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Refer to the Curriculum section of the Student Handbook or query the Help Center for information including Graduate School of Public Health (GSPH) and Epidemiology Department core courses, as well as suggested course sequences for those matriculating as of fall, 2006. Students may pursue an MS, MPH, PhD, DrPH or joint MD/PhD degree. The major areas of focus within the department are aging, cancer, chronic disease, injury epidemiology, clinical trials, environmental epidemiology, infectious disease, genetic epidemiology, physical activity, psychiatric epidemiology, reproductive, perinatal and pediatric epidemiology, telecommunications and public health, and women's health. Students generally take a series of core courses in epidemiology and then specialize in one of these areas. Faculty in each of these specific areas have major research and/or community service programs that provide excellent facilities for student research and field training. The physical activity and women's health tracks are among the first such tracks to be offered by an American school of public health. Descriptions of each area are detailed below. Additionally, all Graduate School of Public Health (GSPH) students gain exposure to the broader profession of public health through required enrollment in their first two consecutive terms in PUBHLT 2022, The Dean’s Public Health Grand Rounds. This non-credit, tuition free course is offered in fall and spring terms, and provides students with the opportunity to interact with public health researchers and practitioners from other settings and universities around the world. Students may learn more about the PUBHLT 2022 requirement by accessing the GSPH website. Note: Students should not enroll in PUBHLT 2022 as their only course in fall or spring term. Registration in this course must be accompanied by registration in at least one other for-credit course. Quick Links
Aging EpidemiologyThe epidemiology of aging program focuses on two primary areas: (1) etiological research related to important health problems of older adults; and (2) research on methods to promote healthy active aging. Methodological issues especially pertinent to research on older adults are emphasized. Evaluation of potentially preventative methods and the interaction of genetic and environmental factors that may influence the progression of "aging" are included in the program. The program faculty are currently doing research in a number of problems pertinent to aging, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, sarcopenia, falls, frailty, physical activity, osteoporosis, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer. The program represents collaboration between epidemiology and behavioral and community health services with geriatric medicine, rheumatology, neurology, endocrinology, cardiology, human genetics, and psychiatry. The epidemiology of aging program is based within the Department of Epidemiology's Center for Aging and Population Health. The focus of the CAPH is to optimize health in older adults by emphasizing health promotion and disease prevention. The CAPH strives to generate new solutions to the challenges of an aging society through the conduct of population-based research that promotes healthy aging, longevity, and prevention of disability. These efforts are collaborative within the University and the community and engage older adults as valued resources in society. Thus, the CAPH orchestrates epidemiologic and public health research which provides a platform for academic training in aging research for pre and post-doctoral graduate students through course work, field experience, and mentoring. To complement and enhance the coursework, the CAPH utilizes the resources of the Health Studies Research Center, a 13,000 square foot facility staffed by over 40 trained technicians for the clinical evaluation of participants in all of the large studies of older adults. Areas of expertise include anthropometry, physical strength and function measures, interviewing skills, neuropsychological testing, bone density and body composition measurement, eye exams, pulmonary function testing ECGs, and resting metabolic rate. In addition to the Graduate School of Public Health core courses and the Department of Epidemiology core courses, students in the Aging Epidemiology Program commonly select courses from the following courses:
Required:
The Cancer Epidemiology and Cancer Control and Prevention Programs
Emanuela Taioli, MD, PhD, Director, Cancer Prevention The Cancer Prevention and Control Epidemiology Program is a joint program with the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. Graduates of our program serve in a variety of positions, from academic institutions, to state and local health departments, to clinical practice. The program emphasizes the importance of understanding disease etiology and identifying risk factors as critical components in devising successful prevention programs as well as in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with cancer. Cancer epidemiology and prevention specialists require multi-disciplinary training. Cancer prevention requires three basic tools: 1) knowledge of etiology, host response and malignant processes; 2) the ability to measure risk at the individual and population levels; and 3) effective intervention methods. The ability to succeed within any one of the three conceptual domains requires a complete knowledge base, including relevant biology and special methodological skills. The Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Program is designed to provide these skills to students at the pre- and post-doctoral levels in order to produce independent cancer prevention and control investigators. The Program