Requirements
and Guidelines
for the Graduate Group in Epidemiology
2001/2002 Academic
Year
Last Updated
06-12-02
Table
of Contents
Designation of Students to Advisers (return
to Table of Contents)
Each student is asked to choose an adviser from the Committee of Graduate
Advisers. This person will serve as their Graduate Adviser. If they do not
choose one, a Graduate Adviser will be assigned to them. See the Policy and
Procedure Manual on the GGE web site for more details.
Guidance Committee (return to Table of
Contents)
Initially, each student will have a Guidance Committee composed of three Academic
Senate faculty, at least two of whom must be members of the Graduate Group
in Epidemiology (GGE), appointed by the Graduate Adviser in consultation with
the student. The GGE faculty member whom the student suggests as Chair of
his/her Dissertation or Thesis Committee ("major professor") will be appointed
Chair of the Guidance Committee. If the student does not know who will be
his/her major professor, an interim chair will be appointed by the Adviser
until the third quarter of the first year, which is the deadline for determination
of the major professor. If the major professor is different from the Chair,
the major professor will be appointed as the new Chair of the Guidance Committee.
The Chair must be a member of the GGE. Guidance Committees are appointed via
the GGE "Guidance Committee" form (Appendix A) which
accommodates signatures of the three members and the Graduate Adviser.
The Guidance Committee shall recommend to the Graduate Adviser: 1) the equivalency
of any prerequisite and required courses taken at an institution other than
UCD, 2) the course work needed to fulfill the requirements in an appropriate
field of emphasis and special topic, and 3) whether the student has met course
requirements and is eligible to request advancement to candidacy (M.S. students)
or the qualifying examination (Ph.D. students). The Guidance Committee should
meet as a group with the student during the first quarter after admission
and at least once a year, or when there are changes in the course of study.
More frequent meetings are recommended. After the student has been advanced
to candidacy, the Guidance Committee will be replaced by the Thesis (M.S.)
or Dissertation (Ph.D.) Committee.
Major Professor (return to Table
of Contents)
The term "major professor" is used by the Group to indicate the faculty member
who is or who will be guiding the student in his/her research. Before advancement
of the student to candidacy, the Chair of the Guidance Committee acts in the
capacity of the major professor. The Chair of the Guidance Committee may be
re-designated by the Graduate Adviser, after consultation with the student,
if the new Chair is more closely aligned with the student's research interests
or if the previous chair cannot serve due to sabbatical leave or illness.
After advancement to candidacy (passing of the Qualifying Exam for Ph.D. students)
and after consultation with the student, a faculty member is nominated by
the Graduate Adviser to serve as Chair of the Dissertation Committee.
The major professor should be considered to be the principal faculty contact
for the student.
Area of Emphasis, Special Topic, and Course Plan
(return to Table of Contents)
The area of emphasis is the major focus of research the student will pursue
within the broad scope of epidemiology, and the special topic is the specific
disease, condition or problem the student will investigate in his/her research.
The area of emphasis, special topic, and appropriate course plan are determined
by the student in consultation with his/her Guidance Committee and approved
by the Graduate Adviser. For satisfactory progress to be made, the area of
emphasis, special topic, and course plan must be filed by the end of the first
quarter of the student's enrollment as a graduate student in the GGE. The
area of emphasis, special topic, and course plan may be changed later, with
approval of the Guidance Committee and Graduate Adviser.
All students (Ph.D. and M.S.) must complete a minimum of 9 elective units
in their area of emphasis. Ph.D. students and M.S. students on Plan II (exam
option) must take a minimum of 12 elective units total in approved courses,
which includes the 9 area of emphasis units (see Appendix
B). Within the various areas of emphasis, certain classes may be required
of all students selecting that area. To request an area of emphasis other
than one of those suggested, a request must be made in writing by the Chair
of the Guidance Committee to the Adviser. In consultation with the Educational
Policy Committee, the Adviser will determine appropriateness of the suggested
area of emphasis. GGE faculty wishing to add a new suggested area of emphasis
or a course to an existing area of emphasis should submit a request to the
Educational Policy Committee.
Transfer of Credit (return to Table of
Contents)
With the consent of the Graduate Adviser and the Dean of Graduate Studies,
some work taken elsewhere may be credited toward degree requirements. The
limit for the transfer of such credit is six units from another institution
or up to one-half of the unit requirement from another campus of the University
of California, if the units were not used to satisfy the requirements for
another degree.
1. Concurrent Courses
A student may be allowed to transfer up to twelve units of credit for upper
division and graduate work taken through UC Davis Open Campus through University
Extension courses prior to admission to a graduate program. A letter from
the Graduate Adviser indicating approval of the transfer must be sent to Graduate
Studies before the transfer can be made. The student will be required to submit
an official copy of the current University Extension transcript if one is
not already on file in Graduate Studies. Students will receive unit and grade
point credit for their transferred concurrent course work.
2. Summer Sessions
Credit for work taken during the Davis Summer Sessions prior to admission
may be transferred towards the graduate program provided the work was done
after receipt of the bachelor's degree and was not a requirement for admission.
3. Undergraduate Status
Under current regulations at UC Davis, as many as six units of graduate course
work taken by a student in undergraduate status may be credited towards a
graduate degree program provided they were not used in satisfaction of the
unit or any other require-ments for the bachelor's degree. Only 200-level
courses are eligible for transfer.
4. University Extension
By Academic Senate regulation, University Extension X300 level courses cannot
be used to satisfy unit requirements for graduate degrees.
5. University of California
Up to one half of the unit requirement may be transferred from graduate level
enrollment at another UC campus. Grade points and residency are transferrable.
6. Other Universities
Up to six units may be transferred from another university if the student
was in graduate status. 100 or 200 level courses may be transferred; grade
points do not transfer.
Non - graded S/U Courses and 298 Courses (return
to Table of Contents)
Students who have not advanced to candidacy may take one S/U course per quarter
with approval of the Graduate Adviser. The course must be in an area that is new
or exploratory for the student (e.g., not in the special topic or area of emphasis).
Courses designated by the number 298 have not been approved by the Academic Senate
and, therefore, the GGE does not consider the courses acceptable to fulfill either
required courses or the 9 units of electives necessary for the area of emphasis.
Unit Load (return to Table
of Contents)
Graduate students are expected to enroll for a minimum of 12 units each
quarter. Exceptions are part-time students, first quarter international
students and students with special circumstances. If a student has special
circumstances, the Graduate Adviser should advise Graduate Studies, so a
"hold" is not placed on the student's registration. Units of 299 should
be assigned for students doing supervised preparation for qualifying examinations.
For budgetary purposes, Graduate Studies wants students to enroll in course
work (12 units) before the last day of the third week of classes. The following
are suggestions from Graduate Studies for course loads for full-time students.
| 1. |
Students should not enroll for more than
16 units of 100 and 200 level courses combined or for more than 12
units of 200 level course work.
|
| 2. |
Teaching Assistants are not expected to
enroll in more than 9 units of seminar or graded course work, but
should try to attain the expected 12 unit load with appropriate 299
units and credit for courses in techniques of teaching and laboratory
supervision. Credit for these legitimate activities can increase the
number of credits the T.A. receives without increasing the workload.
|
| 3. |
Research Assistants should enroll in 12
units. This unit load should include the appropriate number of 299
research units. |
|
Annual Evaluation of Progress (return
to Table of Contents)
Graduate Council policy requires the Graduate Adviser to file an annual, written
evaluation of the academic progress of each graduate student. This procedure is
intended to ensure that each student receives from the faculty (Major Professor
or Guidance Committee Chair) a careful, written assessment of his/her progress
at least once during every academic year. On the basis of this evaluation, each
student who is rated as making unsatisfactory progress, receives a warning letter
from Graduate Studies indicating specific conditions that must be met in order
to continue in graduate status. A satisfactory progress report does not necessarily
imply that a student will ultimately succeed in completing a graduate program.
These reports do, however, serve to provide the student and Graduate Studies with
a more accurate assessment of performance than might otherwise be available.
Students will be evaluated annually (July of every year) on their progress. Ph.D.
students must maintain a G.P.A. of 3.3 (B+) or better and M.S. students 3.0 (B)
or better in all graduate and upper division course work to maintain satisfactory
progress. In addition, full-time Ph.D. students will be considered to be
making satisfactory progress if all necessary course work (core requirements and
12 units of electives) is completed by the beginning of Fall Quarter of the third
year, if the Qualifying Examination is taken within 2 quarters of becoming eligible
to take the examination (see Timing of the Examination),
and if projected completion of all degree requirements, including filing of the
dissertation, is within 5 years of admission to the program (see The
Dissertation).
Double Majors (return to Table of Contents)
The minimum G.P.A. normally required for admission to a double major is 3.3. Applicants
for admission to two graduate programs administered by Graduate Studies must file
the Petition for Double Major along with the regular graduate studies application,
application fee and transcripts. Under a ruling by the Graduate Council, a student
who is in a double major program (either a professional degree/academic degree
program or two academic degree programs) may transfer a total of 12 units overall
between academic programs with the approval of the Graduate Adviser and the Dean
of Graduate Studies. The student must spend a minimum of two quarters in regular
graduate standing in the master's program to fulfill the residency requirements
of Graduate Studies.
