PhD Program in Public Health Sciences with Concentration in Epidemiology
Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health Sciences
Concentration in Epidemiology
Introduction
The concentration in Epidemiology in the PhD program in Public Health Sciences is designed to develop academic researchers in population-based epidemiology.
Program of Study
Upon admission to the concentration, each student will be assigned a faculty advisor who will work with the student to develop a program of study. The program of study recognizes core elements of modern epidemiology as well as its breadth and multidisciplinary nature. This will require the selection of a minor field of concentration, such as biostatistics, environmental science, molecular genetics, behavioral science, health management and systems sciences, or another relevant area of study, and the completion of at least 6 hours of coursework in this field.
Eligibility for PhD Concentration in Epidemiology
Students who have satisfactorily completed the MS degree in Epidemiology will be eligible for the PhD concentration in Epidemiology. Students with a Master’s degree in a related discipline or an advanced degree (MD, PhD, DO) may be accepted also pending evaluation of appropriate training, experience, and coursework. Previous coursework in mathematics and/or statistics and biological or health sciences (for example, biology, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, microbiology) is strongly recommended. Students completing the MSc in Clinical Investigation Sciences or MPH with an Epidemiology concentration may be required to complete additional coursework to be accepted into the Epidemiology PhD concentration.
PhD in Public Health Sciences with
Concentration in Epidemiology
Minimum Requirements
48 Total Credit Hours (beyond admission requirements)
39 credit hours of required coursework, including:
9 credit hours of required seminars
6 credit hours in minor area of concentration
9 credit hours of dissertation research
Required Coursework for Concentration in Epidemiology
Semester Course Title Credit Hours
Fall III
PHEP 701 Advanced Epidemiologic Methods 3
PHEP 702 Epidemiologic Research Management 3
PHEP 613 Epidemiology of Aging 3
Minor Elective* 3
Spring III
PHEP 611 Nutritional Epidemiology 3
PHEP 615 Epidemiology of Maternal/Child Health 3
PHEP 750 Seminars in Epidemiology 3
Minor Elective* 3
Qualifying Exam
Summer IV
PHEP 777 Dissertation Research (optional) 3
Fall IV
PHEP 606 Molecular/Genetic Epidemiology 3
PHEP 612 Epidemiology and Bioterrorism 3
PHEP 750 Seminars in Epidemiology 3 to 6
PHEP 777 Dissertation Research (optional) 3
Spring IV
PHEP 750 Seminars in Epidemiology 3 to 6
PHEP 777 Dissertation Research 3 to 9
Seminars in Epidemiology
Students in the PhD concentration in Epidemiology will be required to complete at least 9 credit hours of PHEP 750 Seminars in Epidemiology. This group course will be jointly taught by the faculty of the department and designed to provide a collegial experience that provides an opportunity to integrate learning from other courses, discuss hot topics, brain-storm about research ideas, and acquire professional skills in scientific manuscript and grant writing, oral and poster presentations, grantsmanship and peer-review.
Minor Requirement
As a part of their approved program of study, students will be required to complete 6 hours of coursework in a minor field of concentration. Areas directly relevant to the science of epidemiology are preferred including, but not limited to, biostatistics, bioinformatics, medical geography, molecular or population genetics, environmental health, toxicology, microbiology, health services research, outcomes research, health knowledge and behavior. These courses may be selected from ones offered within the School of Public Health and Information Sciences, other departments within the University, or from sources outside the University with permission and acceptance of credit by the Graduate School.
