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MSc Health Data Science (pre-course info)

General welcome

Greetings and a warm welcome to LSHTM and the MSc Health Data Science programme!

From "Hello" to "Nǐ hǎo," we are thrilled to have you here.

Prepare to embark on a transformative journey that will shape you into a trailblazing health data scientist of the future. Our esteemed team of expert academics is eagerly awaiting your arrival, ready to provide unparalleled support, guidance, and mentorship as we embark on this adventure together.

Over the course of the academic year, you will witness a remarkable transformation as you advance your knowledge and skills. Our aim is to nurture and empower you to become a key player in the field of health data science, equipping you with the prowess to excel in both public and private sectors. Through a laser focus on developing strong quantitative, computational, and practical data management skills, complemented by opportunities to cultivate vital professional competencies, we aim to create a well-rounded and versatile health data scientist.

Once again, welcome to LSHTM and the MSc Health Data Science programme. Get ready to unleash your potential, seize opportunities, and make a lasting impact in the world of health data science.

Together, we will embark on an awe-inspiring journey of discovery, growth, and accomplishment. Rest assured, we are here for you every step of the way, providing unwavering support and guidance throughout the year.

If you have any questions, concerns or problems then please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at hds_DamienKeith@lshtm.ac.uk and we will do all we can to help.

Damien Tully and Keith Tomlin, Programme Directors

Welcome Week

Welcome Week timetable

Personal tutors

At the start of the programme you will be allocated a personal tutor with whom you will meet regularly throughout the year. Where possible we try to match personal tutors to the student’s background and areas of interest. To help us identify appropriate personal tutors for students, please complete our MSc Health Data Science student interest form by Friday 20th September 2024. The information in the form will be shared with your personal tutor. 

Pentacells

When you arrive at LSHTM, your Programme Director will invite you to participate in a Pentacell, an activity that strengthens the School community, increases our wellbeing and forwards our goal of improving global health. The idea is deceptively simple – five students meet weekly for five weeks and listen to each other’s ideas and perspectives. It’s not compulsory but is strongly recommended by our School's Director, Liam Smeeth, Programme Directors, Student Support Services and former students.

Feedback from previous students:

“It was nice to be able to connect with people on my programme that I wouldn't necessarily have spoken to otherwise and it was a good way to make friends at the beginning.”

“Our Pentacell group chose not always to follow the exact guidelines for each session, and instead focused more on getting to know members of our programme better. I enjoyed the Pentacell experience we had, as it helped develop interpersonal relationships with those on my programme.”

“It gave me an opportunity to meet people on my programme. It also helped me develop interpersonal skills.” 

“Very pleasant experience especially for me as an international student who moved to the UK for the 1st time.”

Preparing for the programme

Reading

You will be pleased to know we do not have a set reading list for this programme. As pre-course reading we recommend that you read and try examples in this Maths, Probablity and Statistics Refresher

Computer

You will require a personal laptop computer to undertake the programme with either an up to date version of Windows or macOS. 

Information for new part-time students

Term 1

In the first year, part-time students are expected to attend the programme for 2.5 days per week. During this time you will complete the following modules: Thinking like a Health Data Scientist, Statistics for Health Data Science and Programming. In year 1 you are expected to be present for classes on Monday and Tuesday and the following sessions: Thursday 24th October (Thinking like a Health Data Scientist), Wednesday 30th October (Thinking like a Health Data Scientist) and Thursday 31st October (Thinking like a Health Data Scientist).

In the second year, students will take classes on a Thursday and Friday. During this time you will complete Health Data Management and Concepts and Methods in Epidemiology.

Term 2

In term 2 of the first year you will complete the following modules: Machine Learning and Genomics for Health Data Science or another chosen option from Spatial Epidemiology in Public Health, Modelling and the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases, Analysis of Hierarchical and Other Dependent Data.

In the second year you will complete Data Challenge and the Analysis of Electronic Health Records or another chosen option from Environmental Epidemiology or Bayesian Statistics. 

Summer research project

For part-time study you can split the project over two years or complete it in the second year. Please talk to the programme directors if you wish to complete the project in its entirety in year 2 as it requires 600 hours of learning time. In either case you will submit your project at the end of year 2. 

Health Data Science modules

In the table below you can see the compulsory and optional modules for the MSc Health Data Science. There are no optional modules in Term 1 and you will be required to select two optional modules in Term 2. We highly recommend you select the Genomics Health Data and Analysis of Electronic Health Records optional modules in Term 2 as we believe these will give essential skills needed in the Health Data Science field.

