About
Graduate students who choose to pursue a PhD degree program in Epidemiology will set out on a path to becoming independent scientists who can formulate original research questions, lead epidemiologic related research, as well as teach and communicate epidemiologic methods and research findings to scientific and lay groups. PhD students receive further training in advanced epidemiologic and biostatistical methods, develop content expertise in an area relevant to their research interests, gain experience and practice communicating via coursework, seminars, research experience, and serving as Teaching Assistants.
The first year is largely devoted to required course work in epidemiology, biostatistics, and developing content expertise of individual research interests via elective courses and directed study. There is a comprehensive written exam at the end of the first year on core epidemiologic and biostatistical methods to ensure basic mastery.
The second year has further coursework in advanced epidemiologic methods and concepts, further biostatical training, and continued development of content expertise specific to individual research interests with elective courses and directed study courses. Most to all coursework is complete after two academic years and the student is expected to advance to candidacy sometime during the third year by presenting and defending a PhD thesis proposal to the faculty.
The remaining time with the program is largely devoted to completing the thesis. The formal defense of the thesis is a public event. The overall course of study is expected to be three to five years. Graduates typically go on to post-doctoral academic positions, research scientist positions, faculty positions, or positions in government or industry.
- Describe the principles of different causal inference and scientific reasoning frameworks
- Design studies and analyses using causal diagrams as a tool to identify and minimize potential biases
- Design and appraise research questions that utilize secondary data
- Perform suitable descriptive analysis to determine appropriate statistical models to be used to analyze time-to-event type of data.
- Develop a survival regression model and perform survival analysis using appropriate statistical software
- Interpret output from the statistical software used in their own analyses and those found in epidemiological studies
- Develop written presentations of statistical analysis results for both public health professionals and educated lay audience.
- Describe the role of genetics in health and disease and critically evaluate genetic epidemiologic studies of different designs
- Describe how genetic, social, and environmental factors all contribute to health and disease
- Describe ethical, legal and social issues associated with collecting, storing analyzing and returning genomic information
Time to Degree
Nominal time to the PhD degree is four to five academic years of full-time study.
Career Opportunities
If you are interested in pursuing a PhD in epidemiology as a part of the UCI Medical Scientist Program (MSTP), learn more about the MSTP program ›
Questions?
Please note that this degree is not yet accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. UC Irvine is a member of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and it’s graduate programs are fully accredited by the WASC Senior Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WSCUC), California’s regional accrediting agency.
