National Institute for Communicable Diseases

Classroom component

Modules

The classroom (academic) component is divided into modules. Successful completion of a module leads to the awarding of a certain number of credits. A module is defined as an independent unit of learning that has its own objectives, learning materials and methods, and its own assessment.

For entry into certain modules other modules must have been successfully completed. This requirement is listed on the timetable and our web page. If you are in doubt, contact the module presenter or Student Administration.

The completion of the MPH core modules in your track is generally required for entry into any non-core module in that track.

Components of the MPH programme

The following table lists the five components of the MPH programme with the number of credits awarded for the different components.

	MPH Component	Credits	Percentage
1	Core (fundamental) modules	60	30
2	Compulsory and elective track modules	80	40
3	Integrative case studies (2 @ 5 credits each)	10	5
4	Research paper or draft article	45	22.5
5	TNM 800 module (basic research methods)	5	2.5
	Total	200	100

1. MPH core/fundamental modules (60 credits)

These modules provide an overview of the essential disciplines of health systems and public health. They are compulsory for all MPH students. The modules cover the scope of public health in an introductory manner. Most core modules are also the first modules of a track, and these modules must be completed successfully before students will be allowed to enter more advanced modules.

The core modules are scheduled in the first six months so that students who wish to write their core exams in June can be accommodated. Although it is preferable that students complete the core modules before proceeding to more advanced modules, it is not essential. Students who have decided on their track may choose to pursue their track modules before completing their core modules.

The following core / fundamental modules are compulsory. The following table lists the courses. Courses will be conducted at either NICD or UP depending upon whether it is required for the MPH or the fellowship programme.

Code	Module Name/Subject Covered	Credits	Setting
BOS 870	Biostatistics 1 (Week 1) * Introduction to Biostatistics; Measures of Frequency; Measures of Central Tendency; Normal Distribution; Confidence Intervals; Probability; Rate Adjustment; Biostatistics 1 (Week 2) * Significance Testing, Statistical Inference; Non-parametric Tests; Correlation and Regression Analysis; Sampling	10	NICD*
CDC 870	Introduction to Disease Prevention and Control Introduction to Public Health; Burden of Disease Measurements; Role of the Laboratory in Public Health; Reproducibility and Validity; Ethics	5	NICD*
DEG 870	Principles of Demography Introduction to Demography	5	UP
EHM 870	Basis of Environmental Health Basis of Environmental Health (To be done by University of Pretoria as no FELTP equivalent)	5	UP
HCM 870	Introduction to Health Management (Week 1) * Financial Management; Project Management for the Public Health Professional; Total Quality Management; Strategic Planning Introduction to Health Management (Week 2) * Team Building, Supervisory Skills, Time Management, Interpersonal Skills; Leadership; Marketing; Conflict Resolution;	10	UP
HME 870	Introduction to Health Measurement (Week 1) * Introduction to Epidemiology; History and Description of Field Epidemiology; Public Health Literature Review; Descriptive Study Design; Framing the Problem; Descriptive Data Analysis; Data Management and Editing; Introduction to Health Measurement (Week 2) * Analytic Study Design; Introduction to Sampling; Measures of Association and Impact; Causation	10	NICD*
PCM 870	Introduction to Primary Health Care Introduction to Primary Health Care (To be done by University of Pretoria as no FELTP equivalent)	5	UP
PHM 870	Learning in Public Health Orientation to SAFELTP	5	UP
SCM 870	Society and Health Society and Health (To be done by University of Pretoria as no FELTP equivalent)	5	UP
Total		60

* Weeks 1 and 2 form one module of 10 credits. They cannot be taken separately.

2. Compulsory and elective modules (80 credits)

Modules are grouped into areas of concentration, each of which forms the basis for a specialisation within the MPH degree programme, referred to as an area of concentration or track. Some modules may be compulsory for students following one track, but elective for students taking a different track. Within each track there is a progression both in terms of complexity and content. For this reason some modules have prerequisites that must have been completed before these modules can be undertaken. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that these prerequisites have been met before enrolling for a module. It is therefore important that students select their track in the first six months of their MPH programme.

It is also imperative that students study the guidelines for following a specific track and consult the track coordinator where necessary to ensure that they understand how modules in that particular track are grouped. Fifty per cent of all credits for course work (80 credits) must come from the area of concentration. These 80 credits may come from both compulsory modules and elective modules.

