Degrees Offered
PhD, PhD/MD, MS, MS/MD, Certificate
Program Description
The graduate program in Epidemiology and Human Genetics (EHG) within GPILS at the School of Medicine offers a diverse array of integrated opportunities to develop skillsfor discovering how population, molecular, and genetic variations relate to health and disease. These skills are essential for translating new basic research findings into clinical practice and applying them to public health. New findings from epidemiology and human genetics research consistently make the news. Students in this program become leaders in improving the health of local, regional, and global populations. The program combines traditional areas of biomedical, genetic, clinical, and community studies with opportunities to learn and apply observational, biostatistical, molecular, and genomic tools in their investigations.
The PhD program consists of three tracks: epidemiology, molecular epidemiology, and human genetics, each with a tailored program of study. There are two MS degrees, the MS in Epidemiology and Clinical Research with two tracks (one in epidemiology and one in clinical research) and the MS in Human Genetics. Dual-degree programs enable students to earn an MS degree in combination with one of several PhD programs.
The PhD in Epidemiology and Human Genetics (Epidemiology Track) allows students to acquire advanced knowledge, skills, and experience in completing independent epidemiological research in a biomedical setting. This track has a strong quantitative focus, necessary for providing students with the tools needed to conduct world-class research on epidemiologic topics and to participate in multidisciplinary research in a broad range of specialties.
The PhD in Epidemiology and Human Genetics (Molecular Epidemiology Track) is designed for students who wish to undertake research that combines molecular, genetic, and epidemiologic techniques and to apply these technologies to the understanding of risk factors for disease transmission or acquisition. Students in this track are provided with a solid knowledge base in epidemiology and biostatistics while gaining the laboratory and informatics skills needed to incorporate genomic data into their research.
The PhD in Epidemiology and Human Genetics (Human Genetics Track) provides broad training for students wanting to understand human genetic variation and its relation to health and disease. Students receive an overview of human genetics (molecular, biochemical, clinical, cytogenetics, and genetic epidemiology/genomics) and then specialize in their areas of interest.
The MS in Epidemiology and Clinical Research (Epidemiology Track) is designed to offer an MS degree to students pursuing a PhD in Gerontology or in Pharmaceutical Health Services Research as part of our dual-degree programs. Also, students wishing to leave the Epidemiology and Human Genetics PhD program can opt to get the MS in lieu of their PhD.
The MS in Epidemiology and Clinical Research (Clinical Research Track) is designed specifically to meet the needs of the clinician or clinician-in-training by providing a combination of coursework and research experiences needed for a successful career in clinical investigation. Students may select from multiple concentration areas: epidemiologic research, patient-oriented research, outcomes/health services research, human genetics, and research ethics.
The MS in Human Genetics is designed for students contemplating careers in human genetics, especially as it relates to health and disease. This track includes coursework, seminars, and supervised research culminating in a thesis.
The Certificate in Clinical Research is designed specifically to meet the needs of clinicians and scientists who wish to work in clinical research and often need additional didactic training to gain analytic skills that are not covered in their health professional or graduate education. Many faculty and fellows are not able to take the entire MS in Clinical Research track but would like evidence that they have successfully completed training in clinical research. This 12-credit certificate in clinical research program provides training in the core competencies of clinical research, including study design, biostatistics, data management, scientific communication, and the ethical, legal, and regulatory issues in clinical research.
Program Admission
Degree-seeking students are admitted into the program during the fall semester only, and the Graduate School must receive PhD application materials by Jan. 15 and MS applications by Feb. 15 (March 1 for internal candidates) of the year in which the student intends to enroll. All international applications must be received by Jan. 1. Graduate Record Examinations (GREs) are mandatory; Medical College Admission Test scores may replace GRE scores for physician applicants. In addition to meeting the minimum requirements of the Graduate School and the Graduate Program in Life Sciences (GPILS), applicants should have completed coursework in biology relevant to understanding health and disease processes, and college algebra. The program evaluates each applicant individually with attention to areas of strength that relate to the skills and background necessary to succeed in graduate study in epidemiology and human genetics.
Degree Requirements
Doctoral students in the human genetics track are required to take 32 course credits. The doctoral degree in the epidemiology and molecular epidemiology tracks requires up to 44 course credits, depending on the student’s research interests and previously completed coursework. Students may need to take additional coursework as background preparation or in preparation for an area of specialization. PhD candidates must successfully complete a minimum of 12 credits of doctoral dissertation research.
The master’s degree for the epidemiology and clinical research track requires a total of 30 credits. A thesis is optional for students in this track; however, students who opt out of the thesis must complete Research Practicum I and II. Students in the human genetics track are required to develop a thesis project in addition to completing a minimum of 24 course credits and 6 research credits.
