Welcome to the Epidemiology Program!
The PhD program in epidemiology educates and trains individuals for successful careers as independent investigators in epidemiologic research. The program is directed by the Graduate Group in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, one of seven biomedical graduate groups that offer students unique, truly interdisciplinary experiences at Penn. The Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology provides many of the core courses for the program.
By graduation, students will have obtained the following:
- Detailed and in-depth knowledge of and facility implementing epidemiologic research designs, including randomized clinical trials, cohort and case-control studies, surveys and quasi-experiments.
- The ability to articulate achievable research objectives, design and implement appropriate study methods, apply appropriate analytic techniques, and correctly interpret and communicate study results.
- Advanced knowledge of the principles and application of biostatistical methods, including facility with statistical programs for analyzing data.
- Advanced knowledge of the concepts of health measurement, clinical economics, and clinical decision making, as applied to epidemiologic research.
- In-depth knowledge of a specialized area or health problem that will be addressed by the dissertation.
The PhD in Epidemiology typically requires the equivalent of four semesters of coursework plus additional semesters devoted to dissertation research. This can be accomplished in the equivalent of four to five years of full-time study, although depending on the student's research program, as many as six or even seven years may be needed to complete the program.
If you have questions regarding admission into the PhD in Epidemiology Program, please contact the program coordinator:
Eli Elliott
Coordinator, Graduate Group in Epidemiology and Biostatistics
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Tel: 215-573-3881
e-mail: eli.elliott@pennmedicine.upenn.edu