University of Washington: Postdoctoral Training in Clinical Dental Research Methods: Program Requirements

For (non-dentist) predoctoral trainees as well as for most postdoctoral dentist trainees, a Master’s or Ph.D. program in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Health Services, or Psychology will be pursued. For predoctoral trainees, appointment to the program would be made only to students who have indicated their intent to pursue a Ph.D., and who, in the judgment of their Graduate Program Advisor, have the background to be successful in that pursuit. Requirements for predoctoral trainees are that they (i) attend and participate in regular research seminars in the Department of Dental Public Health Sciences which cover a broad range of topics in dentistry (ii) for Biostatistics students, choose a topic for their required Biology Project which is in dentistry, and work on a dissertation topic (a methodology problem) which has applications in dentistry; for Epidemiology, Health Services and Psychology students, work on a dissertation which involves a study of oral/craniofacial disease; (iii) as needed, work with Ph.D. postdoctoral trainees in consulting with investigators in the School of Dentistry on design and analysis of their research projects. The length of appointment for predoctoral trainees is expected to be three to five years.

In order for dentist postdoctoral trainees to be appointed to a degree program, they must be admitted to the graduate program in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Health Services, or Psychology and have the expressed interest in pursuing a Master’s or Ph.D. degree. For dentist-trainees pursuing a degree in one of the collaborating departments, program requirements include (i) attendance at regular research seminars in the Department of Dental Public Health Sciences; (ii) selection of electives in the degree program relevant to research in dentistry; (iii) at least six credits of regular graduate coursework in the School of Dentistry, or six credits of independent study under the direction of a faculty member in dentistry (preferably one of the participating faculty in the training program), designed to develop in-depth knowledge of a potential research topic area; (iv) selection of a dissertation topic which involves methodology applicable to dental research or a study of oral disease; and (v) participation with Ph.D. postdoctoral trainees in consulting with investigators in dentistry on design and analysis of their research projects, and with visiting faculty participating in the Summer Institute in Clinical Dental Research Methods. The length of the Ph.D. program is typically four to five years so that extensions of appointments for dentists beyond the three year limit will usually be needed.

Since predoctoral and postdoctoral-dentist trainees will be pursuing Master’s or Ph.D. degrees in the Departments of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Health Services, or Psychology, the general requirements for those programs are summarized on the following pages, along with a list of graduate courses taught in each department.

The purpose of the MPH degree program is to combine broad training in public health with specific training in the principles and methods of epidemiology. The degree is appropriate for individuals who possess an MD, DVM, DDS, or PhD degree who seek a career in public health practice or academia. A minimum of 63 total credits must be taken, including core courses in epidemiologic methods (EPI 512, 513), biostatistics (BIOST 511), environmental health (ENVH 511), and health services (HSERV 511 and one of HSERV 510, 580, 581, 582 or HSMGT 514), in addition to one year of epidemiology seminar (EPI 583). The degree requirements also include a ‘practicum’, that is, a practice experience in a public health agency (EPI 595; 3–6 credits) and completion of a research-based master’s thesis (EPI 700; 9–18 credits).

The MS program offers research training in epidemiology. This degree is appropriate for physicians or other health professionals who prefer a more focused program than the MPH to prepare for research and teaching careers. A minimum of 60 total credits must be taken, including core courses in epidemiologic methods (EPI 512, 513, 514) and biostatistics (BIOST 511, 512, 513), one year of epidemiology seminar (EPI 583), and 4 or more elective courses, of which at least 2 must be in epidemiology. The degree requirements also require completion of a research-based master’s thesis (EPI 700; 9–18 credits).

The PhD program is intended to provide training in the conduct of epidemiologic studies. It differs from the MS degree program primarily in the nature and scope of the dissertation project. A series of courses are required, which must be supplemented by sufficient elective courses and independent study/research for the student to earn at least 90 credits. Required courses include core courses in epidemiologic methods (EPI 512, 513, 514, 536, 537) and biostatistics (BIOST 511, 512, 513), one year of epidemiology seminar (EPI 583), at least 1 infectious disease epidemiology course, at least 2 courses in non-infectious disease epidemiology, and three or more other elective courses that may be taken from any department of the School of Public Health (including Epidemiology). A preliminary or qualifying examination is taken after completion of the basic epidemiologic methods sequence, and must be passed before proceeding toward a doctoral degree. Once a dissertation topic is identified, a doctoral supervisory committee is appointed, and a detailed study proposal is developed. The student must pass a written and oral General Examination, administered by the Doctoral Supervisory Committee, which assesses the adequacy of the dissertation topic and the preparation of the student to pursue it. After completion of the project and dissertation, the student must present the findings at a public seminar, and pass a Final Examination (dissertation defense).

