Epidemiology, PhD

Doctor of Philosophy Degree Program

Overview

The PhD program in Epidemiology is anchored in public health and quantitative population research and analysis. Students approach research using epidemiologic methods to understand complex human health problems. The PhD comprises two years of coursework followed by two (or more) years of research. Students are required to complete a teaching training curriculum and serve as teaching assistants for methods and topical courses. Additionally, students must successfully complete a written comprehensive exam, a practice oral exam, a preliminary oral exam, multiple oral and poster presentations, and a final dissertation including presentation and defense. The doctoral degree program is designed for individuals with specific career goals in public health research, teaching, and/or leadership.

PhD students focus on the creation of new and innovative knowledge through their research. Training is offered through a core methodologic sequence with the addition of more focused courses in specialized areas. Students are expected to tailor their curricula, working with their advisers to create a comprehensive plan of study and research. PhD dissertations must be based on original research, worthy of publication, and approved by the Department and a committee of thesis (dissertation) readers. PhD students must also be engaged in primary data collection as a component of their dissertation research or embedded in other research during their training. 

Program Highlights

The PhD program requires that students:

• Complete at least 64 credits of coursework with a cumulative 3.0 GPA (B or higher average in required courses)
• Successfully pass the written comprehensive examination at the doctoral level
• Complete the teacher training (TA) curriculum, including serving as a TA in 3 departmental courses or time in service
• Present their proposed doctoral research as a professional seminar to the Department
• Pass the Departmental Oral Examination
• Pass the Graduate Board Preliminary Oral Examination
• Fulfill the primary data collection requirement
• Develop and conduct independent research culminating in a doctoral dissertation
• Present their completed dissertation research in a formal seminar (open to the public)
• Successfully defend their dissertation during the Final Oral Examination

Students work closely with their advisers and their Thesis Advisory Committee to develop their research questions and design their projects to address those questions and to conduct the dissertation research.

Funding for the PhD program

The PhD program in Epidemiology grants four years of tuition support, stipend, individual health insurance including dental, vision, and other benefits; provided the PhD students progress as expected and required by the academic program. 

PhD Student Employee Union and Collective Bargaining Agreement

Information about the TRU-JHU PhD Student Union and the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) can be found here. 

• PhD students in the Epidemiology PhD program who receive work appointments and/or health insurance premium subsidy through Johns Hopkins University are defined as PhD Student Employees under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) dated March 29, 2024-June 30, 2027.
  • This agreement has established wages, work hours, benefits, and conditions of appointment. Many of these are described here.
  • Eligible PhD students will be contacted by the Union and may elect to join the union and pay dues or pay agency fees if they do not join the union. All eligible PhD students are under the CBA, regardless of Union membership.
  • The CBA only covers work, which is limited to a maximum of 20 hours per week on average for stipend funding. A PhD student worker may voluntarily elect to participate in supplemental work beyond the 20 hours per week on average, in alignment with their funding sources and visa guidelines.
  • Academic policies for the PhD program are not part of the CBA. 

CBA Summary

This is just a summary, not the complete terms of the CBA. Click here to review the full terms of the CBA. Not all elements of the CBA are summarized here. Please reach out to epiphdcba@jh.edu with questions and concerns specific to the Epidemiology PhD program. 

• Compensation
  • Academic year (AY) 26-27: $52,000 effective July 1, 2026
  • The hourly appointment rate will be $28.11/hour, at minimum for supplemental appointments. 
  • Minimum 4 years of guaranteed funding for all PhD student employees in the Bloomberg School of Public Health, the School of Nursing, the School of Advanced International Studies, and the School of Education.
  • PhD student employees with external awards paid through the University will have their compensation increased to the minimum rate during a period of guaranteed funding. 

• Benefits
  • Enrollment information will be available through HR Benefits for Students and Learners and communications will be sent in advance of benefits election periods.
  • Paid by the University:
    • The University will pay the premiums for University Student Health Benefits Plan (SHBP), including dental and vision coverage, employee coverage for employees in full-time resident status during the terms of full appointments.
    • PhD student employees will receive subsidies of $4,500 per child per year for eligible children under 6 years and $3,000 per child aged 6-18 years or adult dependents, with a maximum of $12,000 per family per year, in installments throughout the year.
  • Reimbursed by University/Departments:
    • The University will pay the cost of the health insurance premiums for eligible dependent children and spouses unable to work in the US, including dental and vision. Reimbursement procedures will be available on the HR Benefits website.
    • International students will be eligible to apply to a yearly fund to cover required visa fees. 
    • Students will be eligible for reimbursement for MTA All Access College Transit Passes or DC U-Passes. Registration and enrollment information will be available on the HR Benefits website.

• Time Off/Vacation/Leaves 
  • All University holidays are recognized. 
  • PhD student employees have at least 15 vacation days per year. Additional time can be given by a supervisor. 
  • PhD student employees receive 15 sick days per year with an additional 5 days if the student is primary caregiver. 
  • PhD student employees receive 5 days of bereavement leave for the passing of immediate and extended family members and close friends, with 1 additional day for those needing international travel. 
  • International PhD student employees who are required to travel out of the country in order to maintain their immigration status necessary to be able to continue their program at the University are eligible for up to fourteen (14) days off with pay during the period of such travel.
  • Parents are eligible for 8 weeks of paid leave following birth or adoption, with an additional 4 weeks for parents who have just given birth. New Child Accommodation applies to the academic, not work, PhD student experience.
  • Leaves of absence, including family leave, medical leave, and personal leave, are governed by the applicable academic divisional and University leave policies.

• Work Hours
  • No PhD student employee shall be required to perform work for more than 20 hours/week on average.
  • Teaching appointments are included in the 20 hours of work that may be assigned. Academic coursework, exams, and academic research are in addition to this assigned 20 hours of work.
  • There are no restrictions on work external to Hopkins except when decreed by funding source or visa status.
  • All work appointments (baseline funding or supplemental funding) require an appointment letter. Appointment letters will define the expectations and requirements of the teaching, research, or other University activity appointment. Students should contact epiphdcba@jh.edu with any questions. 

• Union Representation
  • All directory information will be sent to the Union unless restricted. Supplemental information will require a FERPA consent form available on SIS self-service. 
  • Union Representatives are current PhD Student Employees who are elected/selected to help their fellow PhD Student Employees navigate work-related disciplines, grievances, and other procedural/policy issues. Contact TRU-JHU with questions about specific Union Representatives.
  • TRU-JHU Contact Information
    • Website: trujhu.org
    • Phone: (443) 281-9462
    • Address: TRU-UE Local 197, PO Box 41149, Baltimore, MD 21203
    • Email: trujhu@gmail.com

PH - Academic and Administrative Office

Name	Title	Phone	Email	Room
Elizabeth Platz	Cancer Epidemiology, Prevention, and Control Training Program ("Cancer")		eplatz1@jhu.edu
Karen Bandeen-Roche	Epidemiology and Biostatistics of Aging Training Program ("Aging")		kbandee1@jhu.edu
Liz Selvin	Cardiovascular Epidemiology Institutional Training Program ("CVD")		eselvin@jhu.edu
Shruti Mehta	Johns Hopkins HIV Epidemiology Prevention Sciences Training Program ("HIV")		smehta@jhu.edu
William Moss	Research in Practice: Translating Infectious Disease Epidemiology ("RIPTIDE")		wmoss1@jhu.edu
Caleb Alexander	NHLBI Training Program in Pharmacoepidemiology ("Pharmaco")		galexan9@jhmi.edu
Todd Brown	Clinical Research and Epidemiology in Diabetes and Endocrinology ("Diabetes")		tbrown27@jhmi.edu
Jennifer Deal	Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health Training Program ("Cochlear")		jdeal1@jhu.edu

Further, the Department encourages each eligible graduate student to apply for NIH F-Level Individual Predoctoral National Research Service Awards (NRSAs). Interested students should first talk with their adviser(s) and the Student Financial Manager.

Program Requirements

Doctoral students in the Department of Epidemiology train to be public health leaders and educators. By following an apprenticeship model, students take courses, learn to teach methods and concepts to a wide audience, conduct a rigorous examination of the existing science, and discover and contribute new knowledge to the field. Thus, the program requires students to complete a residency and participate fully in journal clubs, research-in-progress meetings, programmatic activities, and scientific poster sessions and conferences. Doctoral students serve as teaching assistants, conduct research, and prepare a dissertation of the caliber expected of graduates of Johns Hopkins University. 

Residency

The PhD in Epidemiology generally requires four years of residency in person at BSPH. To broaden perspective and develop skills for work in public health and epidemiology, at least 18 credits of coursework are required in courses from at least two other departments outside the student’s primary department. At least nine of these credits must be taken at BSPH. Students who have completed a master’s degree at BSPH and are continuing into the doctoral program must complete:

1. 18 new credits outside of Epidemiology, in at least two different departments of the School, and 
2. complete 18 credits within the Department of Epidemiology, to establish the grade point average.

​PhD students are expected to complete the core required courses for a letter grade and earn a B or better in required courses. The minimum grade point average for PhD students is 3.0 on the 4.0 scale. Requirements of the University and the School do not count toward the 18 credits outside of the Department.

Quarterly Doctoral Meetings

Doctoral students and the Doctoral Program Directors meet quarterly. These meetings provide a forum to learn about academic policies and deadlines, raise questions and concerns, and to connect. All doctoral students are expected to attend.

Annual Advising and Planning Meetings with Adviser (Individualized Development Plan)

PhD students must meet at least annually with their primary academic adviser for a formal review of their progress with written feedback and discuss plans for the upcoming year. This is accomplished using the Individualized Development Plan (IDP). A critical part of any learning is the ability to review knowledge and skills gained, identify gaps, and identify ways to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for academic and professional success. Therefore, each PhD student is expected to review their goals and objectives for pursuing the program, evaluate the progress they have made in obtaining the training desired, and set forth goals for the upcoming academic year. Each student reviews these with their academic adviser to discuss their progress and address any suggested areas for exploration. The IDP is not a graded assignment but rather a guidepost for personal growth and reflection.

The Johns Hopkins University Provost's Office provides resources on its website and a guided form for use. Additionally, a handy and thorough example designed by Science Careers is linked here.
 

