Medical Statistics - 2012 entry

Rhian Pilling

During the course I learnt how to use several statistical software packages and was given the opportunity within the dissertation to analyse my own research question.

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Course content

To qualify for the MSc you will need to pass two compulsory modules and one elective module in Semester 1, two compulsory modules and one elective module in Semester 2 and pass the dissertation, together with the Research and Study Methods module.

Please note: as courses are reviewed regularly, the list of modules you choose from may slightly vary from that shown here.

The following modules are compulsory for MSc:

• Statistical Methods in Medical Research and Epidemiology covers principal statistical methods for data analysis, the analysis of clinical trials and epidemiological studies. It also introduces the statistical software packages, SPSS and SAS.
• Clinical Trials, Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis involves the study of the design and conduct of clinical trials including ethical issues and data protection. It also covers methods for carrying out systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate and combine the results from several research studies.
• Survival and Duration Data Analysis involves using parametric, non-parametric and semi-parametric methods to analyse censored survival and duration data. It also involves the development of further skills in using SAS for survival and duration data analysis including recurrence and repeated durations.
• Statistical Modelling using SAS involves the use of SAS to develop advanced linear, non-linear and mixed statistical models for medical data.

You may choose two elective modules from the following, depending on your interest and experience:

• Structured Data covers advances in database application systems, a useful topic for those with a potential interest in data management.
• Molecular Biology aims to develop the core skills needed for molecular biology as it focuses on recombinant DNA technology.
• Topics in Biotechnology is a research-led course for students with a background in biology.
• Biotechnology and Business aims to equip scientists with an understanding of the bioscience business sector.
• Product Development in Biotechnology covers the drug discovery and product development including regulation issues.
• Epidemiology provides an introduction to the application of epidemiological methods in primary and community health.
• Communicable Diseases and Public Health is a module that examines the history, causes and epidemiology of communicable diseases and covers prevention methods and the legal and ethical aspects of infection control.

In addition to these taught subject modules, you take the following:

• Research and Study Methods underpins the dissertation. The module, delivered in a seminar style, will provide you with research skills, planning techniques, progress management and review, and the ability to use ICT support materials. You will be given guidance on the analysis and technical presentation of research material.
• The Dissertation is an individual research and development project of 10,000 -15,000 words on a topic closely related to your course of study. The work may be undertaken in co-operation with an industrial or commercial organisation. The choice of topic for the dissertation will depend, to a great extent, on your interests and experience. Typically it will be based on your analysis of a medical dataset using appropriate statistical methods, demonstrating your skills in applied analysis.

Faculty

Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment

Department

Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mathematical Sciences

Course length

Full-time: 1 year (12 months)
Part-time: 2 years

Teaching location

Wheatley Campus

Start date

September 2012

UKPASS code

P039872

Entry requirements

You should normally hold a first degree equivalent to at least a British lower second-class bachelor’s degree, in a science-related subject with a substantial statistics content. If your first degree does not contain statistics but you have worked in medical research or the pharmaceutical industry you can also be considered.

Scholarships and funding

For general sources of financial support, see:

• funding for students from the UK and EU
• funding for students from outside the EU

Why Oxford is a great place to study Medical Statistics

Oxford is one of the world's great academic cities.  It is also at the heart of  one of the most successful economic regions in the UK with a thriving high-tech industry. As such it is a great place to study interdisciplinary courses like the MSc in Medical Statistics. You will benefit from access to leading academic staff and their links with businesses and organisations such as the John Radcliffe Hospital.

In addition to our own excellent libraries and resource centres, our postgraduate students have access to the world-renowned Bodleian Library and the Radcliffe Science Library.

Cristian Ciria

This Master's has helped me to gain a post working as a Medical Statistician within the Centre for Statistics in Medicine based at the University of Oxford.

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How Brookes supports postgraduate students

Supporting your learning

From academic advisers and support co-ordinators to specialist subject librarians and other learning support staff, we want to ensure that you get the best out of your studies.

Personal support services

We want your time at Brookes to be as enjoyable and successful as possible. That's why we provide all the facilities you need to be relaxed, happy and healthy throughout your studies.

Departmental research highlights

Statistics staff research areas include inverse problems, mathematical biology and applications of statistics. Much of the statistics research is collaborative in nature, with recent work including projects in econometrics, health care, social sciences and education. Staff from other areas of the university teaching on the course bring expertise from research and consultancy work in their own fields.