THE MASTER'S DEGREE (return
to Table of Contents)
A Master's degree is awarded to recognize a student's command of a wide
range of knowledge in a specific area or field. A master's degree may be
awarded upon completion of one of two basic plans in which either a thesis
or a comprehensive examination is required.
Requirements for M.S. Degree (return
to Table of Contents)
| 1. |
Residency: Candidates for the M.S.
degree must be in residence at least three academic quarters. Two
consecutive six-week summer sessions may be counted as the equivalent
of one regular quarter. A minimum of two units must be taken in each
session.
|
| 2. |
Scholarship: Only courses in the
100, 200, 300 or 400 series in which the student receives grades of
"A", "B", and "C" or "S" may be counted in satisfaction of the requirements
for the Master's degree. A course in which a student receives a "D+"
or lower cannot be used to satisfy the unit requirement for the Master's
degree but will count in determining the grade point average. Courses
in the 300 or 400 series may be accepted as 200 series courses if
they have been approved by Graduate Council as graduate-level courses.
Students must maintain a G.P.A. of 3.0 or better in all upper division
and graduate courses elected during their residence as graduate students.
|
| 3. |
Choice of Degree Plan: Students
must satisfactorily complete either a Thesis (Plan
I) or a Comprehensive Examination (Plan II).
|
Master's Degree Plans and Unit Requirements (return
to Table of Contents)
There are two degree plans for Master's students: 1) The Thesis Plan (Plan
I), and the Examination Plan (Plan II). In the
Thesis Plan (Plan I), students are required to take
a minimum of 30 units of courses and a minimum of 6 credits of research
units (EPI 299). In Examination Plan (Plan II), students
are required to take a minimum of 36 units of courses.
Required and Suggested Area of Emphasis Courses for
M.S. (return to Table of Contents)
Required classes (Appendix C) are those required
of all students in the program (M.S. and Ph.D.). These requirements cannot
be waived. A minimum of 9 credits in Area of Emphasis courses must also
be taken (Appendix B).
Advancement to Candidacy (return
to Table of Contents)
Master's degree students should file an official application for Advancement
to Candidacy after completion of at least one-half of the course requirements
for the degree and at least one quarter before completion of all degree
requirements. The forms can be obtained from Graduate Studies, Room 252
Mrak Hall.
Master's Thesis Proposal (Plan I) (return
to Table of Contents)
For students in Plan I, a research topic must be approved by the student's
Guidance Committee prior to commencing research.
Thesis Committee (Plan I) (return
to Table of Contents)
For students in Plan I, after Guidance Committee approval of the topic,
a thesis committee with three members will be nominated by the Graduate
Adviser, in consultation with the student, and appointed by the Dean of
Graduate Studies. The completed thesis must be approved by the Thesis Committee.
The topic should be acceptable to all three members of the Committee when
they agree to serve, and a joint meeting of the committee members and the
student should be held at that time. The thesis defense will be presented
in a GGE seminar open to the public.
Examination (Plan II) (return
to Table of Contents)
Master's students in examination Plan II are required to complete a comprehensive
oral examination administered by a committee of at least three members nominated
by the Graduate Adviser, in consultation with the student.
|
THE DOCTORAL DEGREE (return
to Table of Contents)
The recipient of a Ph.D. degree is understood to possess thorough knowledge
of a broad field of learning and to have given evidence of distinguished
accomplishment in that field. The degree is a warrant of critical ability
and powers of imaginative synthesis. The degree also signifies that the
recipient has presented a doctoral dissertation containing an original contribution
to knowledge in her or his chosen field of study.
Requirements for Ph.D. Degree (return
to Table of Contents)
| 1. |
Residency: Students working toward
a doctorate must be registered and in University (Graduate Studies)
residence for a minimum of six quarters. Two consecutive six-week
summer sessions may be counted as the equivalent of one regular quarter
if at least two units are taken in each.
|
| 2. |
Scholarship: Students must have
completed all required course work and have achieved a G.P.A. of 3.3
or better in all graduate work.
|
| 3. |
Qualifying Examination: Students
must pass the pre-qualifying written and Qualifying Examinations (see
Pre-qualifying and Qualifying
Examination sections of this document).
|
| 4. |
Dissertation: Students must submit
a dissertation approved by the Dissertation Committee, which is composed
of three to five faculty members who guide the candidate in his/her
research and pass upon the merits of the dissertation (see The
Dissertation section of this document).
|
| 5. |
Dissertation Defense. All students
must defend their dissertation before their Dissertation Committee
and in a GGE seminar open to the public. The seminar is expected to
be a well organized and succinct presentation of the research. Faculty
should be aware that the quality of the dissertation defense seminar
is reflective of the quality of support and guidance provided by the
dissertation committee. One copy of the dissertation draft will be
made available by the student to faculty and students at least one
week before the scheduled public defense. The seminar is to be announced
to the group in writing with a brief abstract. |
Required Courses (return
to Table of Contents)
Required courses (Appendix C) are those required
of all students in the program (M.S. and Ph.D.). These requirements cannot
be waived and must be met prior to a student's Qualifying
Examination.
Research Proposal Seminar (return
to Table of Contents)
The student is required to present a seminar describing the proposed research
topic. The seminar should indicate the specific hypotheses, and reasoning
behind the hypotheses, design, materials, assays, methods, statistical
tests, and anticipated results. The seminar must be presented prior to
the Qualifying Examination.
Pre-Qualifying Written Examination (return
to Table of Contents)
After completion of coursework and equivalents, and before the oral qualifying
examination, students must pass a pre-qualifying written examination.
The purposes of the written examination are to determine whether a PhD
student has mastered the material offered in the required core courses
and to improve assessment of students during the Qualifying Examination
by reducing time spent examining the student on material covered in didactic
instruction.
Material covered: The areas covered in the
written examination will be those presented in the required core courses
in basic epidemiology, epidemiologic study design, advanced epidemiology,
and statistics. Material to be examined will be limited to that presented
in those core courses and will be described in a student syllabus, which
will identify subjects, topics, and concepts, with the skills, knowledge,
and/or abilities expected of the student.
Examination Committee: An Examination Committee
consisting of 6 faculty will be appointed by the Executive Committee to
develop and maintain the syllabus, to develop and grade examination questions,
to schedule and administer the examination, and to report results of the
examination. The Committee will have a Chair, and will be composed of
two statisticians and four epidemiologists, with a membership representing
the Schools of Veterinary Medicine and Medicine and another School or
College. The Committee will develop questions from a bank of questions
presented by GGE faculty members. The Committee will assess the appropriateness
of each question and the answer provided by the faculty member who developed
the question, after consulting with those who have provided instruction
in the core courses. Each question will be graded by at least 2 faculty,
the one who proposed the question and 1 of the committee members. Previous
exam questions will be available for students to review.
Nature of the examination: Exam questions
will test the student's knowledge of epidemiologic and statistical methods
and of their theoretical bases and the student's ability to evaluate methodology,
analyze data, and demonstrate logical interpretation of data. Question
types will be essay, problem solving, and derivations. The examination
will be an integrated exam which covers basic epidemiology, epidemiologic
design, advanced epidemiology and statistics. It is expected that questions
relating to epidemiology will constitute approximately 70% of the examination
and statistics approximately 30%. The exam will take place during two
4-hour sessions (1 session per day) for 2 days in September, about 1 week
before the Fall quarter begins.
Early in the following April, students who did not pass one or both parts
in their first attempt will retake the part(s) of the exam they did not
pass. The duration and scheduling of the sessions will be the same as
for the first examination.
Examinations will be identified by a confidential student code, which
will be unblinded after the exam has been graded, the score has been determined,
and a 'Pass', 'Not Pass', or 'Fail' decision has been made.
Examination outcome: The passing score for
the examination will be determined by the examination committee for each
offering of the examination. Passing scores will not be determined by
"curve grading". Within 4 weeks of the last day of the September examination,
the Examination Committee will submit the final score and a 'Pass' or
'Not Pass' to the Chair of the GGE, the Graduate Advisers, and the student.
In the second, retake examination, the passing score will be determined
by the examination committee. Within 4 weeks of the last day of the examination,
the Examination Committee will submit the final score and a 'Pass' or
'Fail' to the Chair of the GGE, the Graduate Advisers, and the student.
A student who receives a 'Fail' in the second examination will be dropped
from the program. Students have the right to appeal the Examination Committee's
decision grade to the Executive Committee and/or to Graduate Studies.
The protocol for informing students of the outcome of their written pre-qualifying
examination is as follows: A. The written exam committee decides if the
student passed or failed. B. The student is sent an email informing them
of their result on the exam. C. A formal letter gets sent to the student
with copies given to the GRADUATE ADVISER and chair of the oral exam committee.
The letter delineates any weaknesses that may need to be addressed on
the QE. IT IS THE GRADUATE ADVISER'S ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILTIY TO ENSURE
THAT THE QE CHAIR RECEIVES THIS LETTER SINCE THE QE COMMITTEE WILL GENERALLY
NOT YET HAVE BEEN FORMED AT THE TIME OF THE PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION. Additional
questions will be addressed during the oral exam pertaining to weakness
in written exam. IT IS THE GRADUATE ADVISER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE
THAT THE QE CHAIR UNDERSTANDS THAT THE EXTRA RESPONSIBILITY OF THE QE
COMMITTEE IN SUCH INSTANCES.
