Doctoral Program in Epidemiology

In this research area, different alternatives for the design of epidemiological studies in complex situations are explored. In addition, various strategies for summarizing and analyzing data from classic designs or more innovative designs are analyzed. Finally, systems for linkage and analysis of large health databases (big data) are also designed, and the limitations and risks associated with these analyses are discussed.

In this research area, the object of study is health and disease in the population, individual or patient. It involves designing research strategies to prevent, treat, and control conditions, including screening studies, clinical trials, and molecular studies. The latter, belonging to the sub-area of Molecular Epidemiology, explores genetic susceptibility, markers of exposure, early features of functional alterations or disease.

This research area involves the design of epidemiological studies to evaluate the social determinants of health and disease in the population and the development of strategies to link and analyze different sources of data. In addition, this area explores economic, cultural, and technological changes, migration processes, employment conditions, minorities, their effect on health, and social inequalities in health.

In this area, the object of study is population exposures resulting from individuals’ contact with physical, chemical, or biological agents present in the air, water, soil, food, both in the general environment and in the workplace. This environmental area includes exposures of human origin (such as air pollution from industry or transportation) or natural sources (such as volcanic eruptions, red tide). In the occupational area, we are interested in identifying workplace exposures that are a direct product of the economic activity, such as exposure to arsenic, benzenes, asbestos, occupational stress, and occupational diseases (occupational neurosis hyperacusis, tendinitis, mesothelioma).

To be admitted as students of the Program, applicants must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Submit to the Faculty’s Office an application for admission on the Doctoral program in Epidemiology Application Form.
2. Submit a statement of purpose, including a pre-thesis project with the support of a faculty member. The pre-thesis project must contain the research topic, its relevance, objectives, and resources available for its execution. This pre-thesis project is not binding and may be modified during the first semester.
3. Certify the academic background that qualifies them to pursue doctoral studies, master’s degree, or medical specialty, including titles and degrees obtained with the respective grade transcripts. Academic degrees of foreign origin must be equivalent to those described according to the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED-UNESCO) in force at the date of application; the certificates must be legalized by the Chilean Consulate in the country of origin.
4. Certify the accomplishment of research through publications, presentations in congresses, and participation in research projects related to the health of the population.
5. Submit a brief curriculum vitae (personal data, teaching, and research activity) that demonstrates their research capacity.
6. Submit two letters of recommendation from professors, ideally with a doctoral degree and not belonging to the faculty, which give an account of the applicants’ capabilities and limitations.
7. Demonstrate a B2 level of English to understand scientific literature written in English; this can be accredited by the TOEFL certification or equivalent (IELTS, CAMBRIDGE).
   

The Doctoral Committee has the power to accept, exceptionally and provisionally, candidates who do not meet all of these requirements, provided that they overcome the deficiencies in accordance with the recommendations established by this Committee within a period of no more than one year. Likewise, the Committee has the power to decide which applicants are required to take specific entrance knowledge tests.

To graduate:

• Certify advanced command of a second language.
• Carry out the Ethics and Integrity in Research workshop (CPD 0002).
• Carry out two transversal skills workshops (CPD acronym).
• Take a research internship abroad *.
• Have a scientific article submitted, accepted, or published *.
• Have carried out two annual monitoring activities *.

(*) The conditions and characteristics of these activities may vary according to the study plan of each doctorate. For more information, we recommend that you consult with your program manager.