Program Overview

The MSCE program is designed to produce a cadre of skilled investigators who conduct a broad range of clinical studies and lead nationally in academic medical and health-services research. To meet this goal, we offer students balanced course work, strong mentorship, hands-on experience in study protocol, and relevant extracurricular activities. Each student designs a research project, performs a study per the protocol he or she creates, and prepares a comprehensive scholarly scientific paper reporting the results. The thesis research project is the first step in a lifetime of academic medical research. 

Course Requirements 

The MSCE degree is composed of 14 course units (CUs) consisting of required core courses, electives, and mentored thesis credits. All students must complete the following courses: 

Core Courses (7.5 CUs)

  • EPID 5100 - Introductory Epidemiology (1 CU)
  • EPID 5260 A/B - Biostatistics for Epidemiology Methods I (1 CU)
  • EPID 5270 A/B - Biostatistics for Epidemiology Methods II (1 CU)
  • EPID 5360 - Data Management and Visualization I (0.5 CU)
  • EPID 5370 - Data Management and Visualization II (0.5 CU)
  • EPID 5420 - Measurement of Health in Epidemiology (0.5 CU)
  • EPID 5460 - Clinical Database Research Methodology (0.5 CU)
  • EPID 5600 - Issues in Research Protocol Development (0.25 CU)
  • EPID 5700 - Critical Appraisal of the Medical Literature (0.25 CU)
  • EPID 6400 - Advanced Topics in Epidemiology (1 CU)
  • EPID 6100 - Tutorial in Epidemiologic Research (1 CU)

Electives (2-4 CUs) 

  • Outside of the core courses, students take 2-4 CUs of electives.  Students can choose what courses best fit with their research goals.  Electives can be taken starting in the Summer of the second year. 

Thesis (2.5-4.5 CUs) 

  • In order to allow for focused time on research and completing your thesis, students take 2.5-4.5 CUs of thesis credit.  The amount can vary depending on how many electives are taken (if you take more electives, you take less thesis credits, and vice versa) such that the total ends up being 14 CUs.

Non-Course Requirements 

  • In addition to coursework, students are required to complete other elements of the program that include: 
Begin Program July
FIRST YEAR
  • HIPAA training
 Due September 15 of first year 
  • CITI training (Responsible Conduct of Research Training)
 Due September 15 of first year 
  • Individualized Development Plan (IDP) 
 Due September 15 of first year 
  • Mini-Protocol 
 Due December 15 of first year 
  • Protocol Presentations 
 May of first year
  • Comprehensive exam 
 May of first year
SECOND YEAR
  • Full Protocol 
 Due July 15 at the beginning of second year 
  • IRB approval/exemption 
 Due August 15 at the beginning of second year 
  • Final Thesis
 Due August 1 at the end of the second year 
ONGOING
  • Ethics/Responsible Conduct of Research training – 8 hours

Due by the completion of the program 

Sessions are provided each Fall 
  • Seminar Attendance - 25 seminars over 2 years

Due by the completion of the program  

Sessions are offered throughout the year 

 

For more details about core courses, electives, the thesis project, and non-degree requirements please see the student handbook.

Sample Program Plan

Sample Plan

A sample course plan is presented below to illustrate the typical course sequencing of the MSCE program. Full-time MSCE students are generally registered for 2.0 CUs per term and take courses for seven terms. (Summer I & Summer II are viewed as one term). The MSCE program starts annually in July and students typically graduate in August at the end of their second year. The first year is mainly comprised of core courses, and the second year is mainly comprised of electives and thesis credits.

Year One 

Semester 1 (2 CUs): Summer Term (July - August) 

  • EPID 5100 - Introductory Epidemiