University of Kelaniya

Master of Public Health in Epidemiology Curriculum Faculty of Medicine University of Kelaniya January 2010

2 THE STUDY PROGRAMME 2.1 Overview The MPH course targets medical graduates with an MBBS degree and non-medical graduates having a Bachelors degree in science. The mission of the Faculty of Medicine is to provide quality programmes of professional education to serve the Sri Lankan nation and contribute to its health, well-being, prosperity, and to the development of health care and rehabilitation. The objectives of starting this course are: To structure the programme based on well accepted international norms in public health education and practice enunciated by the Council for Education in Public Health in the USA and the WHO. To design the contents to reflect the latest developments in the profession. To integrate the academic and practical skills of the programme with changing practices in the public health, educational and political arenas. To meet student, professional and community needs for quality education of public health practitioners at an international standard. It is proposed that the curriculum for this course is organized on a modular basis, with a credit system. This is the commonest curriculum framework adopted by most schools of public health that run multi-professional programmes. It affords flexibility and allows the programme to cater to the individual needs of the participating students. This master s degree programme will be a two year programme comprising course work and a research/service component. It will lead to a Master s in Public Health. The curriculum modules include theoretical and self directed learning, epidemiology and public health practice experience, and research and skill development in a variety of public health settings especially in the field of epidemiology at institutional and community level. Name of programme: Medium of instruction: Awarding Body: Master of Public Health (Epidemiology) English University of Kelaniya 2.2 Programme Aims and Learning Outcomes 2.2.1 Aims The overall aim of the programme is to produce a competent specialist in Public Health specialising in Epidemiology to provide holistic and comprehensive services to promote health and to prevent diseases competently using appropriate and affordable resources based on currently available evidence. It also aims to enhance the quality of public health research conducted in the country and to provide essential evidence for targeting interventions. 2.2.2 Learning outcomes At the end of the programme and on qualifying, graduates will be able to; Demonstrate specific knowledge and skills that are required for the competent practice of Public Health and Epidemiology. Integrate knowledge, skills and attitudes competently for Public Health practice in promoting health and preventing disease. 1

Identify at risk individuals and communities to target cost effective Public Health interventions. Liaise with individuals and agencies to promote health and prevent disease under normal and emergency situations. Consolidate and demonstrate skills in planning and implementing intervention programmes as appropriate. Monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of intervention programmes and modify or terminate such programmes as necessary. Demonstrate an understanding of epidemiologic research methods and critical analysis of epidemiologic literature. Demonstrate skills in presenting and communicating epidemiologic findings to policy makers and the public Use epidemiologic evidence in health policy development. Promote health and well being, and prevent illness and disability in individuals and communities. Respect the rights of all individuals and communities in the practice of public health and epidemiology and abide by the code of professional ethics. Work as a manager and an effective and contributing member of a multi-disciplinary team. Demonstrate skills in self-directed learning and positive attitudes towards continuing professional and personal development. Contribute towards development of public health and epidemiology as a specialty. 2.3 Programme Organisation According to the Sri Lankan Credit and Qualifications Framework, a one-year Masters degree with only a taught component should have a minimum of 30 credits at Level P3, while a two-year Masters with both taught and research components, should have a minimum of 60 credits (inclusive of 30 credits at Level P3). Furthermore, the course could be modularised in a manner that leaves provision for award of a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma to students who wish to undertake shorter courses. The following is proposed: Certificate course - 30 credits Diploma - 45 credits MPH - 60 credits Initially specialization (major) will be possible only in Epidemiology. 2.3.1 The modular system The MPH programme is organized as a modular system. All modules are compulsory. 2.3.2 Notation of modules An alpha numeric code is used to identify each module. The code consists of five digits prefixed by a set of four letters which refer to the type of the module. The codes of all courses in this study programme will start with MPH followed by C, P, E or D to denote core, track, elective or dissertation research, respectively, as the fourth letter. With regard to the 5 digits of the course code, the 1 st digit denotes the year of study (6 for year 1 modules and 7 for year 2 modules); the 2 nd the semester in which the course will be 2

