PDF reflects print Department of Preventive Medicine
Biostatistics Division
Center for Health Professions 222
1540 Alcazar Street Los Angeles 90089-9010
Codirectors: Stanley P. Azen, Duncan Thomas
(323) 442-1810
FAX: (323) 442-2993
Email: mtrujill@usc.edu
www.usc.edu/medicine/biostats
Health Behavior Research Division
c/o USC/IPR
1000 S. Fremont Avenue, Box #8
Alhambra, CA 91803
(626) 457-6600
FAX: (626) 457-4012
Director: C. Anderson Johnson
(626) 457-6648
Email:
barovich@hsc.usc.edu
www.usc.edu/medicine/hbrphd
Environmental Health Division
Center for Health Professions 236
1540 Alcazar Street
Los Angeles 90089-9013
Director: John M. Peters
(323) 442-1096
FAX: (323) 442-3272
Master of Public Health Program
1000 S. Fremont Avenue, Box #8
Alhambra, CA 91803
Director: Thomas W. Valente, Ph.D.
(626) 457-6676
FAX: (626) 457-6699
Email:
mphusc@usc.edu
Faculty
Ronald K. Ross, Chair, Catherine and Joseph Aresty Chair in Urologic Research and Flora L. Thornton Chair in Preventive MedicineJohn M. Peters, Vice Chair and Hastings Professor
AFLAC Chair in Cancer Research: Leslie Bernstein, Professor
Sidney R. Garfield Chair in Health Sciences: C. Anderson Johnson
Kenneth T. Norris, Jr. Chair in Epidemiology: Brian E. Henderson
Verna R. Richter Chair in Cancer Research: Duncan Thomas
Harry J. Bauer and Dorothy Bauer Rawlins Professorship in Cardiology: Howard N. Hodis
Professors: S.P. Azen (Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, Ophthalmology, Occupational Science); L. Bernstein; P. Clarke (Communication); F.D. Gilliland; H. Gong (Medicine); M. Goran (Physiology and Biophysics); R. Haile; B.E. Henderson; C.A. Johnson (Psychology); T.M. Mack (Pathology); R. McConnell; B. Meyerowitz (Psychology); M.A. Pentz; J.M. Peters; M.C. Pike; B. Portnoy (Pediatrics); S. Preston-Martin; J. Richardson; R.K. Ross; A. Stacy; D. Stram; S. Sussman; S. Tavare (Mathematics); D.C. Thomas; A. Wu
Associate Professors: K. Berhane; G. Coetzee (Urology, Microbiology); W.J. Gauderman; H. Hodis (Medicine); M. Jarrett (Geography); N. Kuenzli; W. Mack; K. Reynolds; H.N. Sather; T. Seeman (Gerontology); K. Siegmund; J. Sobell; J. Unger; G. Ursin; T. Valente
Assistant Professors: H. Allayee; L. Baezconde-Garbanati; D. Conti; V. Cortessis; C. Haiman; S. Ingles; C.W. Pearce; M. Stern; R. Watanabe (Physiology/Biophysics)
Professors of Clinical: E.L. Avol; D. Deapen; R.K. Peters (Emeritus) (Family Medicine)
Associate Professor of Clinical: A. Hricko
Assistant Professors of Clinical: A. Hamilton; C. Koprowski; E. Nezami; P. Palmer
Clinical Associate Professors: J.T. Casagrande; W.S. Linn; J.N. Weitzel
Clinical Instructor: P.M. Rideout
Professors of Research: J.D. Buckley (Pediatrics); S. Groshen; A. Paganini Hill; M. Krailo; B. Langholz; R. Sposto; F. Stanczyk (Obstetrics and Gynecology)
Associate Professors of Research: T. Alonzo; C.-P. Chou; C. Cozen (Pathology); L. Rohrbach; A. Xiang
Assistant Professors of Research: L. Chen; M. Cockburn; T. Boley Cruz; M. Gago; P. Marjoram; R. McKean-Cowdin; J. Milam; D. Spruijt-Metz; P. Sun; T. Zhou
Adjunct Professor: J. Niland
Adjunct Associate Professors: C.N. Bailey-Merz; M.R. Calderon; G. Marks
Adjunct Assistant Professors: J. Lawrence; J.A. Longmate; S.V. McKane; S. Montgomery
The Department of Preventive Medicine is responsible for training medical and graduate students in the areas of biostatistics, epidemiology, health behavior research, public health, and preventive medicine. Faculty from the department also perform research in the areas of biostatistics, epidemiology of acute and chronic diseases, and environmental health.
The undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the department are noteworthy for the extensive opportunities offered to the students for involvement in faculty research. It is not uncommon for students to begin working closely with faculty members on research projects as early as their first or second year of study.
Degree Programs
The Department of Preventive Medicine offers the following degree programs:B.S. in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Studies
B.S. in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention/Master of Public Health
Minor in Cinema-Television for the Health Professions
Minor in Cultural Competence in Medicine
Minor in Health Communication
Minor in Public Health
Minor in Nutrition and Health Promotion
Minor in Substance Abuse Prevention
M.S. in Applied Biostatistics/Epidemiology
M.S. in Clinical and Biomedical Investigations
M.S. in Molecular Epidemiology
Master of Public Health
Master of Public Health/Doctor of Medicine
Master of Public Health (Health Promotion)/Ph.D. in Psychology (Clinical)
Master of Public Health/Pharm.D.
Master of Public Health/Doctor of Physical Therapy
Ph.D. in Biostatistics
Ph.D. in Epidemiology
Ph.D. in Molecular Epidemiology
Ph.D. in Preventive Medicine (Health Behavior Research)
Ph.D. in Statistical Genetics and Genetic Epidemiology
Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Studies
3375 S. Hoover Street
University Village, Suite E 210
Los Angeles, CA 90089-7798
Director: Elahe Nezami, Ph.D.
(213) 821-1600
FAX: (213) 821-1733
Email: nezami@usc.edu
www.usc.edu/medicine/hp
The undergraduate program in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Studies (HP) provides a well-rounded, professionally-focused education leading to the Bachelor of Science degree. The program is concerned with the sociocultural, behavioral, psychological, and biological factors contributing to wellness and disease. It is an ideal major for students interested in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, public health, epidemiology, health psychology, and health behavior research. Areas of study include: global health; cultural diversity in medicine; substance abuse prevention and program planning; nutrition and fitness; health promotion of minority and underserved populations; and general public health issues (e.g., HIV/AIDS, violence, health promotion in the workplace and behavioral medicine).
Program Requirements
The Bachelor of Science degree is awarded after students successfully complete 128 units, consisting of 66 units for the major and fulfillment of USC general education requirements including third semester equivalency in a foreign language.General Education Requirements
The university’s general education program requires six courses plus writing and diversity requirements, which provide a coherent, integrated introduction to the liberal arts and sciences. See here and here for more information.Requirements for the Major (66 units)
The program is divided into core and elective components. Students are required to complete 20 elective units (at least 12 out of the 20 must be HP courses).The following core component (46 units) is required of all students.
