About the Programme

In alignment with the Pan-African mandate of Africa University, the overall vision of the Department of Health Sciences is to become the faculty of choice for applicants wishing to be trained in any health care profession nationally, regionally and internationally. With original problem-solving health research by students and faculty as its core focus, the DPhil programme is aimed to position the Department of Health Sciences and Africa University at large as a world class institution and global centre of excellence for research and education. The DPhil programme is designed to serve as one of the key driving engines of high impact, policy-shaping research output that is extraordinarily visible through peer-reviewed publications, conferences and patents and transformative technical support for honing disease control and elimination programmes across the African continent by African talent.
This programme will nurture leadership professionals capable of not only ground-breaking discovery but also attracting funding in their own right through competitive grants. Typically, candidates for this programme will come funded or seeking to apply for competitive fellowship grants with supervising faculty that are recognized authorities in the pipelines for proposed field of study.

Duration of Programme

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

• Full-time - 3-5 years | 7 years (maximum)
• Part-time - 4-7 years | 9 years (maximum)

Scope

In line with Pan-African mandate and the FHS vision, the DPhil programme in health sciences is designed to unleash full research potential creativity and innovation for addressing and solving all aspects of health needs of African nations and beyond. The programme will not only catalyse Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics [STEM] but also facilitate direct translation into locally appropriate products for the betterment of the health, economic property and dignity of African people. All health professionals from across the continent wishing to be trained in leading health research will have the opportunity to enroll in diverse fields of the Health Sciences DPhil programme.

Target Group

The DPhil in Health Sciences research doctorate is designed for all healthcare professionals who wish to undertake health research and education at the highest level. The doctor of health sciences programme is especially suitable for nurses, midwives, occupational therapists, laboratory scientists, public health officers, biomedical scientists and staff development candidates from academic institutions across the African continent and beyond.

DPhil Requirements

The DPhil degree is a graduate degree carried out primarily through supervised research. Students will be firmly encouraged and availed opportunities to undertake audited coursework by capitalizing on a wealth of existing excellent post-graduate courses, attend lectures, seminars or workshops that they deem enhancing to their research studies. Cross-cutting courses on research will be particularly encouraged, especially Research Methodology, Basic Epidemiology, Advanced Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Candidates will also be entitled to attend any other available courses in their specific areas of specialty.

Doctoral research projects can be based on fieldwork (sometimes in distant places), laboratory experiments, analysis of existing data sets, or mathematical theory, but in all cases must be original and rigorous, leading to publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals. DPhil students will be part of a vibrant educational research community that includes an active set of doctoral student-led events, seminars and workshops. They will have the opportunity to present and discuss their work in progress with their supervisor, other faculty members and peers, informally day-to-day and by attending a variety of seminars and workshops in the department and at conferences elsewhere.

Conferment of the title of DPhil is conditional on submission of a thesis and success in an oral (viva voce) examination in front of a committee of AU-based and external examiners. A minimum of 4 publications is expected from a successfully completed DPhil thesis.

1. Fields of study for research include but are not limited to Medical Parasitology, Medical Mycology, Medical Virology, Haematology, Medical Microbiology, Applied Molecular Biology, Blood Bank, Immunology, Vector Biology, Epidemiology, Nursing, Epistemology, and Public Health.
2. All prospective graduate students shall be expected to demonstrate proficiency in English in order to pursue their studies at Africa University.

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.