Any template for an IDP may be used; however, the form must include sections for the student to complete on the following topics. There must also be space for adviser comments and feedback:

• Academic and/or thesis research progress of the past year and specific academic and/or research goals for the upcoming year;
• Ideas for ways in which the adviser can help the student achieve the student’s academic or research goals for the coming year;
• Short and long-term professional goals and the types or range of professional sectors of possible interest;
• Specific skills the student wants to develop, or professional areas about which the student wants to learn more; and
• Provide ways the adviser can help the student achieve, or connect the student to resources for, these professional goals.

Doctoral TA Curriculum

Learning how to be an effective educator and communicator is an integral part of graduate education in epidemiology. Through the Doctoral TA Curriculum, students will be able to: 

• Interpret and critique epidemiological studies.
• Interpret epidemiologic data and make valid inferences from study findings.
• Develop skills in articulating epidemiologic concepts and methods
• Communicate effectively in oral and written formats with students, professionals and the public
• Provide epidemiologic critique and advice through advising students and professionals on epidemiologic concepts and methods

Practicing these critical teaching, leadership, and communications skills prepares students for Departmental and Preliminary Oral Examinations and for their future careers. 

Components of the Doctoral TA Curriculum 

Doctoral students are required to complete the Doctoral TA Curriculum during Years 2, 3, and 4 of the doctoral program. The Doctoral TA Curriculum requires an average of 160 hours of TA work per year, annualized across Summer Term and the regular academic terms. The required amount of TA work each year can be fulfilled through any combination of TA roles across all Departmental courses. After reaching an average of 160 hours of TA work completed for the year, additional TA work in subsequent Terms can be compensated through Supplemental Pay. Institute courses, and MAS courses do not count towards the Doctoral TA Curriculum.

Required TA training activities and methods of assessment

The Doctoral TA Curriculum includes required TA training activities and methods of assessment. TA training activities and methods of assessment are required activities in the Doctoral TA Curriculum that do not count towards the minimum of 160 hours of TA work per year.

1. Departmental TA Training Session: This student-led training session occurs each year. Experienced TAs are expected to contribute to this student-led training session in a leadership role.
    
2. CTL TA Training: This self-paced course orients Teaching Assistants to the roles and responsibilities of their position, relevant policies and regulations, technical tools, teaching tips, and other important information. Students submit their CTL Certificate of Completion to the Epi Academic Core.
    
3. Individualized Teaching Statement: Students prepare an Individualized Teaching Statement at the start of each TA position. The Individualized Teaching Statement may include: a statement of teaching goals for the Term, a Teaching Philosophy statement, or a self-reflection on areas of growth related to teaching in the Term. Students submit their Individualized Teaching Statement to the Epi Academic Core at the start of each Term. Students are encouraged to share their Individualized Teaching Statement with the course instructor. The Epi Academic Core and course instructors will provide feedback.
    
4. 340.865 Teaching Epidemiologic Methods and Concepts at the Graduate Level: To document the in-course training on the academic transcript and to receive academic credit, PhD students register for 340.865.01 in the Terms that they TA. For TAs in Summer Term, students can register for credit hours in 1^st Term to avoid additional tuition fees.
    
5. Course Evaluations: At the end of a Term, TAs may request feedback shared about them from students in the Course Evaluations.

Recommended TA training activities

The following TA training activities are recommended but not required:

1. Teaching Academy: The Teaching Academy offers PhD students college teacher training and academic career preparation opportunities through courses, workshops, teaching practicums, teaching-as-research fellowships, and individual consultation around the pedagogy of teaching.
    
2. Teaching Institute: The three-day Teaching Institute is an annual training event hosted by the Teaching Academy.

Course Requirements

CEPH Cells to Society Courses

The Council on Education in Public Health designates core knowledge for all public health professionals. The list of modules and term offerings is located online. Epidemiology degree students are required to complete 8 of the 12 modules as listed below. Each module is 0.5 credits and is offered only online. Many of these can be used as introductions to full-term courses offered in multiple modalities throughout the year. Incoming doctoral students who have completed CEPH accredited degree programs prior to enrollment may waive the CEPH Cells to Society training requirement. These modules must be completed during the first year of the degree program. 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.552.601	Foundational Principles of Public Health	0.5
PH.552.603	The Role of Qualitative Methods and Science in Describing and Assessing a Population's Health	0.5
PH.552.607	Essentials of Environmental Health	0.5
PH.552.608	Biologic, Genetic and Infectious Bases of Human Disease	0.5
PH.552.609	Psychological and Behavioral Factors That Affect A Population's Health	0.5
PH.552.610	The Social Determinants of Health	0.5
PH.552.611	Globalization and Population Health	0.5
PH.552.612	Essentials of One Health	0.5

Core Courses
 

The Doctoral Level Core Requirements are listed by year and term for all Epidemiology doctoral students. BSPH Students complete the Academic and Research Ethics Module before the end of the first term of enrollment. Epidemiology Students complete CEPH Cells to Society Courses, Core Courses, Track-Specific Courses, a course outside of their track, and recommended courses appropriate to provide a base for their intended research. Students who group their electives and recommended courses in a cohesive theme may wish to complete one of the many Certificates offered by the Department and School. Doctoral students who have a strong interest in methodology may apply for and complete the Concurrent MHS in Biostatistics while enrolled in the doctoral program.

Most Core Courses will be completed during the first year of enrollment in preparation for the Written Comprehensive Examinations and as preparation for the Teaching Curriculum.

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Summer Term		Credits
Introduction to Online Learning
PH.550.860	Academic & Research Ethics at BSPH
Required Training Modules in JHED / MyLearning
JHU Opioid Awareness
JHU Understanding Title VI: Rights and Responsibilities at JHU (Title VI)
JHU Building Supportive Communities (Title IX)
	Credits	0
First Term
PH.340.761	Epidemiologic Methods for EPI Doctoral Students I	5
PH.140.621 or PH.140.651	Statistical Methods in Public Health I or Methods in Biostatistics I	4
PH.340.860	Current Topics in Epidemiologic Research	1
PH.550.600	Living Science Ethics - Responsible Conduct of Research	1
PH.340.840	Special Studies and Research Epidemiology	1 - 5
Select out-of-track, recommended, or elective courses to total 16 credits per term		4
	Credits	16-20
Second Term
PH.340.762	Epidemiologic Methods for EPI Doctoral Students II	5
PH.140.622 or PH.140.652	Statistical Methods in Public Health II or Methods in Biostatistics II	4
PH.340.860	Current Topics in Epidemiologic Research	1
PH.340.840	Special Studies and Research Epidemiology	1 - 6
Select out-of-track, recommended, or elective courses to total 16 credits per term		5
	Credits	16-21
Third Term
PH.340.763	Epidemiologic Methods for EPI Doctoral Students III (Epidemiologic Methods for Epi Doctoral Students III)	5
PH.140.623 or PH.140.653	Statistical Methods in Public Health III or Methods in Biostatistics III	4
PH.340.860	Current Topics in Epidemiologic Research	1
PH.340.840	Special Studies and Research Epidemiology	1 - 6
Select out-of-track, recommended, or elective courses to total 16 credits per term		5
	Credits	16-21
Fourth Term
PH.340.764	Epidemiologic Methods for EPI Doctoral Students IV (Epidemiologic Methods for Epi Doctoral Students IV)	5
PH.140.624 or PH.140.654	Statistical Methods in Public Health IV or Methods in Biostatistics IV	4
PH.340.860	Current Topics in Epidemiologic Research	1
PH.340.840	Special Studies and Research Epidemiology	1 - 6
Select out-of-track, recommended, or elective courses to total 16 credits per term		5
Department Comprehensive Examination
Written exam held immediately following Fourth Term
	Credits	16-21
Second Year
First Term
PH.340.863	Doctoral Seminars in Epidemiology	3
PH.340.860	Current Topics in Epidemiologic Research	1
PH.340.865	Teaching Epidemiologic Methods and Concepts At the Graduate Level (Select this course to coincide with TA positions fulfilling requirement)	1 - 3
PH.340.820	Thesis Research Epidemiology (with thesis adviser, credits variable)	1 - 5
Select recommended and elective courses to total 16 credits per term		11
	Credits	17-23
Second Term
PH.340.863	Doctoral Seminars in Epidemiology	3
PH.340.860	Current Topics in Epidemiologic Research	1
PH.340.865	Teaching Epidemiologic Methods and Concepts At the Graduate Level (Select this course to coincide with TA positions fulfilling requirement)	1 - 3
PH.340.820	Thesis Research Epidemiology (with thesis adviser, credits variable)	1 - 5
Select recommended and elective courses to total 16 credits per term		11
	Credits	17-23
Third Term
PH.340.863	Doctoral Seminars in Epidemiology	3
PH.340.860	Current Topics in Epidemiologic Research	1
PH.340.865	Teaching Epidemiologic Methods and Concepts At the Graduate Level (Select this course to coincide with TA positions fulfilling requirement)	1 - 3
PH.340.820	Thesis Research Epidemiology (with thesis adviser, credits variable)	1 - 5
Select recommended and elective courses to total 16 credits per term		11
	Credits	17-23
Fourth Term
PH.340.715	Problems in the Design of Epidemiologic Studies: Proposal Development and Critique	5
PH.340.860	Current Topics in Epidemiologic Research	1
PH.340.865	Teaching Epidemiologic Methods and Concepts At the Graduate Level (Select this course to coincide with TA positions fulfilling requirement)	1 - 3
PH.340.820	Thesis Research Epidemiology (with thesis adviser, credits variable)	1 - 5
Select recommended and elective courses to total 16 credits per term		9
	Credits	17-23
Third Year
First Term
The Epidemiology PhD program is designed to last four years with years three and four devoted to teaching, research, and dissertation development and defense.
PH.340.820	Thesis Research Epidemiology	12 - 16
PhD students may continue taking didactic coursework during years three and beyond.
PH.340.860	Current Topics in Epidemiologic Research (Students may continue to take Current Topics throughout the duration of their program.)	1
	Credits	13-17
	Total Credits	145-192

Department-wide Recommended Courses 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.340.770	Public Health Surveillance	3
PH.340.769	Professional Epidemiology Methods	4

Special Studies versus Thesis Research 

Students frequently request guidance on registering for 340.840 Special Studies versus 340.820 Thesis Research. Students may register for Thesis Research once they have successfully passed their Preliminary Oral Exam. Special Studies may be used for additional research outside the primary research for the dissertation. Special Studies is offered in 1st-4th Terms. Thesis Research is offered in Summer Term and 1st-4th Terms. 

