Program Overview

PhD Program in Computational Precision Health

The PhD in Computational Precision Health is a unique program that leverages the expertise and resources of UC Berkeley and UCSF to create an unparalleled learning environment. Students in this program will develop foundational competency in computational and mathematical sciences, such as machine learning, AI, causal and statistical inference, and algorithmic bias and fairness. They will also be introduced to the health sciences, including clinical decision sciences and cognitive informatics, clinical delivery, clinical research, implementation science, and health information policy.

Program Description

Students will develop the ability to work in interdisciplinary teams from ideation to development, testing, and validation in the real world. Coursework is complemented by extensive and early interaction with world-class faculty through research rotations, seminar series, and practicums at the intersection of computation and health. A focus on health, equity, human-centered design accommodating diverse users, and the ethical implications and societal impacts of the work is embedded throughout the program.

Program Requirements

Normative Time to Degree: 5 years

• CPH Cornerstone course series (3 semester units, 2 semesters)
• CPH Practicum series (2 semester units, 2 semesters)
• CPH Doctoral Seminar series (2 semester units, 6 semesters)
• Race and Racism in Science, and Ethics; The Responsible Conduct of Research (1.3 semester units; 1 semester unit)
• Rotations: Students will take two 10-week research group rotations in their first year. One rotation in a predominately computational lab (with health emphasis) and one in a predominantly health science lab (with computational focus).

Qualifying Exams (QEs)

The oral qualifying exam is an important milestone, intended to certify that a PhD candidate is on track to progress to the research phase of their graduate studies. Each student should pass the QE by the end of the fourth semester.

• The exam will evaluate the depth of student knowledge in their research area, breadth of knowledge in fundamentals of computational precision health, ability to formulate a research plan, and critical thinking.
• Specifically, the QE in CH will cover fundamentals of computational science, fundamentals of health science, and the student’s area of specialization.

QE Committee

• The QE Committee will consist of four members of the Berkeley or UCSF Academic Senates: three CPH AGG core faculty members, and an outside member, who may be a CPH AGG affiliate, but must be a Senate member from the same home campus as the student.
• At least one faculty member from each campus must be included.
• The QE Committee Chair must be a core member of the CPH AGG and from the same home campus as the student.

Dissertation

All dissertation projects must be scholarly, independent, and original research that implements knowledge, techniques, and methods from the computational and health sciences to contribute new knowledge to the field. Students will commence work on their dissertation by the fourth semester, after advancing to candidacy.

Dissertation Committee

• The Dissertation Committee will consist of at least three members of the Berkeley or UCSF Academic Senates, with at least one member from each.
• The student’s Research Advisor (or co-Advisors) will serve as the Chair (or co-Chairs).
• The Chair and Academic Senate Representative must both be members of the Academic Senate and from the same home campus as the student.

Oral Presentations

• A dissertation defense will not be required; however, students will be required to present their research orally on a number of occasions, including during the Doctoral seminar, and during program retreats.