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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Science in Epidemiology and Biostatistics 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
118435  Master of Science in Epidemiology and Biostatistics 
ORIGINATOR
University of Cape Town 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2021-11-18  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The primary purpose of the qualification is to educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge in public health epidemiology and biostatistics in both the private and public sectors. This will be done in the context of health and healthcare systems relevant to low- and middle-income settings, and to sub-Saharan and southern Africa in particular. Knowledge generation at an advanced level will be informed by engagement with public health and health research professionals from a variety of fields.

The qualification will equip learners with the tools, methods and thinking appropriate for working at an advanced level with quantitative data in the health sciences, including skills in:
  • Broad range observational and experimental study design.
  • Measurement science including reliability and validation.
  • Understanding the sources, impact, and handling of systematic and random error in quantitative research.
  • Causal thinking in the health sciences.
  • Application of diverse statistical tools used in contemporary health sciences research, including generalised linear models and time-to-event methods.

    Graduates will apply methods and problem-solving skills to contribute to the health sector, both private and public, Non-Government Organisation (NGO) and Government.

    Rationale:
    South Africa has a challenge of dealing with a double burden of disease: infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis (TB) are high while non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are rapidly increasing. TB, HIV, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases are leading causes of death in this country. In response, the South African Government passed a bill to establish the National Public Health Institute of South Africa (NAPHISA) which will "conduct disease surveillance, develop public health interventions and research directed towards major public health challenges affecting the population of South Africa." Epidemiology and biostatistics are scarce skills desperately needed in soon to be established NAPHISA, other governmental agencies, research institutions, academia, and NGOs.

    This qualification is a timely response to the national, provincial, and local needs of the country. The qualification will provide intensive training in epidemiology and biostatistics to enable learners to conduct and interpret quantitative research studies in the health sciences. Further, it will equip learners to enter Doctoral studies across a wide range of areas or to enter research environments in both the private and public sector with a set of in-demand and scarce analytic and critical thinking skills related to public health epidemiology and health research.

    As there are very few trained Epidemiologists and Biostatisticians in Africa, the qualification aims to address the skills gap. The high annual number of applications (over 600) received for the Master of Science (MSc) in Epidemiology and Biostatistics have been observed. This qualification responds directly to a sectoral need. Most South African institutions of higher learning offer limited epidemiology and biostatistics qualifications only introductory courses at a Masters level. In turn, the Master of Public Health (MPH) in the Epidemiology and Biostatistics stream admits significant numbers of learners for non-degree purposes. This demonstrates that the demand for an MSc in Epidemiology and Biostatistics may outstrip the demand for any of the Master of Public Health qualifications, which is already substantial.

    Learners completing this qualification have excellent opportunities to pursue the following careers:
  • Research institutions (e.g. Medical Research Council).
  • Academic institutions.
  • Statistics South Africa, National Institute of Non-communicable diseases.
  • National, provincial and district health departments (e.g. Epidemiology and Surveillance section, National Department of Health).
  • Public health departments.
  • Research and demographic surveillance sites.
  • Occupational health sector.
  • International agencies such as WHO, SADC, UNICEF, UNAIDS. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL will be applied in line with the institution policies.

    RPL for access:
  • RPL for access is applied to learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
  • Advanced standing may be granted.

    Exemption from module:
  • Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted for modules that form part of the qualification.
  • For a learner to be exempted from a module and the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

    Credits:
  • Learners may apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Epidemiology, NQF Level 8
    Or
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Biostatistics, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Science in a cognate field, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory and/or elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 186 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 9, 84 Credits:
  • Introduction to Epidemiology, 12 Credits.
  • Biostatistics 1, 12 Credits.
  • Quantitative Research Methods, 12 Credits.
  • Biostatistics II, 12 Credits.
  • Evidence Based Medicine, 12 Credits.
  • Biostatistics III, 12 Credits.
  • Advanced Epidemiology, 12 Credits.