The following activities may be approved for Special Studies (this is not an exhaustive list): 

Calendar

Date	Event
First Year, 1st - 4th Terms	340.840 Special Studies and Research Epidemiology with Advisor (1-3 credit hours)
Second Year, 1st Term	340.840 Special Studies and Research Epidemiology with Advisor and/or Co-Advisor (1-3 credit hours)
Second Year, 2nd Term	340.840 Special Studies and Research Epidemiology with Advisor and/or Co-Advisor (minimum of 3 credit hours)
Second Year, 3rd Term	340.840 Special Studies and Research Epidemiology with Advisor and/or Co-Advisor (minimum of 3 credit hours)
Second Year, 4th Term	Remain in 340.840 Special Studies and Research Epidemiology with Advisor and/or Co-Advisor until the student passes the preliminary oral exam
After passing the preliminary oral exam	340.820 Thesis Research with Advisor and/or Co-Advisor

Track-Specific Courses 

In addition to the Department-wide Core Requirements listed above, each research track requires additional coursework specific to their fields to prepare students to conduct research and serve as leaders in their fields. Term-by-term offerings vary year by year. Always check the Course Directory for the most up-to-date information. Additionally, the first-year course content is covered in the annual Written Comprehensive Exams. All students may take courses in any of the tracks listed and are encouraged to do so.
 

Cancer Epidemiology

Required courses

First Year

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST TERM
PH.340.731	Principles of Genetic Epidemiology 1	4
SECOND TERM
PH.340.624	Etiology, Prevention, and Control of Cancer	4
PH.340.732	Principles of Genetic Epidemiology 2	3
FOURTH TERM
PH.120.624	Cancer Biology	3

Recommended Courses 

[Terms and offerings change each year. Always check the course directory in SIS for the most up-to-date offerings]

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST TERM
PH.140.651	Methods in Biostatistics I	4
PH.140.655	Analysis of Multilevel and Longitudinal Data	4
PH.340.616	Epidemiology of Aging (fulfills an out-of-track requirement)	3
PH.340.696	Spatial Analysis I: ArcGIS	4
PH.340.728	Advanced Methods for Design and Analysis of Cohort Studies (should be completed in year 2 or later)	5
ME.510.708	Cancer Screening and Prevention: History, Pitfalls, and Opportunities (SOM courses do not follow the SPH calendar. Please check actual dates for course offering in SIS.)	0.5
SECOND TERM
PH.140.652	Methods in Biostatistics II	4
PH.140.630	Introduction to Data Management	3
PH.140.656	Multilevel and Longitudinal Models - Data Analysis Workshop	4
PH.340.774	Advanced Theory and Methods in Epidemiology	4
PH.330.603	Psychiatric Epidemiology (fulfills an out-of-track requirement)	3
PH.340.645	Introduction to Clinical Trials (fulfills an out-of-track requirement)	3
PH.340.666	Foundations of Social Epidemiology (fulfills an out-of-track requirement)	3
PH.340.682	Pharmacoepidemiology Methods (fulfills an out-of-track requirement)	3
PH.340.697	Spatial Analysis II: Spatial Data Technologies	3
THIRD TERM
PH.140.653	Methods in Biostatistics III	4
PH.140.664	Causal Inference in Medicine and Public Health I	4
PH.340.606	Methods for Conducting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses	4
PH.340.694	Power and Sample Size for the Design of Epidemiological Studies I	1
FOURTH TERM
PH.140.632	Introduction to the SAS Statistical Package	3
PH.140.654	Methods in Biostatistics IV	4
PH.340.644	Epidemiology of Diabetes and Obesity	2
PH.340.660	Practical Skills for Conducting Epidemiologic Research (ideally taken in year 2)	3
PH.340.680	Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology (fulfills an out-of-track requirement)	4
PH.380.664	Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiology (fulfills an out-of-track requirement)	4

Cardiovascular and Clinical Epidemiology

Required courses

First Year

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
INTRODUCTORY COURSES
PH.550.630	Public Health Biology (for students WITHOUT a background in biology or medicine)	3
PH.340.855	SS/R: Biological Basis of Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology (for students WITHOUT a background in biology or medicine)	2
FIRST TERM
PH.260.621	Introduction to the Biomedical Sciences I	2
PH.340.871	Welch Center Research Seminar	1
SECOND TERM
PH.260.622	Introduction to the Biomedical Sciences II	2
PH.340.645	Introduction to Clinical Trials (fulfills an out-of-track requirement)	3
PH.340.871	Welch Center Research Seminar	1
THIRD TERM
PH.340.871	Welch Center Research Seminar	1
FOURTH TERM
PH.340.871	Welch Center Research Seminar	1

Additional Required Courses for Doctoral Students focusing on Cardiovascular Epidemiology

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
THIRD TERM
PH.340.607	Introduction to Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology	4
PH.340.730	Assessment of Clinical Cardiovascular Disease (for students WITHOUT a background in biology or medicine)	2
FOURTH TERM
PH.340.855	SS/R: Biological Basis of Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology	2

Additional Required Courses for Doctoral Students focusing on Clinical Epidemiology

First Year

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
SECOND TERM
PH.340.620	Principles of Clinical Epidemiology	2

Recommended Courses 

[Terms and offerings change each year. Always check the course directory for the most up-to-date offerings]

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST TERM
PH.340.731	Principles of Genetic Epidemiology 1 (fulfills an out-of-track requirement)	4
PH.340.616	Epidemiology of Aging (fulfills an out-of-track requirement)	3
SECOND TERM
PH.340.624	Etiology, Prevention, and Control of Cancer (fulfills an out-of-track requirement)	4
PH.340.627	Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases (fulfills an out-of-track requirement)	4
THIRD TERM
PH.340.687	Epidemiology of Kidney Disease	2
PH.180.640	Molecular Epidemiology and Biomarkers in Public Health	4
PH.340.606	Methods for Conducting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (usually taken in Year 2)	4
FOURTH TERM
PH.340.644	Epidemiology of Diabetes and Obesity (fulfills an out-of-track requirement)	2
PH.340.667	Health Equity Research Methods to Address Social Determinants of Health	4

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
SKILLS COURSES (can be taken Year 1 or later with commensurate progress in Biostats series)

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Advanced Methods Courses (recommended in Year 2, review course catalogue for prerequisites)
FIRST TERM
PH.140.641	Survival Analysis	3
PH.140.655	Analysis of Multilevel and Longitudinal Data	4
PH.140.776	Statistical Computing	3
PH.340.660	Practical Skills for Conducting Epidemiologic Research	3
SECOND TERM
PH.340.717	Health Survey Research Methods	4
THIRD TERM
PH.140.664	Causal Inference in Medicine and Public Health I	4

Additional Recommended Courses for Doctoral Students with a focus in Cardiovascular Epidemiology

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST TERM
PH.140.651	Methods in Biostatistics I	4
SECOND TERM
PH.140.652	Methods in Biostatistics II	4
PH.340.620	Principles of Clinical Epidemiology	2
THIRD TERM
PH.140.653	Methods in Biostatistics III	4
FOURTH TERM
PH.140.654	Methods in Biostatistics IV	4

Additional Recommended Courses for Doctoral Students with a focus in Clinical Epidemiology 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
THIRD TERM
PH.340.607	Introduction to Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology	4
PH.340.730	Assessment of Clinical Cardiovascular Disease	2
FOURTH TERM
PH.340.855	SS/R: Biological Basis of Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology	2

Clinical Trials and Evidence Synthesis

Required courses 

First Year

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
SECOND TERM
PH.340.645	Introduction to Clinical Trials	3
THIRD TERM
PH.340.606	Methods for Conducting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses	4
FOURTH TERM
PH.340.647	Advanced Topics in Clinical Trials	3

Second Year

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST TERM
PH.140.655	Analysis of Multilevel and Longitudinal Data	4
THIRD TERM
alternatively, 340.606 may be completed in year 2 or beyond.

Recommended Courses 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST TERM
PH.140.633	Biostatistics in Medical Product Regulation	2
PH.140.651	Methods in Biostatistics I	4
PH.221.722	Quality Assurance Management Methods for Developing Countries	4
PH.340.653	Epidemiologic Inference in Outbreak Investigations	3
PH.340.728	Advanced Methods for Design and Analysis of Cohort Studies	5
PH.390.631	Drug Development and Real-World Evidence (RWE)	2
PH.390.673	Emerging Ethical and Regulatory Issues in Clinical Research	3
PH.317.600	Introduction to the Risk Sciences and Public Policy	4
SECOND TERM
PH.140.630	Introduction to Data Management	3
PH.140.652	Methods in Biostatistics II	4
PH.340.717	Health Survey Research Methods	4
PH.410.710	Concepts in Qualitative Research for Social and Behavioral Sciences	3
THIRD TERM
PH.140.634	Non-Inferiority and Equivalence Clinical Trials	2
PH.340.684	Pharmacoepidemiology: Drug Utilization	3
PH.140.642	Design of Clinical Experiments	3
PH.140.653	Methods in Biostatistics III	4
PH.223.664	Design and Conduct of Community Trials	4
PH.340.694	Power and Sample Size for the Design of Epidemiological Studies I	1
PH.340.775	Measurement Theory and Techniques in Epidemiology	4
PH.140.664	Causal Inference in Medicine and Public Health I	4
FOURTH TERM
PH.223.690	The Design and Analysis of Cluster Randomized Trials	2
PH.140.654	Methods in Biostatistics IV	4
PH.140.632	Introduction to the SAS Statistical Package	3
PH.140.656	Multilevel and Longitudinal Models - Data Analysis Workshop	4
PH.221.616	Ethics and Global Public Health Practice	2
PH.223.705	Good Clinical Practice: A Vaccine Trials Perspective	4
PH.224.691	Qualitative Data Analysis	3
PH.390.675	Outcomes and Effectiveness Research	3
PH.340.660	Practical Skills for Conducting Epidemiologic Research	3
SUMMER INST
PH.330.621	Mixed Methods for Research in Public Health	2
PH.340.676	Bayesian Adaptive Trials	2

