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The Graduate School > Academics > Dual Degree Programs > Life Sciences and Public Health > PhD/MPH Degree Requirements
PhD/MPH Degree Requirements

The following requirements are in addition to, or further elaborate upon, those requirements outlined in the Student Services section of this Web site.

Coursework Requirements

Courses Units
Courses required by IGP for PhD component  
Core courses  
IGP 401 Biochemistry 1
IGP 405 Cell Biology 1
IGP 410 Molecular Biology 1
Specialization courses - in one of the following fields 6
Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis (IMP)  
IGP 440 Immunology ** 1
IGP 442 Microbiology ** 1
IGP 475 Virology 1
Electives chosen from either the IGP or MPH curriculum 3
- or -  
Cancer Biology  
IGP 450 Tumor Cell Biology ** 1
IGP 480 Molecular Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis ** 1
Electives chosen from either the IGP or MPH curriculum 4
Total IGP courses: 9
Courses required by Public Health for MPH Component 14
Required Courses 9
Pub Hlth 301 Behavior, Society and Health 1
Pub Hlth 302 Introduction to Biostatistics 1
Pub Hlth 303 Environmental Health Sciences 1
Pub Hlth 304 Introduction to Epidemiology 1
Pub Hlth 310 Topics in Public Health 0
Pub Hlth 410 Field Experience in Public Health 1
Pub Hlth 550 Seminar in Public Health Research 1
Pub Hlth 560 Culminating Experience in Public Health *
HEMA 440 Introduction to Health Industry Management 1
Electives 5
Up to two electives may be chosen from the following:  
IGP 440 Immunology **  
IGP 442 Microbiology **  
IGP 450 Tumor Cell Biology **  
IGP 480 Molecular Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis **  
The remaining three electives must be chosen from among the following MPH courses:  
CLIN SCI 301 Topics in Molecular Medicine  
CLIN SCI 303 Drug Development Process  
PUB HLTH 390 International Public Health I  
PUB HLTH 392 International Perspectives on Violence: Public Health and Law  
PUB HLTH 412 Control and Prevention of Infectious Disease in Public Health  
PUB HLTH 413 Public Health Nutrition  
PUB HLTH 414 Violence as a Public Health Problem  
PUB HLTH 421 Intermediate Biostatistics and Epidemiology I  
PUB HLTH 422 Intermediate Biostatistics and Epidemiology II  
PUB HLTH 431 Basic Decision Analysis  
PUB HLTH 432 Technology Assessment in Health Care  
PUB HLTH 433 Health Economics: Principles and Applications for Public Health  
PUB HLTH 434 Data Analysis Techniques for Health Services Research  
PUB HLTH 441 Ethical Issues in Clinical Research  
PUB HLTH 442 Artificial Epidemics and Changes in Human Culture  
PUB HLTH 444 Advanced Decision Analysis  
PUB HLTH 445 Writing and Peer Reviewing for Publication  
PUB HLTH 446 The Design, Conduct, and Analysis of Clinical Trials  
PUB HLTH 499 Independent Study  
PUB HLTH 523 Chronic Disease Epidemiology  
PUB HLTH 525 Molecular Epidemiology  
HEMA 441 Health Policy  
HEMA 445 Advanced Health Policy  
HEMA 451 Legal Issues in Health Care Delivery  
HEMA 453 Managerial Challenges in the Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, and Medical Device Industries  
HEMA 455 Special Topics in the Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, and Medical Device Industries  
Total MPH course units 14
Total required units for the combined PhD/MPH Degree 21

* (0, 1 or 2)
** Two of these IGP courses may be double counted toward both the PhD and MPH degrees.

Other PhD Degree Requirements

  • Examinations: qualifying examinations during seventh and eighth quarters of study, consisting of two parts: Part I, problem-solving exercise based on chosen curricular program, 10 days to submit written answer to problem, followed by oral examination; Part II, dissertation research proposal written as a research grant, also followed by oral examination.
  • Research/Projects: laboratory research based on dissertation research proposal
  • PhD Dissertation: written dissertation; annual presentation of research-in-progress to thesis
  • Final Evaluation: dissertation defense, consisting of written dissertation, public presentation of research accomplishments, and oral defense of dissertation to thesis committee
  • Other: three laboratory rotations in first year, intended to assist student in selecting dissertation research advisors; regular participation in seminars and journal clubs; teaching assignment one quarter in second year