The Qualifying Examination (return
to Table of Contents)
Students in a PhD program at the University of California are required
by the University to pass the Qualifying Examination (QE) before being
advanced to candidacy for the degree. The Qualifying Examination Committee
evaluation will consider relevant portions of the student's academic record
and performance on the examination in making an overall evaluation of
the student's performance and potential for scholarly research.
The purpose of the QE in the GGE is to assess whether the student is prepared
for and capable of independent and critical thinking in general, and especially
in the broad areas of epidemiology, statistics, the area of emphasis,
and in the special topic selected by the student, and to assess whether
the student is qualified to pursue the formal research phase of the PhD
program.
The QE differs from the GGE pre-qualifying written examination
in that the QE evaluates the student's ability to integrate and utilize
the knowledge and skills critical for independent and creative research
and analysis. The pre-qualifying examination emphasizes
the assessment of mastery, working knowledge, and understanding of the
materials presented in the required core courses of the GGE program; whereas
the QE focuses on the student's ability to synthesize ideas and concepts,
formulate approaches, problem-solve, and demonstrate the breadth and depth
of knowledge at an advanced level of understanding of the theory and concepts
in areas being examined. QE assessment often is made partly in the context
of the student's proposed research; whereas assessment in the pre-qualifying
examination does not.
Timing of the Examination: If minimal or
no required course work has been undertaken prior to admission, the Qualifying
Examination should be taken between Spring quarter of the second year
and the end of Winter quarter of the third year. If significant course
work (e.g., Masters in Preventive Veterinary Medicine course work) has
been taken prior to admission, however, the student is expected to take
the Qualifying Examination before Fall quarter of the third year. Failure
to meet these milestones may be considered unsatisfactory progress. Once
each quarter, the Graduate Advisers will nominate Qualifying Committees
for those students who will become eligible to take the Qualifying Examination
by the end of that quarter. The date of the examination will be determined
by the student and the committee chair. It is the responsibility of the
student to arrange the date and time of the examination with all committee
members. The examination should be scheduled at least 3 months from the
time committee nominations are submitted to Graduate Studies. Note that
some faculty are on 9-month appointments and may not be available during
the summer.
Eligibility: To be eligible for examination
the student must have satisfied all GGE course requirements, removed any
deficiencies, and have at least a 'B +' (3.3 G.P.A.) average for all upper
division and 200-series courses taken while registered as a graduate student.
The student must be registered for the quarter in which any portion of
the examination is taken. In order to take the Qualifying Examination
over the summer, the student must be registered during spring quarter.
Selection of the Committee: A Qualifying Examination
Committee ordinarily consists of five members. The student should meet
with the Graduate Adviser at least three months prior to the proposed
date of the examination to discuss the examination. The student is to
notify the Graduate Adviser of the field of the special topic, which he/she
will defend. The field of special topic is the minor area of specialization
the student intends to pursue during the research phase of the program.
If a student wishes, he/she may submit names of faculty he/she considers
qualified to examine the student in the fields of the Area of Emphasis
and Special Topic. During the quarter in which all course requirements
will have been met, the Graduate Adviser will submit to the student an
initial list of faculty for the Committee. There should be no expectation
that any of those listed by the student necessarily will be nominated.
One member may be appointed from outside the Group. See the advisers document
of the Policy and Procedure Manual for further details.
After consulting with the student, the Adviser will submit nominations
to Graduate Studies. Any member who serves on the Qualifying Committee
is ineligible to serve later as Chair of the Dissertation Committee. Qualifying
Committees are appointed by Graduate Studies, which asks that the Graduate
Adviser nominate faculty for a Qualifying Examination at least eight weeks
prior to the examination date. A student must not take the examination
prior to formal appointment of the committee by Graduate Studies.
Requirements for membership on Qualifying Examination Committees have
been established by the Graduate Council in an effort to ensure that the
examination is a fair and accurate measure of the student's ability and
progress. A member of a committee must have earned a doctorate and must
have demonstrated creative and independent research and distinguished
accomplishment in the field being examined.
Under some circumstances, one member of the committee, who is not a faculty
member of the University of California, may be appointed on the basis
of special expertise and qualifications. The Graduate Adviser must submit
to Graduate Studies a brief statement indicating the potential appointee's
affiliation and title and degrees held, and describing the special expertise
that is not otherwise available. A curriculum vitae and a letter from
the nominated person indicating willingness to serve also should be submitted.
If a student is dissatisfied with a nomination, the student should submit
an appeal to the Executive Committee of the GGE via the Chair of the GGE.
If the student is dissatisfied with the decision of the Executive Committee,
the student may submit an appeal to the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies.
|
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITES (return
to Table of Contents)
| * |
Prior to nomination of the QE committee, the student
should provide the Graduate Adviser with a one-page abstract or summary
of the student's proposed research, including the hypothesis and methods
to assist the Graduate Adviser in identifying appropriate faculty
to serve on the QE.
|
| * |
The student should meet with each nominated QE committee
member at least twice before the scheduled examination. Frequency,
duration, and number of meetings between an individual committee member
and the student are decided by those two individuals. The purposes
of the meetings should be to understand the committee member's expectations
for the student's performance on the QE, to identify relevant material
and approaches for preparation, and to familiarize the faculty with
the student's proposed research. Students may enroll in a XXX 299
course with each faculty member, if warranted by the body of subject
material and agreed upon by the committee member. Students should
notify their Graduate Adviser if a committee member cannot accommodate
a request to meet at least twice before the scheduled examination.
|
| * |
The student must contact each member of the QE committee
to determine dates and times available for the QE, and must notify
each QE committee member of the final date, time, and location of
the QE.
|
| * |
The student must reserve a room for the QE for at least
4 hours for the date and time; the typical time for the examination
process is at least 3 hours. The GGE adminstrative support person can help the student identify available rooms.
|
| * |
The student is responsible for scheduling, in conjunction
with the QE committee members, the required GGE seminar on his/her
proposed research sometime before the QE, which should be attended
by all QE members.
|
| * |
In coordination with the chair of the QE committee,
the student must provide each QE committee member with a written project
proposal at least one week before the scheduled examination. General
recommendations for the written proposal are provided in the ‘Requirements
and Guidelines for the GGE,' but the student should consult with the
chair of the QE committee to determine any specific expectations the
committee members may have for format, detail, and length of the proposal.
|
|
FORMAT AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE EXAMINATION
(return to Table of Contents)
| * |
The general guidelines for administration of the QE, including responsibility
of the QE committee chair, options for passing, not passing, or failing,
and advancement to candidacy are available from Graduate Studies,
UC Davis, Mrak Hall.
|
| * |
Shortly after the QE committee receives notification of its nomination,
the QE committee chair, in consultation with the Graduate Adviser
and the QE committee, should determine if the examination should proceed,
as judged by a review of the student's transcripts, to verify that
all requirements have been met, to assess performance in required
core and elective courses and in the research proposal seminar, and
to assess preparation for his/her area of emphasis and special topic.
Copies of student's transcripts and of the approved course plan, which
indicates all the courses taken to fulfill the Area of Emphasis and
Special Topic, will be provided at the time of notification of nomination
by the Graduate Adviser. Although the Guidance Committee, ‘major professor,'
Graduate Adviser, and Committee Advisers all are responsible for assessing
whether the student is prepared to take the QE, the QE committee assumes
the final responsibility in determining whether the examination should
proceed. The committee, or a committee member communicating through
the chair, however, may determine at any time before the scheduled
QE that the student is not prepared to take the QE and that the QE
should not proceed as scheduled.
|
| * |
If it is determined that the QE should not proceed, the chair is
responsible for communicating in writing to the student, with copy
to the Graduate Adviser, why the committee believes the QE should
not proceed and what student deficiencies must be met in a specified
time frame before the QE can be rescheduled. The rescheduled QE should
take place in the most expedient and specified time frame based on
student deficiencies that need to be fulfilled, preferable within
six months of the first scheduled QE.
|
| * |
If it is determined that the QE should proceed, the QE committee
will determine, by majority vote, the specific format of the exam.
The format should consider whether, in addition to the oral component,
the examination will include a written component from one or more
committee members, the specific format for any written component,
whether or not the student should present an overview of the proposed
research, the duration of any such presentation, the format for oral
questioning, and scheduled breaks in the examination. Students should
be given at least 2 months to complete any written component of the
QE, which should be handed back to the QE committee at least 2 weeks
before the scheduled date of the QE. Written questions may also be
given for retake of certain portions of the exam on which the student's
performance was not adequate (any written component is considered
part of this administration of the QE). While students are encouraged
to use library resources, the student may not discuss written questions
with individuals other than members of their QE committee. The QE
committee is responsible for ensuring that the anticipated effort
to be put forth by the student in completing the examination is fair
and reasonable.
|
| * |
The content of examination questions or material used by an individual
committee member to assess student abilities is determined by the
individual member; academic freedom dictates that the content of questions
or examination material of individual faculty members is not subject
to debate by the QE committee.
|
| * |
All members of the QE committee must meet formally as a group with
the student to administer the QE, to clarify any written responses
to questions administered prior to the scheduled QE, and to assess
the student's overall performance on the examination.
|
| * |
All committee members are required to attend (as required by the
Academic Senate), and should actively participate, during the entire
scheduled QE of the student. The QE should not be allowed to proceed
if all members will not or cannot be present during the entire scheduled
examination. |
|
The Examination: In preparing for the qualifying examination,
the following significance and expectation of the Ph.D. degree should be borne
in mind by the student and qualifying committee: "The recipient of the Ph.D. degree
is understood to possess thorough knowledge of a broad field of learning and to
have given evidence of creative and distinguished accomplishment in that field;
the degree is a warrant of critical ability and powers of imaginative synthesis"
(Graduate Adviser's Handbook).
