First Week in Program
There will be no classes in the first week. During this week the residents are encouraged to get oriented to the different sections of FETP. They will be introduced to the FETP supervisor, FETP coordinator at King Saud University (KSU), the consultants in the program, the administrative assistant, the librarian and the editor.
During this week, graduate students are advised to
- Complete ALL registration procedures at KSU, and obtain a student identification card (I.D.). Being a full-time graduate student at KSU, their university I.D. will be their pass for KSU facilities, including the biomedical library.
- Take care of housing and related living affairs. The in-class course is so condensed and they may not have enough time for such activities as the course begins. FETP is not responsible for arranging accommodation and transportation for its residents. Special transportation services will be arranged for female residents as they get involved in official epidemiologic activities.
- Carefully, read the regulations for diploma course given in this handbook and other brochures made available and Each resident should get his own copy of the following books from librarian:
- Principles of Epidemiology (Manual) by CDC
- Practical in Epidemiology – Student Manual
- Foundations of Epidemiology by Lilienfeld and Stolley
- Essential of Medical Statistics by Kirkwood
- Control of Communicable Diseases by APHA
- Chronic Disease Epidemiology and Control by APHA
- Dictionary of Epidemiology by Last
- Residents should choose a representative to serve as a liaison between the residents and the FETP supervisor or consultants.
- If an instructor brought some written material for the group, the class representative will be requested to make copies for himself and his colleagues. A copy of this handout should be given to the course coordinator. Only an FETP staff is allowed to use the photocopier.
Next 16 Weeks: The In-Class Course
First 16 weeks of the training program are dedicated to a 16 week in-class intensive teaching. This course constitutes the theoretical component of the Diploma. All newly enrolled graduate students should attend this course.
- The in-class course lasts for 16 consecutive weeks.
- Classes are offered daily: Saturday –Wednesday.
- Lectures / practicals will begin at 8:00 AM and end at 3:00 PM
- No leave of absence is allowed during this period.
- Each resident has to attend at least 80% of the lectures and practical. In case the attendance is less than the minimum he/she will not be entitled to appear in the 1st term examination and has to repeat the rotation with the next session. Attendance is to be taken regularly and always in the 1st 10 minutes of each session the residents are required to attend.
- Residents will not be requested to get involved in any outbreak investigation during the course.
- The course cover lectures on Principles of epidemiology, Biostatics, Public Health, Communicable Disease Epidemiology, Non-communicable disease epidemiology, Surveillance, Applied Epidemiology.
After In-Class Course
After the completion of theory teaching during the first 16 weeks, the training pattern will change to practical training and application of the knowledge acquired during the first 16 weeks. During the period residents has to complete all the stipulated projects, training attachments and assignments; in accordance with the laid down rules and regulations.
During this period a number of training activities are organized to cover different components of training program in order to improve the knowledge and skills of residents.
- This include weekly meetings on Monday called ‘Round Table’, lectures series for continued medical education, critical review of literature, data analysis exercises and evening seminars etc.
- Attendance in these activities is compulsory and any resident who abstain from any of such scheduled activity will be marked absent and one day leave will be deducted from his/her annual leave quota for each of such absence. The exemption will only be granted to the residents who are on leave (Annual leave/Emergency leave/ Medical leave); out of Riyadh city due to some official business; or while in Riyadh city attending a full day conference/workshop or seminar. All other residents who are unable to attend due to some other reason (official or personal), has to get a prior permission from one of the consultants in the program, who will decide on case to case basis.
During this period, each resident will be entitled the leaves as described in relevant section. However, the resident must attend at least 80% of the group activities like round tables, continued education lectures, evening seminars. Failing which he/she may be barred from appearing in final comprehensive examination.
Leave Rules
Annual Leave:
- During the stay in the program, residents are allowed only one month of annual leave per year in the months of summer.
- Residents are advised to give priority to the academic assignments, while applying for the annual leave. The residents have to adjust their annual leave with other residents in the group, so at any time at least one third of residents are available in the Program.
- The resident has to get his leave approved by the consultant in charge, at least 4 weeks before proceeding for leave.
- In case of emergency, the annual leave may be cancelled.
- The annual leave not availed in the stipulated months of summer will not be granted at any other time.
Emergency Leave:
- Residents are allowed 10 days emergency leave during one calendar year (Gregorian).