University of Pittsburgh Department of Epidemiology

Doctoral Program in Epidemiology

The Ph.D. program offered by the Department of Epidemiology in the Graduate School of Public Health (GSPH) is designed for persons seeking a career in epidemiologic research and teaching. The field of epidemiology focuses on the health of the population, with researchers providing new insights regarding disease incidence and causes of disease. The Department is the largest in GSPH with more than 70 faculty members, many of whom have joint appointments in other health science schools. Areas of research include aging, cardiovascular/diabetes (chronic disease) and cancer, environmental epidemiology, infectious disease, physical activity, psychiatric epidemiology, injury, genetic epidemiology, reproductive, perinatal and pediatric epidemiology, telecommunications and public health and women's health. Key features of the program relevant to M.D./Ph.D. students include the following:

Low student-to-faculty ratio
Large research award budget for Department
Opportunity to work on a wide range of research topics, such as large cardiovascular disease and diabetes cohort studies to identify risk factors for clinical and subclinical disease; case control studies of prostate, breast and ovarian cancer; women's health studies focusing on pregnancy, menopause, or osteoporosis; or mental health studies of substance abuse, depression, and suicide

Application process information can be found on the University of Medical School website: http://www.mdphd.pitt.edu/admissions_appprocess.asp

I. Course Requirements

M.D./Ph.D. students entering the Department of Epidemiology receive 16 credits for their M.D. coursework towards the 72 credits required by the doctoral program. M.D./Ph.D. students are required to take some of the GSPH core courses and several of the Department's core courses.

Required courses:

Introduction to Statistical Methods 1 (Biost 2041)
Principles of Epidemiology (Epidem 2110)
Data Management and Analysis (Biost 2093)
Introduction to Statistical Methods 2 (Biost 2042)
Chronic Disease Epidemiology, the Internet, and NIH Grant Writing (Epidem 2170)
Epidemiologic Methods 1 (Epidem 2180)
Design of Clinical Trials (Epidem 2181)
Reading, Analyzing, and Interpreting the Public Health and Medical Literature (Epidem 2183)
Seminar in Epidemiologic and Public Health Presentation (Epidem 2184)
Epidemiologic Methods 2 (Epidem 2230)
Seminar in Epidemiology (Epidem 2250)
Epidemiologic Basis of Disease Control (Epidem 2260)

II. Preliminary (Qualifying) Examination

At the end of the first year of full-time graduate study, students will take a written preliminary exam to assess the breadth of their knowledge, their achievement during the first year of graduate study, and the potential to apply research methods independently.

III. Teaching Assistant Experience
After passing the Preliminary Examination, all doctoral students are required to gain teaching experience in one of the Department's epidemiology courses.

IV. Dissertation
Students reach an agreement with their major faculty advisor regarding their research topic. Students must choose a doctoral committee of at least 4 faculty members. The committee must review and approve the proposed research project, conduct the Comprehensive Examination, advise the student through the research process, and conduct the Final Oral Examination.

V. Comprehensive Examination
The exam is given by doctoral committee when all or most formal coursework has been completed and dissertation topic approved. It is designed to assess the student's mastery of the general field of doctoral study, depth and breadth in the area of specialization, and ability to use research methods. It may be written, oral, or both.

VI. Final Oral Examination
This exam may be a defense of the dissertation, an exam in the field of the dissertation, or a combination of both.

VII. Language Requirement
Students must demonstrate facile reading knowledge in a foreign language, computer programming, or database management.

Additional Information

For more information regarding the M.D./Ph.D. program, please query the Help Center.