d 1 15 1b
2b
35
9
    7b
  • Home
    • 2a
  • Epidemiology
    • 1 1c
  • Academics
3a

a1 PhD Program in Epidemiology

1d 21 41 21 41 283

The mission of the PhD Program in Epidemiology is to train independent researchers in the development and application of epidemiologic methods and to prepare them for positions as scientific leaders in academia and industry. The PhD is a research degree; it indicates the highest attainable level of scholarship, and a commitment to a research career. The PhD does not represent merely the accumulation of course credits, but rather, the development and completion of a well-designed and conscientious program of scientific investigation that makes a unique contribution to the field of epidemiology.
c  

2 1ab

The PhD program in Epidemiology requires basic and advanced courses in epidemiology, statistical methods, as well as electives drawn from other departments and schools that serve the student's research interests. The program also requires separate oral qualifications and candidacy examinations, and the successful public defense of a doctoral dissertation, in accordance with University of Pennsylvania policy.
c  

9 21 21 41 21 1 1 1d
17
11 9 1 1 1d
5 42 5 5 1e
4bb

The PhD program typically requires the equivalent of at least four years of full-time study, in three defined phases: coursework, pre-candidacy, and candidacy. The coursework phase typically takes two years of full time study, and is intended to provide the student with the knowledge needed to pursue advanced, independent study and investigation in epidemiologic research. This phase culminates in written and oral Qualifications Examinations, normally taken after most or all of the student's coursework has been completed. The pre-candidacy phase focuses on the preparation of a scientifically unique, methodologically sound, and feasible dissertation proposal. This phase ends with passing the oral Candidacy Examination, at which time the student is recognized as a Candidate for the PhD and focuses his or her effort on performing the research for and writing the dissertation. A successful public defense of the dissertation then completes the academic requirements for the PhD.
b  

1 267

The PhD Program in Epidemiology is administered by the Graduate Group in Epidemiology and Biostatistics (GGEB) and is led by the Chair of the Doctoral Program in Epidemiology, working with the PhD Program Executive Committee. The Office of Biomedical Graduate Studies (BGS) provides oversight and coordination for the GGEB and six other graduate groups offering PhD degrees in the biomedical sciences. BGS provides centralized support to the graduate groups for admissions, student fellowships, curricular oversight, record-keeping, and other operations.

1 45

Close

b
7
1 1 1 1d
5 5a 5 5 1e
1cb

The current standard course sequence for PhD students consists of up to 7 core courses (see below). Additional course units are taken in electives (advanced epidemiology and/or biostatistics courses and courses outside the department and school, as needed to serve the student’s specific interests). In addition, a minimum three semesters of lab rotations (EPID 6990) and one unit of dissertation research (EPID 9950) are required. They are:

1 5
    4f
  • BSTA 6100: Biostatistical Methods for Epidemiology 1.0cus 
    • 43
  • EPID 7010: Introduction to Epidemiologic Research, 1.0cu
    • 4a
  • EPID 7020: Advanced Topics in Epidemiologic Research 1.0cu
    • 43
  • EPID 6000: Data Science for Biomedical Informatics 1.0cu
    • 31
  • EPID 7000: Doctoral Seminar 1.0cu
    • 3a
  • EPID 7050: Grant Writing and Scientific Writing
    • 32
  • Ethics course 1.0cu (or MSCE workshops)
    • 6
1 2a

Additional requirements include:

1 5
    48
  • Participation in a monthly Career Development Workshop Series
    • 39
  • Attendance at the weekly epidemiology seminars
    • 3e
  • Participation in a Works in Progress (WIP) day
    • 4d
  • Annual participation in the Responsible Conduct of Research Course
    • 46
  • Completion of web-based seminars in CITI and HIPAA training
    • 64
  • Teaching support as a Teaching Assistant (TA) for an Epidemiology or Biostatistics course
    • 38
  • Successful completion of all PhD examinations
    • 6
1 a3

Course descriptions can be found at: http://www.cceb.med.upenn.edu/course-descriptions

1 45

Close

b
7
1 1 1 1d
5 45 5 5 1e
16d

All students are expected to develop and maintain a current course plan developed with and monitored by their mentor. This course plan must be approved by the Program Chair, and will be reviewed semi-annually in order to monitor the student's progress and identify potential delays in completing the program. A typical course plan is provided below.

