Epidemiology

Training is offered in the fields of public health, behavioral science, and basic science in HIV and/or TB, as well as in ethics. Both long (1-3 years) and short-term (3-6 months) training opportunities are available. Long-term training is usually towards a master's or doctoral degree in epidemiology. Short-term training is usually related to a specific laboratory technique or to attend didactic courses that may not necessarily be applied to a degree or diploma. Long and short-term training opportunities are available in the U.S. and South Africa.

For detailed information on various training opportunities please see the items in the pull-down menu:

Training Opportunities in Epidemiology

Trainees receive the theoretical and practical experience needed to undertake epidemiologic studies of HIV/AIDS and TB, including program planning and evaluation. The epidemiology training consists of three main components: course work, completion of a research essay (on research already completed, undertaken in conjunction with faculty at Columbia University or in South Africa), and tutorials/workshops.

The formal training program at the Mailman School of Public Health leads to a Master of Science in Epidemiology. The MS in Epidemiology offers an opportunity to learn the quantitative skills required for researchers. Students who enroll in this master’s program should take advantage of the non-course opportunities for further learning opportunities in the areas of HIV and TB. The actual required course work appears on the Columbia Epidemiology website.

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Training Opportunities in the Social/Behavioral Sciences

Trainees receive theoretical and practical experiences in addressing the individual and contextual factors that put people at risk for HIV and/or TB, as well as the organizational and community responses to these epidemics. The Mailman School of Public Health, coupled with social science departments and centers at Columbia University, offers interdisciplinary training needed to identify strategic points for intervention, to design, implement, and evaluate theoretically grounded, evidence-based prevention programs, and to improve healthcare systems.

The social/behavioral science model has three components: course work, research field placement, and tutorials/workshops. Courses are available in the School’s Department of Sociomedical Sciences, as well as in the Psychiatric Epidemiology Training (PET) program. Didactic and training opportunities are also available in the HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute, and in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

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Training Opportunities in Basic Sciences

The HIV/AIDS basic sciences training program builds on existing collaborations between laboratories at the University of North Carolina and several other institutions in the U.S., the National Institute for Communicable Diseases in South Africa, and the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Trainees learn specific techniques necessary to successfully execute a scientific project. Training opportunities are of varying short-term lengths.

The tuberculosis basic sciences training program builds on the ongoing collaboration between laboratories at the Public Health Research Institute, associated with the University of Medicine and Dentistry in Newark, New Jersey, and at the University of Cape Town. The training consists of short, intense training in required laboratory skills as well as longer training for doctoral and post-doctoral trainees.

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Training Opportunities in Ethics

The ethics training opportunities take advantage of existing courses and individualized tutorials with faculty at the Columbia University School of Public Health, the University of Toronto's Joint Centre for Bioethics, and the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

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Training at Other U.S. Institutions

Training at institutions not listed in this section is provided only under exceptional circumstances. Once a host institution has been identified, a letter of request/motivation must be sent to the Southern Africa Fogarty AITRP offices containing the following:

• The name of the institution
• The name of the person who will be supervising the trainee and proof of his/her compliance with NIH requirements with respect to research on human subjects
• A brief outline of the training objectives
• The duration of the stay in that institution
• The preferred dates of travel

The timing of the traineeship, scientific details, and accommodation arrangements must be arranged collaboratively by the trainee and the scientist at that institution, with input from the coordinators of the CU-SA AITRP. Arrangements at U.S. institutions other than Columbia University require prior approval by the program, and must meet the admission requirements of that institution as well.

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Training at UKZN

Post-doctoral Traineeship at the University of KwaZulu-Natal

This traineeship offers postdoctoral studies in HIV/AIDS and TB for one year in disciplines and research centers at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. The program enables participants to pursue and enhance scientific career development under the mentorship and guidance of an established HIV/AIDS and/or TB researcher. Under exceptional circumstances, the traineeship may be: 1) extended for a second year, and 2) open to doctoral students.

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