STUDY GUIDE. Two-year full time Research Master Programme in Health Sciences (120 ECTS) NIHES RESEARCH TRAINING IN MEDICINE AND THE HEALTH SCIENCES

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1 NIHES RESEARCH TRAINING IN MEDICINE AND THE HEALTH SCIENCES STUDY GUIDE Two-year full time Research Master Programme in Health Sciences (120 ECTS) SPECIALISATIONS EPIDEMIOLOGY CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY GENETIC EPIDEMIOLOGY PUBLIC HEALTH

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3 Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences Research Training in Medicine and Health Sciences Study Guide Two-year full-time Master programme in Health Sciences (120 ECTS)

4 2013 Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a computerised database or published in any form whatsoever, electronically, mechanically, by photocopying or by recording in any other way, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this study guide is accurate at the time of publication. However, the Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences reserves the right to make changes without prior notice. 3 Study Guide

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6 Master of Science in Health Sciences programme Word of welcome Welcome to the Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences (NIHES) and to the international students: welcome to the Netherlands! I am delighted you have chosen NIHES to study for your Master or to become a Doctor of Science in Health Sciences. Over the past years, you have been preceded by hundreds of young, talented students, researchers and health professionals from around the world. They have benefited from our challenging international research and study environment, which you are now about to experience for yourself. At NIHES, we owe our broad, international scientific network to the collaboration between our constituent members and to the partnerships with leading universities abroad. This network gives us a faculty of highly successful experts with outstanding academic credentials. It is an honour to have leading international scientists lecture and participate in our research programmes. This practical guide will help you finding your way around. I also hope it will help you to take full advantage of connections in our network. This is what I strongly recommend you to do. Get acquainted with the international community of health scientists, find out about interesting research, exchange ideas and experiences with your fellow students and faculty and, last but not least, enjoy yourself! On behalf of the entire NIHES staff, I sincerely wish you a valuable and pleasant stay at the Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences. With kind regards, Prof. A. Hofman, MD PhD Science Director 1 Study Guide

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8 Table of Content WORD OF WELCOME... 1 TABLE OF CONTENT STUDYING AT THE NETHERLANDS INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH SCIENCES AIM OF THE PROGRAMME GENERAL INFORMATION PROGRAMME OUTLINE COURSE EXEMPTIONS COURSE ATTENDANCE EXAMINATIONS AND RESITS COURSE EVALUATIONS CANCELLING YOUR PARTICIPATION IN A COURSE RECOMMENDED BOOKS AVAILABILITY OF STANDARD COMPUTER SOFTWARE PROGRAMME COURSES... 8 Introductory courses Erasmus Summer Programme... 8 Core courses and programme specific courses... 8 Advanced courses... 8 Skills Courses RESEARCH PROJECT... 9 Meeting your Advisor Education... 9 Personal tutor... 9 Practical research... 9 Your research proposal Presenting your research Handing in your research paper TIME TABLES MASTER OF SCIENCE IN HEALTH SCIENCES SPECIALISATION EPIDEMIOLOGY Start First year Start 2012 Second year MASTER OF SCIENCE IN HEALTH SCIENCES SPECIALISATION CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY Start First year Start 2012 Second year MASTER OF SCIENCE IN HEALTH SCIENCES SPECIALISATION GENETIC EPIDEMIOLOGY Start 2013 First year Start 2012 Second year MASTER OF SCIENCE IN HEALTH SCIENCES SPECIALISATION PUBLIC HEALTH Start First year Start 2012 Second year EXAMINATION PROCEDURES AND RULES TER AND EXAMINATION BOARD ATTAINMENT TARGETS Training Courses in the Erasmus Summer Programme Research STUDENTS OVERALL RIGHTS AND DUTIES GRADUATION NIHES AWARD AFTER GRADUATION CONTINUE YOUR RESEARCH TRAINING AT NIHES PhD research project Additional courses for PhD candidates after their Master s STAY IN TOUCH! ANNEX I: CONTACT DETAILS NIHES ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE VISITING ADDRESS POSTAL ADDRESS NIHES INTRANET ADDRESS NIHES Study Guide

9 NIHES STAFF NIHES ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE ERASMUS MC INTERNATIONAL OFFICE CONFIDENTIAL COUSELLOR NIHES PROGRAMME DIRECTORS PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS AND RESEARCH GROUPS AT ERASMUS MC ANNEX II: MAPS ANNEX III: COURSE DESCRIPTIONS NIHES COURSES COLOPHON Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences 4

