News - Call for Applications into 2016 Intake of PhD. Biostatistics, MSc. Biostatistics, and MSc. Mathematical Sciences

The Mathematical Sciences Department at Chancellor College is inviting applications from suitably qualified candidates for the 2016 Intake in the following postgraduate programmes:

 MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOSTATISTICS

This is a two-year programme, offered through non-residential basis and in block-releases, involving coursework and submission of thesis.

Core modules: 1) Data Management, Practical Statistics and Academic writing, 2) Probability & Distribution Theory, 3) Generalized Linear Models, 4) Statistical Inference, 5) Time-to-event data analysis, 6) Longitudinal data analysis, 7) Clinical Trials, and 8) Principles of Epidemiology

Electives: Multivariate data analysis, Bayesian data analysis, Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases, Stochastic processes, Spatial statistics, Statistical quality control, Programme Monitoring & Evaluation, Advanced Survey Design Methods, Measure and Probability Theory, Queuing Theory

Eligibility: A candidate must have strong Bachelor’s degree majored in Statistics, with enough background in Mathematics from recognized university. Qualifying candidates with deficiency in some Statistics or Mathematics will be required to attend bridging course prior to enrollment.

Tuition Fees: Successful applicants will be required to pay US$6,000 in Malawi Kwacha equivalent, for entire 2 years. Those to attend bridging course will pay US$300 per module.

Scholarships: Limited full scholarships are available under the DELTAS Sub-Saharan Africa Consortium for Advanced Biostatistics Training (S2ACABT) project to qualifying candidates with Bachelor’s degree in Statistics with at least credit, and aged below 35 years.

Method of Application: Application package should include; filled PG1 form (available on this website), copy of degree certificate, academic transcript, curriculum vitae, evidence of ability to pay fees, and proof of payment of non-refundable application fee of K5,000.00 for local applicants and US$30 for international applicants, payable through Bank deposit to Chanco-Faculty of Science (Acc No. 1094308 held at National Bank, Zomba, Swift Code: NBMAMWMW).

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES

This is two-year full-time programme with two components; course work in Year One and thesis work in Year Two.

The modules covered in Year One include; Linear and Nonlinear Optimization, Financial Mathematics, Numerical Partial Differential Equations, Fluid Mechanics, Algebraic Graph Theory, Advanced Graph Theory, Stochastic Processes, Cryptography and Measure and Probability Theory. Candidates are required to complete a research project and submit a thesis at the end of Year Two.

Eligibility criteria: Applicants MUST have a bachelor’s degree majoring in Mathematics with at least credit or a strong pass with at least 2 years of relevant work experience.

Tuition Fees: Successful applicants will be required to pay US$6,000 in Malawi Kwacha equivalent for the entire two- year period.

Method of Application: Application package should include; filled PG1 form (available on biostatistics programmes website http://biostat.maths.cc.ac.mw/ or www.biostat.maths.cc.ac.mw ), copy of degree certificate, academic transcript, curriculum vitae, evidence of ability to pay fees, and proof of payment of non-refundable application fee of K5,000.00 for local applicants and US$30 for international applicants, payable through Bank deposit to Chanco-Faculty of Science (Acc No. 1094308 held at National Bank, Zomba, Swift Code: NBMAMWMW).

 DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN BIOSTATISTICS

This is a 3-5 year full-time PhD programme by research including supervisor guided reading. Candidates should be those aged below 40 years and interested to study in the broad topical research area of Causal Inference in Observational Studies. Interested candidates will be required to submit a concept note (maximum of 5 pages) outlining their research in the above topical area. The successful candidate should also be ready to get linked to the Medical Research Council of South Africa from where part of research requirements will be accomplished. During the entire period of study, the candidate should be prepared to devote at least 90 hours of teaching MSc or tutoring undergraduate students in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Chancellor College, which is equivalent to offering 3 modules.

Academic Requirements

Applicants to be considered under this programme should have a strong Master’s degree in Statistics or Biostatistics from a recognized university as well as a Bachelors degree in Statistics or Mathematics with at least credit from a recognized institution.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees is USD 5,500.00 per academic year payable in Malawi Kwacha equivalent at the time of registration.

Method of Application:

Complete application packages should include

1.      Letter of motivation explaining why you want to pursue a PhD in Biostatistics

2.      Certified copies of academic transcripts and degree certificates

3.      A concept note, not exceeding 5 pages, outlining the proposed area of research.

4.      Two confidential referee reports

5.      A sample of written academic work of which the applicant is the primary author e.g. Masters’ thesis/research report, journal article

6.      A comprehensive curriculum vitae including relevant research and work experience

7.      Proof of payment of a non-refundable application fee of K10, 000.00 for local students and US$100 for international students payable though bank deposit or wire transfer to Chanco-Faculty of Science (Acc No. 1094308 held at National Bank of Malawi, Zomba Branch, Swift Code: NBMAMWMW)

Scholarship Opportunity

The successful candidate is also eligible to compete for the available regional DELTAS project full PhD Fellowship that covers the following:

1. Tuition fees and basic medical and accident insurance
2. A monthly stipend to cover accommodation and living expenses.
3. Reasonable support for the PhD research project and supervision
4. Bench fees to research institution hosting the PhD student
5. Travel costs to and from academic training institution and the host research institution

All applications should be addressed to:

The PG Programmes Secretariat, Mathematical Sciences Department, Chancellor College, P.O. Box 280, Zomba, Malawi, Or email: sec.maths@cc.ac.mw

Deadline for receiving applications in all the programmes is 31st March 2016.

For more details, contact respective coordinators: Mr. Tsirizani Kaombe (MSc in Biostatistics) on 0888 443 536; Dr. Patrick Ali (MSc in Mathematical Sciences) on 0882 526 643, Dr. Jupiter Simbeye (PhD in Biostatistics) on 0888 708 500.