Modern Epidemiology (MSc)

At a glance...

Course code: A3BF

Duration: 1 year full-time or 3 years part-time

Start date: October

Entry requirements: Upper second class Honours degree or overseas equivalent. Suitable candidates will have a background in mathematics or statistics, medicine (human and veteninary) or biological sciences.

Location: St Mary’s Hospital campus

Organising Division: School of Public Health

Organising departments: Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Primary Care and Public Health

Course director: Professor Geoff Garnett (g.garnett@imperial.ac.uk)

Course co-ordinator: Dr Christine Franey (c.franey@imperial.ac.uk)

Course enquiries: Catherine England (c.england@imperial.ac.uk)

Admissions: Apply online or email pgmedreg@imperial.ac.uk 

Note: students will register for the degree under the umbrella title of MSc in Modern Epidemiology.

The MSc offers a thorough grounding in modern epidemiological research. Students gain a unique insight into the theory and methods developed for the epidemiological study and control of both chronic and infectious disease.  The course provides students with opportunities to apply research techniques to a variety of challenging epidemiological and biomedical problems.

Students taking the MSc in Modern Epidemiology will follow a common core pathway in Term 1 that covers epidemiological study design; biostatistical methods in epidemiology, genetic epidemiology and the epidemiology, evolution and control of infectious disease.

From October 2010 students may pursue the MSc with specialisation by choosing to follow one of three pathways during Term 2:

Biostatistics (led by Professor Sylvia Richardson)

•  Develop expertise in specialist topics such as multilevel modelling, methods for spatial epidemiology, topics in biostatistics,  and Bayesian statistical modelling; develop skills in analysing data using R or Winbugs;  and opt for the title of MSc in Modern Epidemiology (Biostatistics).

Environmental and Chronic Disease Epidemiology (led by Professors Elio Riboli and Paul Elliott)

• Develop expertise in specialist topics such as cancer epidemiology, nutritional epidemiology, cardiovascular and respiratory disease epidemiology and environmental exposure and risk assessment, and opt for the title of MSc in Modern Epidemiology (Environmental and Chronic Disease).

Infectious Disease Epidemiology (led by Professor Geoff Garnett and Dr Nicholas Grassly)

• Develop expertise in specialist topics such as mathematical modelling of infectious diseases, tropical infectious diseases, HIV and sexually transmitted disease epidemiology, networks in infectious disease epidemiology, outbreak analysis and control; and opt for the title of MSc in Modern Epidemiology (Infectious Disease).

Students may if they wish elect to study for the broader title of MSc in Modern Epidemiology without reference to specialisation.

This programme represents an exciting focus for the Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics,  and Infectious Disease Epidemiology in the School of Public Health.  

Some core modules studied in the first term are shared with the Master of Public Health (MPH)  programme.

Objectives

This programme aims to:

• provide graduate students from a range of backgrounds with the quantitative skills required for research in modern epidemiology;
• broaden the knowledge base of existing clinicians and scientists in related disciplines who wish to acquire and “update” their skills in the application of research methods to epidemiology and biostatistics;
• provide students with the knowledge and skills to design and conduct epidemiological studies, and to interpret, analyse and present resulting data.
• promote scientific debate and critical appraisal skills;
• promote the use of an interdisciplinary (mathematical, biological, medical and statistical) approach to the problems of communicable and non-communicable disease control;
• develop expertise in the acquisition of knowledge about biological, economic, and social factors which influence health and exposure to disease;
• offer the opportunity to develop specific interest and expertise in one of the following specialist areas: biostatistics or environmental and chronic disease epidemiology or infectious disease epidemiology.

Click here to download the MSc Programme Specification 2010