Table 6
Graduate Courses Offered in Epidemiology
(Detailed Descriptions Provided in the Appendix)

Course #	Epidemiology Course Title
EPI 501	Problems in Contemporary Public Health Practice (3)
EPI 510	Epidemiologic Data Analysis (2)
EPI 511	Introduction to Epidemiology (4 credits)
EPI 512	Epidemiologic Methods I (4)
EPI 513	Epidemiologic Methods II (4)
EPI 514	Applications of Epidemiologic Methods (4)
EPI 515	Topics in Epidemiologic Methods (3)
EPI 517	Methods and Applications of Genetic Epidemiology (3)
EPI 518	Computer Demonstrations in Genetic Epidemiology (2)
EPI 519	Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Disease (3)
EPI 520	Infectious Diseases Epidemiology (4)
EPI 521	Epidemiology of Maternal and Child Health Problems (4)
EPI 522	Reproductive Epidemiology (3)
EPI 523	Injury Epidemiology (3)
EPI 524	Epidemiologic Studies of Cancer Etiology and Prevention (3)
EPI 525	Topics in Preventive Medicine (2)
EPI 526	Zoonotic Diseases (3)
EPI 527	Practical Issues in the Conduct of Epidemiologic Studies (2)
EPI 528	Exposure Measurement in Epidemiology (3)
EPI 329	Emerging Infections of Public Health Importance (3)
EPI 530	AIDS: A Multidisciplinary Approach (2)
EPI 531	Problems in International Health (3)
EPI 532	Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases of Third World Importance (3)
EPI 533	Pharmaco-Epidemiology and Drug Induced Problems (2)
EPI 535	Maternal and Child Health in Developing Countries (3)
EPI 536	Categorical Data Analysis in Epidemiology (4)
EPI 537	Survival Data Analysis in Epidemiology (4)
EPI 538	Nutritional Epidemiology (3)
EPI 539	Research Methods in Developing Countries (2)
EPI 542	Clinical Epidemiology (2)
EPI 544	Maternal and Child Health in Developing Countries (3)
EPI 568	Molecular Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases (2)
EPI 570	Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology (3)
EPI 571	Neuroepidemiology and Environmental Risk Factors (3)
EPI 573	Methods and Issues in Using Biological Measurements in Epidemiologic Research (2)
EPI 580	Geographic Information Systems (2)
EPI 583	Epidemiology Seminar (1, Max. 3)
EPI 589	Epidemiologic Research in Aging Populations (3)
EPI 590	Selected Topics in Epidemiology, International Health, or Preventive Medicine (1–6, Max. 6)
EPI 590G	Psychosocial Epidemiology (2)
EPI 590O	Introduction to Research Principles and Methods (3)
EPI 591	Current Literature in Epidemiology (1, Max. 6)
EPI 592C	Maternal and Child Health Research Seminar (1)
EPI 592D	Preventive Medicine Seminar (1)
EPI 592F	International Health Program Seminar (1)
EPI 593	Cancer Prevention Research (3)
EPI 595	Epidemiology Master’s Practicum (3–6)
EPI 600	Independent Study/Research (*)
EPI 700	Master’s Thesis (*)
EPI 800	Doctoral Dissertation (*)

Students in the M.S. Program in Biostatistics are exposed to the theory and the applications of statistical methods to the health sciences. A full-time student must register for at least 10 credits during Autumn, Winter, and Spring Quarters and 5 credits in Summer. A typical student should complete the Master’s degree in two years.

In addition to the above course requirements, students must take STAT 598 (Techniques in Statistical Consulting) and BIOST 590 (Consulting). BIOST 533 (Theory of Linear Models) is strongly recommended unless the student has studied the material previously. Twelve required elective credits must be taken, at least six credits from Elective List One (methodology emphasis) and six credits from Elective List Two (biology or public health emphasis). In addition to the course requirements, students in the master’s program must write a thesis, complete a minimum of 18 thesis credits (BIOST 700), demonstrate proficiency in a computer language, and pass the First-Year Theory Exam.

