The department offers a degree leading to the PhD in epidemiology. This program may be an extension of the applied biostatistics and epidemiology MS program and is especially aimed at persons with a strong background in medicine: in particular, students enrolled in the MD program of the Keck School of Medicine who wish to interrupt their MD studies after two years to complete a PhD degree. This program is designed to produce an epidemiologist with in-depth statistical skills. The program requires a solid core of courses in methodological aspects of statistics and in statistical thinking as applied to medicine, as well as a solid grounding in epidemiological methods and in certain medical disciplines.
Course Requirements
A minimum of 60 course units with a maximum of 20 units of research and dissertation; passing of screening and qualifying examinations; and completion of dissertation and final oral are required. In preparation for the screening examination the student must take the required core course and elective 33 units of master’s level applied biostatistics and epidemiology courses. A student failing the screening examination will either terminate or terminate with the MS degree upon satisfactory completion of a master’s thesis. In preparation for the qualifying examination, the student is required to join an on-going research project under the direction of the chair of the qualifying exam committee and directly participate in the conduct of that project. Credit will be given as PM 790 (4 units, two semesters). In addition, it is recommended that the student take PM 610 (at least two semesters). Electives may be selected with the approval of the chair of the qualifying exam committee from courses in the biological sciences or from the medical school. For students in the MD/PhD program in epidemiology, satisfactory completion of the first two years of the MD program will be considered to provide 20 units toward the PhD degree.
Qualifying Exam Committee
A formal qualifying exam committee will consist of at least five faculty members. The committee chair and at least two additional members must be affiliated with student’s program. At least three members of the committee must be tenured or tenure track.
Qualifying Examination
The written portion of the qualifying examination will test the student’s integration of knowledge in biostatistics and medicine. In general, the qualifying examination will present plans for implementation and completion of three components: an independent and complete data analysis arising from ongoing epidemiological study, a “review” paper on an area of epidemiological research, and a grant application for a new epidemiological study.
Dissertation
Upon passing the qualifying examination, the PhD candidate and his or her chair will recommend a three-member dissertation committee. The dissertation should be completed within two years and should be oriented toward a methodological application to a problem area in the biological or health sciences.
The Oral Defense
This examination is based on a draft or final version of the dissertation and will be administered by the dissertation committee with other faculty invited to attend.
Language and Other Requirements
Proficiency in the English language is essential.
Course Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 60 units, with a maximum of 20 units of research and dissertation; pass screening and qualifying examinations; complete the dissertation and the dissertation defense examination. In addition the student is required to join a research project under the direction of one or both of the chairs of the qualifying exam committee and directly participate in the conduct of that project. Credit will be given by the department (DPT) conducting the research project DPT 790 Research (4 units, 2 semesters). In addition, at least two semesters of PM 610 is recommended.
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