Program Information

The Ph.D. in Epidemiology program is in the Department of Epidemiology, which is jointly governed by both the College of Public Health and Health Professions and the College of Medicine. The program requires a minimum of 90 semester credits beyond the bachelor’s degree. All students must complete at least 36 credits of epidemiology core courses, 6 credits of statistics electives, 18 credits of epidemiology electives, 15 credits of general electives, and 15 credits of dissertation research. Students may also apply to graduate with a concentration in up to two 9-credit concentration areas. All entering students who do not hold MPH or equivalent degrees are also required by the College of Public Health and Health Professions to complete an Introduction to Public Health course.

All students admitted to the Ph.D. program in Epidemiology are fully funded for four years, including a tuition waiver and a stipend. Depending on a student’s source of funding, the student may work for up to 20 hours per week as a research assistant, a teaching assistant, or some combination of the both. Funding sources for students may include the student’s research mentor, the department, the college, the Graduate School, or external fellowships or scholarships pursued by the student.

The core course work is designed to incorporate competencies recommended in the report of the 2002 workshop on doctoral education in epidemiology from the American College of Epidemiology and the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health, and criteria for applied epidemiology competencies. The overall outcomes expected of all graduates are as follows:

1. Apply epidemiological methods to address critical and/or emerging public health issues through the use of:
   • Appropriate epidemiological research designs
   • Advanced statistical analysis methods for health studies
   • Data structures and measurement methods for health research
   • Biological, behavioral and social theory applied to the understanding and prevention of contemporary threats to health and well-being
   • Depth of knowledge in an area of specialization
2. Assimilate the history, philosophy, and ethical principles of epidemiology into current research
3. Develop grant proposals and manage research projects
4. Write scientific papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals, and communicate research results to scientists, policy makers, and the public
5. Compete successfully for research and teaching positions in academic institutions, federal or state agencies, or private institutions.

Students in the Ph.D. program in Epidemiology may apply to graduate with a concentration in up to two of the following areas:

• Cancer Epidemiology
• Genetic Epidemiology
• Gero-Epidemiology
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Psychiatric Epidemiology
• Clinical and Translational Science

Concentrations allow PhD students to focus their elective coursework toward a single content area that interests them. All concentrations offered by the Department of Epidemiology are completely optional, and students may enroll in up to two concentrations. Enrollment in a concentration requires the approval of the student’s academic advisor, research mentor, PhD Program Director, and Curriculum Committee Chair.

All concentrations require that students submit either (a) dissertation aims or (b) a first-authored publication that documents research in the area of the concentration in addition to the required courses.

The overarching goal of each concentration is to provide learners with advanced training in each respective field. This training will help prepare researchers for the frontlines of interdisciplinary team science targeted towards improving the quality of life, health, and society using epidemiologic tools and methods.

Details of the Ph.D. in Epidemiology program and application information are available at our website: http://epidemiology.phhp.ufl.edu/about/ph-d-in-epidemiology-2.

The Master of Science in Epidemiology (MSE) program is a 36-credit program that prepares students for careers in the public health arena that are focused on the surveillance and prevention of illnesses among diverse populations around the world.  Students will be trained in the foundational aspects of epidemiology, including person, place, and time; risk and protective factors; and the social determinants of health.  Areas of focus may include chronic disease, infectious disease, geriatric, environmental, psychiatric, social, cancer, and maternal and child health epidemiology.

The thesis is required to demonstrate skill in independent inquiry and investigation, under the tutelage of a mentor. All students must complete at least 15 credits of epidemiology core courses, 8 credits of biostatistics courses, 4 credits of professional development courses, 5 credits of electives, and 4 credits of thesis research.

Graduates of the MS in Epidemiology program will be able to:

• Apply surveillance, assessment, evaluation, and other foundational epidemiological research designs to all areas of interest,
• Choose appropriate measurement and analytic methods to study health and disease in a population,
• Utilize biological, behavioral and social theory to understand how to prevent and intervene to promote the public health.

 Details of the Master of Science in Epidemiology program and application information are available at our website: https://epidemiology.phhp.ufl.edu/academics/mse/.

Degrees Offered with a Major in Epidemiology

• Doctor of Philosophy
  • without a concentration
  • concentration in Clinical and Translational Science
  • concentration in Gero-Epidemiology
• Master of Science

Requirements for these degrees are given in the Graduate Degrees section of this catalog.

Epidemiology (PHHP/COM) Departmental Courses

College of Medicine Courses

Epidemiology (PHD)

SLO1      Research Studies             
Design epidemiologic research studies and analyze data to answer health-related research questions that are currently relevant to the population.

SLO2      Independent Research 
Prepare to become an independent researcher in the field of Epidemiology.

SLO3      Epidemiology Concepts
Illustrate a thorough understanding of epidemiology concepts.

SLO4      Professional Behavior   
Display ethical behaviors, cultural sensitivity, teamwork, professional conduct and communication, and build academic skills such as grant writing

Epidemiology (MS)         

 SLO 1    MSE Knowledge 
Apply surveillance, assessment, evaluation, and other foundational epidemiological research designs to all areas of interest

SLO 2     MSE Skills           
Utilize biological, behavioral and social theory to understand how to prevent and intervene to promote the public health

SLO 3     MSE Skills Choose appropriate measurement and analytic methods to study health and disease in a population

SLO 4     MSE Professional Behavior          
Display ethical behavior, cultural sensitivity, integrity in research conduct, honesty, and teamwork