The M.P.H. program is viewed to provide quantitative research training to individuals with a doctoral level degree in another field (e.g. Ph.D., D.D.S., or M.D.) or who are currently working on such a doctoral degree. Candidates who have not yet been awarded a doctoral degree will not be awarded the Biostatistics MPH until they are awarded their doctoral degree.

Required Coursework: Biostat 514, 515, 524, 536, 537, 580, 590 (Consulting), and 700 (Thesis, 9 credits); Epi 512, 513; HSERV 511 and one of HSERV 510, 580, 581, or 585; ENVH 511; PBIO 511

In addition to the courses listed above, M.P.H. students must complete 6 credits of approved Biostatistics MS electives. A total of 63 credits is required for the M.P.H. Students must also complete a Biostatistics practicum, for 3 credits, which consists of an experience in an organization or agency that provides planning or services relevant to public health.

Students earning the Ph.D. degree develop statistical theory and applications particular to the health sciences. Epidemiology and Genetics are popular minor areas, but other minors are encouraged also. A full-time student must register for at least 9 credits during Autumn, Winter, and Spring Quarters, and 5 credits in Summer. A strong Ph.D. student will complete the program in four years.

	Autumn	Winter	Spring	Summer
First Year	BIOST 514 STAT 512 BIOST 580 Advanced Math	BIOST 515 STAT 513 BIOST 580 Advanced Math	BIOST 533 STAT 511 BIOST 580 Advanced Math	Math 426 BIOST 600 or Elective
Second Year	BIOST 570 STAT 581 BIOST 580	BIOST 571 STAT 582 BIOST 580	Elective STAT 583 BIOST 580	BIOST 600 or Elective
Third Year	Elective BIOST 580 BIOST 800	Elective BIOST 580 BIOST 800	Elective BIOST 580 BIOST 800	BIOST 600 or Elective BIOST 800

In addition to the above courses, students in the Ph.D. program must complete 36 credits of BIOST 800 (Ph.D. dissertation), write a dissertation, complete a consulting class, and demonstrate proficiency in a computer language. Ph.D. students must also pass the Ph.D. Statistical Theory and Applied exams at the Ph.D. level. In addition, they must successfully complete two courses from a specified list of statistical electives and three courses from a list of biological or health-related electives. Students in the Ph.D. program must also complete a Biology Project, and pass the General and Final Examinations. The Supervisory Committee consists of the thesis advisor, chosen by the student, and three or four committee members, including one from the University at large, who are charged with conducting the Final Examination upon completion of the dissertation.

Table 9
Graduate Courses Offered in Biostatistics
(Detailed Descriptions Provided in the Appendix,
except for BIOST 511–513 which are intended for graduate students in other departments)

Course #	Biostatistics Course Title
BIOST 511	Medical Biometry I (4 credits)
BIOST 512	Medical Biometry II (4)
BIOST 513	Medical Biometry III (4)
BIOST 514	Biostatistics I (4)
BIOST 515	Biostatistics II (4)
BIOST 521	Biostatistics for Experimentalists (4)
BIOST 524	Design of Medical Studies (3)
BIOST 529	Sample Survey Techniques (3)
BIOST 532	Statistical Methods in Medical Genetics (2)
BIOST 533	Classical Theory of Linear Models (3)
BIOST 534	Statistical Computing I (3)
BIOST 535	Statistical Computing II (3)
BIOST 536	Categorical Data Analysis in Epidemiology (4)
BIOST 537	Survival Data Analysis in Epidemiology (4)
BIOST 550	Statistical Genetics I: Mendelian Traits (3)
BIOST 551	Statistical Genetics II: Quantitative Traits (3)
BIOST 552	Statistical Genetics III: Medical Genetics Studies (3)
BIOST 570	Advanced Applied Linear Models I (3)
BIOST 571	Advanced Applied Linear Models II (3)
BIOST 572	Advanced Applied Linear Models III (3)
BIOST 573	Statistical Methods for Categorical Data (3)
BIOST 574	Multivariate Statistical Methods (3)
BIOST 576	Statistical Methods for Survival Data (3)
BIOST 578	Special Topics in Advanced Biostatistics (1-3)
BIOST 580	Seminar in Biostatistics (variable credit, Max. 9)
BIOST 586	Martingales (Survival Analysis) (3)
BIOST 590	Biostatistical Consulting (variable credit)
BIOST 593	Cancer Prevention Lab (3)
BIOST 600	Independent Study or Research (variable credit)
BIOST 700	Master’s Thesis (variable credit)
BIOST 800	Doctoral Dissertation (variable credit)

The Department of Health Services offers a two-year graduate program in health services leading to the Master of Public Health or Master of Sciences degrees.

