Potential students may gravitate naturally towards either the Global Health Sciences or the Epidemiology and Translational Science doctoral program based on their methodological interests or future career goals. For those who are unsure, the boundary between these two disciplines may not appear sharp: global health researchers draw heavily on epidemiologic tools and ideas, and epidemiologists routinely address substantive questions in a global context.
PhD Program
Epidemiology and Translational Science | Global Health Sciences |
About the Field | |
Epidemiology is the study of population patterns of health and disease, including incidence or etiology and prognosis or outcomes of illness. Epidemiologists evaluate the potential health effects of exposures at multiple levels from genetic variants to social policies. |
Global Health Sciences is transdisciplinary study that employs research and scholarship to implement and evaluate programs that strengthen health systems and reduce the burden of disease in the world’s most vulnerable populations. |
Research Methodology | |
Students rely heavily on quantitative research tools applied in diverse data sources, but also utilize mixed methods and a multi-disciplinary tool set. |
Students integrate research methods from different disciplines, including epidemiology, biostatistics, demography, policy, social sciences, and clinical health sciences. |
Research Focus | |
Epidemiology students generally focus their research on evaluating drivers of disease incidence, disease prognosis, or strategies to reduce disease burden, such as incidence of malaria, functional disability after stroke, or inequalities in breast cancer. |
Global health students research questions that relate to underserved populations and health inequities, both domestically and internationally. |
Curriculum | |
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Possible Careers after Graduation | |
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How to Choose Your Program | |
Review the faculty members in each department to determine the affiliation of those whose research most inspires you. Both programs seek students whose interests mesh closely with the areas of expertise of the respective faculty. Consider the whole team of people you will train with, including primary mentors and specialists in specific methodologies. Search UCSF Profiles for potential mentors. |
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Admissions Criteria | |
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Program Costs | |
Both PhD programs provide a stipend and payment of fees and tuition in the form of fellowships and research and teaching assistantships. In the second year of the program, students typically apply for extramural funding, e.g., fellowships from the UCSF Graduate Division and National Institutes of Health (NIH). To preserve research time, students are expected to work no more than 50% time. Specific funding and requirements will vary by program, and the program staff will work with you to assemble the best possible funding package upon admission. |
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Contact | |
[email protected] | [email protected] |
Website | |
Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics | Institute for Global Health Sciences |