Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics

David S. Markenson, MD
Interim Department Chair

Maureen Miller, MS, PhD
Director, Doctoral Program

Program - Epidemiology DrPH

Note: No new DrPH students accepted after the Fall of 2008, pending a redesign of the program.

School of Public Health Departments/Programs: Department of Behavioral Sciences and Community Health   Behavioral Sciences and Health Promotion Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics   Epidemiology (M.P.H.)   Epidemiology (Dr.P.H.) Department of Disability and Human Development Department of Environmental Health Science Department of Health Policy and Management Health Policy Management (DrPH) Health Policy Management (M.P.H.) Department of Physical Therapy Department of Speech-Language Pathology

 Curricular Components

The program has a residency requirement of at least two years, and is, at minimum, a 45-credit post-masters program, with credits derived from coursework, internships, and dissertation work. Applicants to the program must have attained a Master of Public Health (MPH) or a Master of Science (MS) in Epidemiology, or an MPH degree in a health-related field from a school or program accredited in public health. Total credits required for the DrPH will depend upon the individual's educational profile at the time of application.

The program is structured with three components:

1. Coursework (18 credits): All students are required to take a minimum of 18 credits of didactic coursework as part of the program, including a 3-credit course on research ethics. Because students are drawn from diverse backgrounds, it is recognized that they will begin their doctoral program with different strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, some students may require more than 18 credits, depending on deficiencies identified at entrance to the program. (Please review the table on page 3.) Students will configure their coursework to address deficiencies in their skills or explore other areas relevant to their research and public health practice. Course selection is conducted with an advisor as part of an individual program plan.
2. Internship (12 credits): Students are provided with opportunities to interact with other health care professionals in a variety of settings and to apply their skills to real-world problems, under the guidance of a mentor. These internships will make use of the rich academic and practice environment offered by New York Medical College, its hospital and county health department affiliates, or other health-related organizations.
3. Dissertation Research (15 credits): The dissertation serves as the culmination of the research competency of the doctoral program. The dissertation must address an original research question and the student must interpret and discuss the significance and potential application of the study results within the context of the public health arena. Evaluation Criteria and Evaluation Intervals

1. Coursework: Students must attain a grade of B or higher in required coursework. An overall G.P.A. of 3.2 or higher must be attained.
2. Mentor Evaluation: Students are evaluated upon completing an internship by the supervising mentor.
3. Milestone Evaluations: Students will progress through their program in three intervals, each of which must be completed before progressing to the next.
   • Written Qualifying Exams: Students are considered provisional degree candidates until they achieve a satisfactory score on the Qualifying Exam.
   • Proposal Defense (oral): A satisfactory evaluation (regardless of whether changes need to be made to the proposal) allows the student to undertake the proposed study.
   • Dissertation and Defense: This is the final evaluation point. Doctoral candidates must orally defend their completed dissertation, including literature review, research methods, analysis, and interpretation. Doctoral Level Course Series - All courses are 3 credits unless otherwise noted

Critical Thinking and Determining Causality in Epidemiology

Intensive case studies, often involving an element of controversy, are presented to the class through readings. Students must apply epidemiologic principles, with special emphasis on causal inference and critical assessments of study quality. All students prepare a succinct review of the case for each class. The case is placed in context by the instructor, presented by two students, and discussed by the class.

Infectious Disease Transmission Dynamics: Biology and Beyond

In this course students will examine infectious disease transmission dynamics utilizing information on all available factors that may contribute to the diffusion of infectious disease. In addition students will review the current epidemiology of a disease, and the contributions of policy and politics, economics and fear, which may be considered as necessary and/or sufficient epidemiologic causes of disease transmission.

Advanced Methods in Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology

This seminar will focus on the methodological challenges encountered in environmental and occupational epidemiology. Students will discuss the readings assigned each week in a collegial atmosphere and be responsible for leading a number of discussions. Topics will include aspects of exposure assessment, exposure histories, geographical information systems, the precautionary principle as an alternative to risk assessment, confounding and effect modification, and cancer clusters.

