A PhD program at SPPH is intended for students who wish to obtain advanced research training that will enable them to conduct independent investigative research. The program usually takes at least four years of full-time study to complete.
You can choose from a wide range of areas of focus for your thesis, keeping in mind that
a minimum of 16.5 credits need to be taken in the core courses listed below. You will also need to
maintain a B+ (76%) average in your course work. The program also requires the successful completion of a
comprehensive exam and successful defense of a
thesis. As part of your program at SPPH, you will be introduced to interdisciplinary research and learning, participate in peer-led discussions, and work closely with a faculty supervisor. SPPH has an active student association,
The Association of Population and Public Health Students (TAPPHS), which offers opportunities to broaden your connection with fellow scholars through events such as the annual
SPPH Exchange.
Core Courses
These courses are required of all PhD students.
SPPH 400
Statistics for Health Research3 Credits
SPPH 500
Analytical Methods in Epidemiological Research
3 Credits
SPPH 500
Basic epidemiological designs as a framework for commonly used biostatistical techniques such as the Mantel-Haenszel, chi-squared, linear and logistic regression, and survival analysis.
Traditional Syllabus
DL Syllabus
SPPH 502
Epidemiological Methods I
3 Credits
SPPH 502
Sources and uses of epidemiologic data for health services planning and administration including methods of data collection and study design.
Traditional Syllabus
DL Syllabus
SPPH 504
Application of Epidemiological Methods
3 Credits
SPPH 504
Learn how to apply methods taught in previous courses towards the development of a fundable research protocol and the analysis and interpretation of real epidemiologic data.
Syllabus (Section 007)
SPPH 607
Research in Progress
1.5 Credits
SPPH 607
SPPH 607 in conjunction with SPPH 507 is a required course for students in the PhD program. Students present and discuss their research and other topics of interest.
Syllabus
SPPH 621
Approaches to Enquiry in Population and Public Health
3 Credits
SPPH 621
Research approaches in the area of population and public health; focus on developing research questions and the centrality of research questions in conducting research.
Syllabus
SPPH 699
PhD Thesis
0 Credits
At Least One of the Following
SPPH 503
Epidemiological Methods II3 Credits
SPPH 506
Quantitative Research Methods
3 Credits
SPPH 506
Major quantitative research designs, measurement reliability and validity, common data sources used, internal and external validity, research proposals, and peer review.
Traditional Syllabus
SPPH 519
Qualitative Methods in Health Research Design
3 Credits
SPPH 519
Purposes, context, procedures, and relationships within qualitative health research and methodologies.
Traditional Syllabus
SPPH 530
Epidemiology of Occupational and Environmental Health
3 Credits
SPPH 530
No sections currently offered.
Exemptions
If you have taken an equivalent course previously, you can ask for an exemption,
except for SPPH 607. If you want to check whether you are eligible for an exemption, please contact the course instructor before the first class is held.
Should you receive an exemption, you will
still need to register for the course, which will show on your transcript as ‘EX’. It’s important to note that this will not reduce the total credits required for the degree – you will need to
substitute the same number of credits by taking a different course.
Part-time Study
Completing a PhD part-time is an option only under approved special circumstances. Students interesting in part-time PhD studies should review the information on the
Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website. After reviewing the information, students should contact the program to be considered for part-time doctoral study.