Environmental Epidemiology

Required courses 

First Year

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FOURTH TERM
PH.340.680	Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology	4
PH.182.617	Exposure Sciences for Health Risk Assessment	4

Second Year

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST TERM
PH.140.655	Analysis of Multilevel and Longitudinal Data	4
FOURTH TERM
PH.180.612	Advanced Environmental Health	4

Recommended Courses 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST TERM
PH.182.615	Airborne Particles	4
PH.187.610	Public Health Toxicology	4
PH.188.680	Fundamentals of Occupational Health	3
PH.317.600	Introduction to the Risk Sciences and Public Policy	4
PH.340.696	Spatial Analysis I: ArcGIS	4
SECOND TERM
PH.140.656	Multilevel and Longitudinal Models - Data Analysis Workshop	4
PH.182.625	Principles of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene	4
PH.317.610	Risk Policy, Management and Communication	3
PH.340.717	Health Survey Research Methods	4
THIRD TERM
PH.180.601	Environmental Health	5
PH.140.698	Spatial Analysis III: Spatial Statistics	4
PH.180.625	Community-Driven Epidemiology and Environmental Justice	3
PH.180.640	Molecular Epidemiology and Biomarkers in Public Health	4
PH.180.647	The Health Effects of Indoor and Outdoor Air Pollution	3
PH.317.605	Methods in Quantitative Risk Assessment	4
FOURTH TERM
PH.188.681	Onsite Evaluation of Workplace and Occupational Health Programs	5
PH.317.615	Topics in Risk Assessment	2

Epidemiology of Aging

Required courses 

First Year

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST TERM
PH.340.616	Epidemiology of Aging	3
THIRD TERM
PH.340.699	Epidemiology of Sensory Loss in Aging	3

Recommended Courses 

First Year

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST TERM
PH.140.641	Survival Analysis	3
PH.380.604	Life Course Perspectives on Health	4
SECOND TERM
PH.340.620	Principles of Clinical Epidemiology	2
PH.340.666	Foundations of Social Epidemiology	3
PH.380.603	Demographic Methods for Public Health	4
PH.380.604	Life Course Perspectives on Health	4
THIRD TERM
PH.260.665	Biological Basis of Aging (offered every year)	3
PH.380.603	Demographic Methods for Public Health	4
FOURTH TERM
PH.330.623	Brain and Behavior in Mental Disorders	3
PH.330.618	Mental Health in Later Life (offered every year)	2

Second Year

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST TERM
PH.140.655	Analysis of Multilevel and Longitudinal Data	4
PH.330.657	Statistics for Psychosocial Research: Measurement	4
PH.340.728	Advanced Methods for Design and Analysis of Cohort Studies	5
SECOND TERM
PH.140.658	Statistics for Psychosocial Research: Structural Models	4
PH.140.656	Multilevel and Longitudinal Models - Data Analysis Workshop	4
PH.309.605	Health Issues for Aging Populations	3

General Epidemiology and Methodology

Required courses 

First Year

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
SECOND TERM
PH.340.682	Pharmacoepidemiology Methods (required for students with Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety Focus only)	3

Second Year (Does not have to be in Year 2; can be taken any time after Year 1 and prior to graduation) 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST TERM
PH.340.728	Advanced Methods for Design and Analysis of Cohort Studies	5
SECOND TERM
PH.340.774	Advanced Theory and Methods in Epidemiology	4
THIRD TERM
PH.140.664	Causal Inference in Medicine and Public Health I	4
FOURTH TERM
PH.140.664	Causal Inference in Medicine and Public Health I	4

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
CHOOSE AT LEAST 2 OF THESE THREE COURSES IN PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH SKILLS:
FIRST TERM
PH.340.660	Practical Skills for Conducting Epidemiologic Research	3
SECOND TERM
PH.340.717	Health Survey Research Methods	4
FOURTH TERM
PH.340.647	Advanced Topics in Clinical Trials	3

recommended courses for Students with a Methodology Focus

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST TERM
PH.330.657	Statistics for Psychosocial Research: Measurement	4
PH.340.646	Epidemiology and Public Health Impact of HIV and AIDS	4
PH.340.616	Epidemiology of Aging	3
PH.340.653	Epidemiologic Inference in Outbreak Investigations	3
PH.340.731	Principles of Genetic Epidemiology 1	4
SECOND TERM
PH.140.656	Multilevel and Longitudinal Models - Data Analysis Workshop	4
PH.140.658	Statistics for Psychosocial Research: Structural Models	4
PH.183.631	Fundamentals of Human Physiology	4
PH.260.631	Immunology, Infection and Disease	3
PH.330.603	Psychiatric Epidemiology	3
PH.340.620	Principles of Clinical Epidemiology	2
PH.340.624	Etiology, Prevention, and Control of Cancer	4
PH.340.666	Foundations of Social Epidemiology (alternates online and in-person every other year)	3
PH.340.641	Healthcare Epidemiology	4
PH.340.732	Principles of Genetic Epidemiology 2	3
THIRD TERM
PH.140.640	Statistical Methods for Sample Surveys	3
PH.180.640	Molecular Epidemiology and Biomarkers in Public Health	4
PH.222.647	Nutrition Epidemiology	3
PH.224.690	Qualitative Research Theory and Methods	3
PH.309.616	Introduction to Methods for Health Services Research and Evaluation I	2
PH.340.607	Introduction to Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology	4
PH.340.609	Concepts and Methods in Infectious Disease Epidemiology	4
PH.340.733	Principles of Genetic Epidemiology 3	3
PH.340.606	Methods for Conducting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses	4
FOURTH TERM
PH.224.691	Qualitative Data Analysis	3
PH.309.617	Introduction to Methods for Health Services Research and Evaluation II	2
PH.340.677	Infectious Disease Dynamics: Theoretical and Computational Approaches	4
PH.340.680	Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology	4
PH.380.664	Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiology	4
PH.390.675	Outcomes and Effectiveness Research	3

Second Year courses (Methodology focus):

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST TERM
PH.340.728	Advanced Methods for Design and Analysis of Cohort Studies	5
PH.140.655	Analysis of Multilevel and Longitudinal Data	4
SECOND TERM
PH.340.774	Advanced Theory and Methods in Epidemiology	4
THIRD TERM
PH.140.664	Causal Inference in Medicine and Public Health I	4
PH.340.606	Methods for Conducting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses	4

Recommended courses for statistical programming

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST TERM
PH.140.776	Statistical Computing	3

recommended courses for Students with a Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety Focus

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST TERM
PH.317.605	Methods in Quantitative Risk Assessment	4
PH.317.600	Introduction to the Risk Sciences and Public Policy	4
PH.390.631	Drug Development and Real-World Evidence (RWE)	2
SECOND TERM
PH.317.610	Risk Policy, Management and Communication	3
THIRD TERM
PH.140.664	Causal Inference in Medicine and Public Health I	4
PH.340.684	Pharmacoepidemiology: Drug Utilization (alternate year format)	3
PH.221.610	Pharmaceutical Systems: Advancing Access to Medicines in the Field	3
FOURTH TERM
PH.410.680	Social Ecological Approaches to Health Regimen Adherence in Chronic Conditions	3
PH.317.615	Topics in Risk Assessment	2

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
The following courses are offered outside of BSPH and require interdivisional registration and instructor permission:
AS.410.651	Clinical Development of Drugs and Biologics	4
AS.410.627	Translational Biotechnology: From Intellectual Property to Licensing	4
ME.330.809	Analytical Methods of Clinical Pharmacology	1.5

Genetic Epidemiology

Required COURSES 
 

First Year

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST TERM
PH.340.731	Principles of Genetic Epidemiology 1	4
SECOND TERM
PH.340.732	Principles of Genetic Epidemiology 2	3
THIRD TERM
PH.340.733	Principles of Genetic Epidemiology 3	3

Second Year

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST TERM
PH.120.602	Concepts of Molecular Biology	4
PH.140.776	Statistical Computing (students with a strong background in programming should take 140.636)	3
or PH.140.636	Scalable Computational Bioinformatics
THIRD TERM
PH.140.688	Statistics For Genomics (offered every other year)	4

required Courses in ANALYTIC METHODS (choose at least two) 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST TERM
PH.140.641	Survival Analysis	3
PH.140.651	Methods in Biostatistics I	4
PH.140.655	Analysis of Multilevel and Longitudinal Data	4
PH.140.776	Statistical Computing	3
PH.140.636	Scalable Computational Bioinformatics	4
SECOND TERM
PH.140.777	Statistical Programming Paradigms and Workflows	3
PH.140.638	Analysis of Biological Sequences	3
PH.140.652	Methods in Biostatistics II	4
PH.140.778	Statistical Computing, Algorithm, and Software Development	4
PH.140.742	Risk Prediction and Precision Medicine (offered every other year)	3
PH.340.774	Advanced Theory and Methods in Epidemiology	4
THIRD TERM
PH.140.644	Statistical Machine Learning: Methods, Theory, and Applications	4
PH.140.653	Methods in Biostatistics III	4
FOURTH TERM
PH.140.654	Methods in Biostatistics IV	4

required COURSES in Biology and Molecular Methods (choose at least one)

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST TERM
PH.260.611	Principles of Immunology I	4
SECOND TERM
PH.260.612	Principles of Immunology II	3
THIRD TERM
PH.120.603	Molecular Biology of Pandemic Influenza	3
PH.120.608	Gene Editing, Therapy and Manipulation	3
PH.120.625	Introduction to Cancer Biology	3
FOURTH TERM
PH.183.631	Fundamentals of Human Physiology for non-MD students only	4
PH.120.624	Cancer Biology	3

RECOMMENDED COURSES 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST TERM
PH.340.616	Epidemiology of Aging	3
SECOND TERM
PH.340.624	Etiology, Prevention, and Control of Cancer	4
PH.340.627	Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases	4
THIRD TERM
PH.340.775	Measurement Theory and Techniques in Epidemiology	4
PH.340.607	Introduction to Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology	4
PH.330.619	Psychiatric Genomics	3
FOURTH TERM
PH.415.624	Ethical, Legal and Social Implications in Genetics and Genomics Over Time (offered every other year)	3

Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Required COURSES 
 

First Year

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST TERM
PH.340.653	Epidemiologic Inference in Outbreak Investigations	3
SECOND TERM
PH.340.627	Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases	4
PH.183.631	Fundamentals of Human Physiology (may be completed any time prior to graduation) (also offered fourth term)	4
THIRD TERM
PH.340.609	Concepts and Methods in Infectious Disease Epidemiology	4

Required COURSES: STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE AT LEAST ONE COURSE IN EACH OF THE FIVE DISCIPLINARY SECTIONS.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
SECTION ONE: GENERAL ELECTIVES (CHOOSE 1)
FIRST TERM
PH.340.646	Epidemiology and Public Health Impact of HIV and AIDS	4
PH.340.612	Epidemiologic Basis for Tuberculosis Control	2
SECOND TERM
PH.223.662	Vaccine Development and Application	4
PH.340.641	Healthcare Epidemiology	4
THIRD TERM
PH.182.640	Food- and Water- Borne Diseases	3
PH.223.663	Infectious Diseases and Child Survival	3
PH.223.687	Vaccine Policy Issues	3
PH.260.656	Malariology	4
PH.340.612	Epidemiologic Basis for Tuberculosis Control	2
FOURTH TERM
PH.223.682	Clinical and Epidemiologic Aspects of Tropical Diseases	4
PH.223.689	Biologic Basis of Vaccine Development	3
PH.223.705	Good Clinical Practice: A Vaccine Trials Perspective	4
PH.380.761	Sexually Transmitted Infections in Public Health Practice	4
PH.380.762	HIV Infection in Women, Children, and Adolescents	4

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
SECTION TWO: SKILLS IN RESEARCH (CHOOSE 1)
SECOND TERM
PH.340.717	Health Survey Research Methods	4
FOURTH TERM
PH.340.660	Practical Skills for Conducting Epidemiologic Research	3

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
SECTION THREE: BIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS OF DISEASE (CHOOSE 1)
FIRST TERM
PH.260.623	Fundamental Virology	4
PH.340.654	Epidemiology and Natural History of Human Viral Infections	6
THIRD TERM
PH.260.627	Pathogenesis of Bacterial Infections	4
PH.260.650	Vector Biology and Vector-Borne Diseases	3
FOURTH TERM
PH.260.603	Biology of the Next Pandemic	3

SECTION FOUR: IMMUNOLOGY (RECOMMENDED TO COMPLETE IN YEAR TWO)

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
SECTION FOUR: IMMUNOLOGY (RECOMMENDED TO COMPLETE IN YEAR 2
FIRST TERM
PH.260.611 & PH.260.612	Principles of Immunology I and Principles of Immunology II	4
SECOND TERM
PH.260.612	Principles of Immunology II (if taking sequence OR)
or PH.260.631	Immunology, Infection and Disease

SECTION FIVE: SKILLS IN ADVANCED ANALYTICAL AND STATISTICAL METHODS (CHOOSE AT LEAST 1. RECOMMEND TO COMPLETE IN YEAR TWO) 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
SECTION 5: SKILLS IN ADVANCED ANALYTICAL AND STATISTICAL METHODS (CHOOSE AT LEAST 1. RECOMMEND TO COMPLETE IN YEAR TWO)
FIRST TERM
PH.140.641	Survival Analysis	3
PH.140.655	Analysis of Multilevel and Longitudinal Data	4
PH.330.657	Statistics for Psychosocial Research: Measurement	4
PH.340.696	Spatial Analysis I: ArcGIS	4
PH.340.728	Advanced Methods for Design and Analysis of Cohort Studies	5
SECOND TERM
PH.140.656	Multilevel and Longitudinal Models - Data Analysis Workshop	4
PH.140.658	Statistics for Psychosocial Research: Structural Models	4
PH.340.697	Spatial Analysis II: Spatial Data Technologies	3
PH.340.774	Advanced Theory and Methods in Epidemiology	4
FOURTH TERM
PH.340.677	Infectious Disease Dynamics: Theoretical and Computational Approaches	4

 

Outside of Track Courses
 

All students must complete one introductory topical epidemiology course outside of the chosen track. Courses approved by the Curriculum Committee to meet this requirement are listed below:

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Select one of the following:		3-4
FIRST TERM
PH.340.616	Epidemiology of Aging
PH.340.731	Principles of Genetic Epidemiology 1
SECOND TERM
PH.340.682	Pharmacoepidemiology Methods
PH.330.603	Psychiatric Epidemiology
PH.340.624	Etiology, Prevention, and Control of Cancer
PH.340.627	Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases
PH.340.645	Introduction to Clinical Trials
THIRD TERM
PH.340.699	Epidemiology of Sensory Loss in Aging
PH.340.607	Introduction to Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology
FOURTH TERM
PH.340.680	Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology
PH.380.664	Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiology
PH.340.666	Foundations of Social Epidemiology
Total Credits		3-4

Department Comprehensive Examination

A two-day written Department comprehensive examination is administered to all students enrolled in Epidemiology degree programs in late May of the first academic year. All students are required to complete the exam on the scheduled dates—no alternate exams will be offered. The exam is a closed book/closed note exam.

By the time of the examination, students should have completed 64 credits (one full year of residence), the required first-year coursework in their Track with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, and in these courses:

• Course List

  Code	Title	Credits
  PH.340.761	Epidemiologic Methods for EPI Doctoral Students I (Epidemiologic Methods for Epi Doctoral Students I)	5
  PH.340.762	Epidemiologic Methods for EPI Doctoral Students II	5
  PH.340.763	Epidemiologic Methods for EPI Doctoral Students III (Epidemiologic Methods for Epi Doctoral Students III)	5
  PH.340.764	Epidemiologic Methods for EPI Doctoral Students IV (Epidemiologic Methods for Epi Doctoral Students IV)	5
  Select one of the following Biostatistics series:		16
  PH.140.621 & PH.140.622 & PH.140.623 & PH.140.624	Statistical Methods in Public Health I and Statistical Methods in Public Health II and Statistical Methods in Public Health III and Statistical Methods in Public Health IV
  PH.140.651 & PH.140.652 & PH.140.653 & PH.140.654	Methods in Biostatistics I and Methods in Biostatistics II and Methods in Biostatistics III and Methods in Biostatistics IV

The first day of the exam (Part A) includes testing on the following topics:

• Knowledge and application of epidemiologic concepts and methods (and related biostatistics)

• History of epidemiology

• Contemporary issues in public health

• Research ethics

The second day of the exam (Part B) is Track-specific and tests knowledge of concepts and methods presented in the required courses and activities for each Track, as well as the Department core courses as applied to the Track.

Students must pass both Part A and Part B of the comprehensive examination. Doctoral students must attain at least 75% on Part A and at least 75% on Part B to pass. A repeat examination may be allowed but is not guaranteed. If a repeat is granted, it must be completed before starting the second academic year.

Failure to pass one or both sections of the comps may result in dismissal from the doctoral program or from the Department.

Additionally, PhD students may not enroll in Doctoral Seminars courses (340.863) until they have successfully passed the written comprehensive exams at the doctoral level.

Dissertation Steps

Timing of Activities

PH - Timeline

Time	Description
Year 1 and Year 2	Complete academic preparation for dissertation through coursework, special studies, and research with the adviser, attend seminars, journal clubs, and research-in-progress activities of interest. Students should meet at least once per term with their adviser and possibly weekly while completing special studies and research (PH.340.840).
Year 2	Students develop their specific aims, add a co-adviser, and produce a working draft of their dissertation research proposal prior to or during the fourth term of the second year. Students, in combination with their advisers, select a third member for the Thesis Advisory Committee and present their proposed research at a public seminar to the Department during the 4th Term of Year 2 or the 1st Term of Year 3. Students also begin to fulfill their Doctoral TA Curriculum during Year 2 and begin assuming leadership roles within the Department or School.
Year 3	Students hold their departmental and preliminary oral exams and begin research. Many students continue their teaching requirements and begin submitting papers for publication in conjunction with their advisers or other faculty mentors. Students should schedule a minimum of two - three weeks between the doctoral proposal seminar and the departmental oral exam and must schedule a minimum of four weeks between the departmental oral exam and the preliminary (school-wide) exam. Students may schedule all three activities simultaneously or wait to pass one before scheduling the next. Students may elect to take up to six months to prepare for each exam. Students must successfully pass their Preliminary Oral Exam within three academic years of enrollment in the doctoral degree program.
Year 4	Students conclude data collection and analysis, complete their dissertations, and present their research findings in a formal address to the department, and hold the defense of their research.

Thesis Advisory Committee

The role of the Thesis Advisory Committee is to provide continuity in the evaluation of the progress and development of the doctoral student. The Thesis Advisory Committee is assembled by the doctoral student and their adviser(s). The Thesis Advisory Committee consists of the dissertation (thesis) adviser and at least two additional faculty members who hold either primary or joint appointments in the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Department of Epidemiology. If the student selects a co-adviser, the co-adviser serves on the Thesis Advisory Committee. Additional faculty within and outside of the School may also be recruited. Committee membership is permitted to change during the research period. The Thesis Advisory Committee is not the same as the Preliminary or Final Oral Examination Committees. The Thesis Advisory Committee decides when the student is ready to proceed through each of the milestones needed to complete the degree requirements, including the Doctoral Proposal Seminar, the Departmental and School-wide Preliminary Oral Examinations, and the Final Oral Examination (“defense”). Bi-annual formal meetings of the Thesis Advisory Committee are required, but meetings may and should occur more frequently. It is the student's responsibility to schedule meetings.

Tips for doctoral students for successful formal meetings of the Thesis Advisory Committee:

• Prior to each meeting, draft an agenda with adviser input and distribute a one-page description of progress, including any key results

• After each meeting, send a written report of the items discussed, decisions reached, and the action items to be completed by the next meeting to the members for approval

• Maintain a log of the meetings to aid in writing the annual progress report and financial support documentation

Once the Thesis Advisory Committee is formed, submit the signed “Thesis Committee Approval Form” (on the Epi Intranet) to Fran Burman (franburman@jhu.edu) and Ebony Moore (eamoore@ jhu.edu).

