Teaching and Education

The Department of Epidemiology plays a central role in advancing education in epidemiology, statistics, and related fields within the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) and the University of Groningen (RUG). As a cornerstone of education, the department is committed to innovation, quality, and interdisciplinary collaboration, providing education across all academic levels and contributing significantly to postgraduate and specialist training. Through strong integration in medical and dental programs, and leadership in HTA, CAT, and Digital / AI education, the department is shaping the next generation of health professionals and researchers. Its visible role across institutions, combined with regional and national recognition, underscores its impact and leadership in epidemiology and health-related education.

Epidemiologist A/B

Within our department, we organise structured training programmes for aspiring epidemiologists at both master’s and PhD levels. Students working on bachelor’s and master’s research projects can pursue Epidemiologist A status, while PhD candidates follow the Epidemiologist B track. Each pathway involves a personalised curriculum co-designed with a senior (recognized) Epidemiologist B, overseen by programme directors, and formally registered with national epidemiological bodies.

The programme is far more than academic: it equips future professionals with the skills to design and conduct high-quality research, manage and analyse large-scale cohort data, and contribute to public health policy. Alumni of this training are well-qualified to pursue careers across research institutions, health services, government, and industry - working on everything from outbreak investigation and health surveillance to chronic disease prevention and health policy development. 

Educational Activities

Core Education in Epidemiology and Statistics 

  • Delivery of innovative teaching in epidemiology and statistics at the bachelor, master, and PhD levels. 
  • Provision of epidemiology courses at: 
  • Level A (Diploma and Continuing Professional Education, CPE). 
  • Level B (PhD). 
  • Development and maintenance of up-to-date e-learning modules in epidemiology and statistics, accessible to all UMCG and RUG students and staff. 

Contributions to Medical and Dental Education 

  • Integration of epidemiology and statistics into the medical and dental curricula. 
  • Active support for postgraduate medical and dental programs. 
  • Contributions to intramural and extramural specialist training for physicians and dentists. 

Specialized Educational Programs 

  • Education in Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and patient-related research. 
  • Provision of Critical Appraisal of a Topic (CAT) training for all physicians at UMCG, including those not enrolled in specialist training.
  • Development and implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) education, including accredited courses and modules for both undergraduate (Bachelor of medicine and JSM) and postgraduate training. 

Methodological Support and Collaboration 

  • Provision of targeted methodological advice through collaboration with the Clinical Research Office (CRO). 
  • Optimization of epidemiology B courses in partnership with the Central Education Committee (COC). 

Excellence in Teaching Staff 

  • A team of highly qualified lecturers, most of whom ( 99%) have obtained BKO (University Teaching Qualification) Level 2 and an SKO . 
  • Availability of a structured qualification trajectory for continuous professional development.