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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. |
| SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY |
| REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: |
| Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 96803 | Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| Stellenbosch University | ||||
| PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
| CHE - Council on Higher Education | 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 | |
| Registered-data under construction | EXCO 0324/24 | 2024-07-01 | 2027-06-30 | |
| LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
| 2027-06-30 | 2029-06-30 | |||
Registered-data under construction The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered. |
| 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. |
| PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION |
| Purpose:
Clinical Epidemiology is the science of applying the best available research evidence to patient care. It uses the methods of Epidemiology to find scientifically valid answers to questions concerning diagnosis, prevention, therapy, prognosis and aetiology, thus improving the evidence base for the care of individual patients. The course offers rigorous methodological training for those with a background or experience in a health-related discipline who wish to pursue a career in clinical research or evidence-based practice. The qualification would also be of interest to potential Researchers who require robust training in research techniques, including advanced concepts and methods of Epidemiology. The target group for the qualification (or for specific units of it) would include professionals and workers currently working in, or intending to work in, clinical trial units, or engaged in decision making at a Managerial, Financial and Clinical level. The qualification is aimed at health professionals who wish to deepen their understanding of epidemiological methods in clinical practice, evidence based decision making, clinical guideline preparation and quality assurance in clinical practice. Aspects of this qualification would strengthen the rigour and core research components of other existing Masters qualifications. An estimated 450 Medical Specialists in training (registrars) in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Stellenbosch are now required to complete a clinical research assignment towards the Master of Medicine (MMed) Degree. There are also over 6300 Postgraduate learners in Medicine, Nursing, Physiotherapy and Human Nutrition. Inadequate research training and supervision represents a missed opportunity for providing Postgraduate Clinicians with the skills necessary to conduct quality clinical research at the Masters' level and beyond. This situation is neither desirable for the learner, who may not be receiving proper institutional support, nor the institution that may be exposed to the risks of poor research conduct. These issues are compounded by the current reality that the supervisors of Postgraduate research may also not have had formal or appropriate training in research methodology. Clinical Researchers are coming under increasingly rigorous peer and public scrutiny, and they must therefore ensure that their research is ethically and scientifically beyond reproach. The lack of a career track in clinical research is a key concern of young researchers in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. These individuals contribute substantially to the research output of the Faculty, may act as clinical research mentors and are necessary for building a culture of research excellence in the Faculty. Paucity of opportunities within the Faculty of Health Sciences will result in the loss of these promising researchers. The qualification seeks to address these gaps. Training of more people to both produce and mentor excellent clinical research forms a key part of this initiative to build research capacity in the Faculty. Rationale: Clinical Epidemiology is the Science of applying the best available research evidence to patient care. It uses the methods of Epidemiology to find scientifically valid answers to questions concerning diagnosis, prevention, therapy, prognosis and aetiology, thus improving the evidence base for the care of individual patients. Building capacity of health professionals to practice in an evidence-informed way, and to conduct rigorous research, is central to advancing the practice and teaching of Clinical Epidemiology, with the ultimate aim of improving health outcomes and patient care. This applies to all healthcare professionals. Masters level training in Clinical Epidemiology build capacity in both using and conducting research to inform healthcare practices. The Master of Science (MSc) Epidemiology (Evidence Based Health Care) will be promoting excellence in clinical research. Evidence Based Health Care should contribute to new scientific knowledge and also support the application of knowledge gained to improve health care delivery by deepening the understanding of epidemiological methods, evidence based decision making, and quality assurance in health care delivery. Clinical Epidemiology cuts across all health disciplines and areas and research conducted within this qualification will focus on high priority conditions and strategies to make a considerable contribution in reducing the disease burden in the region. |
| LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
| Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The University of Stellenbosch has a comprehensive policy for the Recognition of Prior Learning. Students may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning for structured modules completed outside of the programme. A formal application is made to the programme committee with supporting documentation. If found to be equivalent to the relevant structured module, the proposal for recognition of prior learning will be discussed and approved at the divisional Postgraduate committee where after the faculty postgraduate committee will endorse it. Entry Requirements: For admission to the Master of Science (MSc) Clinical Epidemiology qualification the candidate shall hold: Or Or Or International learners need to provide proof of equivalence of Degrees obtained at non-South African institutions. This requires submission of a South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) certificate at the time of application. Mathematics at National Senior Certificate (NSC) level, Computer Literacy and fluency in written and spoken English are further requirements for admission to the qualification. All international learners (from non-English speaking countries) are required to submit official documentary evidence of their competence in English with their application. |
| RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
| Y |
| QUALIFICATION RULES |
| The qualification consists of modules with a total of 120 Credits and a research project of 60 Credits. Learners shall complete ten modules - eight compulsory and two elective modules. The choice of elective modules depends on meeting relevant pre-requisites for the module and avoiding timetable clashes with core modules. Elective modules require a minimum number of 10 learners.
Compulsory Modules: Elective Modules (Choose two): Research Project: |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| 1. The aim of the qualification is to develop skills in Clinical Epidemiology which involves the use of quantitative methods to find scientifically valid answers to questions concerning diagnosis, prevention, therapy, prognosis and aetiology, thus improving the evidence-base for the care of individual patients. |
| ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
| Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
Integrated Assessment: Assessment is based on course objectives. Formative and summative assessment of modules (120 Credits) shall be conducted through written examinations, oral presentations, written assignments and participation in discussions. A pass mark of 50% is required for each module with a subminimum of 45% on formative as well as summative assessment. A candidate who fails any module may be denied the right to reregister for the qualification. The learner shall be required to participate successfully and to integrate knowledge in projects, reports and assignments. The completed research project shall be submitted in the prescribed format and shall be assessed by both internal and external examiners. |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
| Various international academic institutions offer Masters level training in Clinical Epidemiology. The qualification has been compared against the following and also drawn on faculty from international qualification to offer teaching and serve as external examiners of both structured modules and research projects.
Sydney University, Australia: Clinical Epidemiology is the Science behind good clinical research and evidence-based clinical decision making. Their programs are designed to develop both clinical researchers and practitioners by teaching the skills needed to generate high quality clinical research, as well as the skills to locate, appraise, interpret and apply the best research evidence to patient care. This qualification also develops the research skills required by many clinical training positions. The course is delivered in a flexible format, with face-to-face, online or block-mode delivery options, suitable for busy professionals. University of Newcastle, Australia: The University of Newcastle's Master of Clinical Epidemiology focuses on health care research. Learners learn how to conceptualise, design and carry out health care research applying epidemiologic methods, and to apply the best available research evidence to clinical practices and health care. University of Toronto, Canada: Structured Master's course. |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| MODERATION OPTIONS |
| N/A |
| CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS |
| N/A |
| NOTES |
| N/A |
| LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: |
| When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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. |
| 1. | Stellenbosch University |
| 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. |