The M.P.H. and M.S. programs in health services give priority to individuals who have completed their professional health training, such as physicians, dentists and nurses. Others who have had substantial experience in the health field are also considered. The MPH program provides broad-based public health skills, while the M.S. program provides more focused health services research skills. These programs offer a greater curriculum that includes introductions to health systems, epidemiology, current issues regarding the provision of medical care, and methodological training for research and program evaluation. In addition, the M.P.H. program requires a practicum experience, an introductory course in environmental health, and a social and behavioral sciences course.

Examples of areas of concentration include studies of patient and provider behaviors, evaluation of local, state and federal health programs, and the impact of technology on medical-care costs and benefits. The programs are organized into four tracks: community medicine, international health, maternal and child health, and social and behavioral sciences. International health and maternal and child health are offered jointly with the Department of Epidemiology.

The goal of the Department of Health Services Ph.D. program is to train health services researchers to investigate complex issues in health care. The student-oriented approach to education emphasizes curricular flexibility, student-faculty collaboration, multi-disciplinary research, and interdepartmental cooperation. The program combines course work and seminars with participation in a variety of applied research projects. Upon completion of the program, students are capable independent researchers and teachers who pursue careers as academicians or health services researchers in research organizations in the health care industry, or government agencies.

All students enrolled in the Ph.D. program are required to complete a minimum of 102 credits. This includes required course work (36 credits), courses in advanced theory and methods in health services (50 credits including a minimum of 30 dissertation credits), and a minimum of 16 elective credits in an area of emphasis. Other requirements for the Ph.D. program include a written preliminary examination, a general examination, a dissertation, and a dissertation defense. Doctoral students are also required to attend doctoral seminars giving at least two work-in-progress presentations per year.

Students in the Ph.D. program are strongly encouraged to pursue independent studies under faculty supervision or to conduct collaborative research by working as research assistants on faculty projects. These collaborations provide a base of experience from which each student can form a research question and conduct dissertation research. Students may choose to conduct a dissertation that is an offshoot of a faculty member’s research project or may choose a topic unrelated to currently funded research. Students must take a minimum of 30 dissertation credits.

Course #	Health Services Course Title
HSERV 501	Public Health Practice at the Local Level (3)
HSERV 503	Public Health Surveillance: Epidemiology and Health Policy (3)
HSERV 504	Health Communication (3)
HSERV 505	Topics in Preventive Medicine (2)
HSERV 507	Mass Media, Health, and Society (3)
HSERV 508	Dynamics of Community Health Practice (3–5, max. 5)
HSERV 509	Multidisciplinary Communication in Public Health Genetics (1)
HSERV 510	Society and Health (3)
HSERV 511	Introduction to Health Services and Public Health (3-4) Dowling
HSERV 515	Health Care and Society (3)
HSERV 516	Introduction to Health Services—Extended Degree (4)
HSERV 517	Provision of Health Services—Extended Degree (2)
HSERV 518	Social and Ethical Issues (2–4, max. 4)
HSERV 520	Methods in Applied Community Research (2–)
HSERV 521	Health Services Research Methods (3)
HSERV 522	Health Program Evaluation (3–)
HSERV 523	Community Health Assessment (3)
HSERV 526	Qualitative Research Methods for Public Health (4)
HSERV 528	Critically Appraising and Applying Evidence in Health Care (2)
HSERV 529	Introduction to Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis of Evidence (2)
HSERV 531	Problems in International Health (4)
HSERV 533	Population, Health, and Development (2)
HSERV 534	Comparative International Health Systems (3)
HSERV 536	Emerging Infections of International Public Health Importance (3)
HSERV 537	Economic Development and Health (1, max. 3)
HSERV 539	Research Methods in Developing Countries (3/4)
HSERV 541	Topics in Maternal and Child Health I (3–)
HSERV 542	Epidemiology of Maternal and Child Health Problems (4)
HSERV 543	Topics in Maternal and Child Health III (3)
HSERV 544	Maternal and Child Health in Developing Countries (3)
HSERV 550	Policy and Economics: Fundamentals and Applications (3)
HSERV 551	Health Law (3)
HSERV 552	Health Policy Development (3)
HSERV 553	Politics of Health Care (3)
HSERV 554	Health Legislation Seminar (1)
HSERV 560	Introduction to Health Promotion and Planning (3)
HSERV 561	Application of Learning Theory to Health Education (3)
HSERV 570	Seminar on Issues in Social Medicine (3)
HSERV 572	Community Development for Health (4)
HSERV 580	Society, Chronic Illness, and Disability (3)
HSERV 581	Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (4)
HSERV 582	Health Behavior and Preventive Medicine ([3–4])
HSERV 583	Evaluating Cost and Outcomes in Health and Medicine 1 (3)
HSERV 584	Evaluating Cost and Outcomes in Health and Medicine 2 (3)
HSERV 586	Medical Geography (3)
HSERV 587	Health Policy Economics (3)
HSERV 588	Community Approaches to Health Promotion (3)
HSERV 589	Epidemiologic Research in Aging Populations (3)
HSERV 590	Selected Topics in Health Services (*–)
HSERV 591	Tutorials and Special Seminars (1–4, max. 4)
HSERV 592	Program Seminars (1–6, max. 6)
HSERV 595	Practicum/Field Work in Community Medicine (1–12, max. 12)
HSERV 598	Extended Degree Program Project Option (* max. 9)
HSERV 600	Independent Study or Research (*)
HSERV 700	Master’s Thesis (*)

