Department of Epidemiology (GRAD)

The Department of Epidemiology, which is housed in the Gillings School of Global Public Health, is one of the world’s leading academic departments in epidemiology. Renowned faculty members provide students with training in effective research practices and methods. The department conducts innovative research and provides classroom and real-world educational interdisciplinary opportunities that emphasize the integration of substantive area knowledge and cutting-edge epidemiologic methods. It also works with students to apply their epidemiology research to a variety of health problems in North Carolina and across the world. Research resources include diverse studies of disease endpoints (cancer, cardiovascular, infectious disease, injury, and reproductive/perinatal/pediatric epidemiology) and factors and methods that impact patterns of disease and population health (environmental, occupational, pharmacoepidemiology, genetic, social, and methods).

Degrees and Certificates

The Department of Epidemiology offers a master’s degree and a doctoral degree, and cosponsors a certificate. The master’s and doctoral programs offer a body of research skills together with the opportunity to work closely with faculty on key research questions, and to share the challenge and rewards that epidemiology provides.

Master of Science in Clinical Research (M.S.C.R.)

The M.S.C.R. program is an interdisciplinary research degree program housed within the Department of Epidemiology in the Gillings School of Global Public Health. The program is designed for physician-scientists and others who want to develop the skills necessary for a successful career as a principal investigator and collaborator in clinical and translational research. The M.S.C.R. requires a minimum of 36 semester hours of credit and is designed as a two-year program with at least two full semesters in residence. The program may be completed on either a part-time or full-time basis.

Those in the M.S.C.R. program must have a doctoral-level professional degree (M.D., Pharm.D., Ph.D., D.D.S., nurses with Ph.D., D.V.M., etc.) or extensive health professions experience (R.N.’s, P.A’s). At the time of enrollment in the M.S.C.R., participants will simultaneously be residents, clinical fellows, post-doctoral fellows, or junior faculty at UNC or Duke University. We anticipate that each student will already be affiliated with a "home academic program," reflecting the funding source (e.g., T32 or K12 funding), training program (e.g., post-doctoral fellowship), or department.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

The doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in epidemiology prepares students for careers in research and teaching, often at a university, federal, or state agency, or private research institution. Students develop research and teaching skills in epidemiology through coursework and practice opportunities. The doctoral program includes coursework, preliminary doctoral examinations, and doctoral research. Students typically complete the doctorate in four to five years after admission.

Certificate in Field Epidemiology

The Certificate in Field Epidemiology is sponsored by the Department of Epidemiology. The program is specifically designed for working practitioners and emphasizes practical, applied skills.

Courses

Numbered 600-999:

• Epidemiology (EPID)

Public Health, Master's Program (M.P.H.) — Applied Epidemiology Concentration 

Epidemiology — the study of the distribution and determinants of disease or other influencing risk factors in a population — is the cornerstone of public health inquiry and problem-solving. Unlike clinical medicine which predominantly focuses on an individual’s health and well-being, epidemiology uses a broader lens to examine the health of populations. Through this approach, epidemiologists identify public health threats and inform targets for interventions that reduce risk and improve health.  

Our program, offered on-campus and online, you’ll learn to apply epidemiologic tools and frameworks to describe patterns of disease and other public health issues affecting diverse populations. By clarifying problems, you’ll drive effective solutions. 

Course Requirements

Requirements for the M.P.H. degree in the Applied Epidemiology concentration

Admissions

Please visit Applying to the Gillings School first for details and information. Application to the residential M.P.H. is a 2-step process. Please apply separately to (1) SOPHAS and (2) UNC–Chapel Hill (via the Graduate School application link that will be sent after completing the SOPHAS application). Visit the Graduate School Web site for more details. If you are interested in the online M.P.H., please visit the MPH@UNC website and fill out an inquiry form.

Milestones

• Master's Committee
• Master's Written Examination/Approved Substitute (Comprehensive Exam)
• Thesis Substitute (Culminating Experience)
• Residence Credit
• Exit Survey
• Master's Professional Work Experience (Practicum)

Master of Science in Clinical Research (M.S.C.R.)

The M.S.C.R. program is an interdisciplinary research degree program housed within the Department of Epidemiology in the Gillings School of Global Public Health. The program is designed for physician-scientists and others who want to develop the skills necessary for a successful career as a principal investigator and collaborator in clinical and translational research. The M.S.C.R. requires a minimum of 36 semester hours of credit and is designed as a two-year program with at least two full semesters in residence. The program may be completed on either a part-time or full-time basis.

