The PhD program typically requires the equivalent of at least four years of full-time study, in three defined phases: coursework, pre-candidacy, and candidacy. The coursework phase typically takes two years of full time study, and is intended to provide the student with the knowledge needed to pursue advanced, independent study and investigation in epidemiologic research. This phase culminates in the oral Qualifications Examination, normally taken after most or all of the student's coursework has been completed. The pre-candidacy phase focuses on the preparation of a scientifically unique, methodologically sound, and feasible dissertation proposal. This phase ends with passing the oral Candidacy Examination, at which time the student is recognized as a Candidate for the PhD and focuses his or her effort on performing the research for and writing the dissertation. A successful public defense of the dissertation then completes the academic requirements for the PhD.
 

The PhD Program in Epidemiology is administered by the Graduate Group in Epidemiology and Biostatistics (GGEB) and is led by the Chair of the Doctoral Program in Epidemiology, working with the PhD Program Executive Committee. The Office of Biomedical Graduate Studies (BGS) provides oversight and coordination for the GGEB and six other graduate groups offering PhD degrees in the biomedical sciences. BGS provides centralized support to the graduate groups for admissions, student fellowships, curricular oversight, record-keeping, and other operations.

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The current standard course sequence for PhD students consists of up to 8 core courses (see below). Additional course units are taken in electives (advanced epidemiology and/or biostatistics courses and courses outside the department and school, as needed to serve the student’s specific interests). In addition, a minimum three semesters of lab rotations (EPID 699) and one unit of dissertation research (EPID 995) are required. They are:

• BSTA 6100: Biostatistical Methods for Epidemiology 1.0cus 
• EPID 7010: Introduction to Epidemiologic Research, 1.0cu
• EPID 7020: Advanced Topics in Epidemiologic Research 1.0cu
• EPID 6000: Data Science for Biomedical Informatics 1.0cu
• BSTA 6300: Statistical Methods and Data Analysis I*  1.0cu
• BSTA6320: Statistical Methods for Categorical and Survival Data (Methods II)* 1.0cu
• EPID 7000: Doctoral Seminar 1.0cu
• EPID 7050: Grant Writing and Scientific Writing
• Ethics course 1.0cu (or MSCE workshops)

* Students can either take BSTA 6300 and BSTA 6320 OR BSTA 6100.  They do not need to take all three. 

Additional requirements include:

• Participation in a monthly Career Development Workshop Series
• Attendance at the weekly epidemiology seminars
• Participation in a Works in Progress (WIP) day
• Annual participation in the Responsible Conduct of Research Course
• Completion of web-based seminars in CITI and HIPAA training
• Teaching support as a Teaching Assistant (TA) for an Epidemiology or Biostatistics course
• Successful completion of all PhD examinations

Course descriptions can be found at: http://www.cceb.med.upenn.edu/course-descriptions

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All students are expected to develop and maintain a current course plan developed with and monitored by their mentor. This course plan must be approved by the Program Chair, and will be reviewed semi-annually in order to monitor the student's progress and identify potential delays in completing the program. A typical course plan is provided below.

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