Information for Prospective Students

MS Degree Program in Epidemiology

Degree Description and Learner Objectives

This program is designed to prepare graduate level students for professional career opportunities in which specialized knowledge of epidemiologic methods and analytic techniques are useful. Placement possibilities include employment in local, state, or federal health agencies, academic departments within Schools of Public Health or Colleges of Health Sciences, or private enterprise.
Graduates of the Epidemiology MS will be able to:

1. Define the concepts and contents of epidemiology.
2. Formulate a research hypothesis.
3. Determine study aim, objectives and appropriate study design to address the hypothesis.
4. Describe health and disease measurement in a clinical and community populations.
5. Identify risk and/or preventive factors that may contribute to outcome to incorporate them into a research study.
6. Use computers to collect, manage and analyze data for evaluation of hypotheses.
7. Use questionnaires and measurement instruments in collection of data.
8. Use existing databases to provide background or supportive data to address research questions.
9. Analyze data and to compose an understandable and presentable report of the results.
10. Perform ethical research.

Prerequisites

A baccalaureate degree is required. Undergraduate preparation must have included two semesters of biological sciences and mathematics through algebra. A computer-programming course is desirable.

Required General Courses

NOTE: For more detailed information on MS requirements, consult the 2006-2007 Student Handbook]

In addition to the requirements listed below, all students are required to attend department seminars and Journal Club. Also, each student must present one scientific poster at the international, national, regional, state, university, or department level at some point in the student's program of study.

In addition, students must select one of the following two courses:

In addition, students must select one of the following three specialty core courses:

In addition, students must select either Preceptorship (non-thesis degree) or Thesis (thesis degree):

Epidemiology Electives

A minimum of 5 s.h. of electives must be selected from any course offered by the Epidmeiology Department (department number 173). In addition, the student will work with her/his adviser in selecting at least 2 s.h. of elective courrsework pertinent to educational goals and background (or at least 3 s.h. of Pathogenesis of Major Human Diseases is taken instead of Intro to Pathology). Selection may be made from among courses in the Epidemiology Department or from any graduate course in the university catalog provided approval is obtained from the adviser on the Plan of Study. The following courses are recommended:

MS Degree Without Thesis, Master’s Final Examination

The master’s examination is a written in-class exam that measures learning of epidemiological concepts and knowledge of epidemiological thoughts as presented in required courses. This exam is offered twice per year.

MS Degree With Thesis, Master’s Thesis Defense

The master’s thesis defense is an oral presentation of the purpose, methods, and results of the thesis research. A specially formed committee will thoroughly examine the student’s area of knowledge associated with the context of the work. The goal of the thesis is a document that is publishable in a peer-reviewed journal.