Biometry Division
Center for Health Professions 218
1540 Alcazar, Los Angeles 90033
Director: Stanley P. Azen
(323) 442-1810
FAX: (323) 342-2993Health Behavior Research Division
Center for Health Professions 207
1540 Alcazar, Los Angeles 90033
(323) 442-2605
FAX: (323) 442-2601
Director: C. Anderson Johnson
(323) 442-2628
E-mail: barovich@hsc.usc.eduOccupational and Environmental Health Division
Center for Health Professions 236
1540 Alcazar, Los Angeles 90033
Director: John M. Peters
(323) 442-1096
FAX: (323) 442-3272Faculty
Malcolm C. Pike, Chair and Professor
John M. Peters, Vice Chair and Professor
Sidney R. Garfield Chair in Health Sciences: C. Anderson Johnson
Flora L. Thornton Chair in Preventive Medicine: Malcolm Pike, Ph.D.
Professors: S.P. Azen (Biomedical Engineering); L. Bernstein; P. Clarke (Communication); H. Gong; D. Grimes (Obstetrics and Gynecology); R. Haile; B.E. Henderson; C.A. Johnson; T.M. Mack (Pathology); J.M. Peters; B. Portnoy (Pediatrics); S. Preston-Martin; J. Richardson; R.K. Ross; D.C. Thomas; M.C. Yu
Associate Professors: J. Dwyer; W. Mack; B. Meyerowitz (Psychology); M.A. Pentz; H.N. Sather; T. Seeman (Gerontology); D. Stram; S. Sussman
Assistant Professors: W.J. Gauderman; H. Hodis (Medicine)
Professor of Clinical: R.K. Peters
Associate Professor of Clinical: D. Deapen
Clinical Professors: R.T. Schmidt; J.B. Weisbuch
Clinical Associate Professors: J.T. Casagrande; H. Cuddihy; R.L. Goldberg; J.C. Hisserich; R.J. Krebsbach; P. Papanek; R.A. Shakman
Clinical Assistant Professors: M.D. Finn; P. Greany; I.H. Monosson; B.Tang; H. Tang; P. Wald
Clinical Instructors: P.M. Rideout; J. Simonowitz
Professors of Research: J.D. Buckley; M. Krailo; B. Langholz (Co-Director, Biometry); S. Groshen; A. Paganini Hill; G. Sobel; A. Wu
Associate Professors of Research: E. Avol; C.W. Dent; R. Sposto
Assistant Professors of Research: C.-P. Chou; G.Ursin; A. Ziang
Research Associate Professors: S.J. London; A. Stacy
Research Assistant Professors: L. Baezconde-Garbanati; W. Cozen; A. Hamilton; S. Ingles; E. Nezami; D. Pettiti; L. Rohrbach; L. Shames
Adjunct Research Assistant Professors: B. Dietsch; S. Donaldson; S. Montgomery
Adjunct Research Associate Professor: G. Marks
The Department of Preventive Medicine is responsible for training medical and graduate students in the areas of biometry, epidemiology, health behavior research, public health, and occupational and preventive medicine. Faculty from the department also preform research in the areas of biostatistics, epidemiology of acute and chronic diseases, and occupational 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
The Department of Preventive Medicine offers an undergraduate program in health promotion and disease prevention studies and a master's program in biometry which is intended for individuals with a strong quantitative background (mathematics, statistics or computer science) and leads to an M.S. in Biometry. The master's program in applied biometry/epidemiology is intended for individuals with a clinical background (psychology, public health, allied health or medicine) and leads to an M.S. in Applied Biometry/Epidemiology. The Master of Public Health (MPH) program prepares public health practitioners in three areas: health promotion, biometry/epidemiology and nutrition. The department also offers courses of graduate study leading to a Ph.D. in biometry, epidemiology, or health behavior research.
Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Studies
VonKleinsmid Center 263
(213) 740-1060
(323) 442-2605The undergraduate program in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Studies (HP) provides a well-rounded, yet 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 pursuing careers in health promotion and disease prevention and for preparing students for advanced study in public health, epidemiology, health psychology, health behavior research, medicine, and related fields. Areas of study include: (1) substance abuse prevention and program planning, (2) nutrition and fitness, (3) health promotion of minority and underserved populations, and (4) general public health issues (e.g., HIV/AIDS, violence, health promotion in the workplace).
Program Requirements
Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree in health promotion and disease prevention studies must successfully complete 128 units, consisting of 66 units for the major and fulfillment of general education requirements. A student who is concurrently pursuing a minor in another field of study at USC will only be required to complete 66 HP units for the major. He or she will be able to waive the eight units of interdisciplinary electives.
General Education Requirements
The university's general education program provides a coherent, integrated introduction to the breadth of knowledge you will need to consider yourself (and to be considered by other people) a generally well-educated person. This new program requires six courses in different categories, plus writing, foreign language and diversity requirements, which are described in detail here. As of fall 1997, the university has instituted a new general education program, designed to be a simpler, more coherent and more integrated introduction to the breadth of knowledge outside the major discipline which is expected of every undergraduate who receives a degree from USC. This new program requires six courses in different categories, plus writing and diversity requirements, which are described in detail here. In addition, students pursuing this degree must meet foreign language requirements.
All students who (1) entered the School of Medicine as freshmen in the summer of 1997 or later; or (2) began college elsewhere in the summer of 1997 or later; or (3) began college earlier but transfer to USC in the summer of 2000 or later, must satisfy the requirements of the new general education program. Other students whose schedules permit are encouraged to follow the new program as well. However, continuing and transfer students who began college full-time before summer 1997 and enter USC before summer 2000 may elect to satisfy a "transitional" plan instead.
Requirements for the Major (66units)
The requirements for the major are divided into core and elective components. Each of the two components is divided into interdisciplinary and health promotion (HP) courses.
Core Component (46 units)
Interdisciplinary Courses (24 units) BISC 110L* Introduction to Biology I 4 BISC 112L* Introduction to Biology II, or BISC 113L* Advanced Introduction to Biology II 4 CHEM 105aL* General Chemistry, or CHEM 115aL* Advanced General Chemistry 4 MATH 116* Mathematics for the Social Sciences (or equivalent) 4 PPMT 230 Introduction to Health Policy and Management 4 PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology 4 HP Courses (22 units) HP 200* Introduction to Health Promotion and Disease Prevention 4 HP 300 Theoretical Principles of Health Behavior 4 HP 320 Biological and Behavioral Bases of Disease 4 HP 340L Health Behavior Statistical Methods 4 HP 350L Health Behavior Research Methods 4 HP 490 Directed Research 2 Electives (select 20 units) HP 400 Culture, Lifestyle, and Health 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 441 Health Promotion in the Workplace 4 HP 442 Chronic Disease Epidemiology 4 HP 443 Health Communication Strategies and Evaluation 4 Interdisciplinary Courses (select 8 units) EXSC 200L Introduction to Nutrition 4 EXSC 203L Individualized Exercise Prescription 2 EXSC 300L Physiology of Exercise 4 EXSC 407aL Advanced Exercise Physiology 4 PPMT 330 Introduction to Health Care Systems 4 PSYC 336L Developmental Psychology 4 PSYC 338 Adolescent Development 4 PSYC 355 Social Psychology 4 SOCI 250 Social Problems 4 SOCI 350 Deviant Behavior 4 SOCI 475 Medical Sociology 4 HP Courses (select 20 units) HP 400 Culture, Lifestyle, and Health 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 Behavioral and Education Strategies for Nutrition and Fitness 4 HP 441 Health Promotion in the Workplace 4 HP 442 Chronic Disease Epidemiology 4 HP 443 Health Communication Strategies and Evaluation 4 Medical students may select up to eight units in life and physical science courses to partially fulfill the 20-unit elective component. These eight units are over and above the three prerequisite science courses. The remaining 12 units are chosen from HP courses.
