DEGREES
The graduate degree programs offered in epidemiology include the Master of Public Health (MPH), the Master of Science (MS), and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). A joint MPH degree in epidemiology and biostatistics is also offered.
The MPH degree in epidemiology is a professional degree intended for students who have already completed advanced training in a substantive area and who wish to add professional education in public health. The student body is made up almost exclusively of students who already have doctoral degrees (e.g. MD, DVM, DDS, or PhD). These students usually complete the degree requirements (42 units of course work) in one academic year including the summer session prior to the fall semester. Students without a prior doctoral or equivalent degree can be admitted into the epidemiology/biostatistics MPH program, where they can obtain intensive training in epidemiology, biostatistics, and other related areas if desired These students usually complete the degree requirements (48 units of course work) in two academic years. On completion of the MPH degree in epidemiology or epidemiology/biostatistics, some students may be admitted into the PhD degree program.
The purpose of the MS program is to provide an opportunity for students who do not already possess an advanced degree in a substantive area to begin an in-depth study of epidemiology. Students who are accepted into the MS program generally have a strong interest in proceeding directly into the PhD program. MS and PhD degree programs are offered primarily for applicants interested in preparation for academic and research careers in epidemiology
CURRICULUM/COURSE OFFERINGS
Students in the epidemiology and epidemiology/biostatistics programs, whether at the masters or doctoral level, have available within the School of Public Health and on the rest of the Berkeley campus a wide range of courses from which to choose. While generally devoting a substantial portion of course hours to topics in epidemiology and biostatistics, students have ample opportunity and are strongly encouraged to take additional courses in areas of interest to them and/or courses needed for their research. All students are assigned a faculty advisor who is responsible for helping the student plan the curriculum best suited to his or her interests and plans for the future. Many classes will require the use of specialized software and most will rely on the use of email and Internet access. SPH Instructional Facilities (classroom and drop-in labs) are equipped exclusively with PCs running Windows and, therefore, in-class presentations are usually performed in the PC/Windows environment. Please visit the SPH Instructional Computing Web site for a complete description of the facilities and services that are available to students: http://sph.berkeley.edu/student/computing.html
MPH
In addition to taking courses in epidemiology and biostatistics, all students in the MPH programs in epidemiology or epidemiology/biostatistics must meet school-wide "breadth" requirements. During the spring semester prior to graduation, all MPH students are required to take a Comprehensive Examination with a two-member faculty committee. The examination, which is oral, involves presenting and defending the contents of the student’s required masters paper.
MS
The MS program differs from the MPH program in that students emphasize depth of course work in one or more basic science areas complementary to epidemiologic research and are not required to take the breadth courses in public health. This MS program usually takes two years and requires at least 24 credits in courses in epidemiology and biostatistics, and a minimum of three months of epidemiological research.
PhD
The PhD program is administered by the Graduate Group in Epidemiology, which is appointed by the Graduate Division and includes faculty members from a number of disciplines and departments at Berkeley, as well as faculty from the UC San Francisco campus. In addition to the courses required for the master's degree and more advanced coursework in epidemiologic and biostatistical methods, PhD students identify a third area of scientific knowledge in which they will develop competence. Normally, a minimum of one additional year of study is required following receipt of the master's degree before taking the written and oral qualifying examinations and being advanced to candidacy for the PhD degree. After advancement to candidacy, students must conceive, conduct, and complete an original research project culminating in a dissertation. The average time for students to complete the PhD program is 4.5 years.
In order to be admitted to candidacy, the student must pass a written qualifying examination and a three-hour oral qualifying examination, which is conducted by a four-member faculty committee. The makeup of the four-member committee must be approved by the Graduate Division.
After being admitted to candidacy, a three-member Dissertation Committee (approved by the Graduate Division) monitors the progress of the student. The Dissertation Committee is responsible for guiding and supervising the student's research and for assuring that the thesis meets the highest standards of excellence. |