Advanced Topics and Applications in Epidemiology

This doctoral-level course explores in depth the underlying conceptual foundations and applications of epidemiologic principles and recent conceptualizations of existing and newly-developed study designs, as well as associated analytic approaches. Lectures and discussions will emphasize causal inference, study design and conduct, screening and surveillance, and related topics. Topics will be developed through textbook readings and critical analysis of the literature.

Epidemiologic Research Development and Review

Using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 request for applications (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-070.html) as a guide, the goal of the class is to develop a viable research study and to write it up as a mini grant proposal. Each student must come prepared with a basic research question that will be the basis of his/her project throughout the semester. The first part of each class will introduce the sections required of a grant proposal and review examples of actual proposals. The second part of each class will consist of student presentations of their research questions and group discussion/brainstorming on how best to accomplish the research goals.

Doctoral Seminar in Epidemiology

This seminar series explores various topics of content and method in epidemiology. Seminar topics will vary by semester and professor. Each doctoral seminar will focus on a specific area of interest to epidemiology, such as perinatal, injury, genetics and genomics, psychiatric, behavioral, infectious diseases, chronic disease, and others. Methods topics will focus on new and novel study designs, methods of analysis, as well as controversies in the application of epidemiologic methods. In all the doctoral seminar series, students will critically review current and historical literature, independently develop their critiques from the literature, as well as from their knowledge and skills in epidemiology, and have opportunities to express their opinions orally and in written form.

(Insofar as seminar topics will vary by semester and professor, EPI 8092 may be taken more than once).

Internships

Students must complete 12 credits of doctoral internship. The goal of the internship is to provide students with opportunities to interact with other health care professionals in a variety of settings and to apply their skills to real-world problems. Under the direction of a faculty advisor, students will be required complete internships credits in the four area noted below.

Internship in Research Applications

This internship is designed to provide students with the opportunity to interact with faculty and apply quantitative skills to real-world problems. In this internship the student consults with clinical and research faculty on their research projects. This activity will take place within the context of the existing research consulting practice at the School of Public Health. The student will help select best study designs, design data collection instruments, select and conduct analyses of data, and interpret and report study results to the project PI. Students will learn to recognize how their activities influence the interpretation of study results.

Internship in Research Presentation

This internship is designed to help students develop and practice skills relating to communicating complex ideas to an audience that is learned in health care disciplines other than epidemiology. Students provide short, focused lectures to clinical faculty and staff on research methods and analysis in the areas of public health, epidemiology and health services. These lectures usually take place within in departmental educational series to their associated faculty. Students will prepare a lecture on a specific methodological or analytical topic and relate it to the area that is relevant to the clinical department.

Internship in Public Health Education

This internship will help students learn to distill and communicate complex topics to novice or lay audiences. As part of the doctoral program, students are required to design and teach an introductory course in epidemiology to students in masters degree and certificate programs. Under the direction of their faculty advisor, students will research and organize the topics to be covered, design class presentations and handouts, and design questions to evaluate student competencies.

Internship in Public Health Policy

The internship in public health policy will help students understand the interplay of research and health care policy. In administering the internship, the program will make use of the rich academic and practice environment offered by New York Medical College, its affiliates, county health departments, or other health-oriented organizations. Students will work in a practice setting on a set of specified objectives that are outlined and overseen by a field mentor.

Dissertation Research

The dissertation must address an original research question employing a rigorous scientific approach using epidemiologic and statistical methods. As part of the dissertation, the student must interpret and discuss the significance and potential application of the study results within the context of the public health arena. The successful dissertation will contain the components of public health research, public health policy and communication; and thus demonstrate the student's capacity for public health practice. It is recognized that students enter the dissertation process with the intent of advancing the public health dialogue by disseminating their work through peer-reviewed forums.

Some students may be required to take specific content courses or methodology courses in preparation for independent research work. Methodology courses may include:

Ethics in Science: Research on Human and Animal Subjects

This course provides students with a background in the ethical conduct of research on human and animal subjects. A historical overview underlying the development of codes of conduct for research on humans and its extension to animals, as well as the current ethical system which governs conduct of scientific studies, is provided. Students will read notable cases of ethical misconduct in science and discuss their influence on current standards governing clinical and public health research.

