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The Case Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics offers a M.S. and Ph.D. degree program in Behavioral Epidemiology. Students conferred in this highly quantitative degree program will be well versed in health behavior theory and measurement, methods and statistical approaches in health behavior research and will be prepared to develop, conduct and analyze health behavior intervention trials. More importantly, this training will be developed within the context of the solid training we provide in epidemiology and biostatistics.
The following provides an outline of the course requirements for the Ph.D. and M.S. program. For further information on each of the course offerings, and general admission information, please follow the link to the Department of Epi and Biostatistics (found on the bar to the left). For further information on the new program in Behavioral Epidemiology, please contact Dr. Elaine Borawski (exb11@case.edu ) or Dr. Natalie Colabianchi (nxc21@case.edu ).
M.S. Course Requirements
Ph.D. Course Requirements
Examples of Special Topics in Behavioral Epidemiology
M.S. Course Requirements
General Requirements
Students must satisfy the requirements of the School of Graduate Studies as stated in the University's General Bulletin as well as those outlined by the specific division. To complete the M.S. degree program under Plan A, students must conduct a research project and write and defend a thesis. Under Plan B, students must pass a written comprehensive examination.
Credit Hour Requirement
The Master's degree requires 36 hours of credit.
Core Courses
Nine hours of basic core courses are required of all students. All courses are 3 credit hours unless noted otherwise.
EPBI 431 Statistical Methods I
EPBI 432 Statistical Methods II
EPBI 490 Epidemiology: Intro to Theory/Methods
In addition, students under Plan A are required to take a minimum of 6 credit hours of EPBI 651 (M.S. Thesis), and students under Plan B are required to take 3 credit hours of EPBI 602 (Practicum).
Courses within the Divisions
Each student selects one of the following divisions: Epidemiology, Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology, or Health Services Research (all Plan A only) or Biostatistics (Plan B or optional Plan A).
General Electives for All Divisions
Electives should be chosen in consultation with the student's academic advisor to arrive at the required number of semester hours when combined with core requirements.
Ph.D. Course Requirements
General Requirements
Students must satisfy the requirements of the School of Graduate Studies as stated in the University's General Bulletin. See also Courses within the Division for further details. Additional requirements for the department include:
1) Students entering without a departmentally approved master's degree must complete all requirements for a master's degree other than the thesis or comprehensive examination.
2) Students entering with a departmentally approved master's degree may begin taking advanced courses in their division. Such students are considered responsible for knowledge of Common Core Courses for the Master's, and will be examined on these materials prior to advancement to candidacy.
Credit Hour Requirement
A minimum of 18 credit hours of course work beyond a departmentally approved master's degree is required. Additionally, a minimum of 18 credit hours of dissertation research (EPBI 701) is required. Advanced course work for the Ph.D. is determined on an individual basis in conjunction with a student's research advisor or mentor.
Courses within the Divisions
Each student selects one of the following divisions: Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology, or Health Services Research.
General Examination
See also General Examination under the specific division for further details. The student must complete 18 credit hours of Ph.D. course work, and no later than the completion of 6 credit hours of EPBI 701 - Dissertation Research, Ph.D.
A student must be registered during the semester in which the general examination is to be taken. If not registered for other courses, the student must register for one credit hour of EXAM 700 - General/Qualifier Exam, prior to taking the examination.
Each student will have at most two chances to pass the Ph.D. general examination.
Refer to each Division’s Student Handbook for descriptions of their General Examination.
EPBI 701 - Dissertation Research, Ph.D.
Upon written notification to the Dean of Graduate Studies, via the Ph.D. "checklist," identifying the university faculty member selected as a doctoral student's principal research advisor, and with the endorsement of the department chair, the student in pre-candidacy status will be eligible to register for one, but not more than six, credit hours of EPBI 701 (Dissertation Research, Ph.D.), and must continuously maintain the limited registration for EPBI 701 until advancement to candidacy occurs.
Examples of Special Topics in Behavioral Epidemiology (1-3 credits each)
(organized under five primary areas)
Behavioral Content
- eating behaviors (theory and measurement)
- current issues in reproductive health
- advanced health behavior theory
- adolescent health (development)
- physical activity epidemiology
- HIV prevention
Quantitative Methods
- scale development & factor analyses
- survey development
- intervention venues (schools, work-site, health care settings)
Qualitative Methods
- focus groups
- semi-structured interviewing
- techniques and software for coding qualitative data
Health Behavior Change
- motivational interviewing
- developing education-based intervention
- computer-based interventions
- stress management and health
- health communications
Career Development
- grant development and writing
- manuscript development and responding to reviewers
- how to make effective oral presentations conducting community-participatory research
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