provides two parts: a series of didactic courses, and a multi-year, long-term dual-mentored research experiences coordinated through the efforts of fifteen core faculty members representing the departments of epidemiology, biostatistics, human genetics, environmental health, behavioral medicine, and internal medicine. The Core Faculty provides access to a rich network of potential mentors, research topics, and suitable human populations, both clinical and community-based. Under the supervision of at least two mentors representing different disciplines, trainees design, implement, and complete a cancer control or prevention research project involving human subjects. Biomarkers are a critical component of the program. Trainees will have the opportunity to learn about biomarkers of early detection, genetic susceptibility and exposure, and to use the biomarkers in epidemiological settings. Upon completion of the program, students will 1) understand the molecular and genetic basis of cancer, including the laboratory techniques involved in these areas, 2) have a working knowledge of the variety of disciplines concerned with disease prevention and control, 3) possess the analytic skills required to develop and to test hypotheses in cancer etiology, prevention, and control, and 4) know how to measure and modify behavioral risk factors. A limited number of pre- and post-doctoral fellowships are available through the training program. For further information about the training program and fellowships, contact: Joel Weissfeld, MD, MPH at jwepid@pitt.edu or Emanuela Taioli, MD, PhD at taiolien@upmc.edu. Cardiovascular/Diabetes (Chronic Disease) EpidemiologyThe major emphasis in this track has been in investigating the etiology of chronic diseases, especially diabetes, coronary heart disease, and cancer; evaluating the effects of intervention on key risk factors; the translation of clinical trial findings into clinical practice ; and the pursuit of community studies. The Diabetes and Lipid Research Group (DLRG) in collaboration with the Endocrinology Division at Children's Hospital, is a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center, and participates in many of the national studies of diabetes, including the Diabetes Prevention Program ( Type 2 diabetes) and the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial /Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications study( Type 1 Diabetes). In addition, there is a 20 year locally based natural history study of type 1 diabetes. This group thus provides extensive research experience in the etiology and natural history of type 1 diabetes and in the prevention of diabetes complications generally. The DLRG facility offers unusual opportunities for international research in diabetes and related diseases as well as having close collaborations with other components of the department, for example the Epidemiology Data Center in the BARI2D study of treatment strategies for those with type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The track in chronic diseases is closely linked with the nutrition and behavioral sciences program and with faculty in the medical school and other health sciences schools. The DLRG also houses an active clinic for the management of lipid disorders, a support center for the prevention of diabetes in primary care practice, while the Physical Activity track provides unique training in physical activity epidemiology, examining the role of inactivity in the development of chronic diseases in populations around the world. Training in cancer epidemiology is provided through collaboration with the Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. The early identification of individuals at risk of cardiovascular disease is key for the development of effective strategies for prevention. This is the goal of the department?s Ultrasound Research Laboratory (www.url.pitt.edu). The Epidemiology Ultrasound Research Laboratory (URL) in the Department of Epidemiology is a shared resource that provides non-invasive vascular testing of research quality for ongoing studies. The URL works collaboratively with the epidemiology Health Clinic to provide coordinated data collection for participants volunteering in health studies. The URL is also part of the support structure for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Cardiovascular Institute of Preventative Heart Care Center, at the UPMC University Center in Oakland. The lab provides support and oversight for multi-center studies that focus on sub-clinical atherosclerotic measures on children and adults of all ages. These include but are not limited to studies targeting women?s health, the aging process, and diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, polycystic ovary disease, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity and pediatric dyslipidemia. Rigorous and continuous quality improvement processes are an integral part of the lab?s efforts. The Department of Epidemiology also works closely with the University of Pittsburgh Minority International Research Training Program under the direction of Dr. Eugene Tull. For more information, please contact Trevor Orchard, M.B.B. Ch., M.Med.Sci. at tjo@pitt.edu. Clinical TrialsThe track focuses on design, coordination and analysis of randomized clinical trials. Students take courses in epidemiology, biostatistics and data systems. Training opportunities in the Epidemiology Data Center provide students with practical experience in study coordination, data management and statistical analysis of ongoing, nationally renowned, multicenter clinical trials. The track faculty from the Epidemiology Data Center is currently coordinating clinical trials in cardiovascular disease, psychiatry, aging, ophthalmology, surgery and transplantation.