*List of Acceptable Courses for PhD Minor Elective
PHST 624 Clinical Trials I
PHST 650 Advanced Topics in Biostatistics
PHST 680 Biostatistical Methods I
PHST 681 Biostatistical Methods II
PHST 661 Probability
PHST 662 Mathematical Statistics
PHST 683 Survival Analysis
PHST 682 Multivariate Analysis
PHST 684 Categorical Data Analysis
PHST 710 Advanced Statistical Computing
PHST 711 Advanced Statistical Computing II
PHST 724 Advanced Clinical Trials
PHST 782 Generalized Linear Models
PHST 783 Advanced Survival Analysis
PHST 785 Nonlinear Regression
PHBI 750 Statistical Methods for Bioinformatics
PHBI 751 High-throughput Data Analysis
PHEH 650 Advanced Topics in Environmental and Occupational Health
PHKC 650 Advanced Topics in Health Knowledge and Cognitive Sciences
PHMS 650 Advanced Topics in Health Management and Systems Science
GEOG 657 Geographic Information Systems
GEOG 656 Spatial Statistics
PHTX 630 Toxicology: Principles and Application
PHTX 618 Topics in Pharmacology & Toxicology
PHTX 607 Seminar in Genetics and Molecular Medicine
PHTX 661/BIOC 661 Molecular Mechanisms of Toxicology
BIOC 660 Molecular Endocrinology
BIOC 641 Advanced Eukaryotic Genetics
BIOC 667/668 Molecular Biology
BIOC 675 Cancer Biology
EXP 600 - Physiology of Exercise
EXP 605 - Human Physiology
MBIO 601 Molecular Microbiology (Introductory to Infectious Diseases)
MBIO 602 Introduction to Immunology
MBIO 658 Cellular and Molecular Immunology
MBIO 670 Molecular Virology
MBIO 685 Microbial Physiology
MBIO 687 Microbial Pathogenesis
MBIO 618 Topics in Advanced Microbiology
MBIO 680 Genetics of Infectious Diseases
PHZB 605 Systemic Physiology I
PHZB 611 Advanced Human Physiology
NURS 670 Cancer Epidemiology and Pathophysiology
Students may petition to take courses not on this list with approval of the instructor and the Chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Population Health. All students must provide a written rationale for their choice of minor coursework in a program of study.
Qualifying Exams
Upon completion of the required coursework for the first year of study (minimum of 24 credit-hours), the student will be eligible to sit for the doctoral qualifying examination. Successful completion of the exam will admit the student to doctoral candidacy. Students who do not successfully complete the exam may be required to take additional or remedial coursework and will be allowed one opportunity to retake the exam.
Dissertation
Dissertation work is generally started upon successful completion of the doctoral qualifying exam. Exceptions may be granted upon appeal to the department faculty. Dissertation research may be credited at no more than 9 hours per semester as PHEP 777.
Competencies
To graduate, students in the PhD concentration in Epidemiology must demonstrate the following competencies in addition to those for the MS degree:
1) In depth knowledge of the history and philosophy of epidemiology
2) Mastery of experimental and observational study designs and the ability to identify optimal designs for specific hypotheses
3) Ability to develop and apply
a) Questionnaires
b) Biomarkers for health status, exposure and susceptibility
4) Mastery of multivariate analytic methods for evaluating risk and prognosis
5) Ability to critically evaluate the published epidemiologic research
6) Expertise in one or more epidemiologic specialty such as nutritional, molecular, genetic, cancer, or chronic disease epidemiology
7) Practical knowledge of issues in research management including:
a) Formation and leadership of multidisciplinary teams
b) Staffing, budgeting, tracking
c) Subject recruitment and retention
d) Data quality control and data safety management
e) Funding mechanisms and grantsmanship
f) Research ethics and regulations
8) Professional quality peer-review, oral and poster presentation, report, grant, and manuscript writing
9) Mentoring of junior-peers
10) Development, conduct, completion and defense of a dissertation on an original research project that provides evidence of all of the above
Program Data
Name: Doctor of Philosophy Program in Public Health Sciences, Concentration in Epidemiology
Degree: PhD
Department: Epidemiology and Population Health
School/College: School of Public Health and Information Sciences
Version: 2006.10.11
History: v2006.10.11 Submitted 09/20/06. Approved 10/24/06.
Data updated: 07/18/07
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