Epidemiology and Human Genetics

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.

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 December 1 for Priority Consideration.  The regular PhD. deadline is January 15 and MS applications by February 15 (March 1 for internal candidates) of the year in which the student intends to enroll.  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. 

Required Courses: PhD Epidemiology Track

Select three of these statistical analyses courses:

Required Courses: PhD Molecular Epidemiology Track

Required Courses: PhD Human Genetics Track

Select two or more of the following:

Required Courses: MS in Epidemiology and Clinical Research (Epidemiology Track)

Required Courses: MS Epidemiology/ PhD Gerontology Joint Degree

(open only to students in the Gerontology PhD program)

Required Courses: MS Epidemiology/ PhD Pharmaceutical Health Services Research Joint Degree

(open only to students in the Pharmaceutical Health Services Research PhD program)

Required Courses: MS in Epidemiology and Clinical Research (Clinical Research Track)

Required Courses: Certificate in Clinical Research

Available Electives

See PREV and other GPLS courses in the Course Descriptions part of this catalog.