Leeds Institute of Genetics, Health and Therapeutics (LIGHT)
MSc Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Brand new in 2012 - An enhancement of the MSc Statistical Epidemiology
The science of epidemiology underpins public health policy, dental science and health services research, and employs a large number of researchers around the world. As practitioners in the field of epidemiology and biostatistics, we have become increasingly aware of the need for a greater number of members of the research community to possess excellence in biostatistical analysis, especially for the analysis of observational data. This has led us to plan, develop and deliver a new Master's Programme in Epidemiology & Biostatistics.
What is Epidemiology?
Epidemiology is the science that underpins a large area of medical research and public health. It describes the burden of disease at the population level and seeks to identify causes of disease which can help to inform effective interventions and high quality treatment strategies. Postgraduates from this course will have a wide range of career options, and are in demand in universities, government, national health services, non-government organisations and industry.
What is Biostatistics?
Biostatistics is the science of collecting, analysing, presenting and drawing inferences from data for research in medicine and health. Context is vitally important as methods developed in one area of statistics can be misleading when unthinkingly applied elsewhere. For example, basic regression assumes independence whereas data on patients is rarely independent as they share common treatment pathways within e.g. hospitals. Postgraduates from this course will learn a wide range of contemporary statistical methods and, most importantly, when and where they should be applied.
What will this course teach me?
Training the next generation of scientists...
This course will train you to be a researcher with excellent analysis skills. The course culminates in a research project tailored to your chosen theme, which you will write up for publication in a journal. The project will be conducted under the supervision of leading researchers in their field.
Designed to fit an area of need, you will be attractive to future employers, whether in academic research or industry.
The curriculum
The course aims to train scientists to pursue careers in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health and health-services research. Students all undertake the four Common Core modules before choosing a Specialist Theme to focus on. Four further modules are then completed within the chosen Specialist Theme before moving on to the Research Project.
Professional spine
This is an exciting aspect to the MSc. It provides the skills and experience to work as a statistical epidemiologist, such as ethics, writing a paper and presenting data to colleagues.