PhD in Public Health (By Research)

The PhD by research only in the College of Health Sciences shall be undertaken in a minimum period of three years and a maximum of 6 years. During the first year, students will be required to undertake the cross-cutting courses mandated by the National Council for Higher Education (Philosophy of Knowledge, Advanced Research Methodology.

Scholarly Writing and Publication Skills, Information Access and Computer Application in Research and Institutional Pedagogy). In addition, all PhD students in the College of Health Sciences shall be required to take the following college-based cross-cutting courses (Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Ethics and Advanced Data Analysis).

All these cross-cutting courses will be conducted on a modular basis and on a semester system as per the KIU program implementation guidelines. Each course unit will be delivered by instructive lectures, with the major part devoted to practical sessions/labs, tutorials and problem-based seminars.

After completion of cross-cutting courses the student is expected to embark on their research undertaking. It is also possible and indeed encouraged for students to start on their research during their first year as they undertake on cross-cutting courses. The research process will be categorized under four research project phases:

1. Research Project 1- for concept and proposal development.
2. Research Project 2- development of tools and proposal approval.
3. Research Project 3- data collection and analysis.
4. Research Project 4 for the final research thesis submission and examination (Each phase of the research process shall carry six credit units (6 CUs).

Every six months, students shall be required to submit their progress reports to the Directorate of Higher Degrees and Research.

The PhD Thesis is the report of the student’s rigorous, independent, self-directed research work undertaken over a while under the mentorship of experienced supervisors. 

A PhD in research is required to make an original contribution to the world of knowledge
in the discipline in which the research is undertaken.