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 (20 units) Units HP 200 Introduction to Health Promotion and Disease Prevention 4 HP 300 Theoretical Principles of Health Behavior (Prerequisite: PSYC 100, recommended preparation: HP 200) 4 HP 410 Issues in Prevention and Cessation of Drug Abuse 4 HP 411 Drug Intervention Program Design and Evaluation (Recommended preparation: HP 410) 4 Elective Courses (One Course, four units) Units One of the following: HP 400 Culture, Lifestyle, and Health4 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 Biometry and Epidemiology
Master of Science in Applied Biometry and 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 Biometry
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 Molecular Epidemiology
Students with a bachelor 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 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 a 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. With approval of the Graduate School, applicants not meeting these requirements may be conditionally admitted contingent upon maintaining a grade point average of 3.5 (A = 4.0) for the first 12 units of graduate study.
Doctor of Philosophy in Biometry
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 3.5 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 3.50 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.
A student in either of the division's two master's programs may be considered for either the Ph.D. in biometry or the Ph.D. in 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 Graduate Committee, demonstrated research and writing ability, and passed the doctoral-level screening examination. For further information contact: Stanley P. Azen, Director of Biometry Programs, USC School of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, Division of Biometry, Center for Health Professions 218, 1540 Alcazar, Los Angeles, CA 90033, (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, Center for Health Professions 207, 1540 Alcazar, Los Angeles, CA 90033, (323) 442-2605, FAX: (323) 442-2601.
Master of Science in Applied Biometry and Epidemiology
Course Requirements
General requirements include at least 33 units of required courses as follows: 21 units of core courses and at least 12 units of elective courses. In addition, each student must register for four units of 594ab Thesis and write a master's thesis.
Each student is required to take the following six core courses (21 units): PM 510L, 511abL, 512, 518a, and 523. In addition, each student is required to take at least 12 elective units. Electives are: PM 513, 516ab, 517ab, 520, 522ab, 527 and 611. 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 School of Medicine or university or elsewhere in the community.
Master of Science in Biometry
Course Requirements
The M.S. degree program in biometry requires a minimum of 33 units of required and elective graduate study. Core requirements include the following 10 courses (28 units): PM 511abL, 512, 513, (or MATH 542L), 516ab, 518ab, 522ab (or MATH 505a and 541a). In addition, each student must take at least five units from the following elective courses: PM 510L, 515, 520, 523, 527, 546, 547, 550, 590, 603; MATH 506, MATH 542, 545L, 547, 548, 549, 551L. Each student must also register for four units of 594ab Thesis and write a master's thesis.
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 School of Medicine or university or elsewhere in the community
Master of Molecular Epidemiology
Course Requirements
The M.S. program requires 34 graduate-level units with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. Students must also complete a master's thesis. Students can register for up to 10 units of master's research units. The remaining 24 units include the following required courses:
Required Courses (24 units) Units PM 512 Introduction to Epidemiology and Demographic Methods 3 PM 518a Statistical Methods for Epidemiological Studies 3 PM 533 Genetic Epidemiology 3 Basic Science Core Courses (select two) Units INTD 531 Cell Biology 4 INTD 561 Molecular Genetics 4 INTD 571 Biochemistry 4 PHBI 581 Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms in Physiology 4 Optional Courses Units PATH 555 Molecular Basis of Disease 4 522ab Methods in Experimental Pathology 2-2 PM 517 Research Methods in Cancer Epidemiology 3 523 Design of Clinical Studies 3 PM 510 Biometry Principles 4 Master of Public Health
The master's degree program in public health (M.P.H.) requires a minimum of 44-48 semester units of required and elective graduate study.
Core Requirements (21 units) Units HP 500 Foundations of Health Behavior 4 PM 510L Biometry Principles 4 PM 512 Introduction to Epidemiologic and Demographic Methods 3 PM 515 Behavioral Epidemiology 3 PM 529 Environmental Health 3 PUAD 530 Problems and Issues in the Health Field 4 In addition, at least another 23 to 27 units must be completed in a selected track of either health promotion, biometry/epidemiology or nutrition.
Track 1: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Required Courses Units HP 400* Culture, Lifestyle and Health 4 HP 443** Health Communication Strategies and Evaluation 4 At least four units from: HP 410, 411, 412, 420, 422, 430, 431, 441, 442, 450 (4 unit courses).