| Non-hp courses (24 units) | units | |
|---|---|---|
| BISC 120L | General Biology: Organismal Biology and Evolution, or | |
| BISC 121L | Advanced General Biology: Organismal Biology and Evolution | 4 |
| BISC 220L | General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology, or | |
| BISC 221L | Advanced General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology | 4 |
| CHEM 105aL | General Chemistry, or | |
| CHEM 115aL | Advanced General Chemistry | 4 |
| MATH 116 | Mathematics for the Social Sciences, or | |
| MATH 125* | Calculus I | 4 |
| PPD 230 | Introduction to Health Policy and Management | 4 |
| PSYC 100 | Introduction to Psychology | 4 |
| HP Courses (22 units) | units | |
|---|---|---|
| HP 200 | Introduction to Health Promotion and Disease Prevention | 4 |
| HP 300 | Theoretical Principles of Health Behavior | 4 |
| HP 320 | Biological and Behavioral Basis of Disease | 4 |
| HP 340L | Health Behavior Statistical Methods | 4 |
| HP 350L | Health Behavior Research Methods | 4 |
| HP 480 | Internship in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, or | 2-4 |
| HP 490x | Directed Research | 2-8 |
Advanced HP and Health Profession Preparatory Courses
A total of 20 units of electives are required of all students (at least 12 of the 20 must be HP courses).| electives (20 units) | units | |
|---|---|---|
| BISC 212Lx | Human Anatomy | 4 |
| BISC 320L | Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BISC 330L | Biochemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 105bL | General Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 115bL | Advanced General Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 322abL | Organic Chemistry | 4-4 |
| EXSC 300L | Physiology of Exercise | 4 |
| EXSC 407aL | Advanced Exercise Physiology | 4 |
| HP 400 | Culture, Lifestyle, and Health | 4 |
| HP 401 | Cultural Competence: Promoting Health in Diverse Communities | 4 |
| HP 402 | Maternal and Child Health | 4 |
| HP 403 | Behavioral Medicine | 4 |
| HP 404 | Religion and Health | 4 |
| HP 405 | Sexually Transmitted Disease: A Global Public Health Priority | 4 |
| HP 410 | Issues in Prevention and Cessation of Drug Abuse | 4 |
| HP 411 | Drug Intervention Program Design and Evaluation | 4 |
| HP 412 | Health Promotion and Prevention Policy | 4 |
| HP 420 | Gender and Minority Health Issues | 4 |
| HP 421 | Violence as a Public Health Issue | 4 |
| HP 422 | AIDS in Society | 4 |
| HP 430 | Nutrition and Exercise Epidemiology | 4 |
| HP 431 | Behavior and Education Strategies for Nutrition and Fitness | 4 |
| HP 432 | Clinical Nutrition | 4 |
| HP 433 | Advanced Topics in Nutrition | 4 |
| HP 441 | Health Promotion in the Workplace | 4 |
| HP 442 | Chronic Disease Epidemiology | 4 |
| HP 443 | Health Communication Strategies and Evaluation | 4 |
| HP 450 | Traditional Eastern Medicine and Modern Health | 4 |
| HP 460 | Adolescent Health | 4 |
| PHYS 135abL | Physics for the Life Sciences, or | 4-4 |
| PHYS 151L | Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics, and | 4 |
| PHYS 152L | Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| PPD 330 | Introduction to Health Care Systems | 4 |
| PSYC 336L | Developmental Psychology | 4 |
| PSYC 338 | Adolescent Development | 4 |
| PSYC 355 | Social Psychology | 4 |
| SOCI 350 | Deviant Behavior | 4 |
| SOCI 475 | Medical Sociology | 4 |
Progressive Degree in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (B.S.) and Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)
The Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) program admits a limited number of USC undergraduate health promotion majors to pursue the M.P.H. degree while completing the B.S. in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. Applicants to the program must have completed 64 units of course work and must submit their applications prior to completion of 96 units of course work. Applicants do not have to submit GRE scores, but are expected to have a minimum GPA of 3.5 at the time of application. The application for admission to a progressive master’s program must be accompanied by an approved course plan proposal and letters of recommendation from two USC faculty members in the Department of Preventive Medicine. The requirements for both the B.S. and the M.P.H. degrees must be satisfied. For further details on Progressive Degrees.Progressive Degree in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (B.S.) and Master of Science in Biostatistics (M.S.)
The Master of Science in Biostatistics program admits a limited number of USC undergraduate health promotion majors to pursue the M.S. degree while completing the B.S. in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. Applicants to the program must have completed 64 units of course work and must submit their applications prior to the completion of 96 units of course work. Applicants do not have to submit GRE scores, but are expected to have a minimum GPA of 3.5 at the time of application. The application for admission to a progressive master’s program must be accompanied by an approved course plan proposal and letters of recommendation from two USC faculty members in the Department of Preventive Medicine. The requirements for both the B.S. and the M.S. degrees must be satisfied. For further details on Progressive Degrees.Progressive Degree in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (B.S.) and Master of Science in Molecular Epidemiology (M.S.)
The Master of Science in Molecular Epidemiology Program admits a limited number of USC undergraduate health promotion majors to pursue the M.S. degree while completing the B.S. in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. Applicants to the program must have completed 64 units of course work and must submit their applications prior to the completion of 96 units of course work. Applicants do not have to submit GRE scores, but are expected to have a minimum GPA of 3.5 at the time of application. The application for admission to a progressive master’s program must be accompanied by an approved course plan proposal and letters of recommendation from two USC faculty members in the Department of Preventive Medicine. The requirements for both the B.S. and the M.S. degrees must be satisfied. For further details on Progressive Degrees.Minor in Cinema-Television for the Health Professions This minor is designed for students who plan to enter careers or professional programs in medicine after graduation and are interested in working with film and television producers to disseminate accurate health information to the public. It introduces pre-health students to the theory and techniques of cinema and television and to a set of media practices useful for the implementation of health promotion strategies. The minor will provide a foundation for students who want to be able to function as consultants to the entertainment industry in their roles as researchers and clinicians. It complements major programs such as biological sciences, chemistry, kinesiology, health promotion and disease prevention studies, and environmental studies. The minor requires 24 units. For complete course requirements, see the School of Cinema-Television section.
Minor in Cultural Competence in Medicine
This minor is designed for students who plan to enter careers or professional programs in medicine after graduation and are interested in using cultural knowledge to provide more effective health care. The minor focuses on cultural differences in the understanding of health, disease, health care and risk factors unique to specific populations. The minor will provide a foundation for students who want to be able to function as effective health care providers in our increasingly diverse society. It complements major programs such as biological sciences, chemistry, exercise science and environmental studies.| Required courses (20 units) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| HP 200 | Introduction to Health Promotion and Disease Prevention | 4 |
| HP 400 | Culture, Lifestyle and Health | 4 |
| HP 401 | Cultural Competence: Promoting Health in Diverse Communities | 4 |
| HP 420 | Gender and Minority Health Issues | 4 |
and one of the following: | ||
| HP 402 | Maternal and Child Health | 4 |
| HP 410 | Issues in Prevention and Cessation of Drug Abuse | 4 |
| HP 421 | Violence as a Public Health Issue | 4 |
| HP 422 | AIDS in Society | 4 |
| HP 442 | Chronic Disease Epidemiology | 4 |
| HP 443 | Health Communication Strategies and Evaluation | 4 |
| HP 450 | Traditional Eastern Medicine and Modern Health | 4 |
| HP 460 | Adolescent Health | 4 |
| PSYC 462 | Minority Mental Health | 4 |
Minor in Health Communication
This minor is designed to appeal to students with a wide range of interests, including those with a general interest in promoting healthy lifestyle practices through effective communication. These students will be prepared to seek jobs in areas including the managed care industry, hospitals, wellness programs, broadcast and cable companies, and private and governmental agencies, as well as other organizations looking for experts with demonstrated knowledge in health-related fields.| Required courses (20 units) | units | |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 302 | Persuasion | 4 |
| COMM 385 | Survey of Organizational Communication | 4 |