Applied Epidemiology

While exploring epidemiologic methods in further detail, this course provides students with practical experience in study design, questionnaire and proposal development, data analysis, and critical review of literature. Lecture topics include measures of rates and risks, study design and analytic methods to control for confounding factors, and issues regarding measurement error in data collection. Prerequisites: Health Quantitative Sciences I and II

Advanced Epidemiology

This course provides a detailed examination of special problems in epidemiologic study design and analysis. Extensive exposure to the use of unconditional and conditional logistic regression as related to epidemiologic methods will be afforded. The course includes discussions of standardized mortality ratios, proportionate mortality ratios, trends in risk ratios and use and interpretation of multivariate models. Prerequisite: Applied Epidemiology

Applied Statistical Analysis

The objective of this course is to provide students with the opportunity to analyze large data sets using multivariate models, with a focus on data analysis and report writing for clinical research. Topic areas cover both parametric and non-parametric methods, emphasizing ANOVA, linear regression, logistic regression, and survival analysis. Specific techniques, such as, testing for moderation, adjustment for confounding, and stratified analysis in multivariate models are covered. Prerequisites: Health Quantitative Sciences I & II, Intermediate Biostatistics I & II

Multivariate Analysis

This course examines multivariate normal distribution, generalized T-squared statistics, generalized variance, component analysis, canonical correlation, multivariate analysis of variance, factor analysis and multidimensional scaling.

Statistical Computing

This course provides an in-depth study of some of the most frequently used statistical packages in the health sciences, such as SAS Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director. Note: Lab fee required.

Intermediate Biostatistics I

Biostatistics I and II compose a two-semester sequence required of all Biostatistics and Epidemiology majors. The course covers multiple regression analysis, analysis of variance and covariance, contingency table analysis, and methods frequently used in epidemiological studies and clinical trials, including life table analysis, logistic analysis, and relative risk assessment with and without covariables. The SAS statistical package is used. Prerequisites: Health Quantitative Sciences I and II or Mathematical Statistics I & II

Intermediate Biostatistics II

A continuation Biostatistics I. Prerequisite: Intermediate Biostatistics I

Matrices and Linear Statistical Models

Elements of matrix algebra required for advanced study in biostatistics are examined. Instruction in basic operations, determinants, inverses, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, and an introduction to linear statistical models are provided in this course.

Introduction to Experimental Design

Introduction to experimental design, factorial experiments, Latin squares, complete and incomplete block designs, split plot designs, and repeated measures are covered in this course. Prerequisite: Intermediate Biostatistics I

Survival Analysis T

his course examines statistical methods appropriate to the analysis of biomedical data with censored observations. Specific applications include nonparametric and parametric estimation of survival functions, including curve fitting and comparison; identification of prognostic factors related to survival time and applications to clinical trials; hazard analysis including Cox proportional model; log-linear and multi/way-contingency analysis of discrete data; and logistic regression.

Mathematical Statistics I

This course provides a comprehensive treatment of the fundamental concepts of probability theory and statistical inference. Covered topics related to probability, random variables, distribution, probability and density functions, mathematical expectation, functions of random-variables, and sampling distributions.

Mathematical Statistics II

This course focuses on topics related to statistical inference and applications. These include point estimation, hypothesis testing, non-parametric statistics, linear models, and analysis of variance. Prerequisite: Mathematical Statistics I

In addition, independent study courses from the Health Quantitative Sciences area, along with relevant content courses from the other program areas in the School of Public Health, may be chosen as a necessary part of the individual program plan.

Faculty

Faculty are drawn primarily from the faculty of the department of epidemiology and biostatistics of the School of Public Health. The dissertation advisor may also be a qualified faculty member at another academic institution, upon approval of the program director. The dissertation committee consists of three to four individuals: the dissertation advisor, two members selected from the faculty of the School of Public Health, and perhaps one other individual. Mentors may be fulfilled by any individual with a full-time, part-time, or affiliated faculty appointment in the School of Public Health. Other experts in a particular area of study, whether or not they are affiliated with the School of Public Health or New York Medical College may function as mentors with the approval of the program director.