10 1. Studying at the Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences The Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences (NIHES) is an alliance of renowned Dutch universities and research institutes, which collaborate and share knowledge in quantitative medical and health research. NIHES is the gateway to the expertise of four key institutes: Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam (Erasmus University Rotterdam), Academic Medical Centre (University of Amsterdam), Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI) and National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM. Each of these institutes offers a range of research and training programmes, Erasmus MC features the following five key disciplines: Epidemiology, Clinical Epidemiology, Genetic Epidemiology, Public Health and Pharmaco-epidemiology. In the framework of research training in medicine and the health sciences, NIHES offers short courses and degree programmes: Our short courses take place each year and attract researchers and health professionals from all over the world. Because these courses also underlie our degree programmes, you will be sharing most classes with external participants. In addition, NIHES annually organizes the Erasmus Summer Programme and Erasmus Winter Programme in collaboration with Erasmus MC. Our degree programmes feature: The two-year, full-time Research Master programme in Health Sciences (120 ECTS) available in four specialisations (Epidemiology, Clinical Epidemiology, Genetic Epidemiology and Public Health) and intended for graduates with an appropriate Bachelor s degree and no prior research or working experience. The Master of Science programme in Health Sciences (one-year, full-time and two-year, part-time; 70 ECTS), available in five specialisations (the four mentioned above plus Pharmaco-epidemiology), open to graduates with an appropriate Master s degree, and to researchers and health professionals with relevant research or working experience. NIHES Summer School makes it possible to spread the curriculum of the above one-year Master of Science programme in Health Sciences in the specialisations Epidemiology, Clinical Epidemiology, or Genetic Epidemiology over three consecutive summers and two winters. If you d like to acquire more research experience or increase your chances of qualifying for a PhD research project, consider our one-year, full-time programme for the Doctor of Science diploma (see Aim of the programme This study guide focuses on the Master of Science programme in Health Sciences (120 ECTS). The master s programme in Health Sciences aims at training researchers who are well educated in research methodology. You will be able to successfully pursue a scientific career, or to hold an executive or advisory position in public health, clinical medicine, drug research or health policy development. The programme provides the candidates with solid theoretical, methodological and statistical basics for designing and implementing a research project and teaches them how to best publish the results of the research project. Therefore the students should acquire the following competencies and knowledge: Ability to formulate a relevant problem and translate it into a scientific question. Ability to perform an extensive study of the literature concerning a problem. Ability to translate a scientific question into a research protocol. Acquisition of sufficient knowledge of existing methods of clinical scientific research, biostatistical analytical methods, laws, regulations and ethics and the abilities to use such knowledge in a research protocol. Ability to conduct the research, collect and analyse data, and draw conclusions. Ability to write down in a scientific article the objective(s) of the investigation, a summary of the literature, materials, methods, results, discussion and conclusions of the research project and to submit it to an international peer-reviewed journal. 5 Study Guide

11 2. General information 2.1 Programme outline Though most courses are given at Erasmus MC in Rotterdam, some are given in Utrecht and some others in Amsterdam. For all courses included in your programme you will receive a letter containing details about the course location, the exact date and time of the lectures, when the examination is scheduled, and you will receive relevant literature and handouts online. You will receive this letter at least one week before the start of the course and receive access to your online course materials. 2.2 Course exemptions To be exempted from a course (or courses), you have to send in a formal written request at the start of the programme, before 1 August Your request should include the following: 1. the titles of the NIHES courses you want to be exempted from and 2. per course provide a list of corresponding courses you already successfully passed in a previous programme, including course descriptions and literature used. You should send your request to NIHES for the attention of Mrs Monique Nuijten: nihes@erasmusmc.nl or c/o NIHES, Educational Support Center (room Fe 209). Please note that all information should be in English! 2.3 Course attendance Please note the following rules regarding attendance. A student should attend all course days of their courses. A student is only allowed to be absent from a course for 20% maximum if a motivated request is sent to NIHES in advance and is granted by one of the programme officers of NIHES. 2.4 Examinations and resits Please note the following rules and procedures regarding examinations and resits: A student is automatically registered for an exam. If a student cannot participate, he or she needs to inform NIHES about his or her absence in advance. Without a formal request it counts as the initial exam. A student needs to be present 15 minutes prior to the exam to register. A student can resit an examination twice. For most courses a resit is scheduled in advance (see the NIHES intranet for details). A second resit in the same course year is offered only to those students who can graduate in the upcoming August and have taken the first exam and resit (or have informed NIHES about their absence in time and this was granted). For more information check the Teaching and Examination Regulations (TER) on the NIHES intranet. 2.5 Course evaluations A written evaluation will take place at the end of each course. Please fill out these forms in hard copy or digitally and hand/send them in on the last day of the course. Your input is very valuable and consistently helps us improve our courses. 2.6 Cancelling your participation in a course If you are unable to attend a course, please notify the NIHES programme officers at the Educational Support Center by (nihes@erasmusmc.nl) at least two weeks before the start of the course. An administration fee of 50 will be charged for course cancellations made less than two weeks before the start of the course Recommended books 1 Please note that graduation is possible only when all invoices have been paid. Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences 6

12 With a few exceptions, all course materials are included in the NIHES tuition fee. Below are the exceptions, which are valuable assets for the courses. The following textbooks are recommended for first semester courses, and these books are not compulsory: For Biostatistical Methods I: Basic Principles (CC02): Statistical Methods in Medical Research, P. Armitage, 4 th edition (ISBN 10: / ISBN 13: ) or An Introduction to Medical Statistics, Martin Bland, 3 rd edition (ISBN 10: / ISBN 13: ) Collins Cobuild English Dictionary for Advanced Learners The University of Birmingham, Collins Cobuild. (ISBN 10: / ISBN 13: ) You can buy each of these books at Polare, the bookstore at Lijnbaan 150 (in the center of Rotterdam). 2.8 Availability of standard computer software At Erasmus MC: SAS for Windows SPSS for Windows Various standard applications such as Microsoft Office and internet and programs All other applications available through the network Helpdesk Computer Support: icthelpdesk@erasmusmc.nl / Phone: Study Guide

