Master of Science
With the growth of biotechnology and medical research in the pharmaceutical industry, there is a high demand for well-trained graduates in Chronic Disease Epidemiology. This track provides intensive training in epidemiology and research methods, especially for science Ph.D.s or medical professionals. This one-year program is designed for individuals who work in the pharmaceutical industry, and other science Ph.D.s or medical professionals who seek the skills necessary to conduct epidemiological research in their professional practice. Applicants without a prior doctorate but with a strong background in a biological or social science are also eligible to apply for this degree.
Applicants should have a basic understanding of quantitative science and statistics. It is recommended that candidates have strong science backgrounds and demonstrated competency in statistical analysis and logical thinking. Applicants from rigorous programs in the biological or social sciences will be given preference. At a minimum, applicants should have one year of coursework in statistics or the equivalent prior to enrolling in this program.
Like the PhD, the MS in Public Health is offered through the department’s affiliation with the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Applicants must have taken the GRE General Test within the last five years. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all applicants whose native language is not English. This requirement is waived only for applicants who will have received a baccalaureate degree, or its foreign equivalent, prior to matriculation at Yale, from a university or college where English is the primary language of instruction.
Information regarding funding opportunities, financial aid, tuition and living costs, as well as student loans, can be found at http://www.yale.edu/graduateschool/financial/index.html.
MS Competencies
Upon receiving an M.S. degree Public Health with a concentration in Chronic Disease Epidemiology, the student will be able to:
- Explain and apply the terminology and definitions of epidemiology.
- Evaluate the scientific merit and feasibility of epidemiologic study designs.
- Describe the epidemiology of common chronic diseases.
- Synthesize information from a variety of epidemiologic and related studies.
- Design and carry out epidemiologic studies, with minimal supervision.
- Analyze data and draw appropriate inferences from epidemiologic studies at an intermediate to advanced level, using a variety of analytical tools including multivariate logistic regression, Poisson regression, linear regression, and survival analysis.
- Write an NIH-type epidemiologic research proposal.
- Identify, interpret, and use routinely collected data on disease occurrence.
- Review, critique and evaluate epidemiologic reports and research articles at an intermediate level.
Degree Requirements
The CDE track consists of required and elective course work and the satisfactory completion of the capstone experience. A total of 10 courses are required. It is expected that this program will be completed during a single academic year. Students with an M.P.H. or other related degrees may be eligible to substitute advanced courses for some of the required courses. Written permission of the Director of Graduate Studies is required prior to enrolling in substitute courses.
The following courses are required:
- Principles of Epidemiology I
- Applied Regression Analysis
- Categorical Data Analysis
- Principles of Epidemiology II
- Measurement Issues in Chronic Disease Epidemiology
- Applied Survival Analysis
- Design and Analysis of Epidemiologic Studies
- Developing a Research Proposal
- Research Ethics and Responsibility
Three electives are required and can be taken from the following list of courses: (These are suggested electives; alternate electives may be chosen with approval from your advisor)
- Health and Aging
- Nutrition and Chronic Disease
- Introduction to Evidence Based Health Care and Medicine
- Statistical Methods in Human Genetics
- Molecular Epidemiology of Chronic Disease
- GIS Applications in Epidemiology and Public Health
- Fundamentals of Clinical Trials
- Epidemiology of Cancer
- Introduction to Pharmacoepidemiology
- Topics in Genetic Epidemiology
- Topics in Perinatal Epidemiology
- Epidemiology of Heart Disease and Stroke
- Theory of Survival Analysis and its Applications
- Advanced Topics and Case Studies in Multicenter Clinical Trials
*In this capstone course, the student is required to complete an NIH-type grant application that is deemed reasonably competitive by the instructor. An optional addition to the capstone experience is an individualized tutorial in which the student completes a manuscript that is suitable for submission for publication in a relevant journal.
Curriculum
PDF Version
Download the PDF version of the MS course requirements.
The M.S. in Chronic Disease Epidemiology requires the completion of ten courses, including a Capstone course. The M.S. in Chronic Disease Epidemiology requires the student to complete the following courses. All "a" courses are offered in the fall term, "b" courses are offered in the spring term.
- BIS 623a, Applied Regression Analysis (1 Course Unit)
- BIS 625a, Categorical Data Analysis (1 Course Unit)
- BIS 630b, Applied Survival Analysis (0.5 Course Unit)
- BIS 632b, Design and Analysis of Epidemiologic Studies (0.5 Course Unit)
- CDE 508a, Principles of Epidemiology I (1 Course Unit)
- CDE 516b, Principles of Epidemiology II (1 Course Unit)
- CDE 523b, Measurement Issues in Chronic Disease Epidemiology (1 Course Unit)
- CDE 617b, Developing a Research Protocol (Capstone Course)* (1 Course Unit)
- EPH 600b, Research Ethics and Responsibility (SAT/UNSAT)
Three of the following ELECTIVES: (These are suggested electives; alternate electives may be chosen with approval from your advisor)
- BIS 511a, GIS Applications in Epidemiology and Public Health (1 Course Unit)
- BIS 540a, Fundamentals of Clinical Trials (1 Course Unit)
- BIS 561b, Advanced Topics in Multicenter Clinical Trials (1 Course Unit)
- BIS 631a, Topics in Genetic Epidemiology (1 Course Unit)
- BIS 643b, Theory of Survival Analysis and its Applications (1 Course Unit)
- BIS 645a, Statistical Methods in Human Genetics (1 Course Unit)
- CDE 518b, Introduction to Pharmacoepidemiology (1 Course Unit)
- CDE 520b, Chronic Disease Genetics and Genomics (1 Course Unit)
- CDE 531a, Health and Aging (1 Course Unit)
- CDE 532b, Epidemiology of Cancer (1 Course Unit)
- CDE 533a, Topics in Perinatal Epidemiology (1 Course Unit)
- CDE 535b, Epidemiology of Heart Disease and Stroke (1 Course Unit)
- CDE 562a, Nutrition and Chronic Disease (1 Course Unit)
- CDE 630a, Molecular Epidemiology of Chronic Disease (1 Course Unit)
- CDE 650a, Introduction to Evidence-Based Health Care and Medicine (1 Course Unit)
*In this capstone course, the student is required to complete an NIH-type grant application that is deemed reasonably competitive by the instructor. An optional addition to the capstone experience is an individualized tutorial in which the student completes a manuscript that is suitable for submission for publication in a relevant journal.
Many of the students that matriculate into the MS Chronic Disease Epidemiology track have a MD or PhD degree and choose this program to gain knowledge in epidemiology. Generally they choose to do so to enhance their research and have obtained funds to pursue such a degree. Most of these students are current Yale employees and work full-time while attending school on a part-time basis.
Other graduates from the MS Chronic Disease Epidemiology track have pursued medical school or a PhD.
