutes (such as the Genetic Epidemiology module, delivered by colleagues from the Genetic Epidemiology Group within the Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine (LIMM). The MSc also enjoys cross faculty support from colleagues in the Schools of Geography and Mathematics.
Year1 - View timetable
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
Compulsory modules:
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
EPIB5001M | Research Project | 60 credits | 1 Oct to 30 Sep (12mth) | |
EPIB5022M | Core Epidemiology | 15 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
EPIB5023M | Introduction to Modelling | 15 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
EPIB5024M | Statistical Inference | 15 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
EPIB5030M | Professional Spine | 15 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Optional modules:
Candidates will be required to study 60 credits from the following optional modules
EPIB3036 | Introduction to Clinical Trials | 15 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
EPIB5025M | Multilevel and Latent variable Modelling | 15 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
EPIB5032M | Introduction to Genetic Epidemiology | 15 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
EPIB5035M | Non-communicable Disease Epidemiology | 15 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
EPIB5036M | Independent Learning Skills in Epidemiology and Biostatistics | 15 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
EPIB5037M | Advanced Modelling Strategies | 15 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
EPIB5038M | Advanced epidemiological techniques | 15 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
PHLT5110M | Communicable Disease Control and Non-Infectious Environmental Hazards | 15 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
PHLT5125M | Population Health: Principles and Practice | 15 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Last updated: 22/09/2017
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