13 3. Programme 3.1 Courses Introductory courses Erasmus Summer Programme All NIHES students start with a selection of the three-week Erasmus Summer Programme (ESP), which is organized by NIHES in collaboration with Erasmus MC. The ESP gives a comprehensive, up-to-date introduction to the principles and methods of applied quantitative research in medicine and health care. Its key areas are biostatistics, clinical research, epidemiology, human genetics and health services, and public health research. The The ESP is open to health professionals worldwide. Over 500 participants are welcomed each year. You and your fellow students will thus be sharing courses with external participants. Most courses in the Erasmus Summer Programme are without examination. The introductory ESP courses are assessed later in courses in the fall. For the ESP courses without examination a pass grade is required (marked as a/p on your list of grades), which can be obtained only if a student has attended the course. For more information on attendance see chapter 2.3. Core courses and programme specific courses After the ESP, all Master of Science students continue with a number of compulsory core and programme-specific courses. The courses you take depend on the programme in which you are enrolled. These courses culminate in an examination, usually in writing. For an overview, check the relevant time table in chapter 4. Advanced courses Advanced courses can be compulsory or elective, depending on the specialisation you have chosen. To tailor the programme of your choice to your interests and professional needs, you may select elective courses in winter and spring and in a second Erasmus Summer Programme. The electives in the Erasmus Summer Programme may also be exchanged for more electives in winter and spring. For the exact number of days and credits, check the relevant timetable in chapter 4. An overview of the courses from which you can choose can be found on the NIHES website and in Annex III (see Winter and Spring courses). Please check if you meet the course prerequisites for the advanced courses you wish to attend. Registration for the advanced elective courses takes place in October/November each year. You will automatically receive the final course list and necessary information about the registration procedure. Most advanced courses have examinations, a written examination and/or assignment(s) and/or presentations. For information on the examination you can check the course information in Academic Calender on the NIHES website or intranet. For advanced courses without an examination, like most courses in the Erasmus Summer Programme, a pass grade is required (marked as a/p on your list of grades), which can be obtained only if a student has attended the course. For more information on attendance see chapter 2.3. Skills Courses All students should note the skills courses below, most of them are compulsory. There are examinations for skills courses; like an assignment and/or a presentation. English Language (SC01) and English proficiency test All Master of Science students should attend the two English proficiency tests of English Language (SC01) which are scheduled on Friday 16 August and Saturday 17 August 2013, at Erasmus MC. You can get an exemption for SC01 and thus the two English proficiency tests if: you have a diploma for Dutch pre-university education (VWO), with a passing grade for your final English examination, or; you have a diploma for Dutch higher vocational education (HBO), with a passing grade for your final English examination, or; you can prove with written, official certificates that English was the instruction language at your secondary school and at your university, or; you have an overall IELTS score of 7.5 or higher, or; you have an overall TOEFL score of 102 or higher; you are a PhD candidate at a Dutch university. This course is given at the beginning of the study year in order to enhance your learning experience during the programme. If proven necessary, you will be registered for the entire course. The course runs from August until October You can find the course dates on the NIHES website. Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences 8

14 Scientific Writing in English for Publication (SC07) This compulsory course for all students consists of four days and focuses on the writing of correct and readable scientific articles in English. Courses for the Quantitative Researcher (SC17) This course is highly recommended. Part of the SC17 course is the mathematical basics that we recommend for the course Biostatistical Methods II: Classical Regression Models (EP03) The other part consists of the skills you need to word with statistical programs like R and Stat. You will be informed about participation in this course in the beginning of your academic year. 3.2 Research project An important part of the NIHES programmes is dedicated to your research project. NIHES covers a broad and varied range of research, from major neurological and cardiovascular diseases to the endocrinological determinants of diseases; from paediatric studies to end-of-life decisions in medical practice; and from the social determinants of health and disease to the side effects of drugs. Meeting your Advisor Education You will have the opportunity to discuss your research interests with Advisor Education, Mrs Monique Nuijten, in order to assign you to a personal tutor. In preparation, we strongly recommend you to take a look at NIHES annual report which is available on our website: > About NIHES > Annual Report. Please note that you will be able to start your research only if you have passed all compulsory courses of the first semester. Personal tutor You will work on your research project under the guidance and supervision of the personal tutor to whom, as described in the previous paragraph, you are assigned at the start of the academic year. All tutors are senior staff members at one of NIHES participating institutes. Each has considerable experience (usually at PhD level) in one or more specific research subjects. On the basis of your research ambitions, the advisor education together with the programme director will recommend a field of research and a tutor. The potential tutor will receive your resume. From that point on, it is up to your tutor and you to arrange your further collaboration, and to inform the advisor education of what you have agreed. The primary tasks of the tutor are: to support and supervise the student during the research phase, to keep track of the content of the student s training programme, to meet the student for at least an hour at least once every two weeks. to arrange for the student to be provided with a desk and computer, usually at the tutor s own institute or department, to arrange that his or her student receives all the necessary computer software, i.e. in addition to the standard software available (see below). to monitor and report on the student's progress and results, to assess the student's research project. to assess the students research paper, to confirm that the student has presented his/her research paper at their department. If your programme starts in 2013, you will get a 2 nd assessor. The 2 nd assessor will assess your research paper as well. Practical research As soon as you and your tutor have decided on the topic for a research project, you will start working on your research project. You will be required to formulate a research proposal and design a study. While it is possible for you to collect and analyse data yourself, in most cases you will carry out your project using existing data available at the institutes/departments affiliated with NIHES. You will work closely together with the research group at your tutor s institute/department, and have full access to the computer facilities available for data management and analysis. You will regularly meet with your tutor, especially in the beginning. The research training starts with formulating a research question and writing a research proposal. The research topic you choose, will determine the department or research group you will be assigned to and where you will be carrying out your research project. 9 Study Guide

