Four students talking to each other.
Language skills
required
Programme length
Full-time study for three academic years.
Study mode
Face-to-face learning
Application status
International students:
Students with Icelandic or Nordic citizenship:
Overview

Master’s Degree (MS) in Epidemiology or related disciplines.

The following or equivalent courses are a required preparation for entry:
LÝÐ202F The Scientific Process,
LÝÐ107F or LÝÐ003M Epidemiology
LÝÐ105F or LÝÐ004M Biostatistics I
LÝÐ301F Clinical Prediction Models.

In special cases, the Board of Study and the Committee for Doctoral Studies, can agree to accept and process an application before course requirements are fully met, and allow the applicant to complete selected courses during the first study semester.

International applicants for whom English is not their first language must submit a TOEFL or IELTS score as proof of English proficiency. Minimum scores accepted are 79 on the TOEFL internet-based test or a IELTS score of 6,5.

A 180 ECTS Ph.D thesis, a 3-6 ECTS course in research ethics, as well as the courses LÝÐ085F Epidemiologic methods and LÝÐ097F Topics in Epidemiology are required for qualification.

The Ph.D thesis in Epidemiology includes at least three manuscripts, of which two have been published or accepted for publication in peer-reviewed journals at the time of thesis defence.

The following documents must accompany an application for this programme:
  • CV
  • Research proposal
  • Reference 1, Name and email
  • Reference 2, Name and email
  • Supervisor/supervising teacher at the University of Iceland
  • Certified copies of diplomas and transcripts
  • Copy of grant or scholarship application and/or confirmation, if applicable
  • Proof of English proficiency 

Further information on supporting documents can be found here.

Please use the form below for your application and follow the instructions closely.

Programme structure

Check below to see how the programme is structured.

This programme does not offer specialisations.

Year unspecified | Fall
Research Ethics (HSP073F)
Restricted elective course, conditions apply
3 ECTS, credits
Course Description

The intensive course is intended for PhD-students only. It is adapted to the needs of students from different fields of study and is taught in English as a three day seminar (9.10-15.40) Tuesday to Thursday in late August. The course is a concise version of HSP806F Ethics of Science and Research (6 ECTS), which is taught in February-March. The objective is to train students in reasoning about ethical controversies relating to science and research in contemporary society. At the end of the course they will have the necessary tool-kit to navigate the ethical part of the troubled waters of applying for licences and references, getting published and securing funding. No prior knowledge of ethical theory and any particular science will be assumed in the course. The instruction takes the form of short lectures, discussions and group work on case studies. The idea is to create an academic community where students are actively engaged in a focused dialogue about different questions on research ethics.

Taught:
Tue 20 August 9:10 am to 3:40 pm
Wed 21 August 9:10 am to 3:40 pm
Thu 22 August 9:10 am to 3:40 pm

Attn.: This course will be taught remotely (online)

Language of instruction: English
Distance learning
Prerequisites
Year unspecified | Fall
PhD Thesis in Epidemiology (FAR001L)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
180 ECTS, credits
Course Description

The Ph.D. thesis should count for a minimum of 180 credits.

Students that do not hold an MS degree in epidemiology are required to complete up to 36 credits of predefined courses.

Students refer to the rules of their supervisor´s faculty concerning submission and format of the doctoral thesis.

Language of instruction: Icelandic
Self-study
Part of the total project/thesis credits
Year unspecified | Fall
Topics in Epidemiology (Epidemiology III) (LÝÐ097F)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
6 ECTS, credits
Course Description

The aim of the course is to increase students' understanding of different areas within epidemiology, provide an introduction to area-specific methods, and to enhance students' ability to interpret results and assess the quality of scientific research in epidemiology.

The course will cover 4-6 specific areas or topics within epidemiology. Examples include perinatal, nutritional, pharmacological, and infectious disease epidemiology; featured topics may vary from year to year. 

Language of instruction: Icelandic
Face-to-face learning
Prerequisites
Year unspecified | Spring 1
Ethics of Science and Research (HSP806F)
Restricted elective course, conditions apply
6 ECTS, credits
Course Description

The course is intended for postgraduate students only. It is adapted to the needs of students from different fields of study. The course is taught over a six-week period.

The course is taught 12th January - 16th February on Fridays from 1:20 pm - 3:40 pm.

Description: 
The topics of the course include: Professionalism and the scientist’s responsibilities. Demands for scientific objectivity and the ethics of research. Issues of equality and standards of good practice. Power and science. Conflicts of interest and misconduct in research. Science, academia and industry. Research ethics and ethical decision making.

Objectives: 
In this course, the student gains knowledge about ethical issues in science and research and is trained in reasoning about ethical controversies relating to science and research in contemporary society.

The instruction takes the form of lectures and discussion. The course is viewed as an academic community where students are actively engaged in a focused dialogue about  the topics. Each student (working as a member of a two-person team) gives a presentation according to a plan designed at the beginning of the course, and other students acquaint themselves with the topic as well for the purpose of participating in a teacher-led discussion.

Language of instruction: English
Face-to-face learning
Course taught first half of the semester
Year unspecified | Spring 1
PhD Thesis in Epidemiology (FAR001L)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
180 ECTS, credits
Course Description

The Ph.D. thesis should count for a minimum of 180 credits.

Students that do not hold an MS degree in epidemiology are required to complete up to 36 credits of predefined courses.

Students refer to the rules of their supervisor´s faculty concerning submission and format of the doctoral thesis.