Those in the M.S.C.R. program must have a doctoral-level professional degree (M.D., Pharm.D., Ph.D., D.D.S., nurses with Ph.D., D.V.M., etc.) or extensive health professions experience (R.N.’s, P.A’s). At the time of enrollment in the M.S.C.R., participants will simultaneously be residents, clinical fellows, post-doctoral fellows, or junior faculty at UNC or Duke University. We anticipate that each student will already be affiliated with a "home academic program," reflecting the funding source (e.g., T32 or K12 funding), training program (e.g., post-doctoral fellowship), or department.

Course Requirements

¹

Students with a prior public health degree are not required to take SPHG 600; exemptions are available for those with non-public health degrees from accredited SPHs. Students should discuss with their Academic Coordinator. 

²

Students interested in substituting a graduate level course (600 level or higher) outside of the Gillings School of Public Health should email a request to the Academic Coordinator for review by the MSCR Program Director for consideration.  

Milestones 

The following list of milestones (non-course degree requirements) must be completed; view this list of standard milestone definitions for more information. 

• Master's Committee
• Master's Written Exam / Approved Substitute
• Thesis Substitute
• Residence Credit
• Exit Survey
• Master's IRB Compliance

Epidemiology, Doctoral Program (Ph.D.)

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) provides students with research and teaching skills in epidemiology through coursework, doctoral research, practice opportunities, and preliminary doctoral examinations.

Course Requirements

¹

Students with a prior public health degree are not required to take SPHG 600; exemptions are available for those with non-public health degrees from accredited SPHs. Students should discuss this with their Academic Coordinator. 

²

Please contact your Program Specialist for additional guidance in the case of exemptions.

³

Other options can be approved by individual petition to Academic Coordinator for review by Graduate Studies Committee.

⁴

HBEH 762 only meets the Advanced Statistics Requirement if it is the 3 credit version.

⁵

Students must enroll in a minimum of two semesters (6 hours) of EPID 994.

Epidemiology Elective Options

Substantive Epidemiology Course Options

Milestones

The following list of milestones (non-course degree requirements) must be completed; view this list of standard milestone definitions for more information.

• Doctoral Written Exam (Methods Qualifying Exam - QE)
• Doctoral Written Exam 2 (Substantive Qualifying Exam - QE)
• Doctoral Research Experience (Doctoral Research Practicum)
• Doctoral Teaching Experience
• Doctoral Intradepartmental Review
• Doctoral Committee
• Doctoral Oral Comprehensive Exam (Dissertation Proposal Defense)
• Prospectus Oral Exam (Dissertation Proposal Defense)
• Advanced to Candidacy
• Doctoral IRB Compliance
• Doctoral Preparatory Committee Review (Interim Meeting) 
• Doctoral Manuscript Submission
• Dissertation Defense
• Doctoral Dissertation Approved/Format Accepted
• Residence Credit
• Exit Survey 

Following the faculty member's name is a section number that students should use when registering for independent studies, reading, research, and thesis and dissertation courses with that particular professor.

Distinguished Professors

Ralph S. Baric (142), Public Health Virology, Molecular Virology
Myron "Mike" Cohen, Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Stephen R. Cole, (225), Methodology, Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Michael Emch (234), Spatial Epidemiology, Medical Geography, Infectious Diseases, Neighborhoods and Health
Bradley Gaynes, Psychiatric Epidemiology
Jonathan Juliano, Molecular Epidemiology and Genetics of Malaria
David M. Margolis (220), Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Robert S. Sandler (73), Cancer Epidemiology, Gastrointestinal Epidemiology
Til Stürmer (224), Pharmacoepidemiology, Methodology
David J. Weber (96), Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Professors

Associate Professors

Assistant Professors

Research Professors

Research Associate Professors

Research Assistant Professors

Clinical Professors

David F. Ransohoff (160), Health Care Epidemiology
Ross Simpson Jr., Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Clinical Epidemiology
Ronald Strauss, Dental Epidemiology, Social Impacts

Clinical Associate Professors

Teaching Professors

Karin Yeatts, Applied Epidemiology, Environmental Epidemiology

Adjunct Professors

Adjunct Associate Professors

Adjunct Assistant Professors

Adjunct Instructor

Lauren DiBiase, Infectious Disease
Amy Ising, Public Health Informatics, Public Health Surveillance, Syndromic Surveillance

Professors Emeriti

Wilfrida Behets
Charles Poole
Kathleen Dorsey
Barbara S. Hulka
Michel A. Ibrahim
Victor Schoenbach
J. Richard Seed
Carl M. Shy
James Thomas