Environmental EpidemiologyThis track is designed to provide expertise in the special problems associated with the conduct of epidemiological research into the health effects of environmental pollution. Students receive training in both epidemiological research methods and aspects of environmental measurements. Current interests include health effects of low-level radiation, noise, chemical contamination, environment, trace elements, and disease. Opportunities for field work related to an environmental health problems will be available. In addition to the Graduate School of Public Health core courses and the Department of Epidemiology core courses, students in the Environmental Epidemiology Program commonly select classes from the following:
Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Disease Infectious Disease EpidemiologyThis is a multidisciplinary track leading to an MPH or PhD degree designed to prepare health professionals (e.g., physicians, nurses and nurse practitioners) for infectious disease surveillance, investigation, prevention, control, quality assurance, and research activities either in the hospital, health department or the general community. Major instructional and research components are provided by the Department of Epidemiology and the Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Program of the Graduate School of Public Health in collaboration with the Division of Infectious Diseases of the Departments of Medicine and Pathology of the School of Medicine, and the Allegheny County Health Department. Field training to provide broad, practical experience is carried out at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center hospitals, other select area hospitals, the Allegheny County Health Department, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Health. Research interests of department faculty include the epidemiology of HIV, human T-lymphotropic virus type I, and tuberculosis in Brazil; the epidemiology of meningitis and other invasive bacterial infections in the United States; outbreak investigation; molecular epidemiology; and the genetic susceptibility and progression of hepatitis C virus infection. In addition to the Graduate School of Public Health core courses and the Department of Epidemiology core courses, students in the Infectious Disease Program commonly select classes from the following:
Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases For more information, please contact Leland Yee, PhD at yeel@edc.pitt.edu or Kristen Mertz, MD, MPH at mertzk@edc.pitt.edu. Injury EpidemiologyInjuries represent a significant public health burden around the world. Faculty from the Department of Epidemiology and several other departments in the university offer the opportunity for students to specialize their training to the understanding of injuries, their occurrence, outcome, and prevention. An academic curriculum is available for students to illustrate and emphasize the multi-disciplinary nature of injuries, including courses in the biomedical, behavioral, social and risk sciences. Areas of research training in injury epidemiology are varied, and can be developed by the student and major advisor to meet the background, degree program, and interests of the student. Past research projects among students in injury epidemiology in the department have included assessments of violence, poisoning, highway safety, child maltreatment, traumatic brain injury, and outcomes from the acute care of injuries. For more information, please contact Thomas Songer, PhD at tjs@pitt.edu. Physical Activity EpidemiologyThe Physical Activity Epidemiology track is one of the first to be offered within a U.S. school of public health. The track is designed for students who already have training in exercise physiology (or a similar discipline) and are seeking an epidemiology graduate degree (master's or doctoral) with an emphasis in physical activity assessment and intervention research. Students are provided with the opportunity to work with a variety of local, national, and international studies examining the role of physical inactivity in the development of chronic diseases and/or the benefits of activity intervention in prevention efforts. A special emphasis in this program is placed on activity assessment and intervention efforts pertaining to minority populations. For more information, please contact Andrea M. Kriska, PhD, MS at kriskaa@edc.pitt.edu. Genetic EpidemiologyThis track has been designed for general epidemiology students, students with some interest in genetic epidemiology, and students with a strong background in the basic sciences and intending to pursue a Ph.D. focused on genetic epidemiology. Requirements vary accordingly and are offered in collaboration with the Departments of Environmental and Occupational Health and Human Genetics in the Graduate School of Public Health. Didactic and laboratory courses are offered. Areas of research training in genetic epidemiology include aging, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes obesity and osteoporosis. For more information, please contact Joseph Zmuda, PhD at zmudaj@edc.pitt.edu. Psychiatric EpidemiologyThe purpose of this program is to provide advanced training in psychiatric epidemiology by emphasizing the use of epidemiologic methods and techniques to explore risk factors and the distribution of psychiatric disorders. This program represents a collaboration between the Department of Psychiatry of the School of Medicine and the Department of Epidemiology. Students have the opportunity to work with one of the ongoing research projects at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, a psychiatry department of approximately 200 full-time faculty members. Ongoing research opportunities include projects in depression, schizophrenia, geriatric psychiatry, substance use disorders, social and community psychiatry, behavioral medicine, antisocial behavior, delinquency and assessment in psychiatry. In addition to the Graduate School of Public Health core courses and the Department of Epidemiology core courses, students in the Psychiatric Epidemiology Program are required to take the following courses:
