Program Overview

Epidemiology and Biostatistics, PhD: Epidemiology

Overview

The mission of the PhD program in Epidemiology is to train independent researchers in the development and application of epidemiologic methods and to prepare them for positions as scientific leaders in academia and industry. The PhD is a research degree; it indicates the highest attainable level of scholarship, and a commitment to a research career. The PhD does not represent merely the accumulation of course credits, but rather the development and completion of a well-designed and conscientious program of scientific investigation that makes a unique contribution to the field of epidemiology.

Required Courses

• Course List Code | Title | Course Units
  • EPID 6000 | Data Science for Biomedical Informatics | 1
  • BSTA 6100 | Biostatistical Methods for Epidemiology | 1
  • EPID 7010 | Introduction to Epidemiologic Research | 1
  • EPID 7050 | Grantwriting and Scientific Writing | 1
  • EPID 7000 | Doctoral Seminar in Epidemiology | 1
  • EPID 7020 | Advanced topics in Epidemiologic Research | 1
  • Six open electives between | 6
  • Career Development Research Workshop
  • Research
    • 2-6 CUs of EPID 6990 or EPID 8990 | 4-8
    • EPID 6990 | Lab Rotation
    • EPID 8990 | Pre-Dissertation Lab Rot
    • EPID 9950 | Dissertation
  • Teaching Requirement
    • One semester of teaching is required
  • Total Course Units | 16-20

University PhD Benchmarks

In addition to Program requirements, the following milestones must be completed:

• Qualifying Evaluation
• Candidacy Examination
• Dissertation Defense/Oral Exam
• Dissertation Deposit

Sample Plan of Study

• Year 1
  • Fall
    • BSTA 6100 | Biostatistical Methods for Epidemiology
    • EPID 7010 | Introduction to Epidemiologic Research
    • EPID 6000 | Data Science for Biomedical Informatics
    • EPID 6990 | Lab Rotation
    • Career Development Workshop Series
  • Spring
    • EPID 7020 | Advanced topics in Epidemiologic Research
    • EPID 6990 | Lab Rotation
    • Advanced Elective 3
    • Advanced Elective
    • Career Development Workshop Series
  • Summer
    • EPID 6990 | Lab Rotation
• Year 2
  • Fall
    • EPID 7050 | Grantwriting and Scientific Writing
    • EPID 6990 | Lab Rotation 2
    • or EPID 8990 | Pre-Dissertation Lab Rot
    • Ethics Course OR MSCE Bioethics Workshop
    • Advanced Elective
    • Advanced Elective
  • Spring
    • EPID 7000 | Doctoral Seminar in Epidemiology
    • EPID 6990 | Lab Rotation 2
    • or EPID 8990 | Pre-Dissertation Lab Rot
    • Advanced Elective
• Year 3
  • Fall
    • EPID 8990 | Pre-Dissertation Lab Rot
    • Advanced Elective
  • Spring
    • EPID 9950: Dissertation
• Year 4 and Beyond
  • EPID 9950 | Dissertation