POSTGRADUTE EDUCATION UNIT

International Program for Graduate Study In Epidemiology

M.Sc.:
Program title: Master of Science Program in Epidemiology
Degree title: Master of Science (Epidemiology)
Abbreviation: M.Sc. (Epidemiology)

Ph.D.:
Program title: Doctor of Philosophy Program in Epidemiology
Degree title: Doctor of Philosophy (Epidemiology)
Abbreviation: Ph.D. (Epidemiology)

Background

Epidemiology plays a key role in the exploration of information for research, planning and evaluation of health systems. For an epidemiologist in a developing country, it is not enough to have a basic understanding in epidemiological principles, formulating ideas and designing a study. He/she must also have practical skills for performing research such as in data collection of good quality, in data analysis using appropriate information technology, and in management of research.

Learning Objectives

   The general objective of this program is to assist the participants to
    - understand in depth the logic and methods of epidemiology
    - apply epidemiological methods in questioning, studying and drawing conclusions on health problems in developing countries.
    - obtain practical skills in integrating appropriate information technologies for epidemiology and health care system.
    Upon completion of the Program, participants should be able to :
    - demonstrate substantial knowledge in epidemiological methods
    - perform an epidemiological study related to his or her locality
    - demonstrate ability in keeping up with modern knowledge in Epidemiology
    - demonstrate skill in computerized data management related to research and health information.

Course Organization

    There are two levels of degree studies: Master's degree and Ph.D. Coursework study is required for all Master students. The Ph.D. is a research degree in which the necessity for coursework will be judged based on the background of the candidate.
    In the coursework, participants will be provided with handouts and assignments for self-study. Classes mostly take the form of group discussion facilitated by one or more instructors. The basis of the program is in the integration of theoretical and practical work, which includes intensive practice of computing and field work.
    The length of the Master's program is two years, the first year devoted to coursework and the second to project work and thesis preparation. For the Ph.D., the duration will depend on the background and speed of the candidate. Three to five years are usually required.

Course Contents

    1 Core courses
    Research methodology
    Introduction to research methodology, rationale for research, formulation of research objectives and hypothesis, research strategy, sampling and population, measurement, data collection and analysis, report preparation.
    Epidemiological methods I
    Scientific reasoning, health indicators, determining health priorities, measurement of risk, causation, source of bias, introduction to study design, cross-sectional study, case-control study, cohort study, randomized controlled trial, bias, confounding and interaction, preparation of field study, and construction of questionnaire.
    Epidemiological methods II
    Appraisal of original articles, clinical agreement, diagnostic tests and screening, randomized controlled trial, good clinical practice (GCP) and special epidemiological methods
    Biostatistics and statistical computing I
    Summarizing and presentation of data, probability theory, binomial/Poisson distribution, normal distribution, sampling distributions, estimation, hypothesis testing of means and proportions, regression and correlation, non-parametric tests, analysis of categorical data.
    Biostatistics and statistical computing II
    Data exploration and strategy of data analysis, analysis of 2 x 2 tables, analysis of confounding and interaction, logistic regression, Poisson regression, survival analysis, sample size, meta-analysis.
    Computer application for research
    Basic anatomy and physiology of PC, operating system, file management, hard disk management, computer virus, security, word processing, database, spread sheet, graphic presentation, computer network, Internet, electronic mail, academic database, data quality control, relational database and development of information system for health services.
    Journal appraisal
    Understanding and criticism of an original article in an international journal presented in class.
    Field work research
    Identification of priority for a rapid (1 week) field research, preparation of the proposal, planning of the study, data collection and analysis, presentation to decision makers, and to relevant parties.
    2 Elective course
    Qualitative techniques in health research Concepts of qualitative techniques, conceptual framework, interview techniques, focus group discussion, observation techniques, field work.
    3 The thesis
    The thesis demonstrates the capability of the student in conducting a well planned research of international standard.
    A Master thesis is the beginning of professionalization for an epidemiological research career. The proposal will be prepared and refined in parallel with the progress of the coursework through group discussion before submission for approval by the Committee for Graduate Study of the University by the end of the first year. Data collection will be undertaken for a period of 6 months in the student's regular place of work. Final analysis and preparation of the thesis will occupy the final 6 months in PSU to ensure quality of work and success.
    A student intending to pursue the Ph.D. program must pass the Proposal Examination and the Qualifying Examination before he/she can be endorsed as a full Ph.D. student and proceed with the research work under an academic supervisor approved by the Graduate Committee.