Applications for Graduate Study in Psychology are accepted only for the Ph.D. program. The department is organized into six major areas of study: animal behavior, adult and child clinical, cognition and perception, developmental, physiology and personality. Specialization also exists in the subareas of community, law, sport, and quantitative psychology.

The program in clinical psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association and provides scientific and professional training. Clinical students have the additional requirement of completing a one-year full-time internship.

Completion of course work in the major (each of six major programs has its own credit hour requirements) and 12 to 15 credit hours of out-of-area requirements, completion of required coursework in statistics and general methodology (PSYCH 513, 514, 500, 501), independent research, general examination, dissertation and final examination are required for graduation.

Course #	Psychology Course Title
PSYCH 500	Laboratory in Statistical Computation I (2)
PSYCH 501	Laboratory in Statistical Computation II (2)
PSYCH 502	Mathematical Modeling for Psychology and the Neurosciences (3)
PSYCH 504	Biological Basis of Development (4)
PSYCH 505	Early Cognitive and Linguistic Development (4)
PSYCH 506	Personality and Social Development (4)
PSYCH 508	Research Methods in Social Psychology (4, max. 8)
PSYCH 510	Advanced Attitude Theory (5)
PSYCH 511	Personality (3)
PSYCH 513	Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis (4)
PSYCH 514	Linear Models and Data Analysis (4)
PSYCH 515	Modeling Experimental and Observational Data (4)
PSYCH 518	Single Subject Design and Research (3)
PSYCH 519	Statistical Methods in Longitudinal Research (3)
PSYCH 522	Cognitive Perception (3)
PSYCH 523	Cognition (5)
PSYCH 524	Cognitive Approaches to Human Memory (3)
PSYCH 525	Assessment of Intelligence (5)
PSYCH 526	Psychological Assessment of Children (5)
PSYCH 527	Psychological Assessment of Adults (3)
PSYCH 533	Teaching of Psychology (3)
PSYCH 535	Approaches to Psychological Assessment (4)
PSYCH 536	Behavioral Assessment (4)
PSYCH 538	Systems of Psychotherapy (3)
PSYCH 540	Seminar in Clinical Psychology (2)
PSYCH 541	Seminar in Cognitive Processes (2)
PSYCH 542	Seminar in Animal Behavior (2)
PSYCH 543	Seminar in Developmental Psychology (2)
PSYCH 549	Seminar in Physiological Psychology (2)
PSYCH 550	Seminar in Psycholinguistics (2)
PSYCH 551	Seminar in Psychophysics (2)
PSYCH 552	Seminar in Quantitative Techniques (2)
PSYCH 553	Seminar in Social Psychology (2)
PSYCH 554	Seminar in Decision Processes (2)
PSYCH 559	Seminar in Current Research in Vision (1)
PSYCH 560	Seminar (* max. 30)
PSYCH 565	Quantifying Brain Structure (3)
PSYCH 570	Child Clinical Psychology (4)
PSYCH 571	Child Psychopathology (5)
PSYCH 572	Approaches to Child Treatment (4)
PSYCH 574	Community Psychology (4)
PSYCH 575	Minority Mental Health (3)
PSYCH 580	Minority Mental Health (3)
PSYCH 581	Cross-Cultural Competency I (2)
PSYCH 582	Cross-Cultural Competency II (2)
PSYCH 583	Research Methods in Clinical and Community Psychology (4)
PSYCH 584	Behavioral Methods: Clinical Interventions (3)
PSYCH 586	Clinical Personality Assessment (3)
PSYCH 587	Clinical Methods: Interviewing (2)
PSYCH 588	Clinical Methods: Ethics (2) Fagan
PSYCH 589	Advanced Clinical Practicum (4)
PSYCH 590	Practicum in Psychological Assessment (2)
PSYCH 591	Issues in Clinical Psychology (1, max. 3)
PSYCH 593	Clinical Colloquium and Clinic Practicum (1–6, max. 24)
PSYCH 594	Advanced Personality Theory (5)
PSYCH 595	Behavior Disorders (5)
PSYCH 596	Psychology of Behavior Change (5)
PSYCH 597	Fieldwork in Clinical Psychology (1–5, max. 36)
PSYCH 598	Directed Reading in Psychology (* max. 30)
PSYCH 599	Directed Research in Psychology (1–3, max. 24)
PSYCH 600	Independent Study or Research (*)
PSYCH 700	Master’s Thesis (*)
PSYCH 800	Doctoral Dissertation (*)

