Biostatistics Division
Center for Health Professions 218
1540 Alcazar, Los Angeles 90089-9010
Director: Stanley P. Azen
(323) 442-1810
FAX: (323) 442-2993
Email: mtrujill@usc.edu
www.usc.edu/medicine/biostats

Health Behavior Research Division
c/o USC/IPR
1000 S. Fremont Ave., Box #8
Alhambra, CA 91803
(626) 457-6600
FAX: (626) 457-4012
Director: C. Anderson Johnson
(626) 457-6648
Email: barovich@hsc.usc.edu

Occupational and Environmental Health Division
Center for Health Professions 236
1540 Alcazar, Los Angeles 90089-9013
Director: John M. Peters
(323) 442-1096
FAX: (323) 442-3272

Master of Public Health Program
1000 S. Fremont Ave., Box #8
Building A-5, Room 5127
Alhambra, CA 91803
Director: Thomas W. Valente, Ph.D.
(626) 457-6600
Email: mphusc@usc.edu

Ronald K. Ross, Chair and Professor

John M. Peters, Vice Chair and Hastings Professor

AFLAC Chair in Cancer Research: Leslie Bernstein, Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Professor

Catherine and Joseph Aresty Chair in Urologic Research: Ronald K. Ross

Sidney R. Garfield Chair in Health Sciences: C. Anderson Johnson

Kenneth T. Norris, Jr. Chair in Epidemiology: Brian E. Henderson

Verna R. Richter Chair in Cancer Research: Duncan Thomas

Flora L. Thornton Chair in Preventive Medicine: Ronald K. Ross

Professors: S.P. Azen (Biomedical Engineering); L. Bernstein; P. Clarke (Communication); J. Dwyer; F.D. Gilliland; H. Gong (Medicine); M. Goran (Physiology and Biophysics); D. Grimes (Obstetrics and Gynecology); R. Haile; B.E. Henderson; C.A. Johnson; T.M. Mack (Pathology); B. Meyerowitz (Psychology); M.A. Pentz; J.M. Peters; M.C. Pike; B. Portnoy (Pediatrics); S. Preston-Martin; J. Richardson; R.K. Ross; S. Sussman; D.C. Thomas; M.C. Yu; A. Wu

Associate Professors: W.J. Gauderman; F.D. Gilliland; H. Hodis (Medicine); W. Mack; R.S. McConnell; K. Reynolds; H.N. Sather; T. Seeman (Gerontology); A. Stacy; D. Stram; G. Ursin; T. Valente

Assistant Professors: K. Berhane; V. Cortessis; S. Ingles; K. Siegmund; M. Stern; J. Van Tornout (Pediatrics); J. Unger; R. Watanabe

Professors of Clinical: E.L. Avol; D. Deapen; R.K. Peters

Associate Professor of Clinical: A. Hricko

Assistant Professors of Clinical: W. Cozen; A. Hamilton; E. Nezami; P. Palmer

Clinical Professor: R.T. Schmidt

Clinical Associate Professors: J.T. Casagrande; H.A. Cuddihy; R.L. Goldberg; R.J. Krebsbach; P. Papanek; R.A. Shakman; J.N. Weitzel

Clinical Assistant Professors: P.P. Greany; C.B. Tang; H. Tang; P.H. Wald

Clinical Instructors: P.M. Rideout; J. Simonowitz

Professors of Research: J.D. Buckley; S. Groshen; M. Krailo; B. Langholz; A. Paganini Hill

Associate Professors of Research: C.-P. Chou; C.W. Dent; R. Sposto

Assistant Professors of Research: T. Alonzo; L. Baezconde-Garbanati; M. Cockburn; T. Cruz; P. Marjoram; L. Rohrbach; R. McKean-Cowdin; D. Spruijt-Metz; P. Sun; A. Xiang; J-M Yuan

Adjunct Associate Professors: A. Forsythe; G. Marks; T. Maryon; S. Nessim; J. Niland; G. Wolde-Tzadik

Adjunct Assistant Professors: B. Dietsch; S. Donaldson; D. Ikle; J.A. Longmate; S. Montgomery

The Department of Preventive Medicine is responsible for training medical and graduate students in the areas of biostatistics, epidemiology, health behavior research, public health, and occupational and preventive medicine. Faculty from the department also perform research in the areas of biostatistics, epidemiology of acute and chronic diseases, and occupational health.

The undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the department are noteworthy for the extensive opportunities offered to the students for involvement in faculty research. It is not uncommon for students to begin working closely with faculty members on research projects as early as their first or second year of study.

The Department of Preventive Medicine offers an undergraduate program in health promotion and disease prevention studies and a master’s program in biostatistics which is intended for individuals with a strong quantitative background (mathematics, statistics or computer science) and leads to an M.S. in Biostatistics. The master’s program in applied biostatistics/epidemiology is intended for individuals with a clinical background (psychology, public health, allied health or medicine) and leads to an M.S. in Applied Biostatistics/Epidemiology. The Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) program prepares public health practitioners in three areas: health promotion, biostatistics/epidemiology and nutrition. The department also offers a Master of Science, Molecular Epidemiology and courses of graduate study leading to a Ph.D. in biostatistics, epidemiology, or health behavior research.

University Village, Suite E 210
(213) 740-1060
(213) 821-1601

The undergraduate program in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Studies (HP) provides a well-rounded, yet professionally-focused, education leading to the Bachelor of Science degree. The program is concerned with the sociocultural, behavioral, psychological, and biological factors contributing to wellness and disease. It is an ideal major for students interested in pursuing careers in public health, health promotion and disease prevention and for preparing students for advanced study in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, public health, epidemiology, health psychology, health behavior research, medicine, and related fields. Areas of study include:

1. substance abuse prevention and program planning,
2. nutrition and fitness,
3. health promotion of minority and underserved populations, and
4. general public health issues (e.g., HIV/AIDS, violence, health promotion in the workplace).

The Bachelor of Science degree is awarded after students successfully complete 128 units, consisting of 66 units for the major and fulfillment of USC general education requirements including third semester equivalency in a foreign language.

The university’s general education program provides a coherent, integrated introduction to the breadth of knowledge you will need to consider yourself (and to be considered by other people) a generally well-educated person. This new program requires six courses in different categories, plus writing and diversity requirements, which are described in detail the General Education.

The program is divided into core and elective components. Students are required to complete 20 electives (at least 12 out of the 20 must be HP courses).

The following core component (46 units) is required of all students.

*MATH 125 allows students who have placed out of MATH 116 to take a higher-level math class; it also satisfies the math requirement for premedical students.

A total of 20 units in electives is required of all students (at least 12 of the 20 must be HP courses)

This program is a dual accelerated degree program requiring at least 163 units for completion of both B.S. and M.P.H. degrees. The program allows superior students to complete all of their B.S. and M.P.H. requirements in five years.

Admission to this program for current USC students enrolled in the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention major may take place at the junior level. For transfer students, an application for this accelerated program should be filed with the department at the time of transfer. Students must demonstrate the minimum requirements for admission to this accelerated program: minimum 3.5 overall GPA; minimum GRE score of 1100; and outstanding scholarship and dedication to the field of public health as evidenced by a personal statement.

University requirements for the B.S. and the M.P.H. in Health Promotion (health promotion and disease prevention track) must be satisfied. Students will fulfill program requirements of both degrees by completing three 500-level courses (PM 525, 526 and 528) during their fourth year. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in order to remain in this accelerated program.

In addition to required course work, all B.S./M.P.H. students conduct a directed research project (HP 490x) and participate in an internship rotation through an area of public practice (PM 593).

Additional information and sample curricula is available from the department.

This minor is designed to appeal to students with a wide range of interests, including those with a general interest in promoting healthy lifestyle practices through communication. These students will be prepared to seek future job opportunities from various areas including the managed care industry, hospitals, wellness programs, broadcast and cable companies, private and governmental agencies as well as other organizations looking for experts with demonstrated knowledge in health-related fields.

The department encourages applicants with undergraduate degrees in allied health, pharmacology, public health, medicine, biological and clinical sciences or other related fields. Undergraduate preparation should have included applied statistics, college algebra, an introductory course in calculus and basic computer programming. Applicants should also meet the minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate School. Demonstrated proficiency in the English language is essential. With approval of the Graduate School, applicants not meeting these requirements may be conditionally admitted contingent upon maintaining a GPA of 3.5 for the first 12 units of graduate study.