15 In January, you will start working on your research project after approval of your proposal by your personal tutor. This tutor will supervise you during your research period; you will write a scientific paper under his or her guidance. During the second year of the programme, you will continue working on your research and on your paper. In the second semester of year two, you will finalize your research and your paper. You are required to present your project to the department/research group of your tutor. This presentation should take place at least five weeks before graduating. Your paper must be approved by your tutor at the end of July and should be suitable for submission to an international, peer reviewed scientific journal. Your research proposal All first-year Master of Science students have to write a research proposal in collaboration with their tutor. You should hand in your proposal, signed for approval by your tutor, to NIHES, Educational Support Center (Fe209), mentioning it concerns a research proposal (before Friday 10 January 2014). Please note that this deadline will be strictly maintained. The research proposal counts for 2.5 ECTS. The research proposal should comprise of a maximum of 4 pages (A4, single-spaced text) and contain the following information: Objectives Project group Study design Data-collection procedure Data-analysis procedure Time schedule Presenting your research All Master of Science students are required to present their research project to their tutor s research group: the tutor needs to confirm, in writing, that the presentation took place on the Research Assessment Form (RAF). Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that we receive this confirmation. The deadline for the tutor handing in the Research Assessment Form is: Friday 25 July 2014 (five weeks before your graduation). The research presentation counts for 1.4 ECTS. Handing in your research paper Your research project will eventually lead to the submission of a paper (i.e. an article) to an international scientific journal. As a Master of Science student, you are required to write and hand in one draft of your research paper (i.e. the paper before sending it to a scientific journal). This draft paper needs to be submittable to an international peer reviewed scientific journal. You should send to NIHES, before the deadline below: your draft paper approved and signed by your tutor on hard-copy. Furthermore you should make sure that your tutor (and a 2 nd assessor for students who started their Master of Science in 2013) send in the following before the deadline below: the Research Assessment Form (RAF) of your tutor; the RAF of your 2 nd assessor (only for students who have started their Master of Science in 2013). The deadline is at least five weeks before the graduation ceremony (See also chapter 6), that is Friday 25 July 2014 at the latest. You can send it to NIHES, Educational Support Center (Fe209) mentioning it concerns a research paper or via to nihes@erasmusmc.nl, Your research project will be assessed by your tutor (and a 2 nd assessor, when you have started your Master of Science in 2013) on: effort; motivation; extent of knowledge; creativity; self-guidance or level of independence. Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences 10

16 You research paper will be assessed on: abstract; grasp of literature; problem statement/research question; analysis/methods; presentation of results interpretation /discussion. The average of these assessments lead to an overall grade for your research. Once your article has been published, a copy should be sent to NIHES, Administrative Office. Furthermore, students must always mention or refer to NIHES when presenting or publishing their research findings. 11 Study Guide

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18 4. Time Tables The following pages include the timetables for the first year (start in 2013) and second year (start 2012) of each specialisation of the two-year, full-time Master of Science programme in Health Sciences. Please note that all programmes can be subject to change. An important part of both the first and second year of the programme is dedicated to your research project. See chapter 3 for further details. You are advised to regularly check nihes.nl and nihes.nl/intranet for up-to-date course information. 13 Study Guide

19 4.1 Master of Science in Health Sciences specialisation Epidemiology Start First year Summer 2013 Introductory courses Erasmus Summer Programme 1 and skills courses ECTS Dates Time Location Principles of Research in Medicine (ESP01) Aug 2013 Daily from to hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Introduction to Public Health (ESP41) Aug 2013 Daily from 13:00 to 16:00 hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Methods of Public Health Research (ESP11) Aug 2013 Daily from 08:45 to 11:45 hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Markers and Prognostic Research (ESP62) Aug 2013 Daily from 13:00 to 16:00 hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Primary and Secondary Prevention Research (ESP45) Aug 2013 Daily from 08:45 to 11:45 hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Social Epidemiology (ESP61) Aug 2013 Daily from 13:00 to 16:00 hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam English Language (SC01) (see 3.1 on skills courses) and 17 August, further dates on internet (Aug Oct) Assignment(s) and presentation Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Fall 2013 Core courses, programme specific courses and skills courses Study Design (CC01) 4.3 Biostatistical Methods I: Basic Principles (CC02) 5.7 ECTS Dates Examination / Resit Location 2-20 Sep 2013 (No lectures on Wednesday. The 3 rd week is a study week) 23 Sep - 18 Oct 2013 (No lectures on Wednesdays. The 4 th week is a study week) 20 September Resit: 8 January October Resit: 10 January 2014 Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Public Health Research: from Epidemiology to Health Promotion (HS02), consisting of part a, b and c (No lectures on Wednesday. The 4 th week is a study week) - Analysis of Population Health (HS02a) Oct Analysis of Determinants (HS02b) 28 Oct- 01 Nov Intervention Development and Evaluation (HS02c) Nov November Resit: 17 January November Resit: 17 January November Resit: 17 January 2014 Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Erasmus MC, Rotterdam 1 The ESP courses are an introduction to later courses. Therefore there will be no examinations. 2 You may attend either HS02 or CE02. Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences 14