The dissertation proposal (Appendix D) is to be prepared
by the student and distributed to the committee at least one week prior to the
examination. The proposal is to be written in the format of an N.I.H. or U.S.D.A.
grant and should not exceed six typed single-spaced pages. The proposal will be
considered in evaluating the student's potential for scholarly research. The student
also is to provide the chair of the Qualifying Examination Committee with a curriculum
vitae.
In addition to the fields of epidemiology, research and quantitative methods,
the student will be examined in both a major (the approved
area of emphasis) and a minor (special topic selected by the student) field
within the broad scope of epidemiology. The special topic is the minor field of
interest chosen by the student with approval of the Guidance Committee and Adviser.
Informal "mock" examinations with a group of faculty are encouraged.
ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE BY THE COMMITTEE
(return to Table of Contents)
A committee member should refrain from making conclusions as to the ultimate disposition
of the QE until the final phase of the process when the QE committee deliberates
the final decision.
The QE should attempt to assess the student's performance with respect to his/her
ability of independent and critical analysis, including analytical skills specific
to epidemiology, statistics, the Area of Emphasis, and the Special Topic; ability
to apply principles and knowledge in the subject area; knowledge of current and
contemporary issues in the student's proposed research; general knowledge of science;
ability to integrate information and to reason based on examples or situations
not necessarily related to his/her proposed research; and ability to hypothesize,
extrapolate, and synthesize ideas.
Although the student will have passed the pre-qualifying written examination,
and, therefore, will be assumed to possess a mastery of the material presented
in the required GGE core courses, QE committee members may in the course of the
examination address issues of mastery of core course material, as deemed necessary.
Assessment of student performance should consider the student's ability to defend
methods and concepts, justify analyses, and critically assess the strengths and
weaknesses of his/her proposed research, and to be able to provide appropriate
reasoning behind the research.
The student should be able to demonstrate an appropriate depth and breadth of
knowledge in the area of his/her research.
Assessment of student performance should not be based on such factors as the nature
of perceived scientific merit of the proposed research, future career goals, academic
affiliations, faculty membership, or funding potential of proposed research.
Student performance on the QE as a whole is evaluated by all committee members.
In reaching a committee agreement on overall assessment, each member should evaluate
the student's performance on a) each of the following areas: epidemiology, statistics,
the area of emphasis, and the special topic and b) on the examination overall.
Five outcomes of the first QE are possible:
* a student may pass,
* a student may not pass all or part of the examination,
* a student may fail the QE,
* a 'no exam' may be declared,
* a 'split vote' may be cast by the QE committee.
In order to declare a 'pass,' the QE committee must be unanimous in agreeing that
the student has passed each of the four areas of the examination and the examination
overall.
A 'pass' on the qualifying exam indicates that the student's performance has been
judged to be of sufficiently high quality to recommend him/her to be advanced
to candidacy to pursue the formal research phase of their graduate education in
epidemiology.
Advancement to Candidacy (return
to Table of Contents)
Upon successful completion of the qualifying examination,
the student is sent an application for advancement to candidacy by Graduate Studies.
After the application is filled out and signed by the Graduate Adviser and major
professor, the student pays the $50 candidacy fee at the Cashier's office and
returns the form to Graduate Studies.
When the application is submitted to the Graduate Adviser for signature, it should
be accompanied by a letter from the proposed Chair of the Dissertation Committee
recommending faculty for the Dissertation Committee. Upon advancement to candidacy
for the degree, the Dissertation Committee will be appointed to direct the student
in his/her research problem and to guide in the preparation of the dissertation.
Selection of The Dissertation Committee (return
to Table of Contents)
| 1. |
The Graduate Adviser nominates to Graduate
Studies three members of the Dissertation Committee after consultation
with the student. These three faculty members guide the candidate
in the research phase and approve the dissertation.
|
| 2. |
Qualifications for membership on the Dissertation
Committee are the same as for members of the Qualifying Examination
Committee. The student should consult with his/her major professor
about membership before meeting with the Graduate Adviser.
|
| 3. |
The Chair and at least one other member
must be members of the GGE.
|
| 4. |
Once a committee has been constituted,
changes in membership may cause hardship for students as well as additional
workload for Graduate Studies. Disagreement over the quality of a
student's performance is not a legitimate reason for a member to be
asked to be removed from a committee or for him/her to be replaced.
Acceptable reasons for replacement of a member are 1) extended absence
from the campus, 2) illness or 3) a substantial and justified change
in the student's research topic. When membership changes must be made,
the Graduate Adviser should nominate a new committee member giving
reason for the change. For any change once a committee has been constituted,
the Graduate Adviser must submit a statement of the reason for the
request for change, and the reason must be acceptable to the Dean
of Graduate Studies. |
|
The Dissertation (return to Table
of Contents)
A dissertation on a subject chosen by the candidate and of such character as to
show the ability to conduct an independent, original, and creative investigation
must be approved by the Dissertation Committee and by the Graduate Council. A
degree cannot be granted only on the basis of completion of a course of study,
however extensive. A doctoral student who, after a written warning from the Dissertation
Committee, has not made acceptable progress on a dissertation for at least a year,
may be subject to disqualification.
The research plan must be approved in writing by the Dissertation Committee and
submitted to the Graduate Adviser within one quarter after being advanced to candidacy.
The plan should indicate that the dissertation will address a subject chosen by
the student and contain the following elements:
| 1. |
It must be original.
|
| 2. |
It must demonstrate creative and independent
work and be of publishable quality for a peer-reviewed journal.
|
| 3. |
It must contribute to the body of knowledge in
epidemiology.
|
| 4. |
All aspects must be defensible, including hypothesis(es),
quality of data, methods, results and interpretation. The student must participate
in sufficient study design, sample collection, biologic tests or assays,
and data collection to demonstrate knowledge of respective techniques, errors,
and biases.
|
| 5. |
Use of established statistical methods on an
existing data base is not acceptable for a dissertation. Development of
new statistical or analytic methods using an existing data base is acceptable,
however, provided the student demonstrates experience in appropriate study
design and data collection to the satisfaction of the Dissertation Committee.
|
| 6. |
The work must be primarily that of the student;
the student should be primary author of all chapters or manuscripts included
in the dissertation.
|
| 7. |
The dissertation must be tied together by a unifying
theme. |
The format of the Dissertation would typically include the following sections:
| 1. |
Introduction
|
| 2. |
Critical review of the literature
|
| 3. |
At least three chapters, each representing a
publishable paper in journal-ready format for a peer-reviewed journal.
|
| 4. |
Summary |
A monograph format may be used if deemed appropriate by the student's Dissertation
Committee.
It is strongly recommended that at least one manuscript derived from the dissertation
be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal before the dissertation
is approved. Instructions on the dissertation format are available from Graduate
Studies.
All students must defend their dissertation before their Dissertation Committee
and in a seminar open to the public.
The candidate must file with the Dean of Graduate Studies one copy of the dissertation
approved by the Dissertation Committee, not later than three weeks before the
close of the quarter in which the degree is to be conferred. An abstract of the
dissertation must be filed by the same date.
At the time of filing the dissertation, the student is encouraged to sign an agreement
with University Microfilms, Inc. to microfilm the dissertation and print the abstract
in Dissertation Abstracts. Arrangements for copyrighting the dissertation
and for obtaining reprints of the abstract, if desired, must also be made at this
time. Dissertations will be withheld from microfilming only at the request of
the student and then for a period not in excess of three years from the date the
dissertation is filed. Complete information is available from Graduate Studies.
Filing Fee (return to Table of Contents)
The Filing Fee was established expressly to assist those students who had completed
all requirements for degrees except filing theses or dissertations and/or taking
formal final examinations (master's comprehensive examinations or doctoral dissertation
defenses).
