Community Medicine (PHSAMFM)

Intended learning outcomes for the programme of study

Develop academic and research skills in:

• the relationship between health status in the whole or groups of the population and the population's living environment and social conditions
• how to eliminate the causes or reduce the risk (prevention) and enable the population to withstand and cope with problems in the best possible way (health promotion) to improve public health.
• how to plan, implement and evaluate health services in relation to the needs of the population.

Key subject areas are:

• Epidemiology and biostatistics
• General practice and primary medicine
• Applied community medicine
• Health services research and health economics
• Women's health
• Health informatics
• Medical ethics
• Other subject areas based on further assessment

Admission requirements for the programme: see sections 5 and 7.3 of the PhD Regulations

Deadline for applications
The 1st of every month. Admission to PhD programmes at the Faculty of Medicine takes place monthly. The applicant receives a reply by the 10th of the following month. The application is to be submitted to the department with which the candidate and supervisor are affiliated.

Admission requirements
Medical second degree or master's degree in relevant subject areas

Additional requirements
Candidates who do not have a background in the health disciplines must complete the course in "Medicine for Non-Medical Students or equivalent.

Requirements for project description, cf. Section 5.2
The description of the research project should normally total between 5 and 10 pages. As well as compliance with the requirements of the regulations, it is necessary to obtain approvals in accordance with the legislation in force (Personal Data Act (personopplysningsloven), the Personal Health Data Filing System Act (helseregisterloven), etc.) and codes of ethics, as well as information about any possible conflicts of interest.

Requirements for funding: cf. Section 5.2
For admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Medicine, it is not an absolute requirement for the candidate to have funding for the doctoral programme. In the application, the candidate must describe the funding plan. Candidates without funding should describe the plan for completion of the programme without funding. This will be assessed for the individual candidate in connection with the admission process.

Supervision, cf. Section 5.2
The main supervisor is to be employed in an academic position at NTNU. The supervisor must have a doctoral degree or equivalent qualifications in the discipline. (cf. Section 8 in the Regulations) Candidates at the Faculty of Medicine are recommended to have 2 supervisors. The project description must indicate who is responsible for the academic supervision related to the various topics/methods included in the project. A binding statement from all prospective co-supervisors must be enclosed.

Residency requirement, cf. sections 2, 4 and 5.2
The main aim of the residency requirement is that the candidate will participate actively in a research environment at or associated with NTNU. As long as this aim is achieved, the candidate can satisfy the residency requirement outside NTNU as well. To satisfy the residency requirement, a candidate outside NTNU must participate in the supervisor's research community. This must be specified in the application for admission, and will be evaluated for the individual candidate.

Participation in active research groups, nationally and internationally, cf. sections 4 and 5.2
A minimum requirement is that the candidate participates actively in the supervisor's research community. In the application for admission, the candidate must describe the plan for such participation.

Scientific and academic dissemination, cf. sections 2, 4 and 5.2
Academic publication and presentation at national/international meetings.

Reporting, cf. Section 9
A report must be submitted annually in writing to the faculty to which the candidate has been admitted, comparing progress to date with the PhD plan. The faculty may also undertake a midway assessment of the candidate/project.

Organized academic training, cf. Section 7.3
The purpose of the organized academic training is to provide insight into theories and methods necessary for work on the thesis, but it is also intended to contribute to the general professional training that is desirable for the candidate's later work. In the application, the candidate is to provide a plan for completion of the organized academic training in consultation with the supervisor. It is recommended that the training be completed early in the programme.

The organized academic training for a PhD in community medicine has a prescribed value of 30 credits, of which at least 20 must be courses at PhD level. Up to 10 credits may be courses that are at least at master's level.

Compulsory courses:
SMED8004 Introduction to Research, 5 credits
KLMED8004 Medical Statistics Part I 7.5 credits or equivalent basic course in statistics
SMED8002 Epidemiology II, 7.5 credits or equivalent basic course in epidemiology.

Where the PhD project is based on other scientific methodology, relevant alternative courses may be approved.

Elective / recommended courses:
SMED8005 Communication of Science 3 credits
KLMED8005 Medical Statistics Part II, 7.5 credits
SMED8003 Health Services Research, 7.5 credits
Equivalent courses at other Norwegian faculties

Erasmus, the Netherlands: Courses in epidemiology and statistics
Ohio State University Courses in analytical epidemiology
SPSS for Windows (not for credit)