Epidemiology, PhD < University of Iowa

This is the first version of the 2024–25 General Catalog. Please check back regularly for changes. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

summarize specific risk factors and disease processes in a specialized area;
describe methods for primary data collection including quality assurance and quality control;
use advanced statistical analysis methods appropriate for the study design and controlling for confounding variables;
develop data collection instruments for research purposes;
develop hypotheses that build upon literature and theoretical models of disease and causation;
conduct an independent research project;
compose a proposal for grant funding;
communicate epidemiological concepts and methods in both writing and orally; and
defend the methods, results, and implications of a research study.

The Doctor of Philosophy program in epidemiology requires a minimum of 78 s.h. of graduate credit. Graduate students in epidemiology must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.00. Those who receive a grade of C in 7 s.h. of coursework may be dismissed from the program.

The Doctor of Philosophy with a major in epidemiology requires the following coursework.

Core Courses

Students must take CPH:7270 Principles of Scholarly Integrity: Public Health during their first year in the fall semester (enroll for 0 s.h.) and in the spring semester (enroll for 1 s.h.). They must retake CPH:7270 if they completed the course more than four years ago or if they have changed degree programs.

Students enrolled part time (less than 9 s.h.) who have a graduate research assistantship appointment may choose to register in EPID:5925 Epidemiology Journal Club: Evaluating the Literature for 1 s.h.; however, the credit earned for this course will not be applied toward the minimum semester hours required for the PhD in epidemiology.

Students with a strong biosciences background may choose to substitute PATH:5270 Pathogenesis of Major Human Diseases in place of PATH:8133 Introduction to Human Pathology for Graduate Students if it better complements their training plan. This is an advanced course that requires a strong foundation in molecular biology and related disciplines, but may be suitable for some students.

Course List
Course #	Title	Hours
All of these:
EPID:4400	Epidemiology I: Principles	3
EPID:5600	Introduction to Epidemiology Data Management and Analysis	3
EPID:5610	Intermediate Epidemiology Data Analysis with SAS and R	3
EPID:5925	Epidemiology Journal Club: Evaluating the Literature	0-1
EPID:6050	Research in Epidemiology	3
EPID:6100	Writing a Grant Proposal	3
EPID:6400	Epidemiology II: Advanced Methods	4
EPID:6655	Causal Inference	3
EPID:7400	Epidemiology III: Theories	3
BIOS:4120	Introduction to Biostatistics	3
BIOS:5120	Regression Modeling and ANOVA in the Health Sciences	3
CPH:6100	Essentials of Public Health	2
CPH:7270	Principles of Scholarly Integrity: Public Health (taken first year in the fall semester for 0 s.h. and in the spring semester for 1 s.h.)	0-1
One of these:
PATH:5270	Pathogenesis of Major Human Diseases	3
PATH:8133	Introduction to Human Pathology for Graduate Students	3-4
One of these:
BIOS:6210	Applied Survival Analysis	3
BIOS:6310	Introductory Longitudinal Data Analysis	3
One of these:
HHP:3500	Human Physiology	3
MPB:5153	Graduate Physiology	4

Electives

Research Interest Area Electives

Students are encouraged to choose a recommended Epidemiology Research Interest Area to fulfill the research interest area elective requirement (21–23 s.h.). This curricular requirement encompasses student-selected coursework that demonstrates knowledge in an advanced research interest area. Students may select courses from a recommended interest area plan of study from the department's pre-approved curricula or they may, in consultation with their faculty advisor and after the approval of the department's plan of study committee, propose a series of courses (21–23 s.h.) that form a customized research interest area. The department's pre-approved plans of study feature areas in clinical and health services, chronic disease/life course, injury, infectious disease, and molecular and genetic epidemiology.

Additional Epidemiology Electives

In addition, students must select at least 3 s.h. from Department of Epidemiology courses (prefix EPID) outside their research interest area. Students may need additional elective coursework or dissertation credit in order to complete the minimum 78 sh. required for the degree.