| HP 200 | Introduction to Health Promotion and Disease Prevention | 4 |
| HP 443 | Health Communication Strategies and Evaluation | 4 |
and one of the following: | ||
| COMM 304 | Interpersonal Communication | 4 |
| COMM 308 | Communication and Conflict | 4 |
| COMM 315 | Health Communication | 4 |
| COMM 324 | Intercultural Communication | 4 |
| COMM 375 | Business and Professional Communication | 4 |
| COMM 402 | Public Communication Campaigns | 4 |
| COMM 480 | Nonverbal Communication | 4 |
| COMM 486 | Human and Technological Systems in Organizations | 4 |
| HP 400 | Culture, Lifestyle, and Health | 4 |
| HP 401 | Cultural Competence: Promoting Health in Diverse Communities | 4 |
| HP 402 | Maternal and Child Health | 4 |
| HP 403 | Behavioral Medicine | 4 |
| HP 412 | Health Promotion and Prevention Policy | 4 |
| HP 420 | Gender and Minority Health Issues | 4 |
| HP 421 | Violence as a Public Health Issue | 4 |
| HP 422 | AIDS in Society | 4 |
| HP 430 | Nutrition and Exercise Epidemiology | 4 |
| HP 442 | Chronic Disease Epidemiology | 4 |
Minor in Public Health
This minor is designed for students interested in a broad array of health issues. The focus of the minor is on reducing disability and mortality from avoidable injuries and chronic disease, educating the community about healthy lifestyles, assuring access to health care, and measuring changes using various indicators over time. This minor teaches students to meet the challenges of the changing environment of the health care system. It complements a number of majors including psychology, sociology, American studies and ethnicity, biological sciences, economics, environmental studies, exercise science, gender studies, international relations, philosophy, religion, gerontology, education and political science.| Required courses (20-24 units*) | units | |
|---|---|---|
| HP 200 | Introduction to Health Promotion and Disease Prevention | 4 |
| PPD 330 | Introduction to Health Care Systems | 4 |
and three of the following: | ||
| HP 400 | Culture, Lifestyle and Health | 4 |
| HP 401 | Cultural Competence: Promoting Health in Diverse Communities | 4 |
| HP 402 | Maternal and Child Health | 4 |
| HP 403 | Behavioral Medicine | 4 |
| HP 410 | Issues in Prevention and Cessation of Drug Abuse | 4 |
| HP 412 | Health Promotion and Prevention Policy | 4 |
| HP 420 | Gender and Minority Health Issues | 4 |
| HP 421 | Violence as a Public Health Issue | 4 |
| HP 422 | AIDS in Society | 4 |
| HP 430 | Nutrition and Exercise Epidemiology | 4 |
| HP 441 | Health Promotion in the Workplace | 4 |
| HP 442 | Chronic Disease Epidemiology | 4 |
| HP 443 | Health Communication Strategies and Evaluation | 4 |
| HP 460* | Adolescent Health | 4 |
Minor in Nutrition and Health Promotion
This minor is designed to appeal to students interested in nutrition, especially in preparation for graduate study in health-related fields (e.g., medicine, public health) or to enter health-related fields of employment. The focus of the minor is on assessing, planning and evaluating dietary intake of individuals or groups under various conditions of health and disease based upon principles of nutrition and behavioral science. Students in this minor will study factors associated with dietary habits and the development of effective individual and group interventions. It complements majors including psychology, gerontology, biological sciences, chemistry, exercise science and environmental studies.| Required courses (20 units) | units | |
|---|---|---|
| HP 230 | Nutrition and Health | 4 |
| HP 430 | Nutrition and Exercise Epidemiology | 4 |
| HP 431 | Behavior and Education Strategies for Nutrition and Fitness | 4 |
and two of the following: | ||
| HP 400 | Culture, Lifestyle, and Health | 4 |
| HP 401 | Cultural Competence: Promoting Health in Diverse Communities | 4 |
| HP 402 | Maternal and Child Health | 4 |
| HP 403 | Behavioral Medicine | 4 |
| HP 412 | Health Promotion and Prevention Policy | 4 |
| HP 420 | Gender and Minority Health Issues | 4 |
| HP 432 | Clinical Nutrition | 4 |
| HP 433 | Advanced Topics in Nutrition | 4 |
| HP 443 | Health Communication Strategies and Evaluation | 4 |
| HP 460 | Adolescent Health | 4 |
| HP 480 | Internship in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention | 2-4, max 4 |
| HP 490x | Directed Research | 2-8, max 8 |
Minor in Substance Abuse Prevention
This minor offers students an opportunity to gain an overall understanding of substance abuse as a major modifiable risk factor for illness. It allows students to learn theories of behavior change, to understand the issues in prevention and cessation of drug abuse, and to develop, implement, and evaluate intervention strategies. It complements a number of majors including psychology, sociology, American studies and ethnicity, biological science, gerontology and education.| Required courses (24 units*) | units | |
|---|---|---|
| HP 200 | Introduction to Health Promotion and Disease Prevention | 4 |
| HP 300 | Theoretical Principles of Health Behavior (Prerequisite: PSYC 100) | 4 |
| HP 410 | Issues in Prevention and Cessation of Drug Abuse | 4 |
| HP 411 | Drug Intervention Program Design and Evaluation | 4 |
and one of the following: | ||
| HP 400 | Culture, Lifestyle, and Health | 4 |
| HP 401 | Cultural Competence: Promoting Health in Diverse Communities | 4 |
| HP 402 | Maternal and Child Health | 4 |
| HP 403 | Behavioral Medicine | 4 |
| HP 412 | Health Promotion and Prevention Policy | 4 |
| HP 421 | Violence as a Public Health Issue | 4 |
| HP 443 | Health Communication Strategies and Evaluation | 4 |
Graduate Programs -- Admissions
Master of Science in Applied Biostatistics/Epidemiology
The department encourages applicants with undergraduate degrees in allied health, pharmacology, public health, medicine, biological and clinical sciences or other related fields. Undergraduate preparation should have included applied statistics, college algebra, an introductory course in calculus and basic computer programming. Applicants should also meet the minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate School. Demonstrated proficiency in the English language is essential. With approval of the Graduate School, applicants not meeting these requirements may be conditionally admitted contingent upon maintaining a GPA of 3.5 for the first 12 units of graduate study.Master of Science in Biostatistics
The department encourages applicants with undergraduate degrees in mathematics, statistics or biostatistics, computer science or other related fields. Undergraduate preparation should have included differential and integral calculus, introduction to mathematical statistics, and basic computer programming. Applicants should also meet the minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate School. Demonstrated proficiency in the English language is essential. With approval of the Graduate School, applicants not meeting these requirements may be conditionally admitted contingent upon maintaining a GPA of 3.5 for the first 12 units of graduate study.Master of Science in Clinical and Biomedical Investigations
The program will consider applicants who satisfy all requirements for admission to the Graduate School. MCAT scores may be substituted for the GRE. Applicants not meeting Graduate School requirements for regular standing may, with approval of the Graduate School, be conditionally admitted. Regular standing is contingent upon maintaining a GPA of 3.0 in the first 12 units of graduate studies. All graduate students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 throughout their graduate studies.Master of Science, Molecular Epidemiology
Students with a bachelor’s degree in quantitative biological sciences will be eligible for admission. In addition, the B.A. students must have completed at least one year of general biology, one semester of biochemistry and one semester of statistics to be admitted into the Graduate School. Under unusual circumstances, conditional acceptance will be offered to students who do not meet these requirements -- allowing them to complete the missing undergraduate courses prior to their full admission into the Graduate School. An introductory biochemistry class is also available in the School of Pharmacy which may satisfy the biochemistry prerequisite. A joint departmental admission committee will review all applicants.Master of Public Health
The M.P.H. program has five tracks: Health Promotion, Biostatistics/Epidemiology, Health Communication, Nutrition, and Child and Family Health. The curriculum includes a set of core courses for each track and electives. The program also includes an internship placement that integrates academic and practical experiences and prepares individuals to work in governmental and non-governmental organizations in health-related fields.The department encourages applicants from the USC undergraduate program in health promotion and disease prevention and throughout the campus, as well as health professionals seeking advanced degrees, medical students who are interested in pursuing an M.P.H. along with their medical degree, nurses who desire a more public health focus, pharmacists and dentists. Applicants should meet the minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate School. Demonstrated proficiency in the English language is essential.
