Concurrent Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) PhD/ Epidemiology MS Program

Recently, there has been an increasing interest in training basic scientists to have a broader perspective. This includes training in interdisciplinary and translational research. The goal of this training program is to train basic scientists who will be well versed in modern epidemiological research methodologies, which should broaden their abilities to obtain positions at academic research institutions as well as in industry. A major new emphasis in the field of epidemiology is the inclusion of bio markers in human population studies, as measures of disease mechanisms or disease susceptibility. For this reason, there are a large number of academic jobs for scientists with training in both epidemiology and a basic science.

First-year students who are currently enrolled in the MCB PhD may apply for an Ms degree in Epidemiology concurrently with their Ph.D. degree. (Although it is possible to earn the MS after the PhD 2nd year, the student must gain permission from his/her MCB mentor and will be responsible for finding his/her own funding for the MS year.) The MS involves approximately four to five additional additional quarters in graduate school. A stipend for achieving the Ms degree would be covered by funding from an NIH training grant for 1 - 2 students per year. One of the positions requires the student write his/her thesis on a cancer-related topic.

The MS degree through the Department of Epidemiology at the UW School of Public Health normally takes two years to complete. However, most Ms students work 20 hours per week concurrently with the degree program. Since stipends and tuition will be covered for 1-2 students per year, they will be free to devote their time to the course work and MS thesis work. A student should be able to complete the MS program in 4-5 quarters, at which time he/she will resume his/her Ph.D. dissertation research.

This will delay General Exam for the MCB program by one year. The student in the MCB program will do three rotations in their first year and decide upon a Ph.D. mentor before entering the Ms program. S/he may begin lab work in the summer quarter prior to entering the MS program and if time permits, work in the lab concurrently with the MS course work. One quarter of TA will be done concurrently with the MS program in the fall quarter. MCB will be flexible in assigning a TA course that fits with the Epidemiology courses. The second TA requirement will be done a year later during the student's Ph.D. work.

MS thesis projects that can begin in spring quarter and finish during the summer quarter should be chosen. However, an extra quarter might be required for completion of data analysis. It is anticipated that the two required elective Epidemiology courses will be used to satisfy the Ph.D. degree. Two additional required electives for the Epidemiology MS (2 electives that may be non-epidemiology courses) may be satisfied by courses taken for the MCB PhD. Consult MCB about approved courses.

Required Coursework for the MS Degree and Recommended Schedule
See the Epidemiology Checklist for detailed requirements.

Total Required Credits: 60
Required Course Credits: 28-42
Required Thesis Credits: 9 - 18

Required Electives:
(1) 2 epidemiology elective courses of 2-4 credits each (See MS checklist for elective restrictions.)
(2) 2 MCB electives of 2 or more credits each (Consult MCB for approved list.)

12 credits from MCB or EPI will count for both the MS and PhD, with the approval of both departments and the UW Graduate School.

The Core Courses* indicated below must be taken for a numerical grade.

Year 1
Autumn Quarter
EPI 512 Epidemiology Methods I* - 4 credits
BIOST 511 Medical Biometry I* - 4 credits¹
EPI 583 Epidemiology Seminar - 1 credit (optional)
MCB TA (May not count as elective for MS)

Winter Quarter
EPI 510 Epidemiologic Data Analysis - 2 credits²
EPI 513 Epidemiology Methods II* - 4 credits
BIOST 512 Medical Biometry II* - 4 credits¹
EPI 583 Epidemiology Seminar - 1 credit (optional)
Elective EPI course - 2-4 credits

Spring Quarter
EPI 514 Application of Epidemiologic Methods* - 4 credits
BIOST 513 Medical Biometry III* - 4 credits¹
EPI 583 Epidemiology Seminar - 1 credit (optional)
Elective EPI course - 2-4 credits
Commence work on MS thesis

Summer Quarter
EPI 700 Masters Thesis

¹ BIOST 517-518, Applied Biostatistics I & II may be substituted for BIOST 511-3. It is a faster-paced sequence that usually requires some knowledge of statistics and STATA or high mathematics aptitude.

² EPI 510 may be waived with substantial SAS or STATA programming. It is a prerequisite and does not count as an Epidemiology or SPHCM elective. It does count toward the total 60 credits.

Year 2
Autumn and Winter Quarters (if required)
Students must meet all of the requirements for the MS degree, as described in the Epidemiology Program Guidelines and in the MS Checklist online.

HOW TO APPLY:

1. Discuss your plans and opportunities for funding during your MS year with your advisor and with Professor Maxine Linial, PhD (mlinial@fhcrc.org) and/or Professor Emily White, PhD (ewhite@fhcrc.org).
2. Follow instructions for applying from another UW department on the Epidemiology Department website to complete the application for the MS by the deadline. You do not need to apply to the Graduate School.
3. Application Deadline: December 15, 2007.
4. First quarter MCB students, please note: new letters of reference are suggested, but not required.
5. Mention in your goal statement that you will be part of the concurrent program.