International postgraduate program in epidemiology and public health (IPPE) 2013-2014
The international postgraduate program in epidemiology and public health (IPPE) at the School of Health Sciences, University of Tampere, Finland, is a doctoral training and research program for highly qualified epidemiologists, researchers and public health personnel worldwide who are aiming at a PhD degree in epidemiology or public health.

The main objectives of the international doctoral program are to increase knowledge and understanding of major public health problems, particularly in low-income countries, and to build sustainable public health capacity in these countries by working with global partners in training epidemiologists and public health personnel for leadership positions in research, administration, program planning and policy development.

The School of Health Sciences (HES) is an education and research institute at the University of Tampere (UTA), Finland. The School is ranked as one of the leading institutions in research within the University and has received international recognition. Instruction is offered at bachelor, master and doctoral levels, with a strong emphasis on training in research methods. Doctoral program faculty are involved in several international collaborative research projects. Teaching and research at the School are multidisciplinary including the fields of biometry, community health, epidemiology, gerontology, occupational health, health economics, social psychiatry, social and health policy and nursing science.

International doctoral program content
The international doctoral program in epidemiology and public health consists of intensive theoretical and practical training in epidemiology, biostatistics and other public health sciences, weekly research seminars and individual supervision. The students are given considerable latitude in selecting courses and the program may be tailored to meet the individual learning and professional goals of the student. The selected PhD candidates will attend the 2013-2014 academic year (September-May) at Tampere School of Health Sciences to complete the required coursework (60 ECTS or 30 ECTS for those with an MD degree from an accredited university). During the academic year in Finland, the PhD candidates also prepare a comprehensive research plan for their PhD thesis. The bulk of field research and data analysis, however, is generally conducted afterwards and the candidates have the option of working in their country of origin, or in Finland. Completion of a doctoral degree usually requires 2-3 additional years. A doctoral dissertation in epidemiology usually consists of four original scientific papers published in a peer reviewed journal. After completion of coursework and successful public defense of dissertation, the candidate will receive a doctoral degree (PhD) in epidemiology or in a related public health discipline.

Prerequisites
A master’s degree (at least 4 years of study) in a relevant field, including epidemiology, public health or biostatistics, or a medical degree from accredited university. Basic knowledge of epidemiology and proof of proficiency in English are also required.

Duration of studies
The duration of coursework is one academic year (September 2013 to May 2014). Full time participation in the program requires 10 month residency in Tampere, Finland to complete the required coursework. Obtaining the doctoral degree usually requires 2-3 additional years after completion of coursework.

Credits
The coursework requirement for a doctoral degree is 60 ECTS credit points (30 ECTS for those with a medical degree from an accredited university). Currently, there are no tuition or course fees for doctoral students. One ECTS credit unit equals about 27 hours of work (lectures, tutorials or individual studies).

Selection criteria
PhD candidates are selected on the basis of their past education and work experience in public health, their language skills and writing ability, as well as demonstrated success in the field of public health practice and epidemiology. Priority is generally given to applicants who are already working in a research project that may be used as material for their PhD thesis, or those who have an available dataset and a feasible research plan. Students should submit a preliminary research plan as part of their application.

Major fields of study and research
The topics covered in the international postgraduate program in epidemiology and public health can be divided in three cathegories: methods in epidemiology and biostatistics, infectious disease epidemiology and epidemiology and prevention of non-communicable diseases. Please find the previous IPPE courseprogram 2011-2012 here.

Methods in epidemiology and biostatistics

• Epidemiologic research methods
• Biometry and statistical computing
• Logistic regression
• Survival analysis
• Longitudinal data analysis
• Screening for disease
• Meta-analysis

Infectious disease epidemiology

• Prevention and control of infectious diseases
• Public health surveillance
• Outbreak investigations
• Public health policy development
• Evaluation of immunization programs
• Molecular Epidemiology

Epidemiology and Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases

• Cancer Epidemiology
• Radiation Epidemiology
• Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology
• Epidemiology of diabetes, allergy and asthma
• Nutritional epidemiology
• Occupational epidemiology
• Epidemiology of ageing

Accomodation, living and travel cost
Currently, no tuition or course fees are charged for doctoral students in the IPPE program. Students are expected to cover their travel to Finland as well as accommodation and living costs and are encouraged to apply for external support for this purpose. Funding and financial aid opportunities are available on a competitive basis for doctoral students and the program staff will assist in the application process. However, acceptance to the program does not guarantee financial aid.

Applications
The international doctoral program in epidemiology and public health at the School of Health Sciences, University of Tampere, Finland is offered biannually. The application period for the Academic year 2013 - 2014 (September-May) is from January 2 to March 15, 2013. Application information and forms are available here when the application period has opened.

Application forms and the required attachments (please see list below) should be submitted electronically as attachments to the application form. Note! All copies must be officially certified by the issuing institution or a Notary Public. Selected students are required to send the complete application package by postal mail to the programme coordinator prior to receiving the formal letter of acceptance.

Required attachments to the application form

1. Motivation letter, including reasons for applying to the program and future career goals in epidemiology
2. Curriculum Vitae (maximum 3 pages)
3. List of publications organized in the following categories:
   1. original, peer reviewed publications in international scientific journals
   2. publications in domestic scientific journals
   3. other publications
4. Official, certified copies of
   1. university degree certificates
   2. official statement of English proficiency
   3. passport name page
5. Draft research plan for doctoral dissertation (max 5 pages)
6. Letters of recommendation (maximum three letters, one of which should be from current supervisor/ employer).

Program director
Pekka Nuorti, MD DSc
Professor of epidemiology

Inquiries
Catarina Ståhle-Nieminen, International coordinator
e-mail: catarina.stahle-nieminen@uta.fi

Contact information
School of Health Sciences
FI-33014 University of Tampere
FINLAND
Tel. +358 40 190 1664
Fax: +358 3 3551 6057

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