Doctor of Philosophy in Biostatistics
The department encourages applicants with undergraduate degrees in mathematics, statistics or biostatistics, or other related fields. Undergraduate preparation should have included differential and integral calculus, introduction to mathematical statistics and basic computer programming. Applicants should also meet the minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate School. Demonstrated proficiency in the English language is essential. With approval of the Graduate School, applicants not meeting these requirements may be conditionally admitted contingent upon maintaining a GPA of 3.0 for the first 12 units of graduate study.Doctor of Philosophy in Epidemiology
The department encourages applicants who have undergraduate degrees in allied health, public health, biological sciences or other related fields. Applicants not meeting these requirements may, with approval of the Graduate School, be conditionally admitted contingent upon maintaining a GPA of 3.5 in the first 12 units of graduate studies. Applicants should also meet the minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate School. An MCAT score of 30 may be substituted for the GRE requirement.Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Epidemiology
The department encourages applicants who have undergraduate or master’s degrees in quantitative biological sciences or other related fields. Undergraduate preparation should include at least one year of general biology, one semester of biochemistry and molecular biology, and one semester of applied statistics. The Ph.D. program is designed to train students for future independent research careers in an academic, government or private sector setting. The objective of the Ph.D. program is to produce a molecular epidemiologist with in-depth laboratory, statistical and analytic skills in both epidemiology and the molecular biosciences. To meet this objective, the program introduces students to molecular/laboratory science and research early in their training.The program will consider applicants who satisfy all requirements for admission to the Graduate School and demonstrate proficiency in the English language. MCAT scores may be substituted for the GRE. Applicants not meeting Graduate School requirements for regular standing may, with approval of the Graduate School, be conditionally admitted. Regular standing is contingent upon maintaining a GPA of 3.0 in the first 12 units of graduate credit.
A student in one of the division’s master’s programs in biostatistics, epidemiology or molecular epidemiology may be considered for either the Ph.D. in biostatistics, epidemiology or molecular epidemiology prior to completing the M.S. degree, providing he or she has met the requirements for admission to the Ph.D. program, obtained approval of the department’s Admission Committee, demonstrated research and writing ability, and passed the doctoral-level screening examination. For further information contact: Mary Trujillo, Program Coordinator, Keck School of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, Division of Biostatistics, Center for Health Professions 222, 1540 Alcazar Street, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9010, (323) 442-1810, FAX: (323) 442-2993.
Doctor of Philosophy in Preventive Medicine (Health Behavior Research)
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; students entering with an advanced degree may be eligible to transfer course credit. Applicants should also meet the minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate School.Applicants must supply a completed application to the Graduate School, including transcripts from all institutions previously attended, a curriculum vitae (if available), a statement of interest, and three letters of recommendation. For further information contact: Director for Graduate Studies, USC Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research, 1000 S. Fremont Avenue, Alhambra, CA 91803, (323) 442-2605, (626) 457-4012, FAX: (323) 442-2601.
Doctor of Philosophy in Statistical Genetics and Genetic Epidemiology
This program is designed to train students for future independent research careers in an academic, government or private sector setting. The department encourages applicants who have undergraduate or master’s degrees in mathematics, statistics or biostatistics; statistical genetics or quantitative biological sciences; or other related fields. The program will consider applicants who satisfy all requirements for admission to the Graduate School and demonstrate proficiency in the English language.Master of Science in Applied Biostatistics/Epidemiology
Course Requirements
General requirements include at least 37 units of required courses as follows: 24 units of core courses and at least 9 units of elective courses. In addition, each student must register for 4 units of 594ab Thesis and write a master’s thesis.| Core courses (24 units) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| PM 510L | Principles of Biostatistics | 4 |
| PM 511aL | Data Analysis | 4 |
| PM 512 | Principles of Epidemiology | 4 |
| PM 517a | Research Methods in Epidemiology | 3 |
| PM 518a | Statistical Methods for Epidemiological Studies | 3 |
| PM 523 | Design of Clinical Studies | 3 |
| PM 527 | Epidemiology of Infectious Disease | 3 |
| Electives (at least 9 units) | units | |
|---|---|---|
| PM 511bL | Data Analysis | 4 |
| PM 515 | Behavioral Epidemiology | 3 |
| PM 516ab | Statistical Problem Solving | 1-1 |
| PM 517b | Research Methods in Epidemiology | 3 |
| PM 529 | Environmental Health | 3 |
| PM 530 | Biological Basis of Disease | 4 |
| PM 533 | Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology | 3 |
| PM 590 | Directed Research | 1-12 |
| PM 611 | Advanced Topics in Epidemiology | 3 |
| Thesis (4 units) | ||
|---|---|---|
| PM 594ab | Thesis | 2-2 |
Electives will be determined by the student’s needs and interests and will be approved by the student’s advisor. When appropriate, courses not listed above may be chosen with approval of the student’s advisor. Sufficient familiarity in computer languages to operate major software packages for data management and analysis is required.
Thesis Requirement
A master’s thesis is required of all students. This thesis consists of a research project approved by the faculty and chosen from problems encountered within the department, in other departments of the Keck School of Medicine or university or elsewhere in the community.Master of Science in Biostatistics
Course Requirements
General requirements include at least 37 units of required courses as follows: 26 units of core courses and at least 7 units of elective courses. Each student must also register for four units of 594ab Thesis and write a master’s thesis.| Core Courses (26 units) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| PM 510L | Principles of Biostatistics | 4 |
| PM 511abL | Data Analysis | 4-4 |
| PM 512 | Principles of Epidemiology | 4 |
| PM 513 | Experimental Designs | 3 |
| PM 518a | Statistical Methods for Epidemiological Studies | 3 |
| PM 522a | Introduction to the Theory of Biostatistics | 4 |
| Electives (at least 7 units) | units | |
|---|---|---|
| PM 516ab | Statistical Problem Solving | 1-1 |
| PM 518b | Statistical Methods for Epidemiological Studies | 3 |
| PM 520 | Advanced Statistical Computing | 3 |
| PM 522b | Introduction to the Theory of Biostatistics | 4 |
| PM 523 | Design of Clinical Studies | 3 |
| PM 534 | Statistical Genetics | 3 |
| PM 544L | Multivariate Analysis | 3 |
| PM 552 | Survival Methods in Clinical Trials | 3 |
| PM 590 | Directed Research | 1-12 |
| PM 603 | Structural Equation Modeling | 4 |
| PM 604 | Health Behavior Research Methods | 4 |
| (or MATH 506, MATH 542, MATH 543, MATH 545L, MATH 547, MATH 548, MATH 549, MATH 550, MATH 551L |
| Thesis (4 units) | ||
|---|---|---|
| PM 594ab | Thesis | 2-2 |
The student’s choice of elective courses will be directed by needs and interests and must be approved by the student’s graduate advisor. When appropriate, elective courses not listed above may be substituted with approval of the advisor. Sufficient familiarity in computer languages to operate major software packages for data management and analysis is required.
Thesis Requirement
A master’s thesis is required of all students. This thesis consists of a research project approved by the faculty and chosen from problems encountered within the department, in other departments of the Keck School of Medicine or university or elsewhere in the community.Master of Science in Clinical and Biomedical Investigations
The Master of Science in Clinical and Biomedical Investigations is a joint effort to train medical students, fellows or other health professionals, including faculty and other scientists conducting clinically-related research, in clinical research methods to translate clinical, biomedical and technological discoveries into advances in population-based, clinical or basic science research. The M.S. in Clinical and Biomedical Investigations is specifically tailored to medical students who have completed their second year of medical school, as well as MDs doing their fellowships and faculty interested in advancing their research career at USC. Various tracks are proposed, depending on research interest of applicant. Tracks include: 1) patient-oriented translational research, 2) community-based intervention trials, 3) design, conduct and analysis of clinical studies, 4) epidemiology and disease etiology, 5) molecular biology, 6) cell biology, 7) health outcomes research and 8) vision science.The Departments of Preventive Medicine, Cell and Neurobiology, Family Medicine and the General Clinical Research Center jointly administer the program. The program oversight committee consists of faculty members representing these departments.