taught; the 3 rd and 4 th digits together form the specific number assigned to that module for that year of study, and the 5 th digit signifies the credit value. 2.3.3 Composition of the programme Each of the modules comprises a minimum of 15 hours of theoretical learning. In addition to these study hours, students are expected to carry out a minimum of 20 hours private study per module. In most cases, there is also attached practical work, such as seminars, presentations, video based learning and tutorials, relevant to a particular module. Students will have the opportunity to practice knowledge and skills gained in the theoretical components of study by visiting selected public health institutions. As the degree leads to a professional qualification, the credit attribution for each module reflects not only the time allocated for that module, but also the development of a knowledge base, practical skills and personal/professional development. Each module is of equal importance in terms of contributing to the overall professional competence of the Public Health Specialist. Each module has assessments and students must pass all modules in order to qualify with a MPH. (For details about assessment and progression requirements see section 4 of this document). 3 ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS In order to be eligible for entry to the study programme leading to the Master of Public Health (MPH), students must fulfil the following requirements: Have an undergraduate degree in science or medicine that is recognized by the Senate, and Successful at the interview Non-medical graduates will be required to successfully complete a non-credit course (MPHC 61000) titled Biological bases of Health before the end of the first semester to proceed to the next semester. Proposed annual intake: minimum 15 students and maximum 25 students 3

4 EVALUATION CRITERIA 4.1 Selection of courses The two-year MPH programme will be divided into 4 types of modules: 1. Core courses (will be denoted by C in the fourth letter of the course number) 2. Concentration/Track (major) courses (will be denoted by D in the fourth letter of the course number) 3. Elective courses (will be denoted by E in the fourth letter of the course number) 4. Dissertation research (will be denoted by D in the fourth letter of the course number) The following table gives the distribution of credits for the different programme options Type of course Certificate Postgraduate MPH Programme Programme Diploma Programme Core 20 20 20 Major 05 20 20 Elective 05 05 05 Dissertation - - 15 Total 30 45 60 4.2 Attendance All practical training, placements at institutions, field trips, seminars etc are compulsory and students must demonstrate documented 90% attendance at these to be eligible to sit for assessments in the relevant module. Students not completing the required number of epidemiologic practice hours will not be eligible to graduate. Students who are unable to attend practical sessions for health reasons for more than 3 days, must produce a medical certificate acceptable to the University Senate. 4.3 Assessment of Programme Modules The examinations of the programme modules will be held during the course or at the completion of the particular module. Assessments may take a number of forms e.g. written exams, video exams, written coursework: case studies, essays, data analysis, presentations, group work, viva, project work, and practical examinations. The method of assessment will be notified at the commencement of each module. The dissertation will be assessed by two reviewers appointed by the University. 4.4 Submission of assignments Students will be notified of the date and time for submitting each piece of coursework on the day the coursework is assigned. Work should be handed to the course secretary and a stamped receipt obtained. In exceptional cases, an extension maybe given but this should be discussed with the course coordinator in advance of the submission date. Coursework which is submitted late is subjected to the following penalties. Handed in up to 24 hours later than set date and time: deduction of 10% of the allocated mark Handed in up to 1 week later than set date and time: deduction of 20% of the allocated mark If an assignment is handed in more than a week later than its due date, 30% of the allocated mark will be deducted, but the acceptance of such a piece of coursework is at the discretion 4

of the course coordinator. The work may not be accepted if the same assignment has already been marked and returned to other students. 4.5 Grading System Marks obtained in each module will be graded according to the following grading system. Range of Marks Grade Grade Point 85-100 A+ 4.0 70-84 A 4.0 65-69 A- 3.7 60-64 B+ 3.3 55-59 B 3.0 50-54 B- 2.7 45-49 C+ 2.3 40-44 C 2.0 35-39 C- 1.7 30-34 D+ 1.3 25-29 D 1.0 00-24 E 0.0 4.6 Re-sit examinations and Progression requirements The pass mark is 40%. Students will be required to pass all modules to graduate. A student who has obtained a Grade of D or lower for a component of assessment will have to re-sit that component. In modules where there are more than one assessment component, if a student obtains an E Grade (<25%) for one component of assessment, they are required to retake the entire module in order to graduate from the programme. In exceptional circumstances, a student may be allowed to graduate with one condoned fail module. In the final calculation for degree classification, all re-sits due to fails at first attempt or missed first attempt due to invalid reason (as deemed by the board of study) will not be given (in calculation) more than 40 marks or a C grade. 4.7 Grade Point Average Grade Point Average (GPA) is the credit weighted arithmetic mean of the Grade Point Values, which is determined by dividing the total credit-weighted Grade Point Value by the total number of credits. For example, if the student completed one module with two credits, three modules of 3 credits each, two modules of one credit each with Grades A, C, B, D, E, and A+ respectively, (s)he would have a GPA of, = (2x4.0) + (3x2.0)+(3x3.0)+(3x1.0)+(1x0.0)+(1x4.0) 2+3+3+3+1+1 = 28 = 2.15 = 2.2 13 GPA shall be computed to the first decimal place, based on the number of the credits for the relevant programme i.e., certificate, postgraduate diploma or MPH. 5

