Research Training Programme
The PhD is intended to be a training for research. We recognise that the skills needed to undertake a PhD are varied - and especially so in a Division as broad-based as Epidemiology, Public Health and Primary Care (EPHPC) and customise our formal research training programme to the specific needs of the student.
Students have access to a number of sources of training in order to ensure the best possible progress. A major part of the training required by students is provided at the departmental/Divisional level. This will include:
- Induction and core training
The Division of EPHPC has developed a research training programme, designed to dovetail with that provided by the GSLSM, that is intended both to underpin and to compliment the research project. The early courses are also intended to help new students to become integrated into their new research environment. Courses include:
- Welcome event: An introduction to the Division
- IC computer services and systems
- Health and Safety
- Developing a proposal
- Quantitative research
- Ethics in research
- Publication and research paper writing
- How to write a PhD
- Applying for research funding
- How to prepare for a viva
The programme is run annually from September - December to coincide with students commencing research in October. All students must attend the training programme as part of their PhD.
- Supervisor-based Training
In most cases, the supervisor(s) will be a major (typically the dominant) source of training and skill development, especially in relation to the specific skills required to undertake the project. Much of this training will occur as part of the day-to-day practice of the research and will therefore not be subject to formal organisation or monitoring. However, students should endeavour to track and assess this training as it occurs, and reflect on their skills development as a result. Students are thus encouraged to maintain a diary or portfolio, in which evidence of such training can be compiled (e.g. in the form of notes or workbooks).
- Research Seminars
Attendance at departmental research seminars is a compulsory element of training for all PhD students. Students are expected to attend all seminars relevant to their area of research. Students are also required to present their research at the Divisional Research Student Symposium and to present a formal seminar at upgrade to PhD. Presentation of other seminars may be required as appropriate (it is recommended that students give at least one research seminar each year, including one seminar during the formative part of their research - e.g. in the first 6-8 months).
- Research Methods Courses
A range of research methods training is also available through the MSc course and MPH run in the Division. These are likely to be especially useful as a source of discipline-related training, for example on research paradigms and methods, data sources and data management, statistics and data analysis.
Elements from these should be selected as appropriate to complement and complete the student’s training. It should also be noted that attendance on modules from MSc/MPH taught courses is at the discretion of the course leader concerned. In many cases opportunities for attendance will be limited (e.g. due to laboratory constraints or examination arrangements). Following consultation with their supervisors, students should contact course leaders to arrange attendance. Usually, attendance will NOT include the obligation to sit examinations or undertake marked coursework.
A full copy of the Divisional Research Training Plan is available here. 
Additional complimentary training is provided by the Graduate School of Life Sciences and Medicine (GSLSM) who provide a full academic training programme for all research students.
