Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Epidemiology and Biostatistics - Health Behavior and Prevention Science

The PhD Program in Epidemiology and Biostatistics draws on the core disciplines of biostatistics and epidemiology to support students in developing the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to assume positions of leadership with the ultimate goal of advancing the public’s health. Students accepted into the PhD program will master the rigorous scientific and analytic methods necessary to be at the forefront of efforts to not only describe, but effectively evaluate and improve the public’s health. All incoming PhD students take a required 36-credit core curriculum, which includes a 24-credit common core, 12-credit concentration core, and 6-credits of electives from one of five areas of concentration: Genetic Epidemiology and Bioinformatics, Global Health Epidemiology, Health Behavior and Prevention Science, Health Care Organizations, Outcomes and Policy, and Modern Biostatistics (see descriptions below). On completion of all core requirements, students take a qualifying examination that leads to advancement to candidacy. When ready to embark upon the Doctoral dissertation, the student must choose a research advisor to have the major responsibility for facilitating, guiding, and advising the student in his or her research. Health Behavior and Prevention Science Health behavior and prevention research involves the systematic study of factors that modify behaviors related to disease risk and health promotion. This involves the development and testing of intervention programs designed to change behavior and reduce the onset and impact of various diseases, and programs designed to improve quality of life. Students enrolled in a concentration in Health Behavior and Prevention Science (HBPS) will train and conduct research on the psychological, social and ecological influences of health-related behaviors linked to the prevention of chronic disease, focusing not only on individual-level health and health behavior change, but more broadly to include multi-level, socio-ecological influences from interpersonal relationships and families, to organizations (school, work, religion), neighborhoods and communities, and policy. Research opportunities for HBPS students are plentiful across campus, both with EPBI faculty and through established research centers within the university, such as the Prevention Research Center for Healthy Neighborhoods, Center for Reducing Health Disparities, Practice-Based Research Networks, Swetland Center for Environmental Health, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (Prevention and Control Program), and the Center on Urban Poverty and Community Development. The Prevention Research Center for Healthy Neighborhoods, through its Training and Mentoring and Research Development Cores, have built-in opportunities for students to become part of research teams, attend seminars, brown-bag discussions and participate in collaborative exchanges with community research partners.