Eligibility for Filing Fee (return
to Table of Contents)
To prevent abuses of the Filing Fee procedures, definite limitations on eligibility
for the Fee have been established. In general, these limitations are based upon
the principle that students using University facilities or making demands upon
faculty time - other than the time involved in the final reading of dissertations
or theses or in holding final examinations - are not eligible to employ the Filing
Fee procedure. Students paying only the Filing Fee are not registered students
eligible for the privileges accorded regularly enrolled students. In particular,
students using the Filing Fee:
| a. |
may not make use of university educational facilities,
such as the Library (unless the student has purchased a Library use card)
or laboratories;
|
| b. |
are not eligible for the services of the University
Health Center or for University housing;
|
| c. |
may not take course work of any kind;
|
| d. |
may not make use of faculty time except as noted
above;
|
| e. |
may not hold any academic student appointment
titles (e.g., Research Assistant, Teaching Assistant, Post Graduate Researcher,
Associate In, Graduate Reader); and
|
| f. |
may not receive a fellowship or financial aid. |
Students who plan to make use of Library or other facilities or to take courses
must register as regular students. Students who plan to be away from the campus
but to be in an instructional relationship with faculty members must register
as regular students (a student outside the State of California may be eligible
to register for reduced fees). Students planning to take Qualifying Examinations
for the Ph.D. must register as regular students. Completion of formal course
work or residency requirements does not entitle a student to apply for the Filing
Fee unless she or he will use no University facilities or faculty time except
as noted above.
Students wishing to make use of the Filing Fee procedure should secure a Filing
Fee application from the Graduate Division, obtain the signatures of the Graduate
Adviser and major professor, and return the form to the Graduate Division before
she or he stops registering. The Filing Fee (one half the Registration Fee)
is payable at the time the thesis or dissertation is filed or the comprehensive
examination is completed. The fee may also be paid at the time the application
is submitted to the Graduate Division. The Filing Fee is assessed only once
and may be deferred to a later quarter if the student does not finish at the
anticipated time.
Nonresident Tuition Reduction after Advancement to Candidacy:
(return to Table of Contents)
Nonresident PhD students who have advanced to candidacy by the first day of
Fall quarter are eligible for a reduction of 75% of the tuition charge beginning
that Fall quarter. The student is eligible for the reduced charge for up to
3 years after advancement to candidacy. After 3 years if the student has not
completed their degree, the charge will revert to whatever is in place at that
time.
|
(return to Table of Contents)
|
Progress Outline
(M.S. and Ph.D.)
The GGE has two possible tracks to follow for progress toward the
MS and PhD degrees.
|
Track 1: Proposed Core Curriculum with probable
scenario for students who have not completed statistics and
calculus requirements before entering the program.
|
| |
Summer |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
|
| Year 1 |
|
EPI 205A (4)
EPI 205B (2) |
EPI 206 (3)
PHR 202* (3) |
EPI 207 (3)
EPI 290 (1) |
| Prerequisites |
MPM 402 (4) |
MPM 403 (4) |
|
|
| |
or —>
|
STA 102 (4) |
STA 106 (4) |
|
| |
Math 16A (3) |
|
|
STA 108 (4) |
| Year 2 |
|
STA 130A(4)
STA 144* (4) |
STA 130B (4) |
EPI 204 (4)
EPI 208 (3)
EPI 290 (1) |
|
| *Students take one of the sampling
courses, STA 144 or PHR 202 |
| |
| Track 2 : Proposed new curriculum
with probable scenario for students who have completed
statistics and calculus requirements before entering the program.
|
|
|
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
|
|
| Year 1 |
EPI 205A (4)
EPI 205B (2)
STA 130A (4)
STA 144* or —> |
EPI 206 (3)
STA 130B (4)
PHR 202* (3) |
EPI 207 (3)
EPI 204 (4)
EPI 208 (3)
EPI 290 (1) |
|
|
*Students take one of the sampling courses, STA 144 or PHR 202 |
| |
Year 3: Ph.D. students take Written Pre-qualfying Examination
in September:
Qualifying Examination in Winter; Researcdh. M.S. students write thesis
or take exam. |
| |
YEAR 1
| Fall |
| |
Meet with major professor,
if known, or the special adviser assigned to you in this case,
and the graduate adviser to form the Guidance Committee.
Determine Fall quarter classes.
Meet with the Guidance Committee and prepare plan of course
work for degree.
File a two-year course plan with the Graduate Advisor.
Investigate scholarships and fellowships.
Area of Emphasis and appropriate course plan must be filed by
end of the quarter.
Follow course plan.
|
|
| Winter |
| |
Follow course plan |
| Spring |
| |
Follow course plan
Prepare grant applications
Student must choose major professor by the end of the third quarter
of the 1st year. |
| Summer |
| |
Track 1 students prepare for written pre-qualifying
examination, and take it in late September. |
YEAR 2
Prior to or at the beginning of Fall Quarter meet with
major professor, Guidance Committee, and Graduate Adviser to confirm
course plan and to make any adjustments. Investigate scholarships
and fellowships.
|
| Fall |
| |
Follow course plan.
Prepare research plan for approval.
Track 1 students who passed their written examination, prepare for
qualifying examination. |
| Winter |
| |
Follow course plan.
Research
Track 1 students prepare for and take qualifying examination.
Track 2 students follow course plan and research. |
| Spring |
| |
Meet with Guidance/Dissertation Committee to review
progress
Track 1 students - research.
Track 2 students - follow course plan and research. |
| Summer |
| |
Track 1 students - research
Track 2 students prepare for written pre-qualifying examination, and
take it in late September. |
YEAR 3 (and subsequent years)
| Fall/Winter/Spring |
| |
Track 1 - Research
Track 1 meet with Dissertation Committee to review progress.
Track 2 prepare for qualifying examination.
Track 2 prepare for and take qualifying examination by the end of
winter quarter. |
|
(return to Table of Contents)
Faculty Profiles
Entomology
BRUCE ELDRIDGE, Department of Entomology. Ecology and control of mosquitoes
of public health importance; epidemiology of mosquito-borne virus diseases of
humans; biological control of mosquitoes. E-mail: bfeldridge@ucdavis.edu
THOMAS SCOTT, Department of Entomology. Ecology, evolution, and epidemiology
of infectious diseases with a focus on the role of mosquitoes in virus transmission
cycles. E-mail: twscott@ucdavis.edu.
Environmental Engineering
MICHAEL JOHNSON, John Muir Inst. of the Environment, Civil & Environmental Engineering.
Interaction of contaminants and disease ecology. The interaction of contaminants,
immune function, and disease state in marine and terrestrial mammals. E-mail:
mbjohnson@ucdavis.edu
Nutrition
KENNETH H. BROWN, Department of Nutrition. Nutrition, infections, and growth
of children in less- developed countries. E-mail: khbrown@ucdavis.edu
KATHRYN DEWEY, Department of Nutrition. Maternal and child nutrition, with emphasis
on lactation and infant nutrition. Economic, agricultural and dietary factors
associated with malnutrition among populations in developing countries. E-mail:
kgdewey@ucdavis.edu
Statistics
RAHMAN AZARI, Division of Statistics. Categorical data analysis, time series
analysis. E-mail: asazari@ucdavis.edu
CHRISTIANA DRAKE, Division of Statistics. Biostatistics, epidemiologic studies.
E-mail: cmdrake@ucdavis.edu
WESLEY JOHNSON, Division of Statistics. Bayesian methods, categorical data analysis,
diagnostics, prediction, screening test methodology, survival analysis. E-mail:
wojohnson@ucdavis.edu
JUANJUAN FAN. Division of Statistics. Survival analysis. E-mail: jjfan@wald.ucdavis.edu
RICHARD LEVINE, Division of Statistics. Applied statistical techniques to epidemiological
problems. E-mail: levine@wald.ucdavis.edu
HANS-GEORG MUELLER, Division of Statistics. Biostatistics, regression analysis,
survival analysis, nonparametric curve estimation. E-mail: hgmueller@ucdavis.edu
ROBERT SHUMWAY, Division of Statistics. Time series applications. E-mail: rhshumway@ucdavis.edu
JESSICA UTTS, Division of Statistics. Application of statistics to various areas,
including but not limited to medicine. E-mail: jmutts@ucdavis.edu
ALVIN WIGGINS, Division of Statistics. Variance components estimation; stochastic
processes in biology; mathematical modeling of biological phenomena; applied
statistical inference; computer simulations. E- mail: adwiggins@ucdavis.edu
Graduate School of Management
DAVID ROCKE, Graduate School of Management, Robust statistical methods, components
of variance and statistical inference in bioassay. E-mail: dmrocke@ucdavis.edu
School of Medicine
STUART COHEN, Division of Infectious and Immunologic Diseases. Epidemiology
and microbiology of nosocomial infections. E-mail: stuart.cohen@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu
NEIL FLYNN, Department of Internal Medicine. AIDS Epidemiology. Current emphasis
on the prevention of the spread of HIV among IV drug users and disinfection
of IV drug paraphernalia using commonly available materials. E-mail: nmflynn@ucdavis.edu
DAVID GIBSON, Department of Internal Medicine. Epidemiology and primary prevention
of HIV; substance abuse and HIV; theoretical and applied social psychology and
community psychology. E-mail: drgibson@ucdavis.edu
ELLEN GOLD, Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine. Epidemiologic investigation
of adverse reproductive outcomes (including menstrual cycle disturbances, infertility,
spontaneous abortions and menopausal symptoms) and of cancer (including childhood,
pancreatic, lung and breast cancer) associated with lifestyle and occupational
and environmental exposures. E-mail: ebgold@ucdavis.edu
RICHARD L. KRAVITZ, Division of General Medicine, UCDMC. Understanding the clinical,
psychological, and ethical aspects of physician behavior in the hope of improving
quality of medical care. E-mail: rlkravitz@ucdavis.edu
NATHAN KUPPERMANN, Emergency Medicine, UCDMC. Laboratory evaluation of young
febrile children; laboratory and radiographic evaluation of pediatric trauma
patients; and emergency department evaluation and treatment of children with
diabetic ketoacidosis. Clinical and cost-effectiveness of laboratory testing
in the setting of the pediatric emergency department. E-mail: nkuppermann@ucdavis.edu.