Dissertation Research Proposal

The 12-page single-spaced dissertation research proposal is developed during Year 2, during 1st - 3rd Terms of PH.340.863 Doctoral Seminars in Epidemiology, and is the final project for the course PH.340.715 Problems in the Design of Epidemiologic Studies: Proposal Development and Critique. The dissertation proposal must be reviewed and approved by the Thesis Advisory Committee prior to scheduling the Doctoral Research Proposal Seminar.

After the Thesis Advisory Committee has approved the student's 12-page dissertation research proposal, the student must orally present the proposal in a Doctoral Proposal Seminar to the Department. Students should present a prepared presentation of approximately 40-45 minutes in length followed by approximately 15-20 minutes of questions and discussion. The dissertation (thesis) adviser must attend, and the Thesis Advisory Committee members and the Track Director are strongly encouraged to attend. Doctoral Proposal Seminars are advertised to the Department at large, and students and their adviser(s) should personally invite any other colleagues they would like to attend. The best ways to prepare for this seminar include attending Doctoral Research Proposal Seminars presented by peers and by presenting in research-in-progress meetings. Students should plan to conduct a ‘dress rehearsal,’ prior to the actual proposal (in the same room reserved for the defense to familiarize themselves with the surroundings and test all technology) for use during the Doctoral Research Proposal Seminar.

After the Thesis Advisory Committee has approved the student to present their Doctoral Proposal Seminar, the student should work with the adviser and Thesis Advisory Committee to select a seminar date. Once the Advisory Committee and adviser(s) have confirmed readiness, the student can proceed with reserving a date and room. To schedule a date, students should contact the Epi Academic Core to discuss dates and submit the “Doctoral Proposal Seminar Form” (on SharePoint), which includes preferences for seminar dates (1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices). This form requires the signature of the adviser and the Track Director.

Departmental Oral Examination

Purpose

After the Thesis Advisory Committee has approved the Dissertation Research Proposal and the student has presented the Doctoral Proposal Seminar, the next step is to schedule and sit for the Departmental Oral Examination. The primary purpose of the Departmental Oral Examination is to prepare the student for the Preliminary Oral Examination. As such, the Departmental Oral Examination shares the purpose of the Preliminary Oral Examination:

To determine whether the student has both the ability and knowledge to undertake significant research in the general area of interest, including:

1. the student's capacity for logical thinking;

2. their breadth of knowledge in relevant areas; and

3. their ability to develop and conduct research leading to a completed dissertation (thesis).

Discussion of a specific research proposal, if available, may serve as a vehicle for determining the student's general knowledge and research capacity. However, this examination is not intended to be a defense of a specific research proposal.

Students are encouraged to practice discussing epidemiologic methods, ethics, and public health knowledge at the level of a doctoral student with their adviser and thesis advisory committee in preparation for the oral exams. Professionalism, communication skills, and solid comprehension of epidemiologic methods are key in conveying the student's knowledge and readiness to conduct independent research.

Meeting with the Senior Academic Program Manager

In preparation for scheduling the Department Oral Examination, students should meet with the Senior Academic Program Manager, Fran Burman (FranBurman@jhu.edu), to confirm that the student has met all Track, Department, and Schoolwide course requirements and has assembled a valid set of proposed committee members for the Thesis Advisory Committee, and the Department and the Preliminary Oral Examinations.

Department Oral Examination Committee Membership

The Department Oral Examination Committee is comprised of the adviser (primary), two other members, and one alternate member, all of whom have primary appointments in the Department of Epidemiology. Thesis committee members, including co-advisers, are not permitted to serve on the Departmental Oral Examination committee with the exception of the student’s adviser, who must participate. Eligible faculty roles are from tenure and non-tenure professor tracks, research/practice & teaching professor tracks, and scientist tracks. Students are not expected to meet with members of the Committee prior to the examination and should not expect that committee members will discuss what questions they will be asked.

While the above describes the necessary committee, in any case where the student or advising team wants to have an additional faculty member present, the examiners and student must decide in advance whether the extra faculty member may ask questions and if yes, whether the student’s responses will count toward the final dispensation of the exam. In any case, the extra person may not vote but may contribute feedback to the student. Students considering this should first check in with the academic office.

DEPARTMENT ORAL EXAMINATION FORM

The “Department Oral Examination Form” is due to the Academic Program Office (BSPH.EPIAcademic@jhu.edu), at least 14 days prior to the date of the proposed exam. With the approval of the Dissertation (thesis) Adviser, the form should be submitted after presenting the Doctoral Proposal Seminar and incorporating any key input from the Seminar into the Dissertation Research Proposal.

SCHEDULING

The Academic Coordinator, Carina Cione, will schedule the room and send a memo to examiners prior to the examination date. For hybrid or Zoom-based exams, the adviser (not the student) is responsible for providing the Zoom link.

CONDUCT OF THE EXAMINATION

Prior to the exam, students submit to the Department Oral Examination Committee members a single-page summary of the dissertation proposal, including the specific aims, hypotheses, and methods. Committee members may request the longer 12-page Dissertation Research Proposal. The examination should be scheduled for and completed in one and a half hours but may be concluded earlier or later as determined by the Committee. At the start of the exam, students will present a brief talk of no more than 10 minutes that concisely summarizes the aims, hypothesis, methods, limitations, and significance of their proposed dissertation research. This presentation may be a distillation of the Doctoral Proposal Seminar. 

The faculty will ask questions all second-year Epidemiology PhD students should be comfortable discussing. The students may use their research proposal for examples. However, the exam is not a determination of the viability of the proposed research but rather a determination of whether the student is ready to commence guided independent research.

Department Oral Examination Outcome

The possible outcomes of the oral examination are Unconditional Pass, Conditional Pass, or Failure (retake). Conditional Pass requires the student and Department Oral Examination Committee to agree on remedial action designed to be completed within two weeks of the date of the examination. The adviser must communicate the conditions in writing to the student and the Epidemiology Academic Support Core Office within 48 hours of the exam. Students who do not pass the exam (require more remedial work than can be reasonably completed within two weeks (10 business days) will be required to re-take the Department Oral Examination within six months. If the student is unable to pass the Departmental Oral Examination after a second attempt, they will be referred to the Admissions and Credentials Committee for dismissal from the degree program. For more information about the Departmental Oral Examination, please review the Department of Epidemiology Student Guidelines for the Departmental Oral Examination” (on the Epi Sharepoint site).

Preliminary Oral Examination 

The Graduate Board Preliminary Oral Examination (aka School-wide Exam) is also colloquially known as the “Schoolwide Oral Examination.”  Students and their adviser(s) are responsible for initiating arrangements for the preliminary doctoral examination. The University Graduate Board oversees these exams. 

Purpose

After the student has passed the Departmental Oral Examination, the next step is the Preliminary Oral Examination. The purpose of the Preliminary Oral Examination is to determine whether the student has both the ability and knowledge to undertake significant research in their general area of interest, including:

1. the student's capacity for logical thinking;

2. their breadth of knowledge in relevant areas; and

3. their ability to develop and conduct research leading to a completed dissertation.

Discussion of a specific research proposal, if available, may serve as a vehicle for determining the student's general knowledge and research capacity. However, this examination is not intended to be a defense of a specific research proposal.  The preliminary oral examination is 90 minutes to two hours in duration.

Preliminary Oral Examination Committee Membership

• Must consist of five voting members 

  • Two members must be from the epidemiology department; one of these is the adviser. 

  • A third member from the epidemiology department is optional.

    • Limit of 3 members from sponsoring department.

• Thesis Advisory Committee members may serve on the Committee.

• The student's adviser of record must serve as a member of the Committee.

  • The adviser must be among the members present; an alternate may not serve in place of the adviser.

• The senior faculty member without a primary appointment in Epidemiology will serve as Chair of the Committee and must hold the rank of Associate or Full Professor.

  • All faculty members serving on the Committee may only represent the department of their primary faculty appointment.

    • The only instance when the faculty member can serve in their joint appointment capacity is if they are the student’s adviser.

• Most often, the committee is comprised of duly appointed faculty members of a University department and must hold, at the time of selection, a faculty appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor or higher.

  • Adjunct, emeritus, or scientist track faculty may participate but may only represent up to 2 of the total members of the committee

• All members of the Committee must be present at the scheduled exam location; teleconference is permitted on a case-by-case basis.

• The committee must be comprised of three Departments of the University, two being from the Bloomberg School of Public Health.

• The committee must have appropriate alternate members to serve on the committee.

  • The selection of alternates is very important for ensuring the exam can take place at the originally scheduled date/time. If a student has two members on their committee from epidemiology, the student should have one alternate from epidemiology and one from a non-sponsoring department.

  • If a student has three members on their committee from epidemiology, then two alternates should be selected from two different non-sponsoring departments.

• At least two weeks prior to the exam, students submit to the Preliminary Oral Examination Committee members a single-page summary of the dissertation proposal, including the specific aims, hypotheses, and methods. Committee members may request the longer 12-page Dissertation Research Proposal. 

preliminary oral exam form

• Graduate Board Preliminary Oral Examination Request Form

• Students may not submit this form until after they have successfully passed the Departmental Oral Examination.

• The Registration Coordinator (BSPHEXAMS@jh.edu) will not approve the form unless it is submitted at least 30 days prior to the proposed examination date. There are no exceptions.

• This form requires signature approval from Senior Academic Program Manager, the adviser, and the Department Chair or a Vice Chair. The form should be moved from draft to submitted at least 3-4 days prior to the due date (30 days prior to the exam).

• The exam is not considered officially scheduled and cannot be held until the student and examiners receive notification from the Dean of the approval of the exam.

Scheduling

The student is responsible for scheduling the room for the exam, requesting Multimedia support if needed, and sending a memo to examiners confirming the date, time, and location of the exam prior to the exam date. The Department recommends scheduling the examination in W6015 through the portal. 

Examination Outcome

The outcome of the examination is Unconditional Pass, Conditional Pass, or Failure. Should the student receive a conditional pass, the Committee remains standing until the conditions, specified in writing, have been met. The consequence of a failure is decided by the Committee:

1. no re-examination;

2. re-examination by the same committee;

3. re-examination in written form and conducted by the same committee; or

4. re-examination by a new committee.