4.8 Academic Misconduct Students must conduct their studies honestly, ethically and in accordance with accepted standards of academic conduct. Any form of academic conduct that is contrary to these standards is academic misconduct, for which the University may penalise a student. The following are considered academic misconduct: Cheating includes but is not limited to the unauthorized use of notes, books or other sources of information; Copying the work of another or allowing someone to copy the work of another student during a formal academic exercise (e.g. take home examination, homework assignment or written essay). Plagiarism is the undocumented use of other authors words, texts, images, and ideas that don t come from your own head. Making up sources, altering numbers, statistics, or just a few words of a document is considered plagiarism. Poor documentation or paraphrasing of a source is also considered plagiarism. Unauthorized collaboration is working with others without the specific permission of the instructor on assignments that will be submitted for a grade. This rule applies to in-class or take-home examinations, papers, laboratory session, or homework assignments. Students may not collaborate without faculty authorization Any violations of this code will be punished to the full extent including termination of enrolment without a refund of fees. 5 CRITERIA FOR DEGREE CLASSIFICATION Upon completing the prescribed programme of study and the requirements of the University of Kelaniya, students will be eligible for the relevant award. A student must submit the Certificate of the Certificate course in Epidemiology to be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Epidemiology, in addition to satisfying all other requirements stipulated by the University. Likewise, a student must submit the Certificate of the Postgraduate Diploma in Epidemiology to be awarded the Master of Public Health in Epidemiology, in addition to satisfying all other requirements stipulated by the University. A higher certificate automatically replaces the previous certificate. 5.1 Eligibility for the award of Certificate in Epidemiology To be eligible for the award of the Certificate in Epidemiology, a student must have 1. Accumulated 30 credits during the course (core 20, major 5 and elective 5). 2. Obtained a minimum GPA of 2.7 5.2 Eligibility for the award of Postgraduate Diploma in Epidemiology To be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Epidemiology, a student must have 1. Accumulated 45 credits during the course (core 20, major 20, elective 5). 2. Obtained a minimum GPA of 2.7. 6

5.3 Eligibility for the award of Master of Public Health (Epidemiology) To be eligible for the award of the MPH (Epidemiology) degree, a student must have 1. Accumulated 60 credits during the course. 2. Obtained a minimum GPA of 2.7 To be eligible for the award of a merit pass in the Master of Public Health (epidemiology) degree programme, a student must have 1. Accumulated 60 credits during the course. 2. Obtained at least a B- pass in each module. 3. Obtained a minimum GPA of 3.7. 6 PROGRAMME STRUCTURE The programme is structured to be completed in 4 semesters that will be conducted within 24 months. For each semester, 15 credits are scheduled as given below. Course code Course title Credits Year 1 MPHC 61000 Biologic bases of health * - MPHC 61013 Social and Behavioral Science Core 3 MPHC 61023 Epidemiology I 3 MPHC 61033 Biostatistics I 3 MPHC 61043 Introduction to Public Health Systems 3 and Population-based Health Programmes MPHC 61053 Fundamentals of Environmental Health 3 Sciences MPHC 62013 Research Methods 1: Data Collection, 3 Management, and Analyses and Survey Methods MPHC 62022 Health Communication: Theory and 2 Practice MPHE 62033 Community Practice and Health 3 MPHP 62043 Biostatistics II 3 MPHP 62052 Disease Surveillance 2 MPHE 62062 Health Policy Development 2 Year 2 MPHP 71013 Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases 3 MPHP 71023 Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases 3 MPHP 71033 Biostatistics III 3 MPHP 71043 Public Health Planning and Evaluation 3 MPHD 71053 Introduction to dissertation research 3 MPHP 72013 Public Health Integrative Experience 3 MPHD 7202z** Dissertation research 12 Total 60 *Non-credit course for all non-medical graduates. 1. ** z refers to 12 credit units 7