Ph.D. Fundamental Areas of Study
The fundamental areas of study for the Ph.D. in Public Health Genetics are human genetics and public health.
Human genetics includes molecular biology, genomics, and bioinformatics tools related to genetics. Public health includes epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, and health services. All students in the program will be expected to have training in these areas as a basis for their more focused study in the core knowledge areas.
Students will be required to take at least 17 course units in the fundamental areas during their first two years.
Required Courses
Human Genetics. The following course is required:- PHG 551/MHE 551, Human Genomics: Science, Ethics, Society, 4 credits or
GENOME 565 Advanced Human Genetics, 4 credits
- EPI 511 Introduction to Epidemiology, 3 credits or
EPI 512/513 Epidemiologic Methods, 8 credits - BIOST 511 Medical Biometry I, 4 credits or
BIOST 517 Applied Biostatistics I, 4 credits - ENVH 511 Environmental and Occupational Health, 3 credits or
ENVH 405 Toxic Chemicals in the Environment, 3 credits or
ENVH 577 Risk Assessment of Environmental Hazards, 3 or 4 credits or
ENVH 570 Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology, 3 credits - HSERV 511 Introduction to Health Services and Public Health, 3 or 4 credits
Recommended Courses
Human Genetics. The following courses are highly recommended:- GENOME 552 Genomics, 3 credits
Prerequisites:
GENOME 551 (Fundamentals of Molecular Biology)
GENOME 559 (Intro to Statistical and Computational Biology) - PHG 536 Bioinformatics and Gene Sequence Analysis, 3 credits
Writing Proficiency
Ph.D. students are expected to demonstrate proficiency in written communication for a multidisciplinary audience. Students who require additional training in this competency may be required to complete a three-credit course in Technical Communications, TC 509, Writing the Scientific Article.