Degrees Offered
PhD, PhD/MD, MS, MS/MD, Certificate
Program Description
The graduate program in Epidemiology and Human Genetics (EHG) within GPILS at the School of Medicine offers a diverse array of integrated opportunities to develop skills for discovering how population, molecular, and genetic variations relate to health and disease. These skills are essential for translating new basic research findings into clinical practice and applying them to public health. New findings from epidemiology and human genetics research consistently make the news. Students in this program become leaders in improving the health of local, regional, and global populations. The program combines traditional areas of biomedical, genetic, clinical, and community studies with opportunities to learn and apply observational, biostatistical, molecular, and genomic tools in their investigations.
The PhD program consists of three tracks: epidemiology, molecular epidemiology, and human genetics, each with a tailored program of study. There are two MS degrees, the MS in Epidemiology and Clinical Research with two concentrations (one in epidemiology which is limited to current UMB Phd students only and one in clinical research) and the MS in Human Genetics. Dual-degree programs enable students to earn an MS degree in combination with one of several PhD programs.
The PhD in Epidemiology and Human Genetics (Epidemiology Concentration) allows students to acquire advanced knowledge, skills, and experience in completing independent epidemiological research in a biomedical setting. This track has a strong quantitative focus, necessary for providing students with the tools needed to conduct world-class research on epidemiologic topics and to participate in multidisciplinary research in a broad range of specialties.
The PhD in Epidemiology and Human Genetics (Molecular Epidemiology Concentration) is designed for students who wish to undertake research that combines molecular, genetic, and epidemiologic techniques and to apply these technologies to the understanding of risk factors for disease transmission or acquisition. Students in this track are provided with a solid knowledge base in epidemiology and biostatistics while gaining the laboratory and informatics skills needed to incorporate genomic data into their research.
The PhD in Epidemiology and Human Genetics (Human Genetics Concentration) provides broad training for students wanting to understand human genetic variation and its relation to health and disease. Students receive an overview of human genetics (molecular, biochemical, clinical, cytogenetics, and genetic epidemiology/genomics) and then specialize in their areas of interest.
The MS in Epidemiology and Clinical Research (Epidemiology Concentration or Clinical Research Concentration) is designed to offer an MS degree to students pursuing a PhD in Gerontology or in Pharmaceutical Health Services Research as part of our dual-degree programs. Also, students wishing to leave the Epidemiology and Human Genetics PhD program can opt to get the MS in lieu of their PhD.
Program Admission
Degree-seeking students are admitted into the program during the fall semester only, and the Graduate School must receive PhD application materials by December 1st.
MS Human Genetics and Genomic Medicine: Feb 15 (of the year in which the student intends to enroll)
MS Epidemiology and Clinical Research: July 1 (of the year in which the student intends to enroll)
Graduate Record Examinations (GREs) are mandatory; Medical College Admission Test scores may replace GRE scores for physician applicants.
Degree Requirements
Epidemiology and Human Genetics doctoral program with human genetics concentration are required to take 32 course credits.
Epidemiology and Human Genetics doctoral program with molecular epidemiology concentration requires up to 44 course credits, depending on the student’s research interests and previously completed coursework. Students may need to take additional coursework as background preparation or in preparation for an area of specialization.
PhD candidates must successfully complete a minimum of 12 credits of doctoral dissertation research.
Epidemiology and Human genetics master's program requires a total of 30 credits.
A thesis is required for students in the Human Genetics master's program.
A thesis is optional for students in the Epidemiology master's with clinical research concentration; however, students who opt out of the thesis must complete Research Practicum I (PREV 747) and Research Practicum II (PREV 748).