The M.S. in Clinical and Biomedical Investigations is designed to train students for future independent research careers in academic, government or private sector settings. The program gives students a solid background in the methodological aspects of research and in statistical thinking as applied to molecular epidemiology, as well as a solid grounding in biostatistical, epidemiological methods.
General Requirements
Graduation requires the completion of 29 units, of which a maximum of 15 units are research track core courses taken in the first year (including summer sessions), with the remaining being directed to: 590 Directed Research (1-10 units) in an approved graduate-degree granting department for which research is being conducted and 594ab Thesis (2-2 units) in the same approved department taken in the second year. The equivalent of one year of full-time effort must be devoted to research leading to a master’s thesis.Because the background and interests of applicants vary widely, one to two members of the program oversight committee will consult with each student prior to the first year to design a schedule of recommended courses. The direction of research will also be facilitated by mandatory attendance in the Recent Advances Journal Club workshop. At the end of the first year, the student must submit a final program plan to the full oversight committee. At the end of the first year, the student must submit a final program to the full oversight committee. This will summarize the courses taken, the proposed thesis title and the names and credentials of the thesis committee. One of the members of the thesis committee will be the student’s research advisor and will serve as the committee chair. For faculty, at least two members of the thesis committee must be from outside the student’s department.
Certificate Program
Students who do not wish to pursue an M.S. degree may earn a University Certificate in Clinical and Biomedical Investigations. The certificate program requires 12 credits and a minimum of six months of practical experience working on a research project approved by the oversight committee.Recommended Core Courses for Each Research Track
| Patient-Oriented Translational Research | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| MPTX 517 | Structure and Management of Clinical Trials | 4 |
| PM 510L | Principles of Biostatistics | 4 |
| PM 512 | Principles of Epidemiology | 4 |
| PM 523 | Design of Clinical Studies | 3 |
| PM 570 | Statistical Methods in Human Genetics, or | |
| BIOC 543 | Human Molecular Genetics 4 | |
| 19 | ||
| Community-Based Intervention Trials | Units | |
| PM 510L | Principles of Biostatistics | 4 |
| PM 512 | Principles of Epidemiology | 4 |
| PM 526 | Communications in Public Health | 4 |
| PM 528 | Program Design and Evaluation | 4 |
| 16 | ||
| Design, conduct and analysis of clinical studies | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| PM 510L | Principles of Biostatistics | 4 |
| PM 511a | Data Analysis | 4 |
| PM 523 | Design of Clinical Studies | 3 |
| PM 538 | Introduction to Biomedical Informatics | 3 |
| PM 570 | Statistical Methods in Human Genetics | 4 |
| 18 | ||
| Epidemiology and Disease Etiology | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| PM 510L | Principles of Biostatistics | 4 |
| PM 512 | Principles of Epidemiology | 4 |
| PM 517a | Research Methods in Epidemiology | 3 |
| PM 518a | Statistical Methods for Epidemiological Studies I | 3 |
| PM 527 | Epidemiology of Infectious Disease, or | |
| PM 529 | Environmental and Occupational Health: An Epidemiological Approach, or | |
| PM 533 | Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology | 3 |
| 17 | ||
| Health Outcomes Research | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| PM 511a | Data Analysis | 4 |
| PMEP 538 | Pharmaceutical Economics | 4 |
| PMEP 539 | Economic Assessment of Medical Care | 4 |
| PMEP 540ab | Seminar in Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy | 2-2 |
| 16 | ||
| Molecular Biology | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| BIOC 543 | Human Molecular Genetics, or | |
| INTD 504 | Molecular Biology of Cancer, or | |
| INTD 555 | Biochemical and Molecular Bases of Disease, or | |
| MICB 551 | Procaryotic Molecular Genetics | 4 |
| INTD 531 | Cell Biology | 4 |
| INTD 561 | Molecular Genetics | 4 |
| INTD 571 | Biochemistry | 4 |
| 16 | ||
| Cell Biology | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| INTD 504 | Molecular Biology of Cancer, or | |
| INTD 555 | Biochemical and Molecular Bases of Disease | 4 |
| INTD 531 | Cell Biology | 4 |
| INTD 571 | Biochemistry | 4 |
| PATH 552a | Methods in Experimental Pathology | 3 |
| 15 | ||
| Vision Science | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| BME 670 | Early Visual Processing | 4 |
| CNB 590 | Directed Research | 1-12 |
| CNB 594abz | Master’s Thesis | 2-2-0 |
| INTD 501 | Recent Advances in Vision Science | 1, max 4 |
| INTD 531 | Cell Biology | 4 |
| INTD 571 | Biochemistry | 4 |
| PHBI 562 | Systems and Integrative Physiology | 4 |
| PHBI 608a | Advanced Cellular, Molecular and Systemic Physiology | 2 |
| PSCI 667 | Intracellular Drug Delivery and Targeting | 2 |
| 21-24 | ||
| Environmental Epidemiology | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| PM 510L | Principles of Biostatistics | 4 |
| PM 512 | Principles of Epidemiology | 4 |
| PM 518a | Statistical Methods for Epidemiology Studies I | 3 |
| PM 529 | Environmental and Occupational Health: An Epidemiological Approach | 3 |
Elective Options (select one course) | ||
| PM 511a | Data Anaylsis I | 4 |
| PM 533 | Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology | 3 |
| PM 570 | Statistical Methods in Human Genetics | 4 |
| PM 599 | Special Topics | 4 |
| 17-18 | ||
| Alternative Options Track (Minimum 15 units) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Courses are determined by mentor and student, based on research interests, with approval from the Oversight Committee. |
Seminars/Workshops
Participation is required in a Recent Advances Journal Club to learn how to read papers critically and develop the speaking skills necessary to explain a research paper. Faculty members in the program rotate as course directors in order to emphasize new topics. Students are expected to attend the three-day workshop on NIH Proposal Development offered by Thomas Ogden, Ph.D., and a workshop on the principles of scientific manuscript preparation.Master of Science in Molecular Epidemiology
Course Requirements
The M.S. program requires 37 graduate-level units with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 including epidemiology core courses, 14 units; molecular biology core courses, 12 units; at least 3 elective units; laboratory research plus thesis, 8 units. Students must also complete a master’s thesis.Prerequisite: PM 510 Principles of Biostatistics
| Epidemiology Core courses (14 units) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| PM 511aL | Data Analysis | 4 |
| PM 512 | Principles of Epidemiology | 4 |
| PM 518a | Statistical Methods for Epidemiological Studies | 3 |
| PM 533 | Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology | 3 |
| Molecular Biology Core Courses (12 units) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| BIOC 543 | Human Molecular Genetics | 4 |
| INTD 504 | Molecular Biology of Cancer, or | |
| INTD 555 | Biochemical and Molecular Basis of Disease | 4 |
| INTD 571 | Biochemistry | 4 |
| Electives (at least 3 units) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| INTD 561 | Molecular Genetics/Biology | 4 |
| PM 517a | Research Methods in Epidemiology | 3 |
| PM 523 | Design of Clinical Studies | 3 |
| Laboratory research + thesis (8 units) | units | |
|---|---|---|
| DPT 590abcd | Directed Research | 1-1-1-1 |
| DPT 594ab | Thesis | 2-2 |
(1) DPT refers to the department offering the laboratory/directed research experience and thesis supervision. DPT is one of the following departments (but not restricted to): PM, BIOC, PATH.
(2) Laboratories should expose students to: statistical and epidemiological methods, molecular techniques, human genetics, population-based studies.