BRUCE LEISTIKOW, Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine. Occupational medicine,
tobacco-related diseases. E-mail: bnleistikow@ucdavis.edu
HONGZHE LI, Internal Medicine/Rowe Program in Human Genetics. Developing statistical
methods for genetic epidemiology and molecular biology, and applying these methods
to genetic studies of complex human diseases. Statistical and mathematical formulation
of problems in genomics and bioinformatics. E-mail: hli@ucdavis.edu.
J. PAUL LEIGH, Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine. Costs of occupational injuries
and illnesses; applications of econometrics to epidemiology, e.g. instrumental
variables; costs of Hepatitis C. E-mail: pleigh@ucdavis.edu
JAMES P. MARCIN, Pediatrics, UCDMC. Health Services Research. Focus is in measures
of quality of care; specifically, length of stay models, severity of illness
measures, and clinical prediction rules. E-mail: jpmarcin@ucdavis.edu.
STEPHEN MCCURDY, Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine. General occupational
medicine and occupational health among semiconductor manufacturing workers and
agricultural workers, with emphasis on respiratory hazards. E-mail: samccurdy@ucdavis.edu
JOHN ROBBINS, Division of General Medicine. Clinical epidemiology in humans.
E-mail: jarobbins@ucdavis.edu
PATRICK ROMANO, Division of General Medicine. Evaluation of the clinical outcomes
of medical care, including different systems of health care delivery or payment.
Epidemiology of traumatic injury. Quality of medical and surgical care. E-mail:
psromano@ucdavis.edu
STEVEN SAMUELS, Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine. Epidemiologic methods,
reproductive epidemiology and biostatistics. E-mail: sjsamuels@ucdavis.edu
MARC SCHENKER, Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine. Environmental and occupational
risk factors for respiratory disease and lung cancer; biological monitoring
of occupational exposures, health hazards of pesticide exposure; and occupational
reproductive hazards. E-mail: mbschenker@ucdavis.edu
ROBERT SZABO, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. The etiology and epidemiology
of upper extremity work related disorders; musculoskeletal injury and prevention.
E-mail: rmszabo@ucdavis.edu
JEROLD THEIS, Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Study of nidality of
disease and those factors that contribute to the distribution of parasites in
various habitats. Telephone: 752-3427
School of Veterinary Medicine
ROB ATWILL, Veterinary Medical Teaching and Research Center. Assessing the environmental
and public health risk from and identifying cost-effective control strategies
for minimizing non-point source microbial contamination of surface water from
livestock production systems and free-ranging wildlife. Preharvest food safety
on rangeland cow-calf operations and dairy calf production medicine. E-mail:
ratwill@vmtrc.ucdavis.edu
ROBERT BONDURANT, Department of Population Health and Reproduction. Clinical,
epidemiological and immunobiological aspects of bovine venereal disease; increasing
the fecundity of ruminant livestock; causes of decreased reproductive efficiency
in dairy animals. E-mail: rhbondurant@ucdavis.edu
WALTER BOYCE, Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology. Parasite
epidemiology and disease ecology. Wildlife epidemiology. E-mail: wmboyce@ucdavis.edu
TIM CARPENTER, Department of Medicine and Epidemiology. Epidemiology and animal
health economics; simulation modeling; epidemiology and economics of fowl cholera.
E-mail: tecarpenter@ucdavis.edu
JAMES CASE, California Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Clinical Diagnostic
Medicine. Veterinary informatics and the application of geographic information
systems to the study of disease distributions. E-mail: jcase@cvdls.ucdavis.edu
BRUNO CHOMEL, Department of Population Health and Reproduction. Epidemiology
of zoonoses; relationships between wildlife and domestic animal zoonoses. E-mail:
bbchomel@ucdavis.edu
PATRICIA CONRAD, Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology. Epidemiology
of parasitic infections; molecular and antigenic characterization of protozoal
parasites. E-mail: paconrad@ucdavis.edu
NANCY EAST, Department of Medicine and Epidemiology. Epidemiology and control
of caprine arthritis encephalitis virus infection in dairy goats; characterization
of mortality patterns in sheep feedlots; characterization of disease patterns
which limit production parameters of sheep and dairy goats. E-mail: neeast@ucdavis.edu
THOMAS FARVER, Department of Population Health and Reproduction. Sampling designs
for estimating incidence and prevalence of disease in food animal populations.
Application of multivariate methods in epidemiology and veterinary medicine.
E-mail: tbfarver@ucdavis.edu
IAN GARDNER, Department of Medicine and Epidemiology. Clinical an analytic epidemiology,
multicausal nature of swine diseases and lowered productivity, especially respiratory
diseases. E-mail: iagardner@ucdavis.edu
SHARON HIETALA, California Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Clinical immunology,
serology, and applied biotechnology for laboratory diagnosis of food animal,
equine, and poultry diseases. Sero-epidemiology. E-mail: shietala@cvdls.ucdavis.edu
DAVID HIRD, Department of Medicine and Epidemiology. Quantitative epidemiologic
studies and surveillance systems of health and productivity in livestock in
the US and Latin America. E-mail: dwhird@ucdavis.edu
PHILIP KASS, Department of Population Health and Reproduction. Observational
study design and inference, analytic epidemiology, biostatistics, public health
and companion animal epidemiology; epidemiologic studies of animal models of
human health hazards and outcomes. E-mail: phkass@ucdavis.edu
NICHOLAS LERCHE, California Regional Primate Research Center. Epidemiology and
pathogenesis of retrovirus infections in nonhuman primates; development of nonhuman
primate models of human disease; methods of diagnosis, control and eradication
of infectious diseases in populations of captive primates; epidemiology of zoonotic
diseases; ecology of parasites and infectious diseases and their impact of free-living
populations of wild primates and other vertebrate species. E-mail: nwlerche@primate.ucdavis.edu
JONNA MAZET, Wildlife Health Center. Effects of petroleum products on wildlife,
development of diagnostic tests for free-ranging wildlife, marine ecotoxicology,
use of key wildlife species as biomarkers of environmental health. E-mail: jkmazet@ucdavis.edu
JOAN DEAN ROWE, Department of Population Health and Reproduction. Epidemiologic
aspects of reproductive performance in ruminants; epidemiology of caprine lentivirus
infection. Bovine protozoal abortion. E-mail: jdrowe@ucdavis.edu
MARK THURMOND, Department of Medicine and Epidemiology. Application of prospective
study designs and survival analyses in identifying and quantifying constraints
to health of cattle populations. E-mail: mcthurmond@ucdavis.edu
(return to Table of Contents)
(to print only this form)
|
APPENDIX A
GUIDANCE COMMITTEE
GRADUATE GROUP IN EPIDEMIOLOGY
|
Student: _________________________________
|
Degree Objective: _______ |
| |
|
|
|
| |
1. |
__________________________________,Chair
|
| |
|
__________________________________
Signature
|
|
| |
2. |
__________________________________,
|
| |
|
__________________________________
Signature
|
| |
3. |
__________________________________,
|
| |
|
__________________________________
Signature
|
| |
|
|
________________________________
Graduate Adviser
|
|
APPENDIX B
SUGGESTED AREAS OF EMPHASIS
|
1. Infectious Disease
Epidemiology
|
Strongly recommended
|
| EPI 222 |
Epidemiological modeling (3) |
VME 217
|
Evaluation of diagnostic tests (2) |
Electives
|
|
| ENT 153 |
Medical Entomology (4) |
| ENT 156 |
Biology of Parasitism (3) |
| IDI 280 |
Molecular Pathobiology for Diagnosis and Therapy
of Human and Animal Diseases (3) |
| MMI 107 |
Chemical and Cellular Immunology (4) |
| MMI 115 |
Ecological Parasitology (3) |
| MMI 200D |
Mechanisms of Microbial Interactions with Hosts
(3) |
| MMI 407 |
Chemical and cellular immunology (4) |
| MMI 409 |
Current immunology (2) |
| MMI 480A |
Medical immunology (2.5) |
| MIC 162 |
General Virology (4) |
| MIC 210 |
Molecular Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis
(3) |
| MIC 215 |
Recombinant DNA (2) |
| PMI 126 |
Fundamentals of Immunology (3) |
| PMI 126L |
Immunology Laboratory (2) |
| PMI 128 |
Biology of Animal Viruses (3) |
| PMI 270 |
Advanced immunology (3) |
| PHR 212 |
Epidemiology of the zoonoses (4) |
| |
|
| 2. Health
Services and Health Economics Required |
| |
|
| AGE 100A |
Intermediate microeconomics (4) |
AGE 100B
or |
Intermediate microeconomics (4) |
VME 255
and either |
Animal Health Economics (3) |
AGE 252
or |
Applied linear programming (4) |
| AGE 256 |
Applied econometrics (4) |
| |
|
| Electives |
|
| |
|
| AGE 130 |
Agricultural markets (4) |
| AGE 204 |
Microeconomic analysis (5) |
| AGE 215A |
Agriculture and economic development (4) |
| AGE 215B |
Open macroeconomics of development (4) |
| AGE 215C |
Empirical approaches to development analysis
(4) |
| AGE 221 |
Agricultural policy in developed countries (4)
|
| AGE 222 |
International agricultural trade and policy (4)
|
| AGE 240A |
Econometric methods (4) |
| AGE 240B |
Econometric methods (4) |
| AGE 240C |
Econometric theory (4) |
| AGE 253 |
Optimization techniques with economic applications
(4) |
| AGE 254 |
Dynamic optimization techniques for economic
systems with applications (4) |
| AGE 255 |
Systems analysis and simulation (3) |
| |
|
| 3. Epidemiologic
Methods and Biostatistics |
| |
|
| PHR 203 |
Multivariate biostatistics (3) |
| EPI 222 |
Epidemiologic modeling (3) |
| EPI 223 |
Spatial epidemiology (3) |
| EPI 224 |
Human and ecologic risk analysis (3) |
| STA 135 |
Multivariate data analysis (4) |
| STA 137 |
Applied time series analysis (3) |
| STA 138 |
Analysis of categorical data (4) |
| STA 222 |
Biostatistics III (survival analysis) (4) |
| STA 223 |
Biostatistics I (generalized linear models) (4) |
| STA 224 |
Biostatistics II (clinical trials and advanced
topics) (4) |
| |
|
| 4. Occupational
and Environmental Epidemiology |
| |
|
| Strongly recommended |
| |
|
| OEH 190C |
Research conference in occupational and environmental
health (1) |
| EPI 220 |
Problems in EPI Study Design (4) |
| EPI 240 |
Principles of Injury Epidemiology (3) |
| EPI 250 |
Introduction to Clinical Research Design and
Epidemiology (1) |
| EPI 251 |
Environmental epidemiology (3) |
| EPI 260 |
Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases and Aging (3)
|
| EPI 270 |
Research methods in occupational epidemiology
(3) |
| EPI 271 |
Epidemiology of diseases and injury in agriculture
(3) |
| |
|
| Electives |
|
| |
|
| CMH 180 |
Aging and health (3) |
| ECI 149 |
Introduction to air pollution (3) |
| ETX 101 |
Principles of environmental toxicology (3) |
| ETX 112A-B |
Toxicants in the environment (3/4) |
| ETX 114A |
Biological effects of toxicants (3) |
| ETX 131 |
Air pollutants and inhalation toxicology (3) |
| ETX 138 |
Legal aspects of environmental toxicology (3)
|
| ETX 203 |
Environmental toxicants (4) |
| PHR 203 |
Multivariate biostatistics (3) |
| VME 217 |
Evaluation of screening tests (2) |
| HIS 102E |
Epidemics in historical perspective |
| NUT 101 |
Introduction to nutrition and metabolism (4)
|
| NUT 110 |
Principles of nutrition (5) |
| PMB 210 |
Introduction to human pathology (4.5) |
| PTX 201 |
Principles of pharmacology and toxicology I (5) |
| PTX 202-3 |
Effects of drugs and toxicants on body systems
and organs II & III (5) |
| PTX 230 |
Advanced topics in pharmacology and toxicology
(1-3) |
| NPB 121&L |
Physiology of reproduction (3/1) |
| PHR 231 |
Pathophysiology of mammalian reproductive processes
(3) |
| PHR 292 |
Current topics in reproduction (1) |
| |
|
| 5. Nutritional
Epidemiology |
| |
|
| Prerequisite |
| |
|
| Nut 101, 112, 113 (8) |
| |
|
| Strongly recommended |
| |
|
| EPI 222 |
Epidemiological modeling (3) |
| VME 217 |
Evaluation of diagnostic tests (2) |
| and either |
Nut 219A and 219B (6) |
| or two of |
Nut 201, 202, 203, 204, FST 211 (4) |
| |
|
| Students with prior training in
nutrition may elect to waive the required nutrition courses providing adequate
documentation is provided. |
| |
|
| Electives |
|
| |
|
| NUT 201 |
Vitamin metabolism (2) |
| NUT 202 |
Advanced nutritional energetics (2) |
| NUT 203 |
Advanced protein and amino acid nutrition (2) |
| NUT 204 |
Mineral metabolism (2) |
| NUT 219A/B |
International nutrition (6) |
| NUT 258 |
Field research methods (3) |
| NUT 252 |
Nutrition and development (3) |
| FST 211 |
Lipids: chemistry and nutrition (3) |
| NUT 118 |
Community nutrition (4) |
| |
|
| 6. Wildlife
Epidemiology |
| |
|
| Prerequisites |
| |
|
| EVE 101 |
Introduction to Ecology (4) |
| WFB 122 |
Populations dynamics and estimation (4) |
| |
|
| Strongly recommended |
| |
|
| ECL 204B |
Population and community ecology (4) |
| |
|
| Electives |
|
| |
|
| PMI 294 |
Issues in conservation biology and veterinary
medicine (1) |
| ECL 200A |
Principles and applications of ecological theory
(4) |
| ECL 200B |
Principles and applications of ecological theory
(4) |
| ECL 205 |
Structure of ecologic communities (4) |
| ECL 208 |
Conservation biology (4) |
| ECL 212A/B |
Environmental policy analysis (4) |
| ECL 232 |
Theoretical ecology (3) |
| VMD 405 |
Veterinary parasitology (3.6) |
| PMI 418 |
Diseases of free-ranging wildlife (2) |
| PMI 418L |
Wildlife disease field investigations (3) |
| ENT 225 |
Terrestrial field ecology (4) |
| ENT 153 |
Medical entomology (4) |
| ENT 253 |
Advanced medical entomology (3) |
| EST 161 |
Environmental law (4) |
| EST 128(+Lab) |
Systems simulation (3/2) |
| EST 121 |
Population ecology (4) |
| MMI 115 |
Ecological parasitology (2) |
| MMI 116 |
Parasitology for wildlife biologists (2) |
| WFB 151 |
Wildlife ecology (3) |
| WFB 153 |
Wildlife ecotoxicology (4) |
| WFB 222 |
Advanced population dynamics (3) |
| WFB 293 |
Seminar in wildlife disease ecology (2) |
| |
|
| 7. Zoonotic
and Vector-borne diseases |
| |
|
| Strongly recommended |
| |
|
| PHR 212 |
Epidemiology of the zoonoses (4) |
| |
|
| Electives |
|
| |
|
| VME 222 |
Epidemiological modeling (3) |
| VME 217 |
Evaluation of diagnostic tests (2) |
| ENT 153 |
Medical entomology (4) |
| ENT 253 |
Advanced medical entomology (3) |
| ENT 156 |
Biology of parasitism (3) |
(return to Table of Contents)
|
APPENDIX C
Required Courses
|
| PREREQUISITE COURSES |
| (Prerequisite courses may be taken concurrently
with required courses.) |
| |
| COURSE NO. |
TITLE |
|
OFFERED |
UNITS
|
| |
| 1a. |
Math 16A, B |
Short Calculus |
|
F,W,S |
3 - 3 |
| or |
| 1b. |
Math 21A, B |
Calculus |
|
F,W,S |
4 - 4 |
| |
| 2a. |
STA 102 |
Introduction to Probability
Modeling and Statistical Inference |
|
F,S |
4 |
| |
STA 106 |
Applied Statistical Methods:
Analysis of Variance, ANOVA |
|
F,W |
4 |
| |
STA 108 |
Applied Statistical Methods:
Regression Analysis |
|
F,W,S |
4 |
| or |
| 2b. |
MPM 402 |
Medical Statistics I |
|
Summer |
4 |
| |
MPM 403 |
Medical Statistics II |
|
Fall |
4 |
| |
| REQUIRED COURSES |
| |
| COURSE NO. |
TITLE |
|
OFFERED |
UNITS |
| |
| 3. |
EPI 204* |
Statistical Models, Methods and Data Analysis
For Scientists |
|
S |
4 |
| |
EPI 205A |
Principles of Epidemiology |
|
F |
4 |
| |
EPI 205B |
Integration of Basic Epidemiologic Concepts |
|
F |
2 |
| |
EPI 206 |
Epidemiologic Study Design |
|
W |
3 |
| |
EPI 207 |
Advanced Concepts in Epidemiologic
Study Design |
|
S |
3 |
| |
EPI 208* |
Analysis & Interpretation
of Epidemiologic Data |
|
S |
3 |
| |
| 4. |
STA 130A |
Mathematical Statistics: Brief Course |
|
F |
4 |
| |
STA 130B |
Mathematical Statistics: Brief Course |
|
W |
4 |
| |
| 5. |
PHR 202 |
Sampling in Health-Related
Research |
|
W
(alt years - 01) |
3 |
| |
or |
|
| |
STA 144 |
Sampling Theory of Surveys |
|
F
(alt years - 01) |
3 |
| |
| 6. |
EPI 290 |
Seminars in Epidemiology |
|
W,S** |
1 |
| |
|
a. (Present Research Proposal) |
|
|
|
| |
|
b. (Present Defense of Thesis or Dissertation) |
|
|
|
| |
| ELECTIVES |
| |
| PhD: 12 units required, 9 in
the Area of Emphasis. |
| MS: 9 units required in the
Area of Emphasis. |
| |
| |
| * Subject to Academic Senate approval |
| ** Required course for Spring quarter |
|
| (return to Table
of Contents) |
|
APPENDIX D
Research Proposal
(An Outline)
|
Project Investigator
Project Title
A brief, clear, specific designation of the subject of the research. The
title, used by itself, should reflect the objectives and scope of the project.