Primary Data Collection Requirement

Primary data collection is defined as:

1. instrument design;

2. data collection; or

3. data management, quality assurance, and quality control.

Primary data collection is required for all PhD students. This requirement may be met through dissertation research or is satisfied through work on projects distinct from the dissertation. It may be obtained through work with a single epidemiologic study, or it can be a compilation of several experiences that together fulfill the requirement. Primary data collection may be obtained as part of paid work. Students must document their plan for obtaining experience with primary data collection and submit this plan to their Thesis Advisory Committee with their 12-page dissertation proposal.

The Thesis Advisory Committee may approve primary data collection that occurred prior to matriculation to the doctoral program, but this approval is not guaranteed. Any questions regarding primary data collection will be directed from the Thesis Advisory Committee to a Vice Chair. Students are expected to demonstrate an understanding of primary data collection processes in the epidemiologic study (or studies) utilized for their dissertation. This includes knowledge of the forms, instruments, and measurement processes relevant to their research; knowledge of quality control/assurance procedures of the study (or studies); and an evaluation of the potential threats to validity in the processes extending from primary measurement to the analytic dataset. If primary data collection is not a direct component of the dissertation research, doctoral students should include their primary data collection experience as an appendix to the dissertation. 

Doctoral Dissertation

Doctoral students must complete an original investigation presented in the form of a dissertation. The dissertation should be based on original research involving the generation of new knowledge by the student, worthy of publication, and acceptable to the Department of Epidemiology and to the Final Oral Examination Committee (Thesis Readers). Doctoral students have two options for the format of their dissertation, the traditional format, and the 3 manuscripts format. The Department recommends the manuscript format to accelerate the time to submission of manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Manuscript Format

The manuscript format must meet the following criteria:

1. The dissertation includes at least three manuscripts, linked by a common theme,

2. The doctoral student must be the first author of each of the manuscripts to be included in the dissertation,

3. A manuscript will not be accepted as part of the dissertation if it was submitted before the student's dissertation topic was approved by the Thesis Advisory Committee,

4. The manuscripts must be acceptable for publication based on usual substantive area peer review expectations, and

5. The dissertation should be organized as follows:

   1. The body of the dissertation should include a series of papers that are linked by a common theme (i.e., the student's dissertation topic)

   2. The first chapter may be a comprehensive critical literature review suitable for publication. It should introduce the scientific hypothesis for the dissertation

   3. Chapters two and three (or more) are the manuscripts, possibly with a transitional short chapter between each relating one to the other

   4. A final chapter should integrate and discuss the findings reported in the manuscripts. It should include a discussion of the conclusions drawn from research, a synthesis of the findings, and should make recommendations for further studies

   5. The dissertation may include an appendix outlining the details of study methods and any accompanying data tables deemed necessary to fully understand the data

Traditional Format

The traditional format includes:

1. An introductory chapter, outlining the theme, hypotheses, and/or goals of the dissertation coupled with a review of the literature,

2. Research chapters that are coherently structured for the research aims, each providing a reader enough detail to apply similar methods in another study, and

3. A concluding chapter with an overall analysis and integration of the research and conclusions of the dissertation in light of current research in the field.

Regardless of the format, it is expected that the student will work with their adviser and any co-advisers to develop drafts of their dissertation chapters and receive constructive substantive and editorial feedback. Together, they will decide when drafts are ready for wider distribution to other members of the Thesis Advisory Committee and, if necessary, to other project collaborators. Follow the School’s guidelines for the preparation of the dissertation. The dissertation is a requirement for partial fulfillment of the PhD degree. Students may consult the School’s Policy and Procedures Memoranda (PPM) for the PhD program.

Final Defense

Appointment of thesis readers/final defense form

• Appointment of Thesis Readers/Final Defense Form 

• BSPHExams@jhu.edu must receive the form at least 30 days prior to the anticipated exam date. There are no exceptions.

• The form requires signature approvals from the Senior Academic Program Manager, the adviser, and the Department Chair or Vice Chair. The student is responsible for obtaining the required signatures in that order. The form should therefore be submitted to Frances Burman (FranBurman@jhu.edu) at least 3 to 4 days prior to the date of submission to the BSPHExams@jhu.edu for processing.

• The exam is not considered officially scheduled and cannot be held until the student and examiners received notification from the Dean of the approval of the exam.

Seminar

As a culminating experience for the doctoral student, the student will present a formal, public seminar. This requirement provides experience for the student in preparing a formal seminar; provides the faculty and Department with an opportunity to share in the student’s accomplishments; and gives the student a sense of finality to the doctoral experience. Students typically present a formal public seminar in conjunction with the Final Oral Examination. 

The student and advisor are responsible for scheduling the rooms for the seminar and for the defense, and requesting Multimedia support. For hybrid or virtual audiences, the student and advisor must use a licensed Zoom account provided by the adviser. Advisers must attend in person.

Final Oral Examination 

The purpose of the Final Oral Examination is to ensure that the Candidate is able to present and defend the dissertation and its underlying assumptions, methodology, results, and conclusions in a manner consistent with the doctoral degree being sought. The student and their Thesis Advisor are responsible for initiating arrangements for the appointment of Thesis Readers and Final Oral Examination Committee. The departmental academic coordinator will assist with the appropriate forms and other important information. Documentation must be submitted to BSPHExams@jh.edu after all members of the Committee have agreed on a meeting date and time.
 

The Committee of Thesis Readers and Final Oral Examination Committee must: 

1. Consist of four voting members. Two members MUST have a primary faculty appointment in the student’s sponsoring department; the other two members must have appointments in two different departments other than the sponsoring department.
   • The student's advisor of record must serve as a Thesis Reader and a member of the Final Oral Examination Committee. Alternates are not permitted to serve in place of the advisor. If the advisor is unable to attend the Final Oral Examination, the examination must be rescheduled.
   • All faculty members must serve on the Committee representing the department of their primary faculty appointment. The only instance when the faculty member can serve in his/her joint appointment capacity is if he/she is the student’s advisor.
   • The senior faculty member without a primary appointment in the student's Department will serve as Chair of the Committee and MUST hold the rank of Associate or Full Professor.
   • Most often, the committee is comprised of duly appointed faculty members of a University department and must hold, at the time of selection, an appointment of Assistant Professor or higher. Occasionally, one adjunct or one scientist faculty member, but not both, may serve on the Committee.
   • The Committee of Thesis Readers may be increased to five members, provided that all other committee composition requirements are satisfied. The fifth member may serve on the Final Oral Examination Committee but that individual does not have voting privileges.
   • All members of the Committee must be present at the scheduled exam location; teleconference participation is permitted.
2. Be comprised of three Departments of the University, TWO being from the Bloomberg School of Public Health. It is permissible to have three different BSPH departments represented on the committee.
3. Must have appropriate alternate members to serve on the committee. The selection of alternates is very important for ensuring the exam can take place at the originally scheduled date/time. Choose alternates that will fulfill the committee composition requirements, regardless of who is able to attend. 
   •  One alternate should be from the sponsoring department; the other from a non-sponsoring department.

Students requesting accommodations must have approval from the Student Disability Services office before their exam can be scheduled. Please contact BSPH.dss@jhu.edu for further assistance. Room Scheduling and multimedia/audio/visual equipment requests are the responsibility of the student. 

Distribution of Dissertation to Dissertation (Thesis) Readers: Committee members are encouraged and expected to communicate to the student specific recommendations for changes in the dissertation prior to the Final Oral Examination. The student is, therefore, expected to distribute the dissertation to the Committee at least four weeks before the date of the Final Oral Examination. The Dissertation Approval Form signed by the student’s adviser should accompany the dissertation at the time it is distributed to the committee members.
 

Conduct of the Examination: If one of the officially appointed Committee members fails to appear on the Final Oral Examination date/time, the previously approved alternate will serve as an examiner. A Final Oral Examination may not be held with fewer than four officially approved faculty members present in the room. The adviser must be among the members present; an alternate may not serve in the place of the adviser. Only approved Committee members are permitted to participate as examiners. During the Final Oral Examination, the Committee will evaluate:

1. the originality and publication potential of the research,

2. the candidate's understanding of the details of the methodologic and analytic work, and

3. the final quality of the written dissertation document.

The examination committee chair along with the examiners will determine the details of how the Final Oral Examination is conducted.

Examination Outcome

The possible outcome of the Final Oral Examination based on the student’s performance and written dissertation is determined by closed ballot as Acceptable, Conditionally Acceptable, or Unacceptable. If one or more members require substantive changes to the dissertation (Conditionally Acceptable), the specific nature of these changes and the time expected for the student to complete them will be provided to the student in writing. The appropriately revised dissertation must be submitted to each of the members for final approval. If one or more members feel that the candidate’s understanding of the written dissertation is inadequate (Unacceptable), or that the dissertation in its present form is not acceptable, then the candidate has failed. Re-examination would be in order unless there is a unanimous recommendation to the contrary. Re-examination is normally conducted by the same committee, but a new committee may be selected by the School’s Chair of the Committee on Academic Standards if petitioned by the student.

After the Final Defense

Please consult the Registrar's Office portal site for dissertation format and submission, procedures to follow upon completion of the defense, and additional policy matters.

Graduation

The Registrar's Office handles all aspects of graduation and degree verification.  Graduates are encouraged to participate in Convocation.

