Epidemiology Ph.D.
Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of disease frequency in human populations. It is a fundamental science of public health and medicine enabling estimation of disease burden, assessment of risk and resilience factors, and assessment of interventions to reduce disease burden over time. Epidemiology requires a foundation of coursework in epidemiologic methods, biostatistical analysis, and public health disciplines. Epidemiologists with doctorates focus on the causes and prevention of disease in human populations, as well as methods to advance epidemiologic research. Objectives Graduates of the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health PhD Program in Epidemiology will acquire the advanced quantitative and analytical skills needed to conduct innovative independent research that advances knowledge of the etiology, prevention, and amelioration of human disease. They will be prepared for positions as scientists in a wide range of public health settings, including universities, federal and state agencies, business, and industry.
Core Competencies
Students graduating from this program will be able to:
Apply population-based concepts of chronic and infectious disease epidemiology within appropriate biological, pathophysiological, social, and community contexts.
Apply methods for collecting, evaluating, and synthesizing existing evidence of health determinants to research on public health problems.
Apply appropriate data quality assurance and statistical methods for the research questions and study designs used in epidemiologic research.
Formulate a testable hypothesis and propose a related study design and analytic approach that have the potential for advancing knowledge of the determinants of health and disease.
Apply ethical principles to problems that arise in epidemiologic research and practice.
Evaluate scientific, cultural, and political issues on epidemiologic research, including research goals, recruitment of study participants, and communication of results in the appropriate contexts.
Demonstrate excellent verbal and communication skills in teaching epidemiologic principles and concepts at appropriate levels to different audiences.
For more information and instructions on how to apply visit the PhD in Epidemiology web page.
Core Requirements
Epidemiology Core
| Epi 613 | Epidemiology II | 4 |
| Epi 614 | Epidemiology III | 4 |
| Epi 636 | Epidemiological Data Analysis & Interpretation | 4 |
| Epi 630 | Epidemiology Journal Club | 1 |
| Epi 625 | Doctoral Seminar in Causal Inference Methods | 3 |
| Epi 640 | Research Proposal and Design | 3 |
| Epi 668 | Infectious Disease Epidemiology | 2 |
| Epi 676 | Chronic Disease Epidemiology | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 24 |
Biostatistics Core
| BSTA 612 | Linear Models | 4 |
| BSTA 613 | Categorical Data Analysis | 3 |
| BSTA 515 | Data Management & Analysis in SAS | 3 |
| | | |
| BSTA 514 | Statistical Analysis of Time-to-Event Data | 3 |
| | or | |
| BSTA 519 | Applied Longitudinal Data Analysis | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Mentored Teaching
| Epi 660 | Mentored Epidemiology Teaching | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 1 |
Epidemiology Dissertation
| Epi 603 | Epidemiology Dissertation Credits | 27-29 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 27-29 |
Public Health Core
| Conj 650 | Scientific Ethics | 1 |
| | or | |
| HSMP 673 | Values and Ethics in Health | 3 |
| | | |
| PHE 622 | Health and Social Inequalities | 3 |
| PHE 612 | Principles of Health Behavior | 3 |
| ESHH 611 | Concepts of Environmental Health | 3 |
| HSMP 674 | Health Systems Organization | 3 |
| CPH 622 | Communicating Public Health Data | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16-18 |
Electives
Other Approved Electives
Courses selected relevant to course of study and necessity to meet credit requirements.
Courses must be chosen so that program requirements are met with no more than 24 credits (required plus elective) at the 500-level.
Methods Electives
Courses chosen from pre-approved list or in consultation with program director and advisor.
- No more than 6 of 12 required credits can be met with Epi 650 Mentored Epidemiology Research.
- Courses selected relevant to course of study and necessity to meet credit requirements.
- Courses must be chose so that program requirements are met with no more than 24 credits (required plus elective) at the 500-level.
Dissertation and elective credit totals vary based on number of dissertation credits students complete.
Total Credit Hours: 108