Master of Public Health
Course Requirements
The master’s degree program in public health (M.P.H.) requires a minimum of 43-47 semester units of required and elective graduate study.| Core Requirements | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| PM 501 | Foundations in Health Education and Promotion | 4 |
| PM 508 | Health Service Delivery in the U.S., or | |
| PM 509 | Comparative Health Care Systems | 4 |
| PM 510L | Principles of Biostatistics | 4 |
| PM 512 | Principles of Epidemiology | 4 |
| PM 529 | Environmental Health: An Epidemiological Approach | 4 |
In addition, at least another 24 to 28 units including the practicum must be completed in a selected track of either health education and health promotion, biostatistics/epidemiology, nutrition, health communication, child and family health, or global health leadership.
Track 1: Health Education and Health Promotion
| Required Courses (12 units) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| PM 526* | Communication in Public Health, or | |
| PM 562* | Intervention Approaches for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention | 4 |
| PM 528 | Program Design and Evaluation | 4 |
| PM 563 | Organizing and Mobilizing Communities for Global Health | 4 |
At least 4 units from: PM 505, PM 514, PM 525, PM 526*, PM 530, PM 536, PM 562*, PM 564 (4 unit courses)
At least 3 units from any 500- or 600-level course
And, 8 units of a practicum (PM 593) ending in a final report.
Track 2: Biostatistics/Epidemiology
| Required Courses (at least 10 units) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| PM 511aL | Data Analysis | 4 |
Select two courses from the following: | ||
| PM 527* | Epidemiology of Infectious Disease | 3 |
| PM 536* | Program Evaluation and Research | 4 |
| PM 537* | Chronic Disease Epidemiology | 3 |
At least 6 units from: PM 511bL, PM 514, PM 532, PM 536, PM 542, PM 546* (4 unit courses); PM 515, PM 523*, PM 527*, PM 537*, PM 538 (3 unit courses)
At least 3 units from any 500- or 600-level course
And, 8 units of a practicum (PM 593) ending in a final report.
Track 3: Nutrition
| Required Courses (12 units) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| PM 531 | Research Methods in Nutrition | 4 |
| PM 535 | Nutrition in Public Health | 4 |
| PM 540 | Maternal and Child Nutrition | 4 |
At least 4 units from: PM 541 (4 unit course); PM 561 (3 unit course); PM 521ab, PM 539 (2 unit courses)
At least 3 units from any 500- or 600-level course
And, 8 units of a practicum (PM 593) ending in a final report.
Track 4: Health Communication
| Required Courses (8 units) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| PM 526 | Communications in Public Health | 4 |
| PM 536 | Program Evaluation and Research | 4 |
At least 8 units from: COMM 510, CMGT 511, CMGT 528, CMGT 583, CMGT 587 (4 unit courses); PM 542, PM 562 (4 unit courses); JOUR 508, JOUR 536 (3 unit courses)
At least 3 units from any 500- or 600-level course
And, 8 units of a practicum (PM 539) ending in a final report.
Track 5: Child and Family Health
| Required Courses (12 units) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| PM 528 | Program Design and Evaluation | 4 |
| PM 580 | Foundations of Child Health | 4 |
| PM 581 | Quality and Inequality in Health Care: Examination of Health Services | 4 |
At least 4 units from: PM 540, PM 582, PM 583, PM 584, PM 585 (4 unit courses)
At least 3 units from any 500- or 600-level course
And, 8 units of a practicum (PM 539) ending in a final report.
The elective courses will be directed by the student’s needs and interests and must be approved by the student’s graduate advisor. Sufficient familiarity in computer languages to operate major software packages for data management and analysis is required.
Track 6: Global Health Leadership
| REQUIRED COURSES (12 UNITS) | UNITS | |
|---|---|---|
| PM 525 | Culture and Health: An International Perspective | 4 |
| PM 564 | Public Health Leadership and Management | 4 |
| PM 565 | Emerging Trends in Global Health | 4 |
At least 4 units from: CMGT 583, PM 563, PM 566, PM 567, PM 568
At least 3 units from any 500- or 600-level course
And 8 units of a practicum (PM 593) ending in a final report.
The elective courses will be directed by the student’s needs and interests and must be approved by the student’s graduate advisor. Sufficient familiarity in computer languages to operate major software packages for data management and analysis is required.
Practicum Requirement
A practicum, PM 593, is required of all students as part of the culminating experience to the master’s program. It is provided by an internship rotation through an area of public health practice in a county, state, federal or community-based agency. The practicum offers students the opportunity to observe as well as participate in applying their newly acquired skills and tools. All students are expected to participate in at least one internship and attend a corresponding seminar. An electronic portfolio describing the project and evaluating the outcomes completes the course requirement.Criteria
Students enrolled in one of the M.P.H. professional dual degree programs (e.g., M.D./M.P.H., Pharm.D./M.P.H., D.P.T./M.P.H., Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology)/M.P.H.) may waive 4 units of the practicum requirement.Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (Clinical)/Master of Public Health (Health Promotion)
The Ph.D./M.P.H. dual degree combines knowledge of clinical psychology research and practice with an understanding of health from a population perspective. The student enrolls primarily in the clinical psychology doctoral program and may apply to the M.P.H. program during the first year. During the second and subsequent years, course work is taken in both programs. The dissertation is undertaken through the Department of Psychology.Pharm.D./Master of Public Health
The School of Pharmacy and the Master of Public Health program, in recognition of the rapidly changing health care environment and in response to the growing demand for pharmacists who are knowledgeable in both pharmacy and population-based health care issues, have developed a dual degree program. The joint Pharm.D./M.P.H. degree will enable graduates to be more responsive to today’s health care needs and will provide training for pharmacists who seek to be agents of change within the profession and to assume leadership roles in the pharmacy field and in public health at the local, state and national levels.The Pharm.D./M.P.H. program spans five years (four years of pharmacy school courses and one year of public health courses). Students begin the core M.P.H. courses following the successful completion of the first year of pharmacy school. The last three years of the program are devoted to the clinical rotations of the School of Pharmacy and to the completion of the elective courses and practicum (field experience) of the M.P.H. program.
All students in the Pharm.D./M.P.H. program must meet course requirements, grade point average requirements and program residency requirements of both programs. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the Pharm.D. curriculum and a 3.0 in the M.P.H. curriculum to meet graduation requirements.
The Pharm.D. and the M.P.H. degrees are awarded simultaneously upon completion of the School of Pharmacy and the Master of Public Health requirements.