20 Clinical Epidemiology (CE02) Oct- 15 Nov 2013 (No lectures on Wednesday. The 4 th week is a study week.) 15 November Resit: 17 January 2014 Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Methodologic Topics in Epidemiologic Research (EP02) Nov 2013 (No lectures on Wednesday.) 22 November Resit: 15 January 2014 Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Courses for the Quantitative Researcher (SC17) is highly recommended as a skills course Nov 2013 Assignment(s) Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Biostatistical Methods II: Classical Regression Models (EP03) Dec 2013 (No lectures on Wednesday. The 3 rd week is a study week.) 20 December Resit: 7 Feb 2014 Erasmus MC, Rotterdam CHRISTMAS BREAK 21 December January 2014 Research Deadline Research Proposal January 2014 For details see paragraph 3.2 Winter / Spring 2014 Advanced courses Advanced elective courses ECTS at least 4.2 You may select 15 to 20 days of elective courses. See paragraph 3.1 for further details. Advanced courses - Seminars You are required to attend 5 days of seminars as part of your programme, obtaining 0.4 ECTS a year. Visit > Jobs, News & Events for further details. 1 You may attend either HS02 or CE Study Guide

21 Start 2012 Second year Summer 2013 Advanced courses ECTS Dates Time Location 3 weeks electives Erasmus Summer Programme (instead of ESP courses you can also choose electives in winter/spring) Aug - 30 Aug 2013 Depending on the course you choose Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Fall 2013 Skills course ECTS Dates Examination / Resit Location Scientific Writing in English for Publication (SC07) 2 23 Oct, 6 Nov, 4 and 18 Dec 2013 Assignment(s) Erasmus MC, Rotterdam CHRISTMAS BREAK 21 December January 2014 Winter / Spring 2014 Advanced courses ECTS Dates Examination/Resit Location Pharmaco-epidemiology and Drug Safety (EWP03) 1.9 t.b.a t.b.a. Resit: t.b.a Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Advanced Topics in Clinical Trials (EWP10) 1.9 t.b.a t.b.a. Resit: t.b.a Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Principles of Epidemiologic Data-analysis (EWP25) 0.7 t.b.a t.b.a. Resit: t.b.a Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Advanced Analysis of Prognosis Studies (EWP13) 0.9 t.b.a t.b.a. Resit: t.b.a Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Advanced elective courses at least 2.8 You may select 10 to 15 days of elective courses. See paragraph 3.1 for further details. Research Deadline Presentation Research Project July 2014 For details see paragraph 3.2 Deadline Research Paper July 2014 For details see paragraph 3.2 Advanced courses - Seminars You are required to attend 5 days of seminars as part of your programme, obtaining 0.4 ECTS a year. Visit > Jobs, News & Events for further details. Graduation Ceremony In order to officially complete your NIHES degree programme, you are required to attend the NIHES Graduation Ceremony. Graduation takes place in Rotterdam at the end of the Erasmus Summer Programme. See chapter 6 for further details. Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences 16

22 4.2 Master of Science in Health Sciences specialisation Clinical Epidemiology Start First year Summer 2013 Introductory courses Erasmus Summer Programme 1 and skills courses ECTS Dates Time Location Principles of Research in Medicine (ESP01) Aug 2013 Daily from to hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Clinical Decision Analysis (ESP04) Aug 2013 Daily from to hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Methods of Public Health Research (ESP11) Aug 2013 Daily from 08:45 to 11:45 hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Markers and Prognostic Research (ESP62) Aug 2013 Daily from 13:00 to 16:00 hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam The practice of Epidemiologic analysis (ESP65) Aug 2013 Daily from 08:45 to 11:45 hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Health Economics (ESP25) Aug 2013 Daily from 13:00 to 16:00 hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam English Language (SC01) (see 3.1 on skills courses) and 17 August, further dates on internet (Aug Oct) Assignment(s) and presentation Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Fall 2013 Core courses, programme specific courses and skills courses Study Design (CC01) 4.3 Biostatistical Methods I: Basic Principles (CC02) 5.7 Clinical Epidemiology (CE02) 5.7 ECTS Dates Examination / Resit Location 2-20 Sep 2013 (No lectures on Wednesday. The 3 rd week is a study week.) 23 Sep - 18 Oct 2013 (No lectures on 5 Oct. and 12 Oct. The 4 th week is a study week) 21 Oct- 15 Nov 2013 (No lectures on Wednesday. The 4 th week is a study week.) 20 September Resit: 8 January October Resit: 10 January November Resit: 17 January 2014 Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Methodologic Topics in Epidemiologic Research (EP02) Nov 2013 (No lectures on Wednesday.) 22 November Resit: 15 January 2014 Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Courses for the Quantitative Researcher (SC17) is highly recommended as a skills course Nov 2013 Assignment(s) Erasmus MC, Rotterdam 1 The ESP courses are an introduction to later courses. Therefore there will be no examinations. 17 Study Guide

