Master of Science Program 

Mission Statement

The mission of the Master of Science program is to train students in epidemiologic and quantitative methods used to investigate issues of public health importance. This program is designed for students seeking careers in epidemiologic research and academia.

Program Description

This program is designed to prepare persons who have no previous training in epidemiologic research for a career in that area.  This program is also designed for individuals already employed in the health field (MD, DDS, RN, DVM, MBBS, or PHARMD). By the end of the program students will have thorough knowledge of the design and implementation of studies including development of study protocol and instruments, selection and recruitment of study subjects, field collection of data and the conduct of quality control. In addition, students will develop skills in data management, analysis and interpretation. A minium of 36 credits is required.    

Program Competencies

At the completion of the MS program in Epidemiology students will be able to:

• Define the concepts and contents of epidemiology (EPID 6030) 
• Formulate a research hypothesis (EPID 6030)
• Determine study aim, objectives and appropriate study design to address the hypothesis (EPID 6030)
• Identify risk and/or preventive factors that may contribute to outcomes and incorporate them into a research study (EPID 7120, EPID 7130)
• Use computers to collect, manage and analyze data for evaluation of hypotheses (EPID 6230, EPID 7130)
• Evaluate the use of questionnaires and measurement instruments in collection of data to maintain internal validity (EPID 7120)
• Use existing databases to provide background or supportive data to address research questions (EPID 9980 Thesis)
• Analyze data, interpret the findings and prepare a report of study results (BIOS 6040, BIOS 7060, BIOS 7150)
• Perform ethical research (EPID 9980 Thesis)

Admission Requirements

Students must meet the requirements for admission to the School. In addition, the department requires a baccalaureate degree with overall grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or an M.D. and a combined verbal and quantitative GRE score of at least 1100 and 3 references for the MS program.

Program Requirements 

Students must complete 36 credit hours of coursework that include introductory and advanced courses in epidemiology methods, courses in a specific content area, and courses in biostatistics methods.  A total of 36 credits are required for the M.S. in Epidemiology, including thesis.  Of the 36 credits, at least 24 will be in epidemiology and 12 in biostatistics. 

Course Requirements

The following is an overview of the common program requirements a typical MS student might undertake. These apply to all students entering in the Spring 2007 semester or after.

AND
             
At least two of the following courses in advanced methods:

AND
             
At least two of the following courses in descriptive epidemiology:

Thesis Requirement

Students enrolled in the MS program are required to complete a thesis which will demonstrate an ability to interpret current literature and conduct epidemiologic analysis.  The completed thesis must constitute the equivalent of one epidemiologic paper that meets the current standards of publication in refereed journals.  Thesis research will involve the processing and analysis of data; original data collection is encouraged but not required.  Upon completion, the thesis must be approved by the thesis advisor and one outside reader.  After approval, the student will defend the purpose, methods and results of the thesis research in an oral presentation.  For more information on this requirement, read the Thesis Outline.

Degree requirements must be completed within 2 years after the student first enrolls as a master’s student, if full-time, and 1 year post completion of coursework for part-time students.

 Model Course Schedule 

For more information: contact Therese Carter, tcarter1@tulane.edu.