Life Sciences and Public Health Dual Degree PhD/MPH

Degree Requirements

The following requirements are in addition to, or further elaborate upon, those requirements outlined in The Graduate School Policy Guide.

PhD/MPH

Total Units Required for the combined PhD/MPH Degree: 22

Courses Required by DGP for PhD Component

Total DGP courses: 7 graded courses, 2 0-credit courses

Course Title
Core Courses
DGP 402-0Fundamentals of Biomedical Sciences 1
DGP 404-0Fundamentals of Biomedical Sciences 2
DGP 484-0Quantitative Biology: Statistics and Data Analysis for Life Scientists
DGP 496-2Introduction to Life Science Research
DGP 494-0Colloqium on Integrity in Biomedical Research
DGP 496-3Introduction to Life Science Research
Elective Courses
Three DGP electives of the student's choice in consultation with their adviser(s). Any DGP class will count as will classes in other programs with permission from the advisor and program. Students should register for DGP 590 Research for their first 8 quarters and may register for DGP 499 Independent Study as an elective with permission from the program.

Courses Required by Public Health for MPH Component

Total MPH course units: 16

Course Title
Required Courses
PUB_HLTH 301-0Behavior, Society & Health
PUB_HLTH 302-0Introduction to Biostatistics
PUB_HLTH 304-0Introduction to Epidemiology
PUB_HLTH 306-0Health Literacy, Communication, & Systems Change
PUB_HLTH 418-0Applied Practice Experience I
PUB_HLTH 419-0Applied Practice Experience II
PUB_HLTH 560-0Culminating Experience
Intermediate Level Course Requirement
One of the following:
Intermediate Biostatistics
Intermediate Epidemiology
Methodology Course Requirement
One of the following:
Program Evaluation
Introduction to GIS and Spatial Analysis for Public Health
Health Services Research Design & Analysis Strategies: Technology Assessment
Survey Design & Methodology
Qualitative Research Methods
Equity Selective
One of the following:
PUB_HLTH 323-0Health Equity
PUB_HLTH 446-0LGBTQ Health
PUB_HLTH 447-0Structural Racism in Public Health
Electives
Two of the following: 1
Advanced Immunology
Advanced Microbial Pathogenesis
Fundamentals of Microbiology
Tumor Cell Biology
Virology
Molecular Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis
The remaining five electives must be chosen from among the following MPH courses in consultation with the MPH adviser:
Introduction to International Public Health
Global Health Care Service Delivery
Introduction to Health and Human Rights
Assessment, Planning & Evaluation in Community Health
Infection Disease Epidemiology and Prevention
Injury and Violence Prevention
Public Health Law: Promoting Healthy Youth Development
Global Health Research Practicum
Ethical Issues in Clinical Research
Writing and Peer Reviewing for Scientific Publication
Introduction to Maternal Child Health
Public Health Policy
Advanced Global Public Health
Independent Study
Artificial Epidemics and Changes in Human Culture
Artificial Epidemics and Changes in Human Culture II
Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology
1

Two of these DGP courses may be double counted toward both the PhD and MPH degrees. 

Other PhD Degree Requirements

  • Thesis prospectus: written thesis proposal and oral defense to thesis committee in spring of year two; also serves as qualifying examination
  • Research/Projects: laboratory research based on dissertation research proposal.  Student must meet with thesis committee once per year (prior to fifth year) or twice per year (fifth year and above)
  • Teaching requirement:  one quarter teaching assignment in third year
  • Publication requirement:  one first-author, peer reviewed research publication accepted
  • Seminar requirement:  two full length seminars (30+ minutes; includes final public seminar) plus one additional full length or three shorter presentations of the students work to a broad audience.
  • PhD Dissertation: written dissertation and defense to thesis committe