Application and Admissions Requirements
Students may apply to the dual Pharm.D./M.P.H. degree program in two ways. First, they may apply at the time they submit their Pharm.D. application by concurrently submitting applications to both programs. Students who elect this approach must identify themselves on both applications as potential dual degree students. Students admitted to both programs will be offered admission to the Pharm.D. and will be offered admission to the dual degree program contingent on passing all courses in their first year of the Pharm.D. with a minimum 3.0 G.P.A. Students who are accepted only by one program may choose to attend that program but will not be eligible for the dual degree. Second, students can apply to the dual degree by submitting an application to the M.P.H. program during their first year of enrollment in the Pharm.D. prior to the M.P.H. published application deadline. Students who elect this approach must apply through the School of Pharmacy. Students admitted to the M.P.H. program using this approach will be offered admission to the dual degree contingent on passing all courses in their first year of the Pharm.D. with a minimum 3.0 G.P.A. Students accepted to the dual degree program must maintain a minimum 3.0 G.P.A. in Public Health and Pharm.D. courses.M.D./Master of Public Health
The joint M.D./M.P.H. program at the Keck School of Medicine is designed for individuals who envision a medical career that combines public health and medical disciplines. For further information about the joint program, refer to M.D./Master of Public Health.Doctor of Physical Therapy/Master of Public Health
The Post Professional Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) and the Master of Public (M.P.H.) dual degree program offers the opportunity for physical therapy clinicians to pursue a doctoral-level education in combination with an integrated approach to health care. The program spans four years. Students begin the first one to two years completing M.P.H. core and elective course work in the Department of Preventive Medicine. The remaining two years are devoted to program requirements in physical therapy.Doctor of Philosophy in Biostatistics
The department offers a degree program leading to the Ph.D. in biostatistics. The program is designed to produce biostatisticians who will have in-depth knowledge of statistical theory and methodology and the ability to apply this knowledge creatively to statistical problems in the biological and health sciences.Course Requirements
A minimum of 60 units of graduate study is required for the Ph.D. degree; a maximum of 19 of these units may be from research and dissertation. In preparation for the screening examination, all students must take the required and elective courses for the M.S. in Biostatistics (33 units). In preparation for the qualifying examination, all students are required to take PM 610 (at least two semesters). The student is also required to take at least six units from the following sequence: PM 543L, PM 544L, PM 550 or PM 552.Screening Procedure
A student failing the screening examination will either terminate or will terminate with the M.S. degree upon completion of an acceptable thesis.Guidance Committee
A formal guidance committee consisting of five faculty members -- four from within the department (one of whom is designated as chair), and one from an outside department offering the Ph.D. degree -- will recommend courses in preparation for the qualifying examination.Qualifying Examination
The qualifying examination will test the student’s integration of knowledge in biostatistics, mathematical statistics and the health sciences. An oral examination will ascertain the student’s competence in orally communicating this knowledge. Students must pass the written portions and the oral portions in order to pass the qualifying examination.Dissertation and Oral Defense
Upon passing the qualifying examination the Ph.D. candidate and his or her chair will recommend a three-member dissertation committee. The dissertation should be completed within two years and should be oriented toward a theoretical-methodological application to a problem area in the biological or health sciences. The oral defense is based on a rough draft or final version of the dissertation. The defense is administered by the dissertation committee, with other faculty invited to attend.Doctor of Philosophy in Epidemiology
The department offers a degree leading to the Ph.D. in epidemiology. This program may be an extension of the applied biostatistics and epidemiology M.S. program and is especially aimed at persons with a strong background in medicine: in particular, students enrolled in the M.D. program of the Keck School of Medicine who wish to interrupt their M.D. studies after two years to complete a Ph.D. degree. This program is designed to produce an epidemiologist with in-depth statistical skills. The program requires a solid core of courses in methodological aspects of statistics and in statistical thinking as applied to medicine, as well as a solid grounding in epidemiological methods and in certain medical disciplines.Course Requirements
A minimum of 60 course units with a maximum of 20 units of research and dissertation; passing of screening and qualifying examinations; and completion of dissertation and final oral are required. In preparation for the screening examination the student must take the required core course and elective 33 units of master’s level applied biostatistics and epidemiology courses. A student failing the screening examination will either terminate or terminate with the M.S. degree upon satisfactory completion of a master’s thesis. In preparation for the qualifying examination, the student is required to join an on-going research project under the direction of the chair of the guidance committee and directly participate in the conduct of that project. Credit will be given as PM 790 (4 units, two semesters). In addition, it is recommended that the student take PM 610 (at least two semesters) and PM 611. Electives may be selected with the approval of the chair of the guidance committee from courses in the biological sciences or from the medical school. For students in the M.D./Ph.D. program in epidemiology, satisfactory completion of the first two years of the M.D. program will be considered to provide 20 units toward the Ph.D. degree.Guidance Committee
A formal guidance committee, consisting of five faculty members, with at least three from the Department of Preventive Medicine (one designated as chair) and one from a department offering a Ph.D. outside of the Department of Preventive Medicine, will recommend courses in preparation for the qualifying examination.Qualifying Examination
The written portion of the qualifying examination will test the student’s integration of knowledge in biostatistics and medicine. In general, the qualifying examination will present plans for implementation and completion of three components: an independent and complete data analysis arising from ongoing epidemiological study, a “review” paper on an area of epidemiological research, and a grant application for a new epidemiological study.Dissertation
Upon passing the qualifying examination, the Ph.D. candidate and his or her chair will recommend a three-member dissertation committee. The dissertation should be completed within two years and should be oriented toward a methodological application to a problem area in the biological or health sciences.The Oral Defense
This examination is based on a draft or final version of the dissertation and will be administered by the dissertation committee with other faculty invited to attend.Language and Other Requirements
Proficiency in the English language is essential.Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Epidemiology
The Doctor of Philosophy in molecular epidemiology combines molecular and population-based research. The objective of the Ph.D. program is to produce a molecular epidemiologist with in-depth laboratory, statistical and analytical skills in both epidemiology and the molecular biosciences. Applicants who have undergraduate or master’s degrees in quantitative biological sciences or other related fields and graduate students in the PIBBS program at USC are encouraged to apply. The program is jointly administered by the Departments of Preventive Medicine and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.Course Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 60 units, with a maximum of 20 units of research and dissertation; pass screening and qualifying examinations; complete the dissertation and the dissertation defense examination. In addition the student is required to join a research project under the direction of one or both of the chairs of the guidance committee and directly participate in the conduct of that project. Credit will be given by the department (DPT) conducting the research project DPT 790 Research (4 units, 2 semesters). In addition, at least two semesters of PM 610 is recommended.Prerequisites: PM 510 Principles of Biostatistics or the equivalent. INTD 571 Biochemistry or the equivalent.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Core Courses (16 units): BIOC 543, INTD 531, INTD 561, INTD 504 or INTD 555.
Preventive Medicine Core Courses (17 units): PM 522aL, PM 512, PM 517a, PM 518a, PM 533.
Suggested Electives (at least 7 units) from: BIOC 602, MICB 551, PHBI 581, PM 511bL, PM 517b, PM 523, PM 527, PM 529 and PM 534.
Preparation for Screening Examination
The screening examination will be taken after two years in the program. Prior to the screening examination a mentor who will serve on the guidance committee must be identified. The screening examination will consist of a written component and an oral component. The written component will be drawn from the core courses. A student failing the screening examination may be given a second opportunity to retake either one or both portions. Students failing the examination for the second time will terminate with the M.S. degree upon satisfactory completion of 37 units and an acceptable master’s thesis.Annual Research Appraisal (ARA)
Beginning in the second year, each student must register for PM 610 (1 unit) and present an annual progress report to the program oversight committee. Once a dissertation topic has been selected, the annual progress report is presented to the student’s guidance committee. Once the student has passed the qualifying examination and is appointed to candidacy, the annual progress report is presented to the student’s dissertation committee. The student will meet annually with the dissertation committee, until he or she graduates from the program. The oral portion of the screening examination as well as the qualifying examination and the defense examination will count as ARAs.Guidance Committee
A formal guidance committee will be formed, consisting of five faculty members: two from the Department of Preventive Medicine (one member designated as co-chair); two from the basic science departments (one designated as co-chair with an appointment in biochemistry and molecular biology) and one from an outside department offering a Ph.D. degree (neither preventive medicine or biochemistry and molecular biology). The guidance committee will recommend courses in preparation for the qualifying examination based on the student’s research and dissertation topic.Qualifying Examination
The dissertation topic should be both population-based and functional-based; the molecular/epidemiological nature of the dissertation topic must be agreed on by the guidance committee co-chairs.Dissertation and Oral Defense
Upon passing the qualifying examination, the Ph.D. candidate and his or her chair will recommend a dissertation committee (typically all five members of the guidance committee). However, the university requires only three members; a three-member dissertation committee must consist of the co-chairs and the outside member. The dissertation should be completed within two years of the qualifying examination. The oral defense examination is based on the final version of the dissertation and will be administered by the dissertation committee and other invited faculty and students. The defense examination should contain a summary of the review article, the completed research and data analyses and the finalized grant proposal.Doctor of Philosophy in Preventive Medicine (Health Behavior Research)
The Department of Preventive Medicine, Division of Health Behavior Research, offers a degree program in preventive medicine (health behavior), leading to attainment of the Ph.D. The program is designed to train exceptional researchers and scholars in the multidisciplinary field of health behavior research. Students receive a thorough grounding in academic and research experience, encompassing theoretical and methodological training in such allied fields as communication, psychology, preventive medicine, biostatistics, public health and epidemiology. Students receive research experience by participating in projects conducted through the USC Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research (IPR). The doctoral program is full-time: students are expected to enroll for fall, spring and summer semesters.Assistantships
Financial and educational support is provided to qualified doctoral students in health behavior research. Graduate (research and/or teaching) assistantships are half-time (20 hours per week) and provide tuition remission as well as a monthly stipend.Computer Language Requirement
Sufficient familiarity in computer languages to operate major software packages for data management and analysis is required.Course Requirements
The doctoral program in health behavior research is structured as a four to five year course of study for students entering with a bachelor’s degree. Time requirements are subject to review and approval by the division’s Graduate Program Committee and the Graduate School.A total of 60 units of graduate study is required for the Ph.D. in health behavior research. Students are required to complete nine core courses: PM 500, PM 511abL, PM 515, PM 530, PM 601, PM 602, PM 604 and PM 756 (total of 37 units). Other requirements include: two elective PM courses, one not offered by health behavior faculty (minimum of 7 units); and a minimum of 4 units each in PM 590, PM 690abcdz, PM 790 and PM 794abcdz.