23 Biostatistical Methods II: Classical Regression Models (EP03) Dec 2013 (No lectures on Wednesday. The 3 rd week is a study week.) 20 December Resit: 7 Feb 2014 Erasmus MC, Rotterdam CHRISTMAS BREAK 21 December January 2014 Research Deadline Research Proposal January 2014 For details see paragraph 3.2 Winter / Spring 2014 Advanced courses ECTS Dates Examination / Resit Location at least Advanced elective courses You may select 15 to 20 days of elective courses. See paragraph 3.1 for further details. 4.2 Advanced courses - Seminars You are required to attend 5 days of seminars as part of your programme, obtaining 0.4 ECTS a year. Visit > Jobs, News & Events for further details. Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences 18

24 Start 2012 Second year Summer 2013 Advanced courses ECTS Dates Time Location 3 weeks electives Erasmus Summer Programme (instead of ESP courses you can also choose electives in winter/spring) Aug - 30 Aug 2013 Depending on the course you choose. Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Fall 2013 Skills course ECTS Dates Examination / Resit Location Scientific Writing in English for Publication (SC07) 2 23 Oct, 6 Nov, 4 and 18 Dec 2013 Assignment(s) Erasmus MC, Rotterdam CHRISTMAS BREAK 21 December January 2014 Winter / Spring 2014 Advanced courses ECTS Dates Examination/Resit Location Pharmaco-epidemiology and Drug Safety (EWP03) 1.9 t.b.a t.b.a. Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Advanced Topics in Clinical Trials (EWP10) 1.9 t.ba t.b.a. Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Principles of Epidemiologic Data-analysis (EWP25) 0.7 t.b.a t.b.a. Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Advanced Analysis of Prognosis Studies (EWP13) 0.9 t.b.a t.b.a. Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Advanced elective courses at least 2.8 You may select 10 to 15 days of elective courses. See paragraph 3.1 for further details. Research Deadline Presentation Research Project July 2014 For details see paragraph 3.2 Deadline Research Paper July 2014 For details see paragraph 3.2 Advanced courses - Seminars You are required to attend 5 days of seminars as part of your programme, obtaining 0.4 ECTS a year. Visit > Jobs, News & Events for further details. Graduation Ceremony In order to officially complete your NIHES degree programme, you are required to attend the NIHES Graduation Ceremony. Graduation takes place in Rotterdam in at the end of the Erasmus Summer Programme. See chapter 6 for further details. 19 Study Guide

25 4.3 Master of Science in Health Sciences specialisation Genetic Epidemiology Start 2013 First year Summer 2013 Introductory courses Erasmus Summer Programme 1 and skills courses ECTS Dates Time Location Principles of Research in Medicine (ESP01) Aug 2013 Daily from to hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Principles of Genetic Epidemiology (ESP43) Aug 2013 Daily from 13:00 to 18:00 hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Genomics in Molecular Medicine (ESP57) Aug 2013 Daily from to hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Advances in Genomics Research (ESP63) Aug 2013 Daily from to hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Genome Wide Association Analysis (ESP29) Aug 2013 Daily from 08:45 to 16:00 hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam English Language (SC01) (see 3.1 on skills courses) and 17 August, further dates on internet (Aug Oct) Assignment(s) and presentation Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Fall 2013 Core courses, programme specific courses and skills courses Study Design (CC01) 4.3 ECTS Dates Examination / Resit Location 2-13 Sep 2013 (No lectures on Wednesday) 25 October Students who attend both CC01 and GE08, will take CC01 exam on 25 October. Resit: 8 January Erasmus MC, Rotterdam SNPs and Human Diseases (GE08) Sep 2013 Attendance Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Biostatistical Methods I: Basic Principles (CC02) Sep - 18 Oct 2013 (No lectures on Wednesdays. The 4 th week is a study week) 18 October Resit: 10 January Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Linux for Scientists (GE14) and 29 Oct 2013 Assignment(s) Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Genetic-epidemiologic Research Methods (GE02) Oct - 22 Nov 2013 (The 4 th week is a study week.) Presentation: 18 November 2013 Written exam: 22 November 2013 Resit: 17 January 2014 Erasmus MC, Rotterdam 1 The ESP courses are an introduction to later courses. Therefore there will be no examinations. 2 Previously Linux for Scientists (GE14) had a different course code: SC09. Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences 20

26 Courses for the Quantitative Researcher (SC17) is highly recommended as a skills course Nov 2013 Assignment(s) Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Biostatistical Methods II: Classical Regression Models (EP03) Dec 2013 (No lectures on Wednesday. The 3 rd week is a study week.) 20 December Resit: 7 Feb 2014 Erasmus MC, Rotterdam CHRISTMAS BREAK 21 December January 2014 Research Deadline Research Proposal January 2014 For details see paragraph 3.2 Winter / Spring 2014 Advanced courses ECTS Dates Examination / Resit Location Advances in Genome-Wide Association Studies (GE03) Feb 2014 t.b.a Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Family-based Genetic Analysis (GE05) Feb 2014 t.b.a Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Advanced elective courses at least 1.4 You may select 5 to 10 days of elective courses. See paragraph 3.1 for further details. Advanced courses - Seminars You are required to attend 5 days of seminars as part of your programme, obtaining 0.4 ECTS a year. Visit > Jobs, News & Events for further details. 21 Study Guide

