MSc Reproductive & Sexual Health Research

MSc Reproductive & Sexual Health Research

This programme is designed for those interested in acquiring the research skills necessary to conduct policy-relevant research into sexual and reproductive health. It provides a non-clinical foundation in family planning, obstetric health, AIDS and sexually-transmitted infections.

The curriculum has a focus on middle- and low-income settings but also provides excellent training in the principles and methods of research for high-income countries.

This programme is recognised by the ESRC as providing high quality research training and a small number of ESRC scholarships (including 1+3 scholarships) are available to UK or EU residents. These are advertised each year with the LSHTM scholarships information.

Objectives

By the end of this program students should be able to:

• demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of evidence-based approaches to research of reproductive and sexual health issues
• critically assess and apply these research approaches to inform development, health and social welfare programmes
• demonstrate a good understanding of the socio-cultural, political and ethical issues surrounding reproductive and sexual health
• identify and address appropriate research questions in reproductive and sexual health, using methods from a range of public health disciplines
• demonstrate the ability to carry out key research skills and activities, including literature review, research study design, and critical analysis and application of research findings

Structure

Term 1

Students take the following compulsory modules:

• Basic Epidemiology or Extended Epidemiology
• Foundations in Reproductive Health
• Principles of Social Research
• Statistics for Epidemiology & Population Health
• Health Policy, Process & Power or Introduction to Health Economics or Population Studies

Terms 2 and 3

Students take a total of five study modules, one from each timetable slot (Slot 1, Slot 2 etc.). One module (in Slot 4) is compulsory.

Slot 1

• Research Design & Analysis

Slot 2

• Family Planning Programmes
• Population, Poverty and Environment

Slot 3

• Control of Sexually Transmitted Infections
• Current Issues in Maternal & Perinatal Health
• Evaluation of Public Health Interventions
• Social Epidemiology

Slot 4

• Sexual Health (compulsory)

Slot 5:

• Analysing Survey & Population Data
• HIV

Graduates go into public health and reproductive health programmes, evaluation of family planning programmes, research for governmental and non-governmental agencies and university teaching.

Below you will find just a few of the positions and organisations that our graduates from this course have entered:

Example job titles:

• Advisor/Supervisor
• Chlamydia Screening Assistant\
• Clinical Research Co-Ordinator
• Doctor
• Emergency Response Co-Ordinator
• HIV Prevention and Surveillance Scientist
• program Manager
• Research Co-Ordinator
• Senior Lecturer in Medicine
• Senior Registrar
• Technical Adviser
• Women's Protection and Empowerment Co-Ordinator (Syria)
• Public Involvement Adviser
• Statistical Researcher