Dissertation

Students must successfully complete a PhD thesis.

Course List
Course #	Title	Hours
EPID:7000	Thesis/Dissertation	10-18

Other Requirements

Preceptorship Requirement

Doctoral students who did not complete the MS program in epidemiology at the University of Iowa are required to take EPID:5950 Preceptorship in Epidemiology or demonstrate that an equivalent course has been completed, such as a completed master's thesis at another institution. This requirement must be fulfilled within one year of admission to the PhD program.

Department of Epidemiology Seminar

Every week during the fall and spring semesters, the Department of Epidemiology seminar provides a forum for speakers to present information or research pertaining to diverse topics in epidemiology. Students are expected to achieve at least 80% attendance at the seminar during each semester of enrollment.

Journal Club for First-Year Students

Journal Club for first-year students is for those who are new to the department. The focus is for students to gain experience in reading, interpreting, and critically evaluating recently published journal articles. Students should register in EPID:5925 Epidemiology Journal Club: Evaluating the Literature. PhD students who have experience with journal reviews, or who have already completed EPID:4400 Epidemiology I: Principles or received a waiver for EPID:4400 may enroll in the full-year section of Journal Club during their first semester.

Journal Club

Every other week during the academic year, the Journal Club meets to discuss articles of interest in the field. Contact information for the Journal Club coordinators can be found on the Department of Epidemiology website under Preceptorship, Journal Club, and Seminar Contacts. Information about the schedule is distributed to students each semester. Students are required to achieve at least 80% attendance at Journal Club for five semesters during their time in the program. Attendance earned while enrolled as an MS student does not count toward the required five semesters.

Scientific Poster Requirement

Every student is required to present at least one scientific poster at the department level and one poster at the international, national, regional, state, or university level at some point prior to graduation. A student’s advisor or dissertation mentor can help determine the suitability and timeline for the poster presentation.

Seminar Presentation

In addition to the dissertation defense, students are required to make a presentation at a Department of Epidemiology seminar. It is recommended that students complete the seminar presentation and dissertation defense in the same semester, with the seminar presentation scheduled before the defense so the seminar can serve as preparation for the defense.

Human Subjects Protections (IRB) Certification

Students are required to provide evidence that they have completed an approved education program in human subjects protections. This should be done at the time of appointment to a graduate research assistantship position, at the start of the preceptorship, or at the start of thesis/dissertation research. More information is available about the human subjects protections certification on the University of Iowa’s Human Subjects Office website.

Examinations

All doctoral students must successfully complete a qualifying examination, a comprehensive examination, a dissertation prospectus, and a dissertation. The research topic and content, which vary depending on the program of study, must be approved by a student's dissertation committee.

Applicants must apply through the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS); they also must pay the required application fee to the Graduate College through the University of Iowa Office of Admissions when prompted. For detailed application information, visit How to Apply to the Department of Epidemiology on the department's website.

The epidemiology faculty considers several factors when evaluating applications for admission, including Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Test scores, grade-point average, letters of recommendation, intent and motivation for graduate study, and research interests. Students with deficiencies in one area may be admitted if all other components of their application are very strong.

All applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree (an MS or MPH usually is required) and must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.00. Courses in the biological, physical, and mathematical sciences provide important background; one semester of calculus, one semester of statistics or biostatistics, and two semesters of biological sciences are highly recommended. Computing skills also are desirable.

All applicants and students are required to have strong written and oral communication skills.

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.

The application deadline for fall admission is April 1.

A limited number of graduate research assistantships are available for advanced students; for information, consult the department. For information on financing education through jobs, grants, and loans, contact the university's Office of Student Financial Aid.

Scholarships for incoming students are available; for information, visit the Department of Epidemiology website.

Opportunities for funded predoctoral fellowships are available. Funded positions sponsored by federal agencies are available only to U.S. citizens.

Sample Plan of Study

Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.