    Elective Modules, Level 9,12 Credits (Select one module from the following three options)
  • Epidemiology of Non-communicable Diseases, 12 Credits.
  • Infectious Disease Epidemiology, 12 Credits.
  • Seminars in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, 12 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 9, 90 Credits:
  • Epidemiology and Biostatistics minor dissertation, 90 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate a comprehensive and systematic knowledge of analytic methods in epidemiology and biostatistics that can be used to investigate and answer questions in the health sciences.
    2. Demonstrate the ability to relate theory to practice and vice versa.
    3. Apply research methods, towards a dissertation under supervision.
    4. Identify, design, and analyse a diverse range of research studies to address complex health questions.
    5. Advanced information retrieval and processing skills; identification, critical analysis, synthesis, and independent evaluation of quantitative data.
    6. Review the literature regarding current research in epidemiology and biostatistics under supervision.
    7. Present and effectively communicate the results of quantitative health sciences research to specialist and non-specialist audiences using the resources of an academic/professional discourse.
    8. Conceptualize and produce a dissertation that meets the standards of scholarly/professional writing.
    9. Critically self-evaluate and continue to learn independently for continuing scholarly development.
    10. Manage learning tasks autonomously, professionally, and ethically.
    11. Rigorously critique and evaluate current research in quantitative health sciences and participate in scholarly debates in the field of epidemiology and biostatistics.
    12. Critically evaluate own and others' work with justification. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be applied in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Master basic and intermediate-level biostatistical methods including descriptive and graphical analyses, null hypothesis testing & p-values, generalised linear models including linear, logistic, Poisson, survival and time to event models (Cox and parametric survival), generalised estimating equations.
  • Design, select and apply advanced biostatistical methods including linear mixed models, frailty models, weighted regression, multiple imputations/missing data handling methods processes or technologies to complex practical and theoretical problems.
  • Evaluate and apply key concepts in epidemiological thinking about the distribution of health status in populations, the determinants (aetiology) of health states, and the methods for understanding the impact of prevention interventions (primary, secondary, tertiary) on health outcomes.
  • Examine and apply key concepts in epidemiology including basic study designs and their variants including clinical trial design, random error, bias and systematic error, confounding, intermediate variables (direct and indirect effects), interaction/effect measure modification.
  • Evaluate and apply concepts and methods used in thinking about causality in health science (causal inference).
  • Apply critical thinking in the synthesis of findings from different studies on a specific health issue.
  • Analyse, synthesise, and evaluate a wide range of information and evidence.
  • Plan and conduct research, using appropriate research methods such as instrument design, protocol, operating procedures, and project management for the solving of problems in health science.
  • Analyse and apply intermediate and advanced concepts and methods in epidemiology and/or biostatistics to a research question in the health sciences.
  • Communicate effectively in written and oral presentations, showing graphical, statistical and language skills and computer literacy. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares favourably with the following international qualifications in terms of similar modules and knowledge.

    Country: United Kingdom
    Institution: University of Leeds
    Qualification Title: Master of Science in Epidemiology and Biostatistics
    Duration: One year, full-time
    Credits: 180
    Admission requirements:
    It is similar as entry requires a four-year Bachelor of Science Degree.
    Qualification structure:
    The qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules like the proposed qualification.
    Coursework (90 Credits).
  • Core Epidemiology.
  • Introduction to Modelling.
  • Statistical Inference.
  • Professional Spline

    Compulsory
  • Research Project (90 credits).

    Elective Modules include:
  • Non-communicable Epidemiology.
  • Communicable Disease Control.
  • Non-infectious environmental hazards
  • Advanced Epidemiology.
  • Population Health.
  • Advanced modelling.
  • Introduction to genetic epidemiology.

    Comparison:
    The qualification shares the same modules with the proposed qualification as it has a large dissertation but condenses course work and a three-month research module into a single year.

    Country: Canada
    Institution: University of Western Ontario
    Qualification Title: Master of Science in Epidemiology and Biostatistics
    Duration: Two-year coursework Degree with Thesis [which can take the format of monograph or protocol].
    Admission requirements:
    Entry is a four-year Bachelor of Science Degree or Honours Degree.

    Qualification structure:
    The qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules:
    Compulsory Modules:
  • Principles of biostatistics.
  • Analytic epidemiology.
  • Clinical epidemiology.
  • Foundations of epidemiology.
  • Multivariable methods in biostatistics

    Electives Modules:
  • Biostatistical research methods.
  • Causal modelling.
  • Systematic reviews.
  • Measurement in epidemiology.
  • Analysis of population health data.
  • Advanced topics in epidemiology and biostatistics.
  • Sampling methods.
  • Introduction to health economics.

    Comparison:
    This qualification is like the proposed qualification, with a wider variety of coursework options.

    Country: Pakistan, India
    Institution: Aga Khan University
    Qualification Title: Master of Science in Epidemiology & Biostatistics
    Duration: Two-year full time
    Entry requirements:
    The entry requirements are a BSc and one-year work experience.

    Qualification structure:
    The qualification consists of 66% coursework and a third (33.3%) of the credits devoted to a thesis and the following compulsory as well as the elective modules.

    Compulsory Modules:
  • Principled epidemiology and Ethics.
  • Biostatistics and survey sampling.
  • Public health and socio-economic determinants of health.
  • Multivariable analysis and regression.
  • Advanced epidemiology.
  • Evidence based literature.
  • Demography and reproductive health.
  • Study design, protocol development

    Electives Modules:
  • Nutrition and non-communicable disease epidemiology.
  • Basics infectious disease epidemiology.
  • Mental health and behaviour epidemiology.
  • Cost-effectiveness and cost analysis.

    Comparison:
    The qualification is more aligned to a Master of Public Health. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Public Health, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Epidemiology, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Biostatistics, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.