The department encourages applicants with undergraduate degrees in mathematics, statistics or biostatistics, computer science or other related fields. Undergraduate preparation should have included differential and integral calculus, introduction to mathematical statistics, and basic computer programming. Applicants should also meet the minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate School. Demonstrated proficiency in the English language is essential. With approval of the Graduate School, applicants not meeting these requirements may be conditionally admitted contingent upon maintaining a GPA of 3.5 for the first 12 units of graduate study.

Students with a bachelor degree in quantitative biological sciences will be eligible for admission. In addition, the B.A. students must have completed at least one year of general biology, one semester of biochemistry and one semester of statistics to be admitted into the Graduate School. Under unusual circumstances, conditional acceptance will be offered to students who do not meet these requirements — allowing them to complete the missing undergraduate courses prior to their full admission into the Graduate School. An introductory biochemistry class is also available in the School of Pharmacy which may satisfy the biochemistry prerequisite. A joint departmental admission committee will review all applicants.

The MPH program has three tracks: Health Promotion, Biostatistics/Epidemiology and Nutrition. The curriculum includes a set of core courses for each track and electives. The program also includes an internship placement that integrates academic and practical experiences and prepares individuals to work in governmental and non-governmental organizations in health-related fields.

The department encourages applicants from the USC undergraduate program in health promotion and disease prevention and throughout the campus, as well as health professionals seeking advanced degrees, medical students who are interested in pursuing an M.P.H. along with their medical degree, nurses who desire a more public health focus, pharmacists and dentists. Applicants should meet the minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate School. Demonstrated proficiency in the English language is essential. With approval of the Graduate School, applicants not meeting these requirements may be conditionally admitted contingent upon maintaining a grade point average of 3.5 (A = 4.0) in PM 501, 510L and 512 (12 units).

The department encourages applicants with undergraduate degrees in mathematics, statistics or biostatistics, or other related fields. Undergraduate preparation should have included differential and integral calculus, introduction to mathematical statistics and basic computer programming. Applicants should also meet the minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate School. Demonstrated proficiency in the English language is essential. With approval of the Graduate School, applicants not meeting these requirements may be conditionally admitted contingent upon maintaining a GPA of 3.5 for the first 12 units of graduate study.

The department encourages applicants who have undergraduate degrees in allied health, public health, biological sciences or other related fields. Applicants not meeting these requirements may, with approval of the Graduate School, be conditionally admittòd contingent upon maintaining a GPA of 3.5 in the first 12 units of graduate studies. Applicants should also meet the minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate School. An MCAT score of 30 may be substituted for the GRE requirement.

A student in either of the division’s three master’s programs may be considered for either the Ph.D. in biostatistics or the Ph.D. in epidemiology prior to completing the M.S. degree, providing he or she has met the requirements for admission to the Ph.D. program, obtained approval of the department’s Graduate Committee, demonstrated research and writing ability, and passed the doctoral-level screening examination. For further information contact: Stanley P. Azen, Director of Biostatistics and Epidemiology Programs, Keck School of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, Division of Biostatistics, Center for Health Professions 218, 1540 Alcazar, Los Angeles, CA 90033-9010, (323) 442-1810, FAX: (323) 442-2993.

The department encourages applicants who have undergraduate or master’s degrees in quantitative biological sciences or other related fields. Undergraduate preparation should include at least one year of general biology, one semester of biochemistry and molecular biology, and one semester of applied statistics. The Ph.D. program is designed to train students for future independent research careers in an academic, government or private sector setting. The objective of the Ph.D. program is to produce a molecular epidemiologist with in-depth laboratory, statistical and analytic skills in both epidemiology and the molecular biosciences. To meet this objective, the program introduces students to molecular/laboratory science and research early in their training.

The program will consider applicants who satisfy all requirements for admission to the Graduate School and demonstrate proficiency in the English language. MCAT scores may be substituted for the GRE. Applicants not meeting Graduate School requirements for regular standing may, with approval of the Graduate School, be conditionally admitted. Regular standing is contingent upon maintaining a GPA of 3.0 in the first 12 units of graduate credit.

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; students entering with an advanced degree may be eligible to transfer course credit. Applicants should also meet the minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate School.