Program Requirements for Ph.D. Postdoctoral Trainees

Requirements for a Ph.D. epidemiologist, biostatistician, or behavioral researcher appointed to the Public Health and Behavioral Research Training Program will depend to a large extent on the interests and preparation of the trainee. The first step required prior to appointment is the identification of mutual interests between a faculty preceptor and the potential trainee, and a willingness by that preceptor to accept responsibility for supervising the trainee’s activities. The trainee applicant will be required to submit a written plan of activities for the fellowship period, which can involve coursework and should involve proposed research projects. The purpose of appointing Ph.D.’s to these fellowships is to place scientists who are experts in sophisticated epidemiological, biostatistical, health services and/or behavioral methodology into the dental research setting so that they can learn enough about problems in dentistry to recognize how their methodological armamentarium can be most effectively applied in dental research. For a Ph.D. epidemiologist, that could involve designing and carrying out a carefully executed case/control study for a rare oral disease. For a Ph.D. biostatistician, that may involve adapting new methodology to apply to a data-analytic problem in dentistry, programming or otherwise implementing the procedure, and carrying out data analyses. For a health services researcher, it may involve conducting outcomes or cost effectiveness research on treatment for an oral disease. In psychology, it may involve conducting a study of the efficacy of a novel behavioral technique to enhance compliance with oral self care after periodontal treatment. In any case, the Ph.D. postdoctoral trainee is expected to both learn from the fellowship experience, as well as make a contribution to the field.

Regardless of what unique activities an individual Ph.D. postdoctoral fellow will undertake during the traineeship, all such postdoctoral fellows will be expected to participate in the following activities: (i) attendance at and participation (i.e., giving presentations) in the regular research seminars in Dental Public Health Sciences; (ii) providing consultation to investigators in dentistry on the design and analysis of their research projects; (iii) participation in RCDRC and CCOHR Biometry and/or Biobehavioral Core activities in conjunction with Core faculty. This latter activity offers many possibilities for research experience because of the multifaceted mission of the Biometry and Biobehavioral Cores, which includes consultation with faculty on design and analysis of clinical studies, as well as establishing and analyzing data from treatment registries. One activity in which all Ph.D. fellows will be expected to participate is the teaching of courses in Biostatistics, Clinical Epidemiology and Study Design, and/or Behavioral Research in Dentistry. These courses are taught in the six-week Summer Institute in Clinical Dental Research Methods for dental graduate students as well as dental faculty (from the University of Washington and other institutions) who are interested in learning clinical research methodology. (Some of the Summer Institute participants are short term postdoctoral trainees from this training grant, but most of the 20 regular participants and 20 graduate students are not trainees). The Ph.D. fellows serve as teaching assistants and instructors in those courses and interact on a day-to-day basis with an international group of developing dental researchers. Since the Grantsmanship seminar course taught by Dr. DeRouen in the Summer Institute requires teams of participants to develop a research proposal as part of the course requirements, the interaction between postdoctoral students in this training program and the dental researchers enrolled in the course concerning these research proposals is a very valuable learning experience for all parties.

Program Requirements for Short Term Postdoctoral Trainees

Short term postdoctoral trainees will be sought primarily to participate in the Summer Institute in Clinical Dental Research Methods. This six week program, which was first offered in 1992, was designed to provide a short but intensive research training program for dental school faculty and other oral health professionals interested in clinical research. The length and timing of the course was intended to make it accessible to faculty without requiring a leave of absence from regular teaching activities. Funding for the Summer Institute is provided through the Regional Clinical Dental Research Center and the Comprehensive Center for Oral Health Research, which allows participation without the necessity of charging tuition (unless academic credit is needed). The Summer Institute is primarily didactic in nature, with core courses in Biostatistics, Clinical Epidemiology and Study Design, Personal Computing Applications, Behavioral Research in Dentistry, a Data Analysis Workshop, a short course in Randomized Clinical Trials, and a Seminar on Grantsmanship. In addition, elective courses are offered in Biobehavioral and Biomedical Instrumentation. Trainees who participate in the Summer Institute attend the six week didactic program at the University of Washington, spend another two weeks there preparing the first draft of a research proposal, and then return to their home institution where they work with a previously identified mentor developing a final version of the research proposal.

Further information about the Summer Institute in Clinical Dental Research Methods can be obtained from its web site:

It is possible to develop a specially-tailored short term (3-month) postdoctoral training program that is done at a different time than the Summer Institute. Interested parties should contact the Program Director to explore that option.

Short term predoctoral trainees are dental students who are selected to participate in the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program. This very successful program has been designed to give dental students with an interest in research exposure to and experience with patient oriented oral health research being conducted by faculty at the University of Washington. The previous SURF program has been divided into patient oriented and basic science oriented components, with the patient oriented component to be conducted under the umbrella of the proposed Public Health and Behavioral Research training program. While this will allow dental students to interact with faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows working in the public health and behavioral areas most closely associated with patient oriented research, maintenance of the SURF Program infrastructure and activities will provide interaction with other dental students working in patient oriented and basic science oriented research. It will also provide an opportunity to introduce some limited didactic instruction in research methodology that is needed to be successful in the summer research experience while allowing most of the time to be spend on a specific research project.

i) Identify and select each year several predoctoral students from the first-year or entering class, and one student from the second or third-year class, for short term research training. Emphasis will be placed on recruitment of ethnic minority students who are currently underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral research.

ii) Match the interest and experience of students with those of faculty preceptors from the Schools of Dentistry and Medicine who are conducting patient oriented research and who indicate the ability and motivation to provide the students with a suitable learning opportunity.

iii) Have students conduct a research project having a clearly defined objective, so that they can learn about research processes and skills, and report on the project orally and in writing.

iv) Present a one-credit (ten hour) seminar in scientific research methods for participating students.

v) Stimulate student awareness and interest in dental research; increase emphasis upon, and visibility of research and research training within the predoctoral dental curriculum, both for the student body and faculty.

vi) Monitor and evaluate the program with respect to student evaluation, faculty preceptor evaluation, and long-term effectiveness of the program.

The formal training period for first-year and entering students is during the summer (3 months full time). However, participation in this program actually takes place over the period of nearly one year. This includes development of a proposal, acceptance into the program, presenting and writing up the research findings, and possible presentation of the work at a research meeting.

Requirements for Long Term Predoctoral and Dentist-Postdoctoral Trainees

Program Requirements for Ph.D. Postdoctoral Trainees

Program Requirements for Short Term Postdoctoral Trainees

Program Requirements for Short Term Predoctoral Trainees

Requirements for Long Term Predoctoral and Dentist-Postdoctoral Trainees

Program Requirements for Ph.D. Postdoctoral Trainees

Program Requirements for Short Term Postdoctoral Trainees