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 a minimum of 9 credits in Epidemiology foundation course work, at least 36 credits of epidemiology core courses, 6 credits of statistics electives, 18 credits of epidemiology electives, 15 credits of general electives, and 12 credits of dissertation research. 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.

Students in the Ph.D. program in Epidemiology are admitted to work with a research mentor on that mentor’s project, and that research mentor funds the student. Other funding sources are available such as the Graduate School and the Department.

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 Gero-Epidemiology. With the continued “graying” of the worldwide population, the number of individuals at risk for developing age-related disorders continues to increase along with the social, emotional, and economic cost of caring for such individuals. Therefore, nearly every health care-related academic discipline will be faced with the task of integrating Gerontology as a critical area of study. The overarching goal of the Gero-Epidemiology concentration is to provide learners with advanced training in the field of Gero-Epidemiology. This training, provided through courses within the Department of Epidemiology and the Department of Aging and Geriatric Research (DAGR), will help prepare researchers for the frontlines of interdisciplinary team science targeted towards improving the quality of life, health and society for our ever increasing aging population.

The Department of Epidemiology also participates in the Clinical and Translational Science Interdisciplinary Concentration offered by the Clinical and Translational Science Institute. For more information about this concentration, please visit https://www.ctsi.ufl.edu/education/ph-d-students/cts-interdisciplinary-concentration/.

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.

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