Required Courses: PhD Epidemiology Concentration
| PREV 600 | PRINCIPLES OF EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 619 | INTRODUCTION TO SAS | 1 |
| PREV 620 | PRINCIPLES OF BIOSTATISTICS | 3 |
| PREV 659 | OBSERVATIONAL STUDIES IN EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 716 | CHRONIC DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 720 | STATISTICAL METHODS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 721 | REGRESSION ANALYSIS | 2 |
| PREV 724 | INTRODUCTION TO CAUSAL INFERENCE AND MACHINE LEARNING | 2 |
| PREV 730 | INTRO TO R STATISTICAL ANALYSIS | 1 |
| PREV 747 | EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREVENTIVE MEDICINE RESEARCH PRACTICUM I | 3 |
| PREV 748 | EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREVENTIVE MEDICINE RESEARCH PRACTICUM II | 2 |
| PREV 749 | INFECTIOUS DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGY - A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE | 3 |
| PREV 758 | HEALTH SURVEY RESEARCH METHODS | 3 |
| PREV 801 | LONGITUDINAL DATA ANALYSIS | 3 |
| PREV 803 | CLINICAL TRIALS AND EXPERIMENTAL EPIDMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 899 | DOCTORAL DISSERTATION RESEARCH | 1 TO 12 |
| GPLS 907 | RESEARCH ETHICS | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 57 |
PREV 899: 12 credits minimum required
Students should consult with program director regarding selection of electives (6 credits)
Required Courses: PhD Molecular Epidemiology Concentration
| PREV 600 | PRINCIPLES OF EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 619 | INTRODUCTION TO SAS | 1 |
| PREV 620 | PRINCIPLES OF BIOSTATISTICS | 3 |
| PREV 659 | OBSERVATIONAL STUDIES IN EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 711 | GENETIC EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| GPLS 716 | GENOMICS AND BIOINFORMATICS | 3 |
| GPLS 718 | PROGRAMMING FOR BIOINFORMATICS | 3 |
| PREV 720 | STATISTICAL METHODS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 724 | INTRODUCTION TO CAUSAL INFERENCE AND MACHINE LEARNING | 2 |
| GPLS 728 | GENOMIC DATA SCIENCE | 3 |
| PREV 730 | INTRO TO R STATISTICAL ANALYSIS | 1 |
| PREV 747 | EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREVENTIVE MEDICINE RESEARCH PRACTICUM I | 3 |
| PREV 748 | EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREVENTIVE MEDICINE RESEARCH PRACTICUM II | 2 |
| PREV 780 | MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 899 | DOCTORAL DISSERTATION RESEARCH | 1 TO 12 |
| GPLS 907 | RESEARCH ETHICS | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 58 |
Students should consult with program director regarding selection of electives (9 credits)
PREV 899: 12 credits minimum required
Required Courses: PhD Human Genetics Concentration
HGEN 608: four semesters (4 Credits)
PREV 899: 12 credits minimum required
Students should consult with program director regarding selection of electives (2 required)
Required Courses: MS Epidemiology/ PhD Gerontology Joint Degree
(open only to students in the Gerontology PhD program)
| PREV 600 | PRINCIPLES OF EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 619 | INTRODUCTION TO SAS | 1 |
| PREV 620 | PRINCIPLES OF BIOSTATISTICS | 3 |
| PREV 659 | OBSERVATIONAL STUDIES IN EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 720 | STATISTICAL METHODS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 721 | REGRESSION ANALYSIS | 2 |
| | |
| PREV 724 | INTRODUCTION TO CAUSAL INFERENCE AND MACHINE LEARNING | 2 |
| Or | |
| PREV 801 | LONGITUDINAL DATA ANALYSIS | 3 |
| | |
| PREV 758 | HEALTH SURVEY RESEARCH METHODS | 3 |
| PREV 803 | CLINICAL TRIALS AND EXPERIMENTAL EPIDMIOLOGY | 3 |
| GPLS 907 | RESEARCH ETHICS | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 30 |
Other courses required for the Gerontology PhD
Students should consult with program director regarding selection of PREV electives (3 credits)
Required Courses: MS Epidemiology/ PhD Pharmaceutical Health Services Research Joint Degree
(open only to students in the Pharmaceutical Health Services Research PhD program)
| PREV 600 | PRINCIPLES OF EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 619 | INTRODUCTION TO SAS | 1 |
| PREV 620 | PRINCIPLES OF BIOSTATISTICS | 3 |
| PREV 659 | OBSERVATIONAL STUDIES IN EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 720 | STATISTICAL METHODS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 721 | REGRESSION ANALYSIS | 2 |
| PREV 724 | INTRODUCTION TO CAUSAL INFERENCE AND MACHINE LEARNING | 2 |
| PREV 803 | CLINICAL TRIALS AND EXPERIMENTAL EPIDMIOLOGY | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 26 |
6 credits of Epidemiology electives from among PREV courses not already taken. Students should consult with program director regarding selection of electives.