Psychiatric Epidemiology 1 For further information, contact Dr. Gale A. Richardson, Program Director, at gar@pitt.edu or visit the program website at http://www.wpic.pitt.edu/research/psychepidtraining Telecommunications and Public HealthStudents in this track take courses both in epidemiology and telecommunications. Training will involve research with NASA, WHO, the World Bank, and other organizations through Global Health Network developed by the Department of Epidemiology. For more information, please contact Ron LaPorte, PhD, MS at ronlaporte@aol.com. Reproductive, Perinatal and Pediatric EpidemiologyDescription: The reproductive, perinatal, and pediatric epidemiology program aims to provide outstanding training to pre-doctoral students who are interested in better understanding the pattern, risk factors, and interventions that might improve reproductive, perinatal, and pediatric health. The program integrates solid epidemiologic training with didactic coursework and experiences in obstetrics, gynecology, neonatology, pediatrics, psychiatry, adolescent medicine and the basic sciences of genetics, molecular biology, and developmental biology. Predoctoral trainees will be mentored through an individually-designed program of studies, conduct of independent research, writing data-based papers for national presentation and peer review publication, and preparation for fellowship or scientific careers. Specifically, students will: (1) Develop outstanding skills in epidemiology and biostatistics with particular emphasis on the application of methods needed to address important research questions in reproductive epidemiology; (2) Gain a better understanding of the pathophysiologic, genetic, behavioral, and environmental determinants of important diseases and disorders of pregnant women and children emphasizing normative reproductive and developmental physiology, as well as sub-clinical aberrations on the way to clinical onset of disease; (3) Emphasize the domains of exposure, such as infection/inflammation, environmental toxicants, nutrition, injury, mood, substance use/abuse, and genetic susceptibility (4) Emphasize the domains of and intersections between reproductive, perinatal, and pediatric outcomes such as fertility, preterm birth, growth restriction, fetal death, preeclampsia, and diseases of childhood and adolescence; (5) Integrate science across disciplines so as to develop cutting-edge approaches to the etiology, prevention, and treatment of diseases relating to pregnancy and childhood. Training Program: A Reproductive Epidemiology Training Program, funded as a T32 by the NIH, supports 5 predoctoral departmental students. This predoctoral fellowship provides full tuition and stipend. Trainees are expected to allocate their time between coursework, dissertation work, and additional training experiences. Students who are interested in applying for the program should contact Dr. Catherine Haggerty, haggertyc@edc.pitt.edu In addition to the Graduate School of Public Health core courses and the Department of Epidemiology core courses, students in the Reproductive, Perinatal, and Pediatric Epidemiology Program are required to take: Reproductive Epidemiology (EPIDEM 2720)Epidemiology of Women's Health (EPIDEM 2710) Analysis of Cohort Studies (BIOST 2046) Epidemiology and Health Services (EPIDEM 2200) Public Health Genetics (HUGEN 2049) Behavioral Factors in Disease (EPIDEM 2400) Analysis of Case-Control Studies (BIOST 2045) Students in the program also commonly select from among the following courses: Cancer Epidemiology (EPIDEM 2171) Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Disease (EPIDEM 2150) Physical Activity Epidemiology (EPIDEM 2151) Psychiatric Epidemiology (EPIDEM 2310) Psychiatric Epidemiology (EPIDEM 2320) Behavioral Lifestyle Interventions (EPIDEM 2550) Injury Epidemiology (EPIDEM 2670) Introduction to Pharmacoepidemiology (EPIDEM 2850) Epidemiology of Aging (EPIDEM 2900) Molecular Epidemiology Lab (EPIDEM 2601) Introduction to Sampling (BIOST 2016) Applied Regression Analysis (BIOST 2049) Multivariate Analysis (BIOST 2052) Human Population Genetics (HUGEN 2022) Critical Issues in Global Health (PUBHLT 2009) Constructing Questionnaires & Surveys (PSYED 3471) For more information about the Reproductive, Perinatal, and Pediatric Epidemiology Program or the training grant, please contact Catherine Haggerty, PhD, MPH at haggertyc@edc.pitt.edu. Epidemiology of Women's HealthThe track in the Epidemiology of Women's Health is the first to be offered by an American school of public health. Faculty from the Department of Epidemiology and other GSPH departments have joined faculty from Magee-Women's Research Institute to develop an interdisciplinary academic curriculum in the biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences as they relate to health care issues in women. With a focus on prevention, the track emphasizes the importance of understanding disease etiology, identification of risk factors, and reduction of morbidity, mortality and disability through health promotion and early detection. The particular course of study is developed by the student and major advisor based on academic and professional background, area of concentration, degree program and school requirements. In addition to the Graduate School of Public Health core courses and the Department of Epidemiology core courses, students in the Women's Health Program commonly select classes from the following:
Epidemiology of Women's Health Students may also choose to participate in the following programs:
Women's Health Scholar Award Additional InformationFor more information, please contact Thistle Elias, MS, at elias@pitt.edu or query the Help Center. |
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Our integrative curriculum, including research experiences, internships and teaching practicums, is structured to engage students with a variety of prior professional experiences and academic backgrounds. The depth and breadth of our theoretical and applied coursework exposes students to a variety of areas central to public health study, including Cardiovascular Disease/Diabetes, Women's Health, Aging, Cancer, Genetics, Psychiatric Epidemiology, Lifestyle/Behavior health factors, Clinical Trials/Methods, Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Injury Control.