Project Summary
The proposal must contain a project summary, not to exceed one page single-spaced.
The summary is not intended for the general reader; consequently, it may
contain technical language comprehensible by persons in disciplines relating
to the subject of the project. The project summary should be a self-contained,
with a specific description of the activity to be undertaken and should
focus on:
|
| |
- |
Overall project goal(s) and supporting objectives;
|
| |
- |
Plans to accomplish project goal(s); and
|
| |
- |
Relevance of the project to potential long-range improvement
in plant, animal, and/or human health. |
| |
|
|
Project Description
The text of the project description should not exceed 15 single spaced pages.
All proposals should be submitted on standard 8-1/2" X 11" paper with typing
on one side of the page only. In addition, margins must be at least 1",
type size should be 12 characters per inch or larger, and there should be
no page reductions. Applicants are encouraged to include original illustrations
(photographs, color prints, etc.) to all copies of the proposal. Reviewers
are not required to read beyond the 15-page limit. The project description
must contain the following components:
|
| |
- Introduction. A clear statement of the
long-term goal(s) and supporting objectives of the proposed project should
be included. The most significant published work in the field under consideration,
including the work of key project personnel on the current application,
should be reviewed. The current status of research in this field of science
also should be described. Preliminary data pertinent to the proposed research
should be included in this section. All work cited, including that of key
personnel, should be referenced. Indicate the additional knowledge needed,
which the project is expected to provide.
- Rationale and Significance. Present concisely the rationale behind
the proposed research. The objectives' specific relationship to the potential
long-range improvement in plant, animal, and/or human health should be shown
clearly. Any novel ideas or contributions that the proposed project offers
also should be discussed in this section. The facts and reasoning that logically
support the hypothesis should be stated clearly (What is the factual and
logical justification for each hypothesis?).
- Hypothesis. Provide a clear, logically arranged, and succinct statement
of each research hypothesis being tested. For each, also provide the respective
alternative hypothesis.
- Experimental Plan. For each hypothesis describe the following:
|
| |
- |
A description of the investigations and/or experiments
proposed in the sequence in which the investigations or experiments are
to be performed including the personnel involved in each procedure;
|
| |
- |
Describe all sources of bias (error) that may
be present and specifically how the bias will be avoided, corrected, or
controlled. Provide calculations for estimation of sample sizes;
|
| |
- |
Techniques to be used in carrying out the proposed
project, including the feasibility of the techniques;
|
| |
- |
Results expected (provide examples);
|
| |
- |
Means by which experimental data will be analyzed
or interpreted;
|
| |
- |
Means of applying results or accomplishing technology
transfer, where appropriate;
|
| |
- |
Pitfalls that may be encountered;
|
| |
- |
Limitations to proposed procedures; and
|
| |
- |
A tentative schedule for conducting major steps
involved in these investigations and/or experiments. Provide an estimate
of the maximum time likely to be required to complete the project and publish
results.
|
| |
In describing the experimental plan,
the application must explain fully any materials, procedures, situations,
or activities which may be hazardous to personnel (whether or not they are
directly related to a particular phase of the proposed project), along with
an outline of precautions to be exercised to avoid or mitigate the effects
of such hazards.
|
Facilities and Equipment
All facilities and major items of equipment that are available for use or
assignment to the proposed project during the requested period of support
should be described. In addition, items of nonexpendable equipment necessary
to conduct and successfully conclude the proposed project should be listed.
Budget
A detailed budget is required for each year of study. In addition, a summary
budget is required detailing support for the overall project period.
A. Salaries and Wages - Salaries of the principal investigator and other
personnel associated directly with the project should constitute direct
costs in proportion to their effort devoted to the research. Charges by
academic institutions for work performed by faculty members during the summer
months or other period outside the base salary period are to be at a monthly
rate not in excess of that which would be applicable under the base salary
and other provisions of the applicable cost principles. For other personnel
(graduate students, technical, clerical, etc.), only the total number of
persons and total amount of salaries per year in each category are required.
Salaries requested must be consistent with the regular practices of the
institution.
B. Fringe Benefits - If the usual accounting practices of the performing
organization provide that the organizational contributions to employee "benefits"
(social security, retirement, etc.) be treated as direct costs, award funds
may be requested to defray such expenses as a direct cost.
C. Materials and Supplies - The types of expendable materials and supplies
required should be indicated in general terms with estimated costs.
D. Travel - The type and extent of travel and its relationship to the research
should be briefly specified. Funds may be requested for field work or for
travel to scientific meetings.
E. Publication Costs/Page Charges - Costs of preparing and publishing the
results of research conducted under the award, including costs of reports,
reprints, page charges or other journal costs, and necessary illustrations,
may be included.
F. Computer Costs - The cost of computer services, including computer-based
retrieval of scientific and technical information may be requested. A justification
based on the established computer service rates at the proposing organization
should be provided. Reasonable costs of leasing automatic data processing
equipment may be requested, if justified.
G. All Other Direct Costs - Other anticipated direct costs not included
above should be itemized. Examples are subawards or subcontracts, space
rental at research establishments away from the performing organization,
and service charges. Reference books and periodicals may be charged to the
award only if they are related specifically the research project.
Consultant services should be included in this section. Applicants normally
are expected to utilize the services of their own staff to the maximum extent
possible in managing and performing the activities supported by awards.
If the need for consultant services is anticipated, the proposal narrative
should provide appropriate rationale and the proposal budget should estimate
the amount of funds which may be required for this purpose. List the names
of consultant(s), the name of their organization(s) and, to the extent possible,
a breakdown of the amount being charged to the award (For example: services,
per diem, etc.).
Budget Justification
All salaries and wages, nonexpendable equipment, foreign travel, and "All
Other Direct Cost" for which support is requested must be individually listed
(with costs) and justified on a separate sheet of paper.
Current and Pending Support
The proposal must list any other current public or private research support
(including in-house support) to which key personnel identified in the proposal
have committed portions of their time, whether or not salary support for
the person(s) involved is included in the budget. Analogous information
must be provided for any pending proposals, including this proposal, that
are now being considered by, or that will be submitted in the near future
to, other possible sponsors.
Assurance Statements
If the project is expected to involve recombinant DNA molecules, human subjects
at risk, or experimental vertebrate animals:
|
| |
Recombinant DNA and RNA Molecules.
All key personnel identified in a proposal and all endorsing officials of
a proposed performing entity are required to comply with the guidelines
established by the National Institutes of Health entitled, "Guidelines for
Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules," as revised.
Human Subjects at Risk. Responsibility for safeguarding the rights
and welfare of human subjects used in any proposed project supported with
grant funds provided by the NRICGP rest with the performing entity. The
applicant must submit a statement certifying that the project plan has been
reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board at the proposing
organization or institution.
Experimental Vertebrate Animal Care. The responsibility for the humane
care and treatment of any experimental vertebrate animal, which has the
same meaning as "animal" in section 2(g) of the Animal Welfare Act of 1966,
as amended (7 U.S.C. 2132(g)), used in any project supported with NRICGP
funds rests with the performing organization. In this regard, all key personnel
associated with any supported project and all endorsing officials of the
proposed performing entity are required to comply with applicable provisions
of the Animal Welfare Act of 1966, as amended (7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.), and
the regulations promulgated thereunder by the Secretary of Agriculture in
9 CFR parts 1, 2, 3, and 4. In this regard, the applicant must submit a
statement certifying that the proposed project is in compliance with the
aforementioned regulations, and that the proposed project is either under
review by or has been reviewed and approved by an Institutional Animal Care
and Use Committee.
|
Personnel
List the leader or leaders and other technical workers assigned and % of
effort. Literature Cited Provide a reference list of pertinent literature
cited in the proposal. |
| (return to Table of Contents)
|
|
APPENDIX E
Required Seminar for all GGE Students
|
The EPI 290A course, with one unit of credit, is required of
all GGE students each year until a student advances to candidacy, after
which attendance is strongly recommended. The quarter of offering will be
Spring quarter each year. It will be the graduate advisor's responsibility
to ensure that all students satisfy this important requirement.
The seminar series will be organized in such a way that a broad number of
topics are considered. Research topics should be included, but topics need
not necessarily be exclusively in this category. The purpose of this seminar
is to provide as wide a forum as possible, which shall include discussions
of epidemiological and relevant statistical methodology and their applications
to the study of various species, in order that students and faculty alike
will have regular access to the variety and richness of topics that relate
to the core discipline of Epidemiology. While this richness is certainly
available across the campus in the form of a collection of separate seminars,
we recognize the need to provide a single forum which covers this breadth.
|