Applicants must supply a completed application to the Graduate School, including transcripts from all institutions previously attended, a curriculum vitae (if available), a statement of interest, and three letters of recommendation. For further information contact: Director for Graduate Studies, USC Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research, 1000 S. Fremont Ave. Alhambra, CA 91803, (323) 442-2605, (626) 457-4012, FAX: (323) 442-2601.

General requirements include at least 37 units of required courses as follows: 24 units of core courses and at least 9 units of elective courses. In addition, each student must register for four units of 594ab Thesis and write a master’s thesis.

Electives will be determined by the student’s needs and interests and will be approved by the student’s advisor. When appropriate, courses not listed above may be chosen with approval of the student’s advisor. Sufficient familiarity in computer languages to operate major software packages for data management and analysis is required.

A master’s thesis is required of all students. This thesis consists of a research project approved by the faculty and chosen from problems encountered within the department, in other departments of the Keck School of Medicine or university or elsewhere in the community.

General requirements include at least 37 units of required courses as follows: 26 units of core courses and at least 7 units of elective courses. Each student must also register for four units of 594ab Thesis and write a master’s thesis.

The student’s choice of elective courses will be directed by needs and interests and must be approved by the student’s graduate advisor. When appropriate, elective courses not listed above may be substituted with approval of the advisor. Sufficient familiarity in computer languages to operate major software packages for data management and analysis is required.

A master’s thesis is required of all students. This thesis consists of a research project approved by the faculty and chosen from problems encountered within the department, in other departments of the Keck School of Medicine or university or elsewhere in the community.

The M.S. program requires 37 graduate-level units with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 including epidemiology core courses, 14 units; molecular biology core courses, 12 units; at least 3 elective units; laboratory research plus thesis, 8 units. Students must also complete a master’s thesis.

Prerequisite: PM 510 Principles of Biostatistics

(1) experience and thesis supervision. DPT is one of the following departments (but not restricted to): PM, BIOC, PATH.

(2) epidemiological methods, molecular techniques, human genetics, population-based studies.

The M.P.H. program has three tracks: health promotion, biostatistics/epidemiology and nutrition. The curriculum includes a set of core courses for each track and electives. The program also includes an internship placement that integrates academic and practical experiences. It prepares individuals to work in governmental and non-governmental organizations in health-related fields.

The department encourages applicants from the USC undergraduate program in health promotion and disease prevention and throughout the campus, as well as health professionals seeking advanced degrees, medical students who are interested in pursuing an M.P.H. along with their medical degree, nurses who desire a more public health focus, pharmacists and dentists. Applicants should meet the minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate School. Demonstrated proficiency in the English language is essential. With approval from the Graduate School, applicants not meeting these requirements may be conditionally admitted contingent upon maintaining a grade point average of 3.5 (A = 4.0) for the first 12 units of graduate study.

The master’s degree program in public health (M.P.H.) requires a minimum of 42-46 semester units of required and elective graduate study.

In addition, at least another 23 to 27 units including the practicum must be completed in a selected track of either health promotion, biostatistics/epidemiology or nutrition.

At least 4 units from: HP 410, 412, 420, 421, 422, 430, 450; PM 505, 514, 530, 601, 602, 604 (4 unit courses)

At least 3 units from: PM 513, 517a, 517b, 527, 537 (3 unit courses); PM 511aL, 511bL, 519, 535, 536, 561 (4 unit courses)

And, 8 units of a practicum (PM 593) ending in a final report.

At least 6 units from: PM 511bL, 536* (4 unit courses); PM 513, 517a, 517b, 518a, 523*, 527*, 537* (3 unit courses)

At least 3 units from: PM 505, 514, 519, 525, 526, 528, 530, 535, 561, 602; HP 410, 412, 420, 421, 422, 430, 450 (4 unit courses)

* May not receive credit for both track core and track elective category.

And, 8 units of a practicum (PM 593) ending in a final report.

At least 5 units from: PM 540, 541, 561 (4 unit courses)

At least 3 units from: HP 410, 412, 420, 421, 422, 450 (4 unit courses); PM 513, 517a, 527, 537 (3 unit courses); PM 505, 511aL, 511bL, 514, 525, 526, 536, 602 (4 unit courses)

*May waive if student demonstrates sufficient preparation.

And, 8 units of a practicum (PM 593) ending in a final report.