Language of instruction: Icelandic
Self-study
Part of the total project/thesis credits
Year unspecified | Spring 1
Epidemiologic Methods (Epidemiology II) (LÝÐ085F)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
6 ECTS, credits
Course Description

The aim of the course is to increase students‘ understanding of advanced methods in epidemiology and to enhance students‘ ability to interpret results and assess the quality of scientific research in epidemiology.

The course will cover positive and negative confounding, matching, propensity score, effect modification and interaction, instrumental variables, causal diagrams, and missing data. Scientific articles in epidemiology will be studied and discussed.

Language of instruction: Icelandic
Face-to-face learning
Prerequisites
Year unspecified
  • Fall
  • HSP073F
    Research Ethics
    Restricted elective course
    3
    Restricted elective course, conditions apply
    3 ECTS, credits
    Course Description

    The intensive course is intended for PhD-students only. It is adapted to the needs of students from different fields of study and is taught in English as a three day seminar (9.10-15.40) Tuesday to Thursday in late August. The course is a concise version of HSP806F Ethics of Science and Research (6 ECTS), which is taught in February-March. The objective is to train students in reasoning about ethical controversies relating to science and research in contemporary society. At the end of the course they will have the necessary tool-kit to navigate the ethical part of the troubled waters of applying for licences and references, getting published and securing funding. No prior knowledge of ethical theory and any particular science will be assumed in the course. The instruction takes the form of short lectures, discussions and group work on case studies. The idea is to create an academic community where students are actively engaged in a focused dialogue about different questions on research ethics.

    Taught:
    Tue 20 August 9:10 am to 3:40 pm
    Wed 21 August 9:10 am to 3:40 pm
    Thu 22 August 9:10 am to 3:40 pm

    Attn.: This course will be taught remotely (online)

    Distance learning
    Prerequisites
  • FAR001L
    PhD Thesis in Epidemiology
    Mandatory (required) course
    180
    A mandatory (required) course for the programme
    180 ECTS, credits
    Course Description

    The Ph.D. thesis should count for a minimum of 180 credits.

    Students that do not hold an MS degree in epidemiology are required to complete up to 36 credits of predefined courses.

    Students refer to the rules of their supervisor´s faculty concerning submission and format of the doctoral thesis.

    Self-study
    Prerequisites
    Part of the total project/thesis credits
  • LÝÐ097F
    Topics in Epidemiology (Epidemiology III)
    Mandatory (required) course
    6
    A mandatory (required) course for the programme
    6 ECTS, credits
    Course Description

    The aim of the course is to increase students' understanding of different areas within epidemiology, provide an introduction to area-specific methods, and to enhance students' ability to interpret results and assess the quality of scientific research in epidemiology.

    The course will cover 4-6 specific areas or topics within epidemiology. Examples include perinatal, nutritional, pharmacological, and infectious disease epidemiology; featured topics may vary from year to year. 

    Face-to-face learning
    Prerequisites
  • Spring 2
  • HSP806F
    Ethics of Science and Research
    Restricted elective course
    6
    Restricted elective course, conditions apply
    6 ECTS, credits
    Course Description

    The course is intended for postgraduate students only. It is adapted to the needs of students from different fields of study. The course is taught over a six-week period.

    The course is taught 12th January - 16th February on Fridays from 1:20 pm - 3:40 pm.

    Description: 
    The topics of the course include: Professionalism and the scientist’s responsibilities. Demands for scientific objectivity and the ethics of research. Issues of equality and standards of good practice. Power and science. Conflicts of interest and misconduct in research. Science, academia and industry. Research ethics and ethical decision making.

    Objectives: 
    In this course, the student gains knowledge about ethical issues in science and research and is trained in reasoning about ethical controversies relating to science and research in contemporary society.

    The instruction takes the form of lectures and discussion. The course is viewed as an academic community where students are actively engaged in a focused dialogue about  the topics. Each student (working as a member of a two-person team) gives a presentation according to a plan designed at the beginning of the course, and other students acquaint themselves with the topic as well for the purpose of participating in a teacher-led discussion.

    Face-to-face learning
    Prerequisites
    Course taught first half of the semester
  • FAR001L
    PhD Thesis in Epidemiology
    Mandatory (required) course
    180
    A mandatory (required) course for the programme
    180 ECTS, credits
    Course Description

    The Ph.D. thesis should count for a minimum of 180 credits.

    Students that do not hold an MS degree in epidemiology are required to complete up to 36 credits of predefined courses.

    Students refer to the rules of their supervisor´s faculty concerning submission and format of the doctoral thesis.

    Self-study
    Prerequisites
    Part of the total project/thesis credits
  • LÝÐ085F
    Epidemiologic Methods (Epidemiology II)
    Mandatory (required) course
    6
    A mandatory (required) course for the programme
    6 ECTS, credits
    Course Description

    The aim of the course is to increase students‘ understanding of advanced methods in epidemiology and to enhance students‘ ability to interpret results and assess the quality of scientific research in epidemiology.

    The course will cover positive and negative confounding, matching, propensity score, effect modification and interaction, instrumental variables, causal diagrams, and missing data. Scientific articles in epidemiology will be studied and discussed.

    Face-to-face learning
    Prerequisites
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Contact us

If you still have questions, feel free to contact us.

Centre of Public Health Science
Sturlugata 8
Weekdays 10-12 am.
PHD Coordinators
DeCode building

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