At least four units from: PM 601, 602, 615 (4 unit courses).
At least three units from: PHNU 521, 523, 527, 531, 536, 541, 571, 572, 573 (3 unit courses); or 538, 540, 542, 545 (2 unit courses).
At least three units from: PM 511ab, 522ab, 530, 603, 604 (4 unit courses); or 513, 517ab, 518ab, 523, 527, 550, 552, 611ab, 612 (3 unit courses).
Eight units of practicum ending in a final report.***
Track 2: Biometry/Epidemiology
Required Courses
Units PM 511b Data Analysis 4 PM 518a Statistical Methods for Epidemiologic Studies I 3 At least nine units from: PM 511a (4 unit course); or 517a, 518b, 523, 544 (3 unit courses).
At least three units from: PHNU 521, 523, 527, 531, 536, 541, 571, 572, 573 (3 unit courses); or 538, 540, 542, 545 (2 unit courses); or HP 400, 410, 411, 412, 420, 421, 422, 430, 431, 441, 442, 443, 450 (4 unit courses); or PM 522ab, 530, 601, 602, 603, 604, 615 (4 unit courses); or PM 513, 517ab, 523, 527, 550, 552, 611ab, 612 (3 unit courses).
Eight units of a practicum ending in a final report.***
Track 3: Nutrition
Required Courses Units HP 430 Nutrition and Exercise Epidemiology 4 PHNU 527 Introduction to General Nutrition 3 PHNU 531 Nutrition Assessment 3 At least nine units from: PHNU 521, 523, 536, 541, 571, 572, 537 (3 unit courses); or PHNU 538, 540, 542, 545 (2 unit courses); or HP 400, 410, 411, 412, 420, 421, 422, 430, 431, 441, 442, 443, 450 (4 unit courses), or PM 511ab, 522ab, 530, 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 615 (4 unit courses); or PM 513, 517ab, 518ab, 523, 527, 550, 552, 611ab, 612 (3 unit courses).
Eight units of a practicum ending in a final report.***
*Students who have taken HP 400 as an undergraduate at USC may substitute PM 601, 602 or 615.
**Students who have taken HP 443 as an undergraduate at USC may substitute PM 601, 602 or 615.
***Students entering the program with clinical training (e.g., M.D., R.N., R.D., O.T., P.T., D.D.S., clinical psychology, social work, veterinary medicine or R. Ph.) are only required to complete four units of practicum 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 is required of all students. It is provided by an internship rotation through an area of public health practice in a county, state, federal or community-based agency. This 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 may do two or more if they have not had previous experience relevant to public health. A final report describing the project and evaluating the outcomes completes the course requirement.
Doctor of Philosophy in Biometry
The department offers a degree program leading to the Ph.D. in biometry. The program is designed to produce biometricians 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 Biometry (33 units, see above). 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, 544L, 550 or 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 biometry, mathematical statistics and the health sciences. An oral examination will ascertain the student's competence in orally communicating this knowledge. Students must pass all written portions and the oral portion in order to pass the qualifying
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 biometry 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 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 and elective 33 units of master's level applied biometry 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, the student is expected to take PM 610 (at least two semesters) and PM 611ab. 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 biometry 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 on-going 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 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 five-year course of study for students entering with a bachelor's degree. Students entering with an advanced degree may complete the doctorate in four years. Time requirements are subject to review and approval by the division's Graduate Program Committee and the Graduate School.
A total of 67 units of graduate study is required for the Ph.D. in health behavior research. Students are required to complete seven core courses: PM 500, 511aL, 515, 601, 602, 604 and 756 (total of 29 units). Other requirements include: one PM course not offered by health behavior faculty (minimum of 3 units); three substantive courses in a minor field (9 units); PM 524abc Practicum (6 units); and a minimum of four units each in PM 590, 690, 790 and 794ab.
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 794ab Doctoral Dissertation.
Screening Procedure
The progress of each student is reviewed at the end of every academic year. At the end of the first 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 (including the minor). 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
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