The elective courses will be directed by the student’s needs and interests and must be approved by the student’s graduate advisor. Sufficient familiarity in computer languages to operate major software packages for data management and analysis is required.

A practicum, PM 593, is required of all students as part of the culminating experience to the master’s program. It is provided by an internship rotation through an area of public health practice in a county, state, federal or community-based agency. The practicum offers students the opportunity to observe as well as participate in applying their newly acquired skills and tools. All students are expected to participate in at least one internship and attend a corresponding seminar. A final report and presentation describing the project and evaluating the outcomes completes the course requirement.

Students entering the program with clinical training (e.g., M.D., R.N., R.D., O.T., P.T., D.D.S., clinical psychology, social work, veterinary medicine or R.Ph.) may apply for a waiver to complete 4 units of practicum (instead of 8 units) ending in a final report and presentation.

The Ph.D./M.P.H. dual degree combines knowledge of clinical psychology research and practice with an understanding of health from a population perspective. The student enrolls primarily in the clinical psychology doctoral program. During the second and subsequent years, course work is taken in both programs. The dissertation is undertaken through the Department of Psychology.

The School of Pharmacy and the Master of Public Health program, in recognition of the rapidly changing health care environment and in response to the growing demand for pharmacists who are knowledgeable in both pharmacy and population-based health care issues, have developed a dual degree program. The joint Pharm.D./M.P.H. degree will enable graduates to be more responsive to today’s health care needs and will provide training for pharmacists who seek to be agents of change within the profession and to assume leadership roles in the pharmacy field and in public health at the local, state and national levels.

Students who are enrolled in the School of Pharmacy must apply to the Master of Public Health program no later than January of their first year. All requirements for admission to the regular M.P.H. program must also be fulfilled by dual degree applicants.

The Pharm.D./M.P.H. program spans five years (four years of pharmacy school courses and one year of public health courses). Students begin the core M.P.H. courses following the successful completion of the first year of pharmacy school. The last three years of the program are devoted to the clinical rotations of the School of Pharmacy and to the completion of the elective courses and practicum (field experience) of the M.P.H. program. At the conclusion of the joint degree program, students will have completed 46 units in the Master of Public Health program and four years of courses in the School of Pharmacy.

All students in the Pharm.D./M.P.H. program must meet course requirements, grade point average requirements and program residency requirements of both programs. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.4 in the Pharm.D. curriculum and a 3.0 in the M.P.H. curriculum to meet graduation requirements.

The Pharm.D. and the M.P.H. degrees are awarded simultaneously upon completion of the School of Pharmacy and the Master of Public Health requirements.

Students must be currently enrolled in the USC School of Pharmacy and must have completed a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 to be considered for admission to the Pharm.D./M.P.H. dual degree program. All requirements for admission to the regular M.P.H. program (GPA, GRE score, TOEFL score if applicable, etc.) must also be fulfilled by dual degree applicants in order to be considered for admission to the M.P.H. program.

The department offers a degree program leading to the Ph.D. in biostatistics. The program is designed to produce biostatisticians who will have in-depth knowledge of statistical theory and methodology and the ability to apply this knowledge creatively to statistical problems in the biological and health sciences.

A minimum of 60 units of graduate study is required for the Ph.D. degree; a maximum of 19 of these units may be from research and dissertation. In preparation for the screening examination, all students must take the required and elective courses for the M.S. in Biostatistics (33 units). In preparation for the qualifying examination, all students are required to take PM 610 (at least two semesters). The student is also required to take at least six units from the following sequence: PM 543L, 544L, 550 or 552.

A student failing the screening examination will either terminate or will terminate with the M.S. degree upon completion of an acceptable thesis.

A formal guidance committee consisting of five faculty members — four from within the department (one of whom is designated as chair), and one from an outside department offering the Ph.D. degree — will recommend courses in preparation for the qualifying examination.

The qualifying examination will test the student’s integration of knowledge in biostatistics, mathematical statistics and the health sciences. An oral examination will ascertain the student’s competence in orally communicating this knowledge. Students must pass the written portions and the oral portions in order to pass the qualifying examination.

Upon passing the qualifying examination the Ph.D. candidate and his or her chair will recommend a three-member dissertation committee. The dissertation should be completed within two years and should be oriented toward a theoretical-methodological application to a problem area in the biological or health sciences. The oral defense is based on a rough draft or final version of the dissertation. The defense is administered by the dissertation committee, with other faculty invited to attend.