Milestones Flowchart

PH - Important Dates for Thesis

Date	Description
Year 1	Complete required coursework
Once per Term	Attend quarterly doctoral meetings; Meet with Advisor(s); Set expectations with RA Supervisors and review performance expectations
Year 1, 1st - 4th Terms	Register for Special Studies with Advisor(s) to begin developing research questions and projects
Annually	Professional Development Discussion (IDP) with Advisor(s)
Prior to Year 2	Verification of completion of course requirements prior to 1st Term of Year 2

PH - Important Dates for Thesis

Date	Description
Year 2	Complete any additional required coursework; Begin Doctoral TA Curriculum
Year 2, 2nd Term	Explore co-Advisor(s) options, submit approved co-Advisor form to the Epi Academic Core
Once per Term	Attend quarterly doctoral meetings; Meet with Advisor(s); Set expectations with RA Supervisors and review performance expectations
Year 2 or Year 3	Form Thesis Advisory Committee, submit Thesis Advisory Committee approval form to the Epi Academic Core
Annually	Meet with Thesis Advisory Committee
Prior to Year 3	Submit thesis proposal to Advisor(s)

PH - Important Dates for Thesis

Date	Description
Year 3	Doctoral Proposal Seminar; Submit thesis proposal to Thesis Advisory Committee; Meet annually with Thesis Advisory Committee
	Departmental Oral Exam; submit form to Epi Academic Core two weeks prior to the exam
	Preliminary Oral Exam; submit form to BSPHEXAMS@jh.edu at least 30 days prior to the exam
	Doctoral TA Curriculum
Quarterly	Meet with Advisor(s); Set expectations with RA Supervisors and review performance expectations
Prior to starting research	Submit PHIRST application for IRB Review

PH - Important Dates for Thesis

Date	Description
Year 4	Data collection and analysis; finalize dissertation
	Doctoral TA Curriculum
Quarterly	Meet with Advisor(s); Set expectations with RA Supervisors and review performance expectations
Prior to scheduling Final Defense Seminar	Submit changes in research scope to IRB; Submit Thesis Research Documentation form to BSPH
Prior to Final Oral Exam	Advisor submits Dissertation Approval Form to Co-Advisor(s), Thesis Advisory Committee, and Readers at least 30 days prior to Final Oral Exam.
	Submit Appointment of Thesis Readers and Final Oral Exam form to BSPHEXAMS@jh.edu
Schedule Final Defense Seminar	Notify Epi Academic Core at least one month in advance of Final Defense Seminar.
Schedule Final Oral Exam	Refer to Schoolwide Deadlines for degree conferral deadlines.
	Submit Thesis Acceptance Letters to BSPHEXAMS@jh.edu
	Submit thesis to JH Libraries.
	Complete "Epi Student Departure Checklist"

Program Competencies

According to the requirements of the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), all BSPH degree students must be grounded in foundational public health knowledge. Please view the list of specific CEPH requirements by degree type.

Epidemiology Doctor of Philosophy Degree Program competencies are organized by Track: 

Cancer Epidemiology

1. Formulate an epidemiological research question and design a research study that helps answer it, including identifying the target population, appropriate source and study populations, adequate exposure, outcome, and covariate assessments, and plans to address threats to validity such as confounding and bias in the design and analysis phases.

2. Apply core statistical concepts and methods; display and communicate statistical data.

3. Develop and deliver a presentation on at least one common cancer and effective strategies for cancer prevention and control at the population level.

4. Perform genetic association tests in population-based samples, in either prospective or retrospective designs, to address cancer-specific research questions.

5. Present a proposal to a scientific audience that covers a current problem in modern cancer epidemiology, including a research plan to address that problem.

6. Formulate, refine, and critique a conceptual framework in cancer epidemiology.

7. Critically evaluate the adequacy and scientific merit of research proposals, including those related to cancer epidemiology.

8. Teach core epidemiological principles at the graduate level, including the incorporation of feedback from faculty instructors.

Cardiovascular and clinical epidemiology

1. Formulate an epidemiological research question and design a research study that helps answer it, including identifying the target population, appropriate source and study populations, adequate exposure, outcome, and covariate assessments, and plans to address threats to validity such as confounding and bias in the design and analysis phases.

2. Apply core statistical concepts and methods; display and communicate statistical data.

3. Evaluate and critique designs, data sources, analytic methods (including risk prediction and physical activity assessment), data presentations, and conclusions of studies commonly used in clinical and cardiovascular epidemiology.

4.  Assess pathophysiologic processes involved in common cardiovascular diseases, including the biological mechanisms through which cardiovascular risk factors affect different parts of the cardiovascular system (e.g., heart, kidneys, peripheral arteries) and appropriate uses of different techniques (e.g., echocardiography, CT scan, and MRI) used to detect and quantify the presence of clinical and cardiovascular diseases.

5. Develop a specific hypothesis to answer a relevant question in clinical and cardiovascular epidemiology, integrate knowledge of the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases to evaluate biological plausibility, and assemble relevant literature to evaluate the hypothesis.

6. Formulate, refine, and critique a conceptual framework in cardiovascular disease epidemiology.

7. Critically evaluate the adequacy and scientific merit of research proposals, including those related to cardiovascular disease epidemiology.

8. Teach core epidemiological principles at the graduate level, including the incorporation of feedback from faculty instructors.

Clinical Trials and evidence synthesis

1. Formulate an epidemiological research question and design a research study that helps answer it, including identifying the target population, appropriate source and study populations, adequate exposure, outcome, and covariate assessments, and plans to address threats to validity such as confounding and bias in the design and analysis phases.

2. Apply core statistical concepts and methods; display and communicate statistical data.

3. Evaluate the historical development of research ethics and assess the role of ethical guidelines in the design and conduct of clinical trials. Appraise the process of obtaining informed consent and consideration of privacy in the clinical trial setting.

4. Conduct, present, and interpret the results of meta-analyses and critique the methodologic rigor of systematic reviews.

5.  Make reasonable decisions about how to collect and manage data for studies of various sizes and budgets and integrate data management activities into the conduct of a research project.

6. Formulate, refine, and critique a conceptual framework in clinical trials and epidemiological methods.

7. Critically evaluate the adequacy and scientific merit of research proposals, including those related to clinical trials and epidemiological methods.

8. Teach core epidemiological principles at the graduate level, including the incorporation of feedback from faculty instructors.

Environmental Epidemiology

1. Formulate an epidemiological research question and design a research study that helps answer it, including identifying the target population, appropriate source and study populations, adequate exposure, outcome, and covariate assessments, and plans to address threats to validity such as confounding and bias in the design and analysis phases.

2. Apply core statistical concepts and methods; display and communicate statistical data.

3.  Delineate, assess, and apply the concepts and methods of exposure and dose in epidemiologic research and in validation studies.

4. Analyze and interpret environmental and occupational health problems, and discuss exposure-disease relationships in human populations.

5.  Interpret, critique, and summarize the design, quantitative methods, and findings of major published studies and peer-reviewed manuscripts in environmental and occupational epidemiology research.

6. Formulate, refine, and critique a conceptual framework in environmental epidemiology.

7. Critically evaluate the adequacy and scientific merit of research proposals, including those related to environmental epidemiology.

8. Teach core epidemiological principles at the graduate level, including the incorporation of feedback from faculty instructors.

Epidemiology of Aging

1. Formulate an epidemiological research question and design a research study that helps answer it, including identifying the target population, appropriate source and study populations, adequate exposure, outcome, and covariate assessments, and plans to address threats to validity such as confounding and bias in the design and analysis phases.

2. Apply core statistical concepts and methods; display and communicate statistical data.

3. Evaluate opportunities for the prevention of diseases and syndromes in the context of the aging phenotypes of older adults.

4. Assess policy programs, financing considerations, and workforce issues that pertain to meeting the economic, health, and social needs of aging societies.

5. Evaluate potential explanations for epidemiologic associations between sensory impairments and gerontologic outcomes.

6. Formulate, refine, and critique a conceptual framework in the epidemiology of aging.

7. Critically evaluate the adequacy and scientific merit of research proposals, including those related to the epidemiology of aging.

8. Teach core epidemiological principles at the graduate level, including the incorporation of feedback from faculty instructors.

General Epidemiology and Methodology

1. Formulate an epidemiological research question and design a research study that helps answer it, including identifying the target population, appropriate source and study populations, adequate exposure, outcome, and covariate assessments, and plans to address threats to validity, such as confounding and bias in the design and analysis phases.

2. Apply core statistical concepts and methods; display and communicate statistical data.

3. Develop a plan for conducting clinical research, and categorize and interpret the effects of complex mechanisms involving bias and variability.

4.  Appraise methods for estimating causal effects in randomized designs and alternative designs to randomization in public health sciences.

5. Evaluate and critique the ways in which inequality is measured and how measures influence the interpretation of data.

6. Formulate, refine, and critique a conceptual framework in epidemiology methodology.

7. Critically evaluate the adequacy and scientific merit of research proposals, including those related to epidemiology methodology.

8. Teach core epidemiological principles at the graduate level, including the incorporation of feedback from faculty instructors.

Genetic Epidemiology

1. Formulate an epidemiological research question and design a research study that helps answer it, including identifying the target population, appropriate source and study populations, adequate exposure, outcome, and covariate assessments, and plans to address threats to validity such as confounding and bias in the design and analysis phases.

2. Apply core statistical concepts and methods; display and communicate statistical data.

3. Integrate an understanding of key components of molecular biology, such as the structure of DNA and molecular mechanisms of the central dogma into genetic epidemiology.

4. Apply various design strategies for genetic studies considering the advantages and disadvantages of each, and perform genetic association tests in population-based samples, in either prospective or retrospective designs.

5. Describe various cutting-edge analyses of large-scale genome-wide association studies to inform biology, causality, and prediction.

6. Formulate, refine, and critique a conceptual framework in genetic epidemiology.

7. Critically evaluate the adequacy and scientific merit of research proposals, including those related to genetic epidemiology.

8. Teach core epidemiological principles at the graduate level, including the incorporation of feedback from faculty instructors.

Infectious Disease Epidemiology

1. Formulate an epidemiological research question and design a research study that helps answer it, including identifying the target population, appropriate source and study populations, adequate exposure, outcome, and covariate assessments, and plans to address threats to validity such as confounding and bias in the design and analysis phases.

2. Apply core statistical concepts and methods; display and communicate statistical data.

3. Incorporate the main epidemiological characteristics of the major infectious diseases of humans into development and evaluation strategies to prevent epidemics or endemic transmission.

4. Discuss and appraise methods and techniques to address challenges unique to infectious disease epidemiology, including network analysis, methods for determining contact rates, and the heterogeneity of host responses to pathogen exposure.

5. Conduct an outbreak investigation and use the epidemic curve to identify the epidemic type, incubation period, and potential mode of transmission.

6. Formulate, refine, and critique a conceptual framework in infectious disease epidemiology.

7. Critically evaluate the adequacy and scientific merit of research proposals, including those related to infectious disease epidemiology.

8. Teach core epidemiological principles at the graduate level, including the incorporation of feedback from faculty instructors.