PhD in Epidemiology and Clinical Research

Sample PhD Program

Year 1: Autumn Quarter (8+ units)

Course Title Units
EPI 225 Introduction to Epidemiologic and Clinical Research Methods 3
EPI 259 Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Epidemiology 3
Elective Elective 1 - 3
EPI 236 Epidemiology Research Seminar 1

Year 1: Winter Quarter (9+ units)

EPI 226 Intermediate Epidemiologic and Clinical Research Methods 3     
EPI 261 Intermediate Biostatistics: Analysis of Discrete Data 3
Elective Elective 2-3
MED 255 Responsible Conduct of Research 1

Year 1: Spring Quarter (9+ units)

EPI 251 Design and Conduct of Clinical Trials 3     
HRP 252* Outcomes Analysis (BIOMEDIN 251, MED 252) 3
EPI 262 Intermediate Biostatistics 3

Year 1: Summer Quarter (10 units)

EPI 399 Graduate Research 10

Year 2: Autumn Quarter (10 units)

STATS 202* Data Mining and Analysis 3      
EPI 227 Advanced Epidemiological Methods 3
EPI 339 Graduate Research 3
EPI 264 Foundations of Statistical and Scientific Inference (STATS 264) 1

* Options for the advanced quantitative and big data electives, more options noted in Other Electives section of EPH Handbook

Year 2: Winter Quarter (10 units)

Elective Elective 3   
Elective Elective 3
EPI 399 Graduate Research 3
EPI 236 Epidemiology Research Seminar 1

Milestones: Qualifying examination given after autumn quarter of year 2 (with some flexibility in timing if needed for individual students)

Year 2: Spring Quarter (10 units)

Elective Elective 3   
Elective Elective 3
Elective  Elective 2
EPI 246 Epidemiology Doctoral Seminar 2

Year 2: Summer Quarter (10 units)

EPI 399 Graduate Research 10

Year 3: Autumn-Winter Quarters (10 units)

  • EPI 225: Introduction to Epidemiologic and Clinical Research Methods (3 units)
  • EPI 226: Intermediate Epidemiologic and Clinical Research Methods (3 units)
  • EPI 227: Advanced Epidemiologic Methods (3 units)
  • EPI 264: Foundations of Statistical and Scientific Inference (STATS 264) (1-2 units)
  • EPI 206: Meta-research: Appraising Research Findings, Bias, and Meta-analysis (CHPR 206, MED 206, STATS 211)
  • EPI 270: Big Data Methods for Behavioral, Social, and Population Health Research   
  • EPI 297: History of Epidemiology (highly recommended)
  • BIOMEDIN 215: Data Science for Medicine
  • BIOMEDIN 217: Translational Bioinformatics (BIOE 217, CS 275, GENE 217)
  • BIOMEDIN 273A: The Human Genome Source Code (CS 273A, DBIO 273A)
  • COMM 382: Big Data and Causal Inference
  • CS 106A: Programming Methodologies
  • CS 229: Machine Learning
  • CS 246: Mining Massive Data Sets
  • GENE 224: Principles of Pharmacogenomics (BIOMEDIN 224)
  • HRP 252: Outcomes Analysis
  • HRP 392: Analysis of Costs, Risks, and Benefits of Health Care
  • Any 200 level STATS class (other than STATS 260)
  • STATS 116: Theory of Probability
  • STATS 202: Data Mining and Analysis

Please see Other Electives section in Education Handbook for a comprehensive list of elective courses.

Note: If you are interested in another course, please check with the PhD program director or advisor to make sure that it is compatible with this requirement.

Infectious Disease Epidemiology

  • EPI 231: Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases
  • EPI 237: Practical Approaches to Global Health Research
  • EPI 247: Epidemic Intelligence (HUMBIO 57)
  • HRP 204: Models for Understanding and Controlling Global Infectious Diseases
  •  

Global Health

  • EPI 237: Practical Approaches to Global Health Research (IPS 290, MED 226) 
  • HRP 204: Models for Understanding and Controlling Global Infectious Diseases
  •  

Genetic Epidemiology

  • EPI 224: Genetic Epidemiology
  • BIO 247: Genomic Approaches to the Study of Human Disease
  •  

Social and Behavioral Epidemiology

Community-based participatory research

  •  CHPR 227/EPI 272: The Science of Community Engagement in Health Research
  •  CHPR 247/MED 247: Methods in Community Assessment, Evaluation, and Research
  •  

Cancer Epidemiology

  • EPI 253: Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention
  •  

Clinical Research

  • EPI/MED 206/STATS 211: Meta-research: Appraising Research Findings, Bias, and Meta-analysis
  • EPI 219: Evaluation of Technologies for Diagnosis, Prediction and Screening 
  • EPI 251: Design and Conduct of Clinical Trials 
  • EPI 2xx: Clinical Trials Observatory (to be offered in 2024-2025)

Note: If you are interested in another course, please check with the PhD program director or advisor to make sure that it is compatible with this requirement.