The department offers a degree leading to the Ph.D. in epidemiology. This program may be an extension of the applied biostatistics and epidemiology M.S. program and is especially aimed at persons with a strong background in medicine: in particular, students enrolled in the M.D. program of the Keck School of Medicine who wish to interrupt their M.D. studies after two years to complete a Ph.D. degree. This program is designed to produce an epidemiologist with in-depth statistical skills. The program requires a solid core of courses in methodological aspects of statistics and in statistical thinking as applied to medicine, as well as a solid grounding in epidemiological methods and in certain medical disciplines.

A minimum of 60 course units with a maximum of 20 units of research and dissertation; passing of screening and qualifying examinations; and completion of dissertation and final oral are required. In preparation for the screening examination the student must take the required core course and elective 33 units of master’s level applied biostatistics and epidemiology courses. A student failing the screening examination will either terminate or terminate with the M.S. degree upon satisfactory completion of a master’s thesis. In preparation for the qualifying examination, the student is required to join an on-going research project under the direction of the chair of the guidance committee and directly participate in the conduct of that project. Credit will be given as PM 790 (4 units, two semesters). In addition, it is recommended that the student take PM 610 (at least two semesters) and PM 611. Electives may be selected with the approval of the chair of the guidance committee from courses in the biologiäal sciences or from the medical school. For students in the M.D./Ph.D. program in epidemiology, satisfactory completion of the first two years of the M.D. program will be considered to provide 20 units toward the Ph.D. degree.

A formal guidance committee, consisting of five faculty members, with at least three from the Department of Preventive Medicine (one designated as chair) and one from a department offering a Ph.D. outside of the Department of Preventive Medicine, will recommend courses in preparation for the qualifying examination.

The written portion of the qualifying examination will test the student’s integration of knowledge in biostatistics and medicine. In general, the qualifying examination will present plans for implementation and completion of three components: an independent and complete data analysis arising from ongoing epidemiological study, a “review” paper on an area of epidemiological research, and a grant application for a new epidemiological study.

Upon passing the qualifying examination, the Ph.D. candidate and his or her chair will recommend a three-member dissertation committee. The dissertation should be completed within two years and should be oriented toward a methodological application to a problem area in the biological or health sciences.

This examination is based on a draft or final version of the dissertation and will be administered by the dissertation committee with other faculty invited to attend.

Proficiency in the English language is essential.

The Department of Preventive Medicine, Division of Health Behavior Research, offers a degree program in preventive medicine (health behavior), leading to attainment of the Ph.D. The program is designed to train exceptional researchers and scholars in the multidisciplinary field of health behavior research. Students receive a thorough grounding in academic and research experience, encompassing theoretical and methodological training in such allied fields as communication, psychology, preventive medicine, biostatistics, public health and epidemiology. Students receive research experience by participating in projects conducted through the USC Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research (IPR). The doctoral program is full-time: students are expected to enroll for fall, spring and summer semesters.

Financial and educational support is provided to qualified doctoral students in health behavior research. Graduate (research and/or teaching) assistantships are half-time (20 hours per week) and provide tuition remission as well as a monthly stipend.

Sufficient familiarity in computer languages to operate major software packages for data management and analysis is required.

The doctoral program in health behavior research is structured as a five-year course of study for students entering with a bachelor’s degree. Students entering with an advanced degree may complete the doctorate in four years. Time requirements are subject to review and approval by the division’s Graduate Program Committee and the Graduate School.

A total of 67 units of graduate study is required for the Ph.D. in health behavior research. Students are required to complete seven core courses: PM 500, 511aL, 515, 601, 602, 604 and 756 (total of 29 units). Other requirements include: one PM course not offered by health behavior faculty (minimum of 3 units); three substantive courses in a minor field (9 units); PM 524abc Practicum (6 units); and a minimum of four units each in PM 590, 690abcdz, 790 and 794abcdz.

For students entering with a bachelor’s degree, one of the directed research projects will be equivalent in scope to a master’s thesis. All research experiences/projects must be completed before registering for 794abcdz Doctoral Dissertation.

The progress of each student is reviewed at the end of every academic year. At the end of the second year of study, students who have not made satisfactory progress are advised that they will be dropped from the program unless their progress improves during their second year.

Each student’s guidance committee consists of five members, including: no more than three health behavior faculty members; one other member from the Department of Preventive Medicine; and one member from a doctorate-granting program outside the Department of Preventive Medicine, representing the student’s minor field.

Following course work and prior to beginning the dissertation, students must demonstrate written and oral mastery of the general field of health behavior research as well as of their chosen area of specialization (including the minor). The qualifying process includes a written examination on theory and literature relevant to a selected content area. The examination is administered by the student’s guidance committee.

In addition to the qualifying examination, each student is expected to produce the following as evidence of qualification to conduct dissertation research: an academic dossier consisting of a summary of the student’s academic record, teaching and research experience, and professional presentations and publications; at least one original empirical research paper of publishable quality, produced in connection with one of the student’s courses or research experiences or developed independently; a dissertation proposal; and an oral defense of all the preceding materials.

The Doctor of Philosophy in molecular epidemiology combines molecular and population-based research. The objective of the Ph.D. program is to produce a molecular epidemiologist with in-depth laboratory, statistical and analytical skills in both epidemiology and the molecular biosciences. Applicants who have undergraduate or master’s degrees in quantitative biological sciences or other related fields and graduate students in the PIBBS program at USC are encouraged to apply. The program is jointly administered by the Departments of Preventive Medicine and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Students must complete a minimum of 60 units, with a maximum of 20 units of research and dissertation; pass screening and qualifying examinations; complete the dissertation and the dissertation defense examination. In addition the student is required to join a research project under the direction of one or both of the chairs of the guidance committee and directly participate in the conduct of that project. Credit will be given by the department (DPT) conducting the research project DPT 790 Research (4 units, 2 semesters). In addition, at least two semesters of PM 610 is recommended.

Prerequisites: PM 510 Principles of Biostatistics or the equivalent. INTD 571 Biochemistry or the equivalent.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Core Courses (16 units): BIOC 543, INTD 531, INTD 561, INTD 504 or INTD 555.

Preventive Medicine Core Courses (17 units): PM 115aL, PM 512, PM 517a, PM 518a, PM 533.

Suggested Electives (at least 7 units) from: BIOC 602, MICRO 551, PHBI 581, PM 511bL, PM 517b, PM 523, PM 527, PM 529 and PM 534.

The screening examination will be taken after two years in the program. Prior to the screening examination a mentor who will serve on the guidance committee must be identified. The screening examination will consist of a written component and an oral component. The written component will be drawn from the core courses. A student failing the screening examination may be given a second opportunity to retake either one or both portions. Students failing the examination for the second time will terminate with the M.S. degree upon satisfactory completion of 37 units and an acceptable master’s thesis.

Beginning in the second year, each student must register for PM 610 (1 unit) and present an annual progress report to the program oversight committee. Once a dissertation topic has been selected, the annual progress report is presented to the student’s guidance committee. Once the student has passed the qualifying examination and is appointed to candidacy, the annual progress report is presented to the student’s dissertation committee. The student will meet annually with the dissertation committee, until he or she graduates from the program. The oral portion of the screening examination as well as the qualifying examination and the defense examination will count as ARAs.

A formal guidance committee will be formed, consisting of five faculty members: two from the Department of Preventive Medicine (one member designated as co-chair); two from the basic science departments (one designated as co-chair with an appointment in biochemistry and molecular biology) and one from an outside department offering a Ph.D. degree (neither preventive medicine or biochemistry and molecular biology). The guidance committee will recommend courses in preparation for the qualifying examination based on the student’s research and dissertation topic.

The dissertation topic should be both population-based and functional-based; the molecular/epidemiological nature of the dissertation topic must be agreed on by the guidance committee co-chairs.

Upon passing the qualifying examination, the Ph.D. candidate and his or her chair will recommend a dissertation committee (typically all five members of the guidance committee). However, the university requires only three members; a three-member dissertation committee must consist of the co-chairs and the outside member. The dissertation should be completed within two years of the qualifying examination. The oral defense examination is based on the final version of the dissertation and will be administered by the dissertation committee and other invited faculty and students. The defense examination should contain a summary of the review article, the completed research and data analyses and the finalized grant proposal.