PhD in Epidemiology and Clinical Research
http://med.stanford.edu/epidemiology/grad_programs/phd-ecr.html
Overview
The PhD program in epidemiology and clinical research will provide methodologic and interdisciplinary training that will equip students to carry out cutting-edge epidemiologic research. The program trains students in the tools of modern epidemiology, with heavy emphases on statistics, computer science, genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics. We welcome applicants with diverse backgrounds.Course Requirements
PhD students will be required to complete a minimum of 135 units (as per university requirements), including 45 course units exclusive of HRP 236 (Epidemiology Research Seminar), HRP 299 (Directed Reading), and HRP 399 (Graduate Research).Epidemiologic methods sequence:
HRP 225: Design and Conduct of Clinical and Epidemiologic Studies (3-4 units)
HRP 226: Advanced Epidemiologic and Clinical Research Methods (3-4 units)
HRP 251: Design and Conduct of Clinical Trials (3 units)
Biostatistics sequence:
HRP 259: Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Epidemiology
HRP 261/STATS 261: Intermediate Biostatistics: Analysis of Discrete Data (3 units)
"Big Epidemiology" elective courses:
One of the following advanced quantitative courses (3 to 4 units)
- STATS 116: Theory of Probability
- other than STATS 260: Any 200-level STATS course
- HRP 216: Analytical and Practical Issues in the Conduct of Clinical and Epidemiologic Research
- HRP 262/STATS 262: Intermediate Biostatistics: Regression, Prediction, Survival Analysis
- HRP 252: Outcomes Analysis
- HRP 392: Analysis of Costs, Risks, and Benefits of Health Care
- MED 206/STATS 211/HRP 206: Meta-Research
- BIOMED 215: Data-Driven Medicine
- CS 246: Mning Massive Data Sets
- STATS 202: Data Mining and Analysis
- CS 229A: Applied Machine Learning
- HRP 228: Genetic Epidemiology
- BIOMED 217/CS 275: Translational Bioinformatics
- GENE 244: Introduction to Statistical Genetics
- BIOMEDIN 258: Genomics, Bioinformatics and Medicine
- GENE 224: Principles of Pharmacogenomics
- CS 262: Computational Genomics
- BIOMEDIN 273A/DBIO 273A/CS273A: A Computational Tour of the Human Genome
- GENE 210/DBIO220: Genomics and Personalized Medicine
- STATS 166/STATS 345/GENE245: Computational Algorithms for Statistical Genetics
- HRP 236 all quarters: At least 6 quarters of epidemiology research seminar (6 units)
- Med 255: Responsible Conduct of Research (1 unit)
- Attendance at the Epidemiology Methods Workshop once per quarter (minimum twice annual attendance while in residence)
- Attendance at one meeting of the Human Subjects Panel (Institutional Review Board)
- Attendance at one meeting of the GCRC Protocol Review Committee
- R Proficiency: students must show proficiency in the computing language R or must take an approved course in R
Sample Program
Course
|
Units
|
Course Director |
Year 1: Autumn Quarter (10 units)
|
|||
| HRP 225 | Design and Conduct of Clinical and Epidemiologic Studies | 3 | Rita Popat |
| HRP 259 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Epidemiology | 3 | Kristin Sainani |
| Elective | Elective | 3 | TBD |
| HRP 236 | Epidemiology Research Seminar | 1 | Core Faculty |
Year 1: Winter Quarter (10 units)
|
|||
| HRP 226 | Advanced Epidemiologic and Clinical Research Methods | 3 | Lorene Nelson |
| HRP 261 | Intermediate Biostatistics: Analysis of Discrete Data | 3 | Kristin Sainani |
| Elective | Elective | 2 | TBD |
| MED 255 | Responsible Conduct of Research | 1 | Katrina Karkazis |
| HRP 236 | Epidemiology Research Seminar | 1 | Core Faculty |
Year 1: Spring Quarter (10 units)
|
|||
| HRP 251 | Design and Conduct of Clinical Trials | 3 | Victor Henderson |
| HRP 252* | Outcomes Analysis *Big Epidemiology elective: advanced quantitative |
3 | Jay Bhattacharya |
| Elective | Elective | 3 | TBD |
| HRP 236 | Epidemiology Research Seminar | 1 | Core Faculty |
Year 1: Summar Quarter (10 units)
|
|||
| HRP 399b | Graduate Research | 10 | Advisor/Preceptor |
Year 2: Autumn Quarter (10 units)
|
|||
| HRP 202* | Data Mining and Analysis *Big Epidemiology elective: big data |
3 | Jonathan Taylor |
| Elective | Elective | 3 | TBD |
| HRP 399 | Gaduate Research | 3 | Advsior/Preceptor |
| HRP 236 | Epidemiology Research Seminar | 1 | Core Faculty |
Year 2: Winter Quarter (10 units)
|
|||
| GENE 224/ BIOMEDIN 224* |
Principles of Pharmacogenomics *Big Epidemiology elective: genetics/genomics/bioinformatics |
3 | Russ Altman |
| Elective | Elective | 3 | TBD |
| HRP 399 | Graduate Research | 3 | Advisor/Preceptor |
| HRP 236 | Epidemiology Research Seminar | 1 | Core Faculty |
Year 2: Spring Quarter (10 units)
|
|||
| Elective | Elective | 3 | TBD |
| Elective | Elective | 3 | TBD |
| Elective | Elective | 3 | Advisor/Preceptor |
| HRP 236 | Epidemiology Research Seminar | 1 | Core Faculty |
Year 2: Summer Quarter (10 units)
|
|||
| HRP 399 | Graduate Research | 10 | Advisor/Preceptor |
Year 3: Autumn-Summer Quarter (10 units)
|
|||
| HRP 399 | Graduate Research | 10 | Advisor |
Year 4: Autumn-Winter Quarter (10 units)
|
|||
| HRP 399 | Graduate Research | 10 | Advisor |
Year 4 and above:
|
|||
| HRP 399 | Dissertation | 0 | Advisor |
Advisors and Mentors
Upon admission, each student in the PhD program will be assigned an academic advisor from the group of core faculty in epidemiology. This person will work with the student to craft an individually-tailored curriculum that meets their unique goals and interests. At a later time, the student will identify additional dissertation advisors, typically including a methodologic advisor (from the core faculty), a quantitative advisor (with expertise in statistics or computer science), and a clinical or translational advisor (in the applied research area). The methodologic, quantitative, and clinical/translational advisors will be expected to consult regularly with the student during the research and writing phases of the PhD dissertation. The advisors will monitor the student’s progress and alert the executive committee if problems arise. The executive committee will oversee advising arrangements to ensure that each student receives adequate supervision.Examinations and Academic Milestone Assessment
In the course of the doctoral program, each student will carry out the following academic milestones to complete the core courses and elective coursework- Pass the Preliminary Examination
- Identify a dissertation project
- Form a Doctoral Dissertation Reading Committee
- Develop a detailed NIH-style dissertation proposal
- Complete the Qualifying Examination
- Conduct the dissertation research project(s)
- Write the dissertation
- Present dissertation results in a public seminar
- Pass the Final Examination (defense of dissertation)
- Complete and turn in the dissertation
