Program Overview

---

Epidemiology, PhD

The Epidemiology, PhD program is a member of the Interdisciplinary Biological and Health Sciences Consortium (IBHSC), which fosters a collaborative environment for research and study in the biological and health sciences. Epidemiology is the scientific discipline primarily concerned with identifying the distribution and causes of disease in populations.

Program Description

Epidemiology encompasses a rich methodology including observational and experimental study designs, statistical methods, an understanding of pathogens, environmental and behavioral risk factors, and human biology. The research-oriented degree programs are designed to provide rigorous training to develop students' abilities to synthesize knowledge and skills needed to address today's health-related problems.

Faculty and Research

Faculty, staff, and students in the Department of Population Health Sciences engage in a wide variety of world-class epidemiological and health services research projects. The interdisciplinary focus allows students the flexibility to work with a wide array of research/faculty on campus.

Admissions

• The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below.
• Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School.
• Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s).
• Requirements include:
  • Fall Deadline: December 1
  • Spring Deadline: This program does not admit in the spring.
  • Summer Deadline: This program does not admit in the summer.
  • GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): Not Required
  • English Proficiency Test: Refer to the Graduate School's requirements.
  • Letters of Recommendation: Required, 3
  • New admitted applicants start in the fall semester of each school year.
  • Applications are due by the fall deadline listed above of each year.
  • Late applications are not accepted.
• Minimum Requirements:
  • Applicants must have an undergraduate degree with a grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), although successful applicants generally have GPAs above 3.0.
  • International degree-seeking applicants must prove English proficiency using the Graduate School's requirements.
  • A personal statement and three letters of recommendation are required.
  • Applicants must meet both departmental admission requirements and the Graduate School admission requirements.

Funding

• Graduate School Resources: The Bursar's Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student.
• Resources to help afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid.
• Program Resources: Students admitted to the degree programs are automatically considered for any available scholarships, traineeships, or graduate assistant positions in the department.
• The most common forms of funding support for students are assistantships, traineeships, and fellowships.

Requirements

• Minimum Graduate School Requirements: Review the Graduate School minimum degree requirements and policies, in addition to the program requirements listed below.
• Major Requirements:
  • Mode of Instruction: Face to Face
  • Curricular Requirements:
    • Minimum Credit Requirement: 60 credits
    • Minimum Residence Credit Requirement: 48 credits
    • Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement: 60 credits must be graduate-level coursework.
  • Overall Graduate GPA Requirement: Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 in all graduate work (including transfer credits).
  • Other Grade Requirements: Students may maintain no more than 6 credits of Incomplete (I) grades during any semester.
• Assessments and Examinations:
  • Full-time students have up until the end of their third year to pass the Qualifying Exam and their first sitting must occur no later than the end of their second year.
  • Part-time students are expected to pass the exam before the end of their fourth year (regardless of whether the student is continuously enrolled) and their first sitting must occur no later than the end of their third year.
• Language Requirements: No language requirements.
• Graduate School Breadth Requirement: All doctoral students are required to complete a doctoral minor or graduate/professional certificate.

Required Courses

• Core courses include:
  • Introduction to SAS Programming for Population Health
  • Introduction to Biostatistics for Population Health
  • Regression Methods for Population Health
  • Advanced Regression Methods for Population Health
  • Introduction to Epidemiology
  • Epidemiologic Methods
  • Advanced Epidemiology: Causal Inference in Epidemiological Studies
  • Advanced Epidemiology: Practice of Epidemiology
• Seminar: PhD students must complete the following course twice: Graduate Research Seminar
• Independent Reading: In consultation with advisor, students may complete up to 6 credits of Independent Reading.
• Research: In consultation with advisor, students may complete up to 11 credits of Research to satisfy requirements.
• Responsible Conduct of Research: Select a minimum of 1 credit of course work in the responsible conduct of research.

Epidemiology Specialization

• PhD students must complete at least 4 courses of specialization work from the following:
  • Special Topics (Special Topics: Epidemiology of Aging)
  • Cancer Epidemiology
  • Physical Activity Epidemiology
  • Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases
  • Advanced Epidemiology: Practice of Epidemiology
  • Epidemiology and Global One Health
  • Cardiovascular Epidemiology
  • Genomic Epidemiology

Policies

• Prior Coursework: Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions, Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison, Credits Earned as a Professional Student at UW-Madison, Credits Earned as a University Special Student at UW-Madison.
• Probation: A student not meeting guidelines for satisfactory progress will be placed on probation for one semester and will be reviewed by the Steering Committee following the probationary semester.
• Advisor/Committee: Students must meet with their advisor at least once each semester for academic advising.
• Credits Per Term Allowed: 15 credit maximum.
• Time Limits: Refer to the Graduate School's Time Limits policy.
• Grievances and Appeals: The student may file an appeal of the School of Medicine and Public Health decision with the Graduate School.

Professional Development

• Graduate School Resources: Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.

Learning Outcomes

• Articulate research problems, potentials, and limits with respect to theory, knowledge, and practice of Epidemiology based on understanding of its methodological, biostatistical, and biologic foundations.
• Assemble, evaluate and synthesize evidence from literature and data sources to formulate ideas, concepts, designs, and/or techniques beyond the current boundaries of knowledge about causes, distribution, and prognosis of diseases and other factors related to health.
• Demonstrate breadth and depth of knowledge of Epidemiology in a specific substantive area, such as, but not limited to, infectious diseases, genetics, sleep, chronic diseases, environmental, and social epidemiology.
• Create research that makes a substantive contribution to the knowledge base of Epidemiology.
• Develop mastery of scholarship in Epidemiology relevant to generate knowledge useful to inform research needs and public health and patient care policies.
• Communicate complex ideas both in writing and orally in a clear and understandable manner.
• Recognize and apply principles of ethical and professional conduct in their scholarship.