EDUCATION & TRAINING » Degree Programs in Epidemiology

PhD Degree Program in Epidemiology

The PhD degree program in Epidemiology provides comprehensive clinical research training, with an emphasis on methodologic training in clinical research. The goal of the program is to train individuals for successful careers as independent investigators. The PhD degree program is directed by the faculty of the Graduate Group in Epidemiology and Biostatistics and is one of seven graduate groups within Biomedical Graduate Studies. The PhD degree is awarded by the Graduate Council of the Faculties of the University of Pennsylvania.

Admissions

Admissions requirements for the PhD degree program in Epidemiology reflect the emphasis on integrating epidemiology and clinical practice. Individuals admitted into either program must have an advanced degree in medicine, nursing, or another health-related field, from an accredited college or university. The Admissions page includes details about requirements and procedures for applying to the epidemiology degree programs.

Faculty Mentor/Advisor

Students accepted into the PhD degree program in Epidemiology are expected to identify a faculty mentor who will act in an advisory capacity throughout the course of study. In fact, an important component of the admission process is the strong support of a potential mentor. Mentors/advisors will assist in course selection and may assign additional independent readings as well as, perhaps, other projects as deemed appropriate to accomplish the educational objectives for the student. The advisor also will work with each student to develop the research project required for the dissertation.

Degree Requirements

Candidates for a PhD degree in Epidemiology must complete the following:
  1. a required core of courses (twelve course units);
  2. additional electives, including tutorials, which are determined by the individuals' interests (minimum of four course units);
  3. successful completion of a qualification examination;
  4. successful completion of a preliminary examination including an oral component and possibly a written component as well;
  5. a dissertation, which includes planning a research project in detail, completing the project, writing up the results, presenting the results at a public seminar, and submitting to the Graduate Council of the Faculties a dissertation that meets the standards established by the Graduate Group in Epidemiology and Biostatistics
  6. Completion of a total of at least twenty course units.
  7. Candidates also are required to attend the weekly Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (CCEB) Research Seminar, for which they do not receive course unit credit.

Required Courses

The core of required courses for the PhD degree in Epidemiology are as follows: Students may place out of the following courses only, upon passing an oral or written examination administered by the course instructor: Introductory Epidemiology, Introductory Biostatistics, and Database Management for Clinical Epidemiology. Electives should be taken so that the total number of course units still equals twenty.

Electives

PhD students are required to take additional electives, totaling at least five course units. Elective possibilities include: All electives will be chosen in consultation with the student's faculty advisor and must be approved by the Graduate Group Chair. Approval is required for courses taught in related disciplines and independent study courses. Generally, it is expected that no more than two of the electives may be independent study courses.

Research Seminar

In addition, students are expected to attend the CCEB Research Seminar, which runs from September through June annually. At least one year of attendance is required for PhD degree students.

Evaluation and Examination

Evaluation for the degree is based on course performance, interactions with the faculty advisor, a Qualifications Evaluation Examination, a Preliminary Examination, and a Dissertation Examination.

The Qualifications Evaluation Examination will be written and given to those students who have completed the required core of courses for the Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology degree (EP 510, EP 520, EP 521, EP 532, EP 542, EP 560, EP 570, and EP 610). The exam is divided into two components: epidemiology and biostatistics. The exam is based on a pass/fail grading system. Students who pass the exam and complete all course work requirements will become candidates for the PhD in Epidemiology.

Any student who fails to pass any portion of the Qualifications Examination will be allowed to take that component of the exam again. A special exam will be prepared and given to those students within three months of having taken the exam initially. Failure to pass any components of the exam for a second time normally will result in academic dismissal.

The Preliminary Examination must contain an oral component, but part of the exam may be written. The Preliminary Examination is divided into three segments:

Dissertation: Research in Clinical Epidemiology

The insight provided by each student's clinical background and/or research experience, in combination with mastery of the theoretical concepts taught in the core courses, will provide the framework for the major component of the program, the design and completion of the dissertation. Each student will have a primary adviser and dissertation committee who will help the student through all stages of the dissertation process.
Preparation
As part of the preparation of the dissertation, students are required to attend a series of tutorial sessions conducted by the student's dissertation advisor. These tutorial sessions are designed to support the student's efforts in developing a research protocol, designing a research project, and completing the study. Students receive four course units of credit for this research requirement, which count toward the 20 course unit requirement for the PhD degree.

Dissertation Form
The dissertation is a scholarly work, providing a written account of an independent investigation of an epidemiologic question or series of related epidemiologic questions. It is to be in the form of a monograph, containing one or more research questions about the epidemiology of a particular health topic or disease. If desired, the monograph can be composed primarily of three separate but related papers, each describing one or more distinct research questions. The monograph or papers must include: If the dissertation involves the investigation of more than one question, each question would focus on an epidemiologic or methodologic issue related to the health topic or disease under investigation. The study or studies should be of publishable quality, as determined by the student's dissertation committee. The project should demonstrate that the candidate has a command of the subject and a thorough knowledge of the research methodology used to investigate the question(s).

Dissertation Examination
The Dissertation Examination is a public oral defense of the dissertation, to be undertaken once the project has been completed and the monograph has been written.

Graduation

The PhD in Epidemiology degree program is administered by the Biomedical Graduate Studies unit. Administrative requirements of this unit must be met for conferral of the degree. The PhD designed to be completed in four to five years. By graduation, students will have obtained the following skills: In addition, through electives and research projects, PhD students may obtain expertise in additional related areas, such as health services research, bioethics, human genetics, patient-oriented research, and biostatistics.
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