Academic Calendar

Academic year starts on 11 August and ends on 18 May.
Application for the M.Sc. and Ph.D. program should be submitted before the end of January.

Curriculum Lecturers

Prof. Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong,, M.D., Ph.D.
Area of interest: Epidemiology
E-mail :cvirasak@gmail.com

Assoc. Prof. Tippawan Liabsuetrakul, M.D., Ph.D.
Areas of interest: Epidemiology, Reproductive Epidemiology
E-mail: ltippawa@hotmail.com

Assoc. Prof. Sawitri Assanangkornchai, M.D., Ph.D.
Areas of interest: Drug and alcohol studies,
Psychiatric epidemiology, Geriatric psychiatry
E-mail: savitree.a@psu.ac.th

Assoc. Prof. Hutcha Sriplung, M.D
Areas of interest: Cancer epidemiology, Cancer registry
E-mail: hutcha.s@gmail.com

Alan Geater, Ph.D.
Area of interest: Environmental Epidemiology
Email: alan.g@psu.ac.th

Edward McNeil, M.Sc.
Senior Lecturer
Area of interest: Statistics and Database
E-mail: edward.m@psu.ac.th

Asst. Prof. Rassamee Sangthong,M.D., Ph.D
Areas of interest: Epidemiology, Child health, Tobacco issues, Nutrition
E-mail: rassamee_ sangthong@yahoo.com

Costs (US dollars)

    per year tuition fees payable to Prince of Songkla University
    First year (course work) $4,000
    Each subsequent year
     for M.Sc. $4,000
     for Ph.D. $6,000
    Establishment costs and living expenses etc. payable to the students
    The budget for these costs may vary according to the funding agency. We recommend the following preparation:
    First year only
     Establishment costs $250-500
     Field work $800
    First and subsequent years
     Health insurance per year $300
     Living expenses $4,500-6,000
    (food, accommodation, local transportation etc.)
     English course $500
    Research expenses
    Depending on the topic of research, it may range from $4,000 to $6,000.

Pre-Requisite of the Candidate of the M.Sc. Program

1. Candidates should have completed a bachelor degree in health profession such as medicine, public health, nursing or other related field. At least one-year of working experience in health services is preferred.
2. Candidates should have a fair-good command of English essential for carrying out study, research and publication.

Prerequisite of the Candidate of the Ph.D. Program

    1. Candidates should have shown a high academic record or shown their research potential as evidenced by one of these:
        1.1 success in producing a good M.Sc. thesis
        1.2 publication in an indexed journal
    2. Candidates should have a good command of English essential for carrying out research and publication.

Quality Assurance

Candidates need to pass TOEFL examination with a score of 500 or above or having an equivalent English examination results or the English examination conducted by Department of Foreign Language, Prince of Songkla University as the qualification of the university.

Short Course Training

    I. Basic Clinical Epidemiology and Basic Medical Statistics (For 4 months starting from 11 August to 21 December)
Costs: Tuition fees $3,000
    Living expenses $400-500/month
    Health insurance $250/year
    II. Advanced Clinical Epidemiology and Advanced Medical Statistics (3 months starting from 12 January to 31 March)
Costs: Tuition fees $2,500
    Living expenses $400-500/month
    Health insurance $250/year
    III. Advanced Clinical Epidemiology and Advanced Medical Statistics with Qualitative Research (4 months starting from 12 January to 30 April)
Costs: Tuition fees $3,000
    Living expenses $400-500/month
    Health insurance $250/year

Contact Address

Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine
Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai,
Songkhla 90110 THAILAND.
E-mail: cvirasak@gmail.com,ltippawa@yahoo.com
Fax: 66-74-212900, 66-74-212903,
Tel: 66-74-429754.
Attn: Prof. Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong Assoc.Prof.Tippawan Liabsuetrakul
Website : http://medipe2.psu.ac.th/

POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION UNIT

FACULTY OF MEDICINE, PRINCE OF SONGKLA UNIVERSITY