Required Courses: PhD Epidemiology Track
| PREV 600 | PRINCIPLES OF EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 619 | INTRODUCTION TO SAS | 1 |
| PREV 620 | PRINCIPLES OF BIOSTATISTICS | 3 |
| PREV 659 | OBSERVATIONAL STUDIES IN EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 716 | CHRONIC DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 720 | STATISTICAL METHODS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 747 | EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREVENTIVE MEDICINE RESEARCH PRACTICUM I | 3 |
| PREV 748 | EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREVENTIVE MEDICINE RESEARCH PRACTICUM II | 2 |
| PREV 749 | INFECTIOUS DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGY - A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE | 3 |
| PREV 758 | HEALTH SURVEY RESEARCH METHODS | 3 |
| PREV 803 | CLINICAL TRIALS AND EXPERIMENTAL EPIDMIOLOGY | 3 |
| CIPP 907 | RESEARCH ETHICS | 1 |
Select three of these statistical analyses courses:
8 credits of general electives
PREV 899: 12 credits minimum
Required Courses: PhD Molecular Epidemiology Track
11 credits of general electives
CIPP 907: or equivalent
PREV 899: 12 credits minimum
Required Courses: PhD Human Genetics Track
Select two or more of the following:
CIPP 907: or equivalent
PREV 899: 12 credits minimum
Required Courses: MS in Epidemiology and Clinical Research (Epidemiology Track)
| PREV 600 | PRINCIPLES OF EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 619 | INTRODUCTION TO SAS | 1 |
| PREV 620 | PRINCIPLES OF BIOSTATISTICS | 3 |
| PREV 648 | INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH SYSTEM AND HEALTH POLICY MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| PREV 659 | OBSERVATIONAL STUDIES IN EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 668 | ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH | 3 |
| PREV 720 | STATISTICAL METHODS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 747 | EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREVENTIVE MEDICINE RESEARCH PRACTICUM I | 3 |
| PREV 748 | EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREVENTIVE MEDICINE RESEARCH PRACTICUM II | 2 |
| CIPP 907 | RESEARCH ETHICS | 1 |
| PREV 799 | MASTER'S THESIS RESEARCH | 1 TO 6 |
Electives as needed to meet 30-credit requirement
PREV 747 and PREV 748: or MS Thesis
CIPP 907: or equivalent
PREV 799: 6 credits minimum if master’s thesis option
Required Courses: Ms Epidemiology/ Phd Gerontology Joint Degree
(open only to students in the Gerontology PhD program)
| PREV 600 | PRINCIPLES OF EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 619 | INTRODUCTION TO SAS | 1 |
| PREV 620 | PRINCIPLES OF BIOSTATISTICS | 3 |
| PREV 659 | OBSERVATIONAL STUDIES IN EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 720 | STATISTICAL METHODS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 721 | REGRESSION ANALYSIS | 2 |
| | |
| PREV 723 | SURVIVAL ANALYSIS | 2 |
| Or | |
| PREV 801 | LONGITUDINAL DATA ANALYSIS | 3 |
| | |
| PREV 758 | HEALTH SURVEY RESEARCH METHODS | 3 |
| PREV 803 | CLINICAL TRIALS AND EXPERIMENTAL EPIDMIOLOGY | 3 |
| Epidemiology electives from among PREV courses not already taken | 3 |
| CIPP 909 | RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT OF RESEARCH | 1 TO 2 |
Other courses required for the Gerontology PhD
Required Courses: Ms Epidemiology/ Phd Pharmaceutical Health Services Research Joint Degree
(open only to students in the Pharmaceutical Health Services Research PhD program)
6 credits of Epidemiology electives from among PREV courses not already taken
Other courses required for the Pharmaceutical Health Services Research PhD
Required Courses: MS in Epidemiology and Clinical Research (Clinical Research Track)
| PREV 600 | PRINCIPLES OF EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 616 | INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH AT UMB | 2 |
| PREV 619 | INTRODUCTION TO SAS | 1 |
| PREV 620 | PRINCIPLES OF BIOSTATISTICS | 3 |
| PREV 633 | APPLICATION OFLEGAL AND REGULATORY ISSUES IN CLINICAL RESEARCH | 2 |
PREV 706
| | |
| PREV 710 | CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH PROJECT DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION | 1 TO 2 |
| PREV 720 | STATISTICAL METHODS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 747 | EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREVENTIVE MEDICINE RESEARCH PRACTICUM I | 3 |
| PREV 748 | EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREVENTIVE MEDICINE RESEARCH PRACTICUM II | 2 |
| | |
| CIPP 907 | RESEARCH ETHICS | 1 |
| Or | |
| CIPP 909 | RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT OF RESEARCH | 1 TO 2 |
| | |
| PREV 799 | MASTER'S THESIS RESEARCH | 1 TO 6 |
Electives as needed to meet 30-credit requirement
PREV 747 and PREV 748: or MS thesis
PREV 799: 6 credits minimum if master’s thesis option
Required Courses: MS in Human Genetics
Select two or more of the following:
Electives as needed to meet 30-credit requirement
CIPP 907: or equivalent
PREV 799: 6 credits minimum
Required Courses: Certificate in Clinical Research
| PREV 600 | PRINCIPLES OF EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 616 | INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH AT UMB | 2 |
| | |
| PREV 620 | PRINCIPLES OF BIOSTATISTICS | 3 |
| Or | |
| PREV 621 | BIOSTATISTICAL METHODS | 3 |
| | |
| PREV 633 | APPLICATION OFLEGAL AND REGULATORY ISSUES IN CLINICAL RESEARCH | 2 |
PREV 706
| | |
| CIPP 909 | RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT OF RESEARCH | 1 TO 2 |
Available Electives
See PREV and other GPLS courses in the Course Descriptions part of this catalog.