27 Start 2012 Second year Summer 2013 Advanced courses ECTS Dates Time Location Courses in the Erasmus Summer Programme, to be discussed with Programme Director Aug 2013 Depending on the course you choose Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Fall 2013 Skills course ECTS Dates Examination / Resit Location Scientific Writing in English for Publication (SC07) 2 23 Oct, 6 Nov, 4 and 18 Dec 2013 Assignment(s) Erasmus MC, Rotterdam CHRISTMAS BREAK 21 December January 2014 Winter / Spring 2014 Advanced courses ECTS Dates Examination/Resit Location A first encounter with next-generation sequencing data (GE13) 1.4 t.b.a t.b.a Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Advanced elective courses at least 8.2 You may select 30 to 35 days of elective courses to be aligned with the programme director. See paragraph 3.1 for further details. Research Presentation Research Project weeks before graduation For details see paragraph 3.2 Deadline Research Paper weeks before graduation For details see paragraph 3.2 Advanced courses - Seminars You are required to attend 5 days of seminars as part of your programme, obtaining 0.4 ECTS a year. Visit > Jobs, News & Events for further details. Graduation Ceremony In order to officially complete your NIHES degree programme, you are required to attend the NIHES Graduation Ceremony. Graduation takes place in Rotterdam at the end of the Erasmus Summer Programme. See chapter 6 for further details. Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences 22

28 4.4 Master of Science in Health Sciences specialisation Public Health Start First year Summer 2013 Introductory courses Erasmus Summer Programme 1 and skills courses ECTS Dates Time Location Principles of Research in Medicine (ESP01) Aug 2013 Daily from to hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Introduction to Public Health (ESP41) Aug 2013 Daily from 13:00 to 16:00 hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Methods of Public Health Research (ESP11) Aug 2013 Daily from 08:45 to 11:45 hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Methods of Health Services Research (ESP42) Aug 2013 Daily from to 16:00 hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Primary and Secondary Prevention Research (ESP45) Aug 2013 Daily from 08:45 to 11:45 hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Social Epidemiology (ESP61) Aug 2013 Daily from to 16:00 hours Erasmus MC, Rotterdam English Language (SC01) (see 3.1 on skills courses) and 17 August, further dates on internet (Aug Oct) Assignment(s) and presentation Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Fall 2013 Core courses, programme specific courses and skills courses Study Design (CC01) 4.3 Biostatistical Methods I: Basic principles (CC02) 5.7 Public Health Research: from Epidemiology to Health Promotion (HS02) ECTS Dates Examination / Resit Location Sep 2013 (No lectures on Wednesday. The 3 rd week is a study week.) 23 Sep - 18 Oct 2013 (No lectures on Wednesdays. The 4 th week is a study week) (No lectures on Wednesday. The 4 th week is a study week) - Analysis of Population Health (HS02a) Oct September Resit: 8 January October Resit: 10 January November Resit: 17 January 2014 Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Erasmus MC, Rotterdam - Analysis of Determinants (HS02b) 28 Oct- 01 Nov Intervention Development and Evaluation (HS02c) Nov November Resit: 17 January November Resit: 17 January 2014 Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Erasmus MC, Rotterdam International Comparison of Health Care Systems (HS03a) Nov 2013 (No lectures on Wednesday) Presentation on 22 November Erasmus MC, Rotterdam 1 The ESP courses are an introduction to later courses. Therefore there will be no examinations except for ESP38 on 16 August 23 Study Guide

29 Courses for the Quantitative Researcher (SC17) is highly recommended as a skills course Biostatistical Methods II: Classical Regression Models (EP03) Nov 2013 Assignment(s) Erasmus MC, Rotterdam 2-20 Dec 2013 (No lectures on Wednesday. The 3 rd week is a study week.) 20 December Resit: 7 Feb 2014 Erasmus MC, Rotterdam CHRISTMAS BREAK 21 December January 2014 Research Deadline Research Proposal January 2014 For details see paragraph 3.2 Winter / Spring 2014 Advanced courses ECTS Dates Examination / Resit Location Site Visit to the Municipal Health Service Rotterdam (PU03) Jun 2014 Presentation and attendance. Municipal Health Service, Rotterdam Advanced elective courses at least 4.2 You may select 15 to 20 days of elective courses, of which at least ten days should be PU and HS 1 courses. See paragraph 3.1 for further details. Advanced courses - Seminars You are required to attend 5 days of seminars as part of your programme, obtaining 0.4 ECTS a year. Visit > Jobs, News & Events for further details. 1 These capital letters refer to the first two letters of the course codes. Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences 24