Course name	Subjects Covered	Setting
Conducting Surveys	Surveys, Questionnaire Design	UP
Disease Surveillance	Introduction to Surveillance, Prioritization of Disease; Surveillance System Development; Public Health Response; Data Analysis and Interpretation	NICD
Health Data Management	Data Management	UP
Monitoring and Evaluation	General Principles of Monitoring and Evaluation	UP
Principles of Communicable Disease Control	Epidemiology and Control of Communicable Disease	NICD
Principles of Chronic Disease Epidemiology	Epidemiology of Injury and Non-Communicable Disease	NICD
Outbreak Investigation and Control	Outbreak Investigations; The Roles of the Laboratory in the Field, Specimen Management in the Field	NICD
Analytic Epidemiology	Stratified Analysis; Matching Case-Control Studies; Effect Modification; Analyzing Cross-Sectional Studies; Advanced Tables, Charts, and Graphs	NICD
Economic Evaluation of Disease Control Interventions	Public Health Economics; Prevention Effectiveness	NICD
Scientific writing	Scientific Writing; Field Reports; Internal Written Communications; External Written Communications; Poster Presentations, Epidemiologic Bulletins, Briefing Statements; Oral Presentations;	NICD

Limitations on the choice of modules include the following:

Any variation on the package of modules taken must have the approval of the Academic Programme Committee.
In some cases, the successful completion of previous modules is an entry requirement for the next module.
At least 50% of the course credits must come from within one track.
Some modules may not be available every year because of staff limitations, or may not be possible because of too few, or too many, enrolments.

3. Two integrative case studies (5 credits each)

Two integrative case studies are compulsory. Trainees should only enroll for these once 25% of the course has been completed. Students may enroll for any two integrative case studies provided that they have different codes.

Course name	Projects	Setting
Integrative Case Study - Responding to HIV/AIDS – Interventions and Programmes	HIV/AIDS Intervention Case Studies Conducted and Presented	Fellowship*
Integrative Case Study - Scientific writing and communication	Various written Communications (internal and external); Oral Presentations; Press release	Fellowship*

4. MPH research paper or draft article (45 credits)

Research paper

The research report contributes 45 credits to the total credit requirement. This is equivalent to 450 “notional hours”, or eight to ten weeks of full-time work (which includes all work related to the research report). The expected outcome of the MPH research report is that students must be able to identify and investigate health and health system problems in a comprehensive manner, and that they should be able to formulate appropriate interventions. Note: The research component needs to be passed independently of other course work and, like any other module, should be enrolled for in the year in which students plan to start with the research protocol. Students are cautioned against embarking on a project that is too ambitious, as all research work must be completed within the maximum study period of four years.

Depending on the area selected by a student, the report may be more oriented towards

Implementing change in the system (an intervention project);
A quantitative and qualitative assessment of health or health care (a research project).

In an intervention project, the report will be evaluated in terms of the implementation of the management processes needed to affect change. A research project will be evaluated more intensely on epidemiological, biostatistical, or qualitative methods used, and on the inferences drawn from the findings and the validity of conclusions and recommendations made.

Draft article

MPH students may hand in a draft article in lieu of a research paper. It must be written in the format of an identified peer reviewed journal.

Course name	Projects	Setting
Research Methods	Abstract, Oral Presentation	UP
Research Report	Problem Identification Summary, Study Protocol, Manuscript,	UP

5. TNM 800 module (basic research methods)

All MPH students are required to take a basic research methods course.

Individual studies as part of elective modules

To increase the flexibility of the MPH degree programme further, students are given the option of conducting credited studies under the personal supervision of an academic staff member in cases where no formal course work is being offered. Such arrangements must be made with permission of the Academic Programme Committee and are subject to formal assessment. A maximum of 40 credits (25% of the MPH course work requirements) may be obtained in this manner.

The following points are important:

Students must request permission from their track coordinator first; then hand in a written, motivated request to the Academic Programme Committee via the Academic Programme Coordinator. The Committee will respond to the request in writing.
Permission will not be given for individual studies on material that already exists in SHSPH modules.
Permission will not be given to replace the integrative case studies or the research report with individual studies.

There are three options:

ACM 871 Individual studies in public health (10 credits)
ACM 872 Individual studies in public health (30 credits)
ACM 873 Individual studies in public health (30 credits)

Course name	Projects	Setting
Field Placement	Data Analysis Summary Report, Surveillance Evaluation Report, Field Investigation Report, Briefing Summary, Bulletin	Fellowship *

Individual versus group reports

Students are encouraged to work together on larger projects, or to participate in one of the ongoing programmes in the School or any of the affiliated University groups.

Consultation with the track coordinator is essential. When it is clear what is planned, and each group member has an identifiable role in the project, the protocol should be submitted to the Academic Programme Committee for consideration. Students are is still required to produce their own report that is identifiably different from that of the other members of the group.

Under no circumstances must students proceed without permission from the Faculty of Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee. Finally, students are advised to plan well in advance, as there will be delays in the processing of the research or intervention proposal, and in setting up the logistical arrangements for implementing the project.