Other courses required for the Pharmaceutical Health Services Research PhD
Required Courses: MS Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Clinical Research Concentration
| PREV 600 | PRINCIPLES OF EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 616 | INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH AT UMB | 2 |
| PREV 619 | INTRODUCTION TO SAS | 1 |
| Or | |
| PREV 730 | INTRO TO R STATISTICAL ANALYSIS | 1 |
| PREV 620 | PRINCIPLES OF BIOSTATISTICS | 3 |
| PREV 633 | APPLICATION OFLEGAL AND REGULATORY ISSUES IN CLINICAL RESEARCH | 2 |
| PREV 710 | CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH PROJECT DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION | 1 TO 2 |
| PREV 720 | STATISTICAL METHODS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| GPLS 907 | RESEARCH ETHICS | 1 |
| | |
| PREV 747 | EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREVENTIVE MEDICINE RESEARCH PRACTICUM I | 3 |
| And | |
| PREV 748 | EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREVENTIVE MEDICINE RESEARCH PRACTICUM II | 2 |
| Or | |
| PREV 799 | MASTER'S THESIS RESEARCH | 1 TO 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 30 |
Thesis Option: PREV 799 Minimum of 6 Credits
Non-Thesis Option: PREV 747 (3 credits) AND PREV 748 (2 credits)
PREV 620 and PREV 619 or PREV 730 are recommended to be taken together.
Elective credits fill 30-hour minimum requirement. Please consult with Program Director for selection of electives.
Required Courses: MS in Epidemiology and Clinical Research (Epidemiology concentration)
This program is only open to current students as a terminal masters option.
| PREV 600 | PRINCIPLES OF EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 619 | INTRODUCTION TO SAS | 1 |
| PREV 620 | PRINCIPLES OF BIOSTATISTICS | 3 |
| PREV 648 | INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH SYSTEM AND HEALTH POLICY MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| PREV 659 | OBSERVATIONAL STUDIES IN EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 720 | STATISTICAL METHODS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 747 | EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREVENTIVE MEDICINE RESEARCH PRACTICUM I | 3 |
| PREV 748 | EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREVENTIVE MEDICINE RESEARCH PRACTICUM II | 2 |
| GPLS 907 | RESEARCH ETHICS | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 30 |
Students should consult with program director regarding selection of electives
Required Courses: Certificate in Clinical Research
| PREV 600 | PRINCIPLES OF EPIDEMIOLOGY | 3 |
| PREV 616 | INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH AT UMB | 2 |
| PREV 619 | INTRODUCTION TO SAS | 1 |
| Or | |
| PREV 730 | INTRO TO R STATISTICAL ANALYSIS | 1 |
| PREV 620 | PRINCIPLES OF BIOSTATISTICS | 3 |
| PREV 633 | APPLICATION OFLEGAL AND REGULATORY ISSUES IN CLINICAL RESEARCH | 2 |
| PREV 710 | CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH PROJECT DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION | 1 TO 2 |
| GPLS 907 | RESEARCH ETHICS | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14-15 |
part of this catalog.