1 e

 

1 8 9 7 20 8 a 9 7 8 8 8 8 8 7 15 14 3e 8 8 7 3e 8 8 7 3f 8 8 7 24 8 8 7 2f 8 8 7 14 41 8 8 7 36 8 7 8 8 7 2a e 8 7 24 8 8 7 2f e 8 7 14 24 8 8 7 39 13 8 7 1f 8 7 15 14 42 8 8 7 83 8 8 7 2f e 8 7 36 8 8 7 1e 8 8 7 8 9a 20 8 7 13 8 7 13 1e 8 8 7 13 28 11 8 7 8 8 13 8 7 1f 8 7 14 14 35 8 8 7 14 38 8 8 7 8 33 e 8 7 1f 8 7 14 13 2d 13 8 7 14 8 a 9
5e

Sample course plan for an entering PhD students starting Fall 2025

9
20

Year

9 		20

Term

9 		22

Course

9 		27

Credit Unit

9
d


a
a
a
a
a
a
a
1f Year 1

9 		20

Fall

9 		EPID 7010: Introduction to Epidemiologic Research c

1

9
BSTA 6100 Biostatistical Methods for Epidemiology c

1

9
EPID 6000: Data Science for Biomedical Informatics c

1

9
EPID 6990: Lab Rotation c

1

9
Career Development Workshop Series c

0

9
22

Spring

9 		EPID 7020: Advanced Topics in Epidemiologic Research c

1

9
Advanced Elective
c

1

9
Advanced Elective1
EPID 6990: Lab Rotation c

1

9
Career Development Workshop Series0
d


1f Summer

9 		EPID 6990: Lab Rotation c

1

9
Qualifications Examinations 
 
d


a
a
a
e  

1 22

Year 2

9 		20

Fall

9 		EPID 7050: Grant Writing and Scientific Writing  c

1

9
EPID 6990: Lab Rotation or EPID 899: Pre Dissertation Lab Research (for those who have selected a dissertation mentor) e

1-3

9
Career Development Workshop Series0
Ethics Course or MSCE Bioethics Workshops e

0-1

9
Advanced Elective e

1-3

9
22

Spring

9 		EPID 6990: Lab Rotation or EPID 899: Pre Dissertation Lab Reseach (for those who have selected a dissertation mentor) 11

0.33-3

9
 
 Advanced Elective e

1-3

9
 EPID 7000: Doctoral Seminar1.00
22

Summer

9 		33

Candidacy Examination
52 EPID​​​ 8990: ​​​​Pre-Dissertation Research

9 		 
 
11

 

1 11

 

1 22

Year 3

9 		20

Fall

9 		EPID 8990: Pre Dissertation Lab Rotation e

1-3

9
22

Spring

9 		EPID 9950:  Dissertation Research 11

 

9
22

Summer

9 		EPID 9950: Dissertation Research 0
 
d


1f Year 4

9 		 EPID 9950: Dissertation Research 
30

Dissertation Defense

9
1 45

Close

b
7
1 1 1 1d
5 4d 5 159

Students enrolled in the Epidemiology doctoral program have the option of applying to any of a variety of certificate programs, either at the time of initial application to the PhD program or later. These programs provide a valuable opportunity to pursue specialized scientific and professional interests.

1 e5

Several of the programs are closely affiliated with BGS, for example, they receive various forms of support from BGS and provide courses and other forms of programming commensurate with BGS standards and objectives. 

1 b 1 61

Other programs are not as closely linked to BGS but are of potential benefit nonetheless.

1 5 1 295

Penn's Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Innovation offers the CETLI Teaching Certificate for students with a strong interest in teaching. The Penn Center for Innovation offers the PCI Fellows Program for students with an interest in technology transfer. These programs involve extensive hands-on experience, require a minimum commitment of one year, and provide additional funds.

1 116

Students interested in a certificate program should review Policies Governing Participation of BGS Students in Certificate Programs.

1 ef

Authorization is required through the form Authorization to Participate in a Certificate Program.

1 e

 

7
1e
9 45

Close

b
7
1 1 1 1d
5 65 5 1d3

Wharton offers current PhD students to enroll, free of charge, in their Master of Arts in Statistics and Data Science program, which they will earn concurrently with their doctorate.  For more information, please visit https://doctoral-inside.wharton.upenn.edu/dual-master-of-arts-in-statistics-and-data-sciences/

1 e

 

7
1e
9 45

Close

b
7
b
b
1 21 1d 1f
1c
11 11 21 11 13