Course content
The course is studied full-time over 12 months from the start of October to mid-September.
Important note: this MPH requires dedicated full-time study for the entire calendar year (i.e. all 12 months) including the summer months. Attendance from Monday to Friday each week is required. It is expected that students will attend all classes.
The teaching format will generally include:
- a number of lectures on the topic
- tutor-directed practical or discussion sessions
- guest seminar presentations
- lunchtime journal clubs
- self-directed learning
For the taught part of the course, students will spend most days per week at St Mary’s Campus, Paddington but may also have teaching at Imperial College Business School, South Kensington Campus and at Dept of Primary Care and Social Medicine, Charing Cross Campus in Hammersmith.
Students will have teaching Monday to Friday each week of Terms 1 and 2. Classes are not usually scheduled on Wednesday afternoons but there is access to an active PhD skills training programme.
Students will conduct their dissertation projects on a full-time basis from May to mid-September.
Term 1
Intensive, compulsory taught modules focus on core concepts and techniques in modern epidemiology, biostatistics and public health. Topics covered include:
- epidemiological study design and analysis
- statistical and mathematical modelling
- an introduction to infectious diseases epidemiology
All the above modules consist of a mixture of lectures, computer practical sessions using a range of software, journal clubs and discussion groups.
Students will also study core public health and health management modules:
- health information
- health improvement
- environmental health
- global health
There are additional sessions scheduled throughout Term 1 for careers guidance and the development of writing skills.
Term 2
A mixture of core public health and epidemiology modules and further optional statistics modules allow students to develop a broader understanding of the basis for intervening to improve health, prevent disease and develop health services . Modules typically cover topics such as:
- chronic disease epidemiology
- the genetics and evolution of infectious diseases (module option)
- health and society: statistical analysis of longitudinal data (module option)
- health services improvement
- health protection
- health economics
- health systems, policy and financing
- social research methods
Term 3
Individual research projects are carried out from May to September under supervision. Projects may be carried out in collaboration with NHS organisations and external companies of government agencies providing the project, facilities and day-to-day supervisory arrangements have been agreed in advance with the course organisers. Projects are expected to take 4.5 months, with a member of Imperial College academic staff assigned to advise and monitor the student's progress.
