About the Programme

Aligned with the Pan-African mandate of Africa University, the overall vision of the Department of Health Sciences is to become the department of choice for applicants wishing to be trained in any health care profession nationally, regionally and internationally. The relentless burden of diseases is increasingly recognized as one of the major impediments to the prosperity and development of African nations.
Based on original policy-shaping health research by students and faculty as its core training, the MPhil programme is aimed to stimulate generations of self-driven African scientists that solve African health problems. Furthermore, the MPhil programme will boost Department of Health Sciences and Africa University visibility, not only through original research output but the seeding of graduands that will subsequently embark on even higher profile doctoral research studies.
The MPhil programme will mould early leadership professionals with the basic qualities for innovative research and also competing for funding. The MPhil programme will be instrumental in lying the foundation for more diversified Faculty resource base through research grants from the MPhil programme itself or more substantially the ensuing doctoral research candidates.

Duration of Programme

The duration of the Master of Philosophy programmes shall normally be:

• Full-time: 1.5 - 3 years

• Part-time: 3 - 5 years

Scope

The MPhil programme in health sciences is designed to cultivate rigorous research for addressing the health needs of African nations and beyond. Thus any health care professionals wishing to be trained in practically grounded impact research will have the opportunity to enroll in the diverse fields of Health Sciences.

Target Group

The MPhil Health Sciences graduate research student programme is designed for all healthcare professionals who wish to undertake high impact health research and education, and especially those wishing to prepare for onward training to doctoral level. The FHS MPhil programme is especially suitable for nurses, midwives, occupational therapists, laboratory scientists, public health officers and biomedical scientists.

MPhil Requirements

1. The MPhil degrees is a graduate degree carried out primarily through supervised research. A student will be entitled and strongly encouraged to take audit coursework available in existing postgraduate programmes in order to enhance their research studies. Cross-cutting courses on research will be particularly encouraged, especially Research Methodology, Basic Epidemiology, Advanced Epidemiology and Biostatistics. They will also be entitled to attend any other available courses in their specific field of interest.

2. Studies may be pursued on a full-time or on a part-time basis.

3. Fields of study for research are Medical Parasitology, Medical Mycology, Medical Virology, Haematology, Medical Microbiology,

4. Applied Molecular Biology, Vector Biology, Public Health, Biomedical and other Health Sciences.

5. All prospective graduate students shall be expected to demonstrate proficiency in English in order to pursue their studies at Africa University.

6. All MPhil candidates will be encouraged to embark on significant research of quality that can open the way for to more advanced scope or depth of investigation and apply for upgrading to DPhil studies.

Entry Requirements

Depending on prevailing availability of suitable supervising experts, applicants may be considered who hold a:

1. BSc Honours degree in Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS), Nursing (BSN), or Health Service Management (BHSM), Biomedical Sciences or equivalent Honours degree in the First or Second class division;

2. BSc Honours Medical Laboratory Science, BSN, BHSM, Biomedical Sciences or equivalent Honours degree with a minimum pass grade, provided performance in the intended subject of study was B grade average or above, and the candidate has satisfied the Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) through recommendation from the Faculty that the candidate has exhibited academic potential by conducting fieldwork, subsequent research experience and (or) additional training in the academic discipline of the intended Masters’ degree.

3. General BSc Medical Laboratory Science/Biomedical Sciences or equivalent degree provided that a grade of B or above was attained in the intended subject of study and the candidate has minimum one year industrial or research-related experience;

4. Upon recommendation to the GSC by the Dean, a candidate whose degree is considered deficient may be required to take one or more relevant undergraduate courses in addition to the minimum graduate requirements.