TermCompulsory modulesOptional modules
Term 1 (weeks 1-10)
  • Thinking like a Health Data Scientist
  • Programming
  • Health Data Management
  • Concepts and Methods in Epidemiology
  • Statistics for Health Data Science
N/A
Christmas break  
Term 2 (weeks 11-20)
  • Machine Learning
  • Data Challenge 

Select one from:

  • Genomics Health Data (Recommended)
  • Modelling and the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases
  • Analysis of Hierarchical and Other Dependent Data
  • Spatial Epidemiology in Public Health

Select one from:

  • Environmental Epidemiology
  • Bayesian Statistics
  • Analysis of Electronic Health Records (Recommended)
Easter break  
Term 3
  • Summer project
N/A
Health Data Science module schedule

Term 1

In Term 1 there are four module slots called A1, A2, B1 and B2:

SlotWhenPeriodLength
A1Before Reading WeekMon (AM) to Wed (lunchtime)5 weeks
A2Before Reading WeekWed (PM) to Fri (PM)5 weeks
B1After Reading WeekMon (AM) to Wed (lunchtime)5 weeks
B2After Reading WeekWed (PM) to Fri (PM)5 weeks

Term 1 timetable

DateWeekMon AMMon PMTue AMTue PMWed AMWed PMThu AMThu PMFri AMFri PM
23-Sep           
30-Sep1THDSStatsProgProg  HDMHDMCMECME
7-Oct2THDSStatsProgProg  HDMHDMCMECME
14-Oct3THDSStatsProgProg  HDMHDMCMECME
21-Oct4StatsStatsProgProg  THDSTHDSCMECME
28-Oct5StatsStatsProgProgTHDSTHDSTHDSTHDS  
Reading week           
11-Nov6THDSStatsProgProg  HDMHDMCMECME
18-Nov7THDSTHDSProgProg  HDMHDMCMECME
25-Nov8StatsStatsStatsStats  HDMHDMCMECME
2-Dec9StatsStatsStatsStats  HDMHDMCMECME
9-Dec10StatsStatsStats   HDMHDM  

Key
THDS – Thinking like a Health Data Scientist 
Stats - Statistics for Health Data Science
Prog - Programming
HDM - Health Data Management
CME – Concepts and Methods for Epidemiology
Blank - free self-directed study time

Term 2

In Term 2 there are four module slots called C1, C2, D1 and D2:

SlotWhenPeriodLength
C1Before Reading WeekMon (AM) to Wed (lunchtime)5 weeks
C2Before Reading WeekWed (PM) to Fri (PM)5 weeks
D1After Reading WeekMon (AM) to Wed (lunchtime)5 weeks
D2After Reading WeekWed (PM) to Fri (PM)5 weeks

Term 2 timetable

DateWeekMon AMMon PMTue AMTue PMWed AMWed PMThu AMThu PMFri AMFri PM
12-Jan1MLMLMLML ChallChallChallChallChall
20-Jan2MLMLMLML ChallChallChallChallChall
27-Jan3MLMLMLML ChallChallChallChallChall
3-Feb4MLMLMLML ChallChallChallChallChall
10-Feb5MLMLMLMLMLChallChallChallChallChall
Reading week           
24-Feb6GenoGenoGenoGeno EHREHREHREHREHR
3-Mar7GenoGenoGenoGeno  EHREHREHREHR
10-Mar8GenoGenoGenoGeno  EHREHREHREHR
17-Mar9GenoGenoGenoGeno  EHREHREHREHR
24-Mar10GenoGenoGenoGeno  EHREHREHREHR

Key
ML - Machine Learning
Chall - Data Challenge
Geno - Genomics Health Data (or other option chosen)
EHR - Analysis of Electronic Health Records (or other option chosen)
Blank - free self-directed study time
 

Summer research project

All students as part of the MSc will be required to undertake a project from April to August. Health Data Science projects usually involve the data management and analysis of real life data which could be electronic health records, clinical trials or epidemiological studies for example. Project focusing on improving data analytics via the design of apps or other software may be permitted.

Students should discuss summer project ideas with your personal tutors before Christmas 2024 and all projects will need a favourable opinion from the School Ethics committee before commencing in April. 

Page last updated August 2024