Competencies

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Competencies - Epidemiology

Each concentration identifies competencies for each degree offered. These competencies reflect the full range of knowledge, skills, and other attributes that a student will acquire as a result of completing the requirements for a particular degree.

Upon graduation, a student completing the Ph.D. curriculum in epidemiology will be able to:

• critique epidemiologic literature, assess its strengths and weaknesses, and determine if conclusions(s) are supported;
• conduct independent epidemiologic literature reviews and summarize studies using qualitative and quantitative techniques;
• quantitatively assess patterns and changes in disease occurrence using epidemiologic techniques;
• formulate specific hypotheses and determine an appropriate study design and analysis plan using quantitative data analysis techniques;
• analyze and interpret epidemiologic data appropriately, including data from large national and state level datasets;
• design and implement studies to investigate causes of disease;
• design and implement clinical trials as applied to public health research and interventions;
• design reliable and valid measurement instruments;
• design, implement, and assess ordinary data collection systems for public health research, including quality control for data entry;
• apply principles of intervention and prevention in public health settings;
• develop skills to effectively work on multidisciplinary teams, including scientists and nonscientists;
• communicate and present study findings to professional audiences;
• originate, design, and implement new studies in the field that are worthy of publication and grant support;
• demonstrate competency in teaching epidemiologic research methods at the graduate level;
  
• maintain high public health ethical standards; and
• anticipate and follow Institutional Review Board expectations and requirements.