For students entering with a bachelor’s degree, one of the directed research projects will be equivalent in scope to a master’s thesis. All research experiences/projects must be completed before registering for 794abcdz Doctoral Dissertation.
Screening Procedure
The progress of each student is reviewed at the end of every academic year. At the end of the second year of study, students who have not made satisfactory progress are advised that they will be dropped from the program unless their progress improves during their second year.Guidance Committee
Each student’s guidance committee consists of five members, including: no more than three health behavior faculty members; one other member from the Department of Preventive Medicine; and one member from a doctorate-granting program outside the Department of Preventive Medicine, representing the student’s minor field.Qualifying Examination
Following course work and prior to beginning the dissertation, students must demonstrate written and oral mastery of the general field of health behavior research as well as of their chosen area of specialization. The qualifying process includes a written examination on theory and literature relevant to a selected content area. The examination is administered by the student’s guidance committee.In addition to the qualifying examination, each student is expected to produce the following as evidence of qualification to conduct dissertation research: an academic dossier consisting of a summary of the student’s academic record, teaching and research experience, and professional presentations and publications; at least one original empirical research paper of publishable quality, produced in connection with one of the student’s courses or research experiences or developed independently; a dissertation proposal; and an oral defense of all the preceding materials.
Doctor of Philosophy in Statistical Genetics and Genetic Epidemiology
The program gives students a solid background in the methodological aspects of biostatistics and statistical genetics as well as solid grounding in molecular/laboratory science. The objective of the Ph.D. program is to produce a statistical geneticist or genetic epidemiologist with in-depth statistical and analytic skills in biostatistics, computational methods and the molecular biosciences. The program combines biostatistics, epidemiology, statistical and molecular genetics and computational methods in order to develop new and cutting-edge statistical methodology appropriate for human genomic studies.Course Requirements
Graduation requires the completion of a minimum of 60 units, with a maximum of 20 units of research and dissertation, passing of screening and qualifying examinations, completion of the dissertation and the dissertation defense examination. Because the background of applicants varies widely, the program oversight committee consults with each student to design an individualized schedule of recommended courses. Electives may be selected (with the approval of the chair) from courses in preventive medicine, biological sciences, mathematics, and computational biology. For students in the M.D./Ph.D. program in statistical genetics and genetic epidemiology, satisfactory completion of the first two years of the M.D. program will be considered to provide 20 units toward the Ph.D. degree. After passing the screening examination, each student should register for at least two semesters of PM 610. Prior to passing the qualifying exam, each student must present an annual progress report (the Annual Research Appraisal, ARA) to the program oversight committee.| Core Courses (25-26 units) | units | |
|---|---|---|
| PM 511abL | Data Analysis | 4-4 |
| PM 518a | Statistical Methods for Epidemiological Studies I | 3 |
| PM 522a | Introduction to Theory of Biostatistics (E), or | 4 |
| MATH 541a | Introduction to Mathe-matical Statistics (S) | 3 |
| PM 533 | Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology | 3 |
| PM 534 | Statistical Genetics | 4 |
| PM 570 | Statistical Methods in Human Genetics | 4 |
| Recommended Elective Courses | units | |
|---|---|---|
| BISC 478 | Computational Genome Analysis (S, E) | 4 |
| BISC 505 | Genomics and Molecular Genetics (S, E) | 4 |
| BIOC 543 | Human Molecular Genetics (S, E) | 4 |
| BIOC 602 | Current Topics in Human Molecular Genetics (E) | 2 |
| INTD 504 | Molecular Biology of Cancer (E) | 4 |
| INTD 531 | Cell Biology (E) | 4 |
| INTD 555 | Biochemical and Molecular Bases of Disease (E) | 4 |
| INTD 561 | Molecular Genetics (E) | 4 |
| INTD 571 | Biochemistry (E) | 4 |
| MATH 505a | Applied Probability (S) | 3 |
| MATH 541ab | Introduction to Mathematical Statistics (S) | 3-3 |
| MATH 577ab | Computational Molecular Biology Laboratory (S) | 2-2 |
| MATH 578 | DNA and Protein Sequence Analysis (S) | 3 |
| PM 510L | Principles of Biostatistics (S, E) | 4 |
| PM 512 | Principles of Epidemiology (S, E) | 4 |
| PM 517ab | Research Methods in Epidemiology (E) | 3-3 |
| PM 520L | Advanced Statistical Computing (S) | 3 |
| PM 538 | Introduction to Biomedical Informatics (S, E) | 3 |
| PM 544L | Multivariate Analysis (S) | 3 |
| PM 610 | Seminar in Biostatistics/ Epidemiology (S, E) | 1, max 4 |
| PM 611 | Advanced Topics in Epidemiology (S, E) | 3 |
Screening Procedure
The screening examination will be taken after two years in the program. Prior to the screening examination, a mentor who will serve on the guidance committee must be identified. The screening examination will consist of a written and oral component. The written component is a two-day examination that tests the student’s knowledge of both theory and applications, drawn from the core courses. The oral portion comprises a one-hour presentation of a research plan that encompasses the student’s own ideas and will constitute the annual research appraisal. A student failing the screening examination may be given a second opportunity to retake either one or both portions of the screening examination. Students failing the examination for the second time will terminate with the M.S. in Applied Biostatistics and Epidemiology upon satisfactory completion of 37 units (33 course units and 4 units of PM 594ab) and an acceptable master’s thesis.Guidance Committee
A formal guidance committee will be formed, consisting of five faculty members; at least one member from the Department of Preventive Medicine designated as chair, and one from an outside department offering a Ph.D. degree. The guidance committee will recommend courses in preparation for the qualifying examination based on the student’s research and dissertation topic.Qualifying Examination
Prior to the qualifying examination, a written draft of the dissertation proposal must be submitted to the Guidance Committee. The dissertation topic should be both population-based and functionally-based. The dissertation for the statistical genetics track will typically consist of (a) a “review” paper on current statistical genetic methods, (b) a proposal for a new methodological approach, (c) evaluation of the new methodological approach from a theoretical and/or computational perspective, and (d) application to real data arising from genetic research. Typically, the dissertation proposal should contain a near-completed draft of (a) and (b) and preliminary results from (c) and (d).The dissertation for the genetic epidemiology track will typically consist of: (a) a “review” paper on an area of genetic epidemiological research, (b) an independent and complete data analysis arising from an ongoing genetic epidemiological study and (c) a grant application for a new genetic epidemiological study. The review paper (a) typically will provide the rationale and context for the data analysis (b). Typically, the dissertation proposal should contain a nearly completed draft of (a), preliminary results from (b) and preliminary plans for (c).