30 Start 2012 Second year Summer 2013 Advanced courses ECTS Dates Time Location 3 weeks electives Erasmus Summer Programme (instead of ESP courses you can also choose electives in winter/spring) Aug - 30 Aug 2013 Depending on the course you choose. Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Fall 2013 Skills course ECTS Dates Examination / Resit Location Scientific Writing in English for Publication (SC07) 2 23 Oct, 6 Nov, 4 and 18 Dec 2013 Assignment(s) Erasmus MC, Rotterdam CHRISTMAS BREAK 21 December January 2014 Winter / Spring 2014 Advanced courses ECTS Dates Examination/Resit Location Public Health in Low and Middle Income Countries (PU06) May 2014 t.b.a Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Integration Module (PU04) Jun 2014 Presentation. Erasmus MC, Rotterdam Advanced elective courses at least 4.6 You may select 17 to 22 days of elective courses. See paragraph 3.1 for further details. Research Presentation Research Project weeks before graduation For details see paragraph 3.2 Deadline Research Paper weeks before graduation For details see paragraph 3.2 Advanced courses - Seminars You are required to attend 5 days of seminars as part of your programme, obtaining 0.4 ECTS a year. Visit > Jobs, News & Events for further details. Graduation Ceremony In order to officially complete your NIHES degree programme, you are required to attend the NIHES Graduation Ceremony. Graduation takes place in Rotterdam at the end of the Erasmus Summer Programme. See chapter 6 for further details. 25 Study Guide

31 5. Examination Procedures and Rules 5.1 TER and Examination Board You can find the examination procedures and rules in the Teaching and Examination Regulations (TER) Research Master Programmes on the NIHES intranet. Details on the Examination Board can also be found on the NIHES intranet. 5.2 Attainment targets Training With the exception of most of the in the Erasmus Summer Programme (see below), all courses in the curriculum culminate in an examination. For a candidate to pass an examination, he or she may not score less than pass,or a grade lower than 5.5. Courses in the Erasmus Summer Programme There are no examinations for the most of the courses in the Erasmus Summer Programme. Instead, an attended/passed grade (a/p) is required. To obtain this, students have to attend the courses. Only then will the course be stated on your list of grades. Exceptions and thus courses in the Erasmus Summer Programme with examination are: Introduction to Biostatistics (ESP03); Regression Analysis (ESP09); Survival Analysis (ESP28); Conceptual Foundation of Epidemiologic Study Design (ESP38). Research The research project has to culminate in a research paper; the entire paper, including all parts or paragraphs, has to be ready for submission to an international English-language scientific journal. The journal has to have an impact factor and a good reputation in its field. The conventions of The Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) apply as author's rules. In the research paper the student is usually named as first author and the tutor as second. The following names should also be stated: 1. The name of the institute where the research was carried out. 2. The name of the Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences. 3. If applicable, the name of the student's home institute. In the event of problems during the research phase, student and tutor should both report to advisor education no later than the March before graduation. All tutors assess their students on the basis of the student s commitment and motivation, and on the knowledge and creativity they have demonstrated during the research period. Final assessment of the research paper is expressed as one of the following levels: Excellent (9.5-10) Very good ( ) Good ( ) Satisfactory ( ) Pass ( ) Fail (1-5.4) No later than the end of July in the year of graduation, the tutor and 2 nd assessor (for MSc and DSc students starting in 2013) will write and submit the assessment report. If the overall outcome is insufficient (less than 5.5), the student will not be able to graduate. 5.3 Students overall rights and duties Concerning examinations, a student: is registered automatically for the first possible exam. If a student cannot participate he or she needs to inform NIHES about their absence. Without a cancellation this first possible exam counts as a first examination. Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences 26

32 Concerning research each student: may start his or her research project only when all compulsory courses have been passed (programme coordinators alone are authorized to decide on deviations from this rule); is expected to show maximum application and commitment; must guarantee strict confidentiality with regard to information obtained during the research phase (research data, draft articles, etc.); should determine, together with his or her tutor, and no later than December, the software packages necessary for the research project; is required to produce a research paper (or more, according to the programme in which he or she is enrolled), which is to be assessed and approved by the tutor; will decide in consultation with the tutor on the journal to which the article will be submitted; should always provide the NIHES administrative office, Educational Support Center with a copy of the published article or articles. Furthermore: a student may present his or her research findings at a congress or other event only after careful consultation with his or her tutor. (Please note that participation fees and other related expenses cannot be recovered from NIHES) a student must always mention or refer to NIHES when presenting or publishing his or her research findings. 27 Study Guide

33 6. Graduation In order to officially complete your Master of Science programme, you are required to attend the NIHES Graduation Ceremony. The graduation will take place on the last Friday of the Erasmus Summer Programme. It is scheduled in the late afternoon and includes a festive drink after the ceremony. Registration is possible only if the following conditions have been met: You have settled all NIHES tuition fees; You have successfully completed all the compulsory and elective courses comprised in your programme; You have successfully completed your research paper (or papers), and it has been assessed and approved by your tutor and 2 nd assessor (if applicable); You have submitted your research paper/papers to the NIHES administrative office, Educational Support Center in time (i.e. at least five weeks before graduating, please note that in July your tutor may be on holidays). In April/May you will automatically receive full details about the graduation ceremony including a registration form. 6.1 NIHES Award Each year, during the Graduation Ceremony an award is presented to the Master s student who is first author of the best papers (or draft papers) written under the guidance of a NIHES tutor in the current academic year. The award consists of a certificate and 500. All NIHES tutors and scientific personnel involved in the NIHES programmes may nominate one or more students they believe to be eligible for a NIHES Award. The best two articles will be selected by the Award Committee, which is chaired by Professor Hofman, Science Director of the Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences. Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences 28