Accreditation

New York Medical College is chartered by the Regents of the State of New York and all of its degree programs are approved by the New York State Department of Education. The College is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association and by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. The School of Public Health is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

Student Housing

Limited on-campus housing is available for single and married full-time students. Information regarding on-campus and off-campus housing in furnished rooms, apartment shares, and full apartments is available through the Student Housing Office.

Financial Planning

Tuition for the 2006-2007 academic year is $645 per credit. In addition, there are student activity and network access fees. Full-time students may elect to purchase health insurance through the College, and to secure use of the College Health Services for a separate fee. Advisement concerning how to pay the cost of education is available to admitted students and their families through the Student Financial Planning Office. Students who are taking at least 6 credits are eligible for loan programs that will be sufficient to cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, and living expenses.

Contact Information Paul Visintainer, Ph.D. Professor and Program Director 914-594-4804 visint@nymc.edu

Marian F. McGowan, M.Ed., M.S. Assistant Dean for Admissions 914-594-4510 sph_admissions@nymc.edu

 Admissions Requirements

1. Applicants must have a Master of Public Health (MPH) or Master of Science (MS) degree in Epidemiology or an MPH in a health-related field from a school or program accredited in public health.
2. Applicants must have attained a graduate GPA of at least a 3.5. Official copies of all post-secondary school transcripts must be submitted. Applicants with foreign transcripts must submit educational evaluations of all courses taken.
3. Applicants must submit a completed Application for Admission to the Doctor of Epidemiology Program and a non-refundable application fee of $100. Applicants are accepted for the Fall semester only, and the deadline date is March 1 (deadline date for international students is January 15).
4. Applicants must submit the Graduate Course Worksheet completed to the best of their ability. It is understood that not all applicants will have completed courses in all of the discipline areas noted on the worksheet.
5. Scores of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) must be submitted, with a minimum score of 4.5 attained on the Analytical section of the exam. The institution number to use for the test is 2563. For information, contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS), PO Box 6000, Princeton, NJ 08541-6000; (609) 921-9000. If MCAT scores are submitted, they must have been attained within the last three years.
6. Applicants must submit a Personal Statement of approximately 500 words, indicating why they wish to pursue a doctoral degree in epidemiology, and how the degree will help them advance the discipline of public health, as well as meet their career goals.
7. Applicants must submit 3 letters of recommendation. Two must be from graduate faculty members and the third from a work supervisor.
8. Applicants must submit a resume.
9. Applicants must be competent in using a software office suite including a word processor, a spreadsheet, and a presentation program. Accepted students may be required to complete a computer competency project as evidence of competency.
10. All applicants who are in any of the following categories are required to obtain a minimum eligibility score of at least 660 (paper-based), 287 (computer-based), or 117 (Internet-based - no score less than 27 in any of the 4 sections) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): a) those whose naïve language is not English; b) those from countries where English is one of the official languages, but not necessarily the first language of the majority of the population: c) those from countries where English is not a native language, although available as a language of instruction at all or some levels of schooling; d) those whose transcripts are not in English or from schools in non-English-speaking countries. The institution number to use for the test is 2592. For information, contact the Educational Testing Service (TOEFL) PO Box 6152, Princeton, NJ 08541-6000; telephone (609) 921-9000; e-mail: toefl@ets.org  web site: http://www.toefl.org/
    
    There is a separate brochure for International Applicants with information about the documentation that must be submitted before their application folder is reviewed.
     
11. Applicants deemed qualified by the Admissions Committee will be invited for an interview.
12. Acceptance is contingent upon the number of spaces available in the program. In the event that the number of allotted spaces for a specific term have been filled, an eligible student may be placed on a waiting list for a subsequent term. In this case, the application will remain active for one year.
13. Accepted students must send a non-refundable deposit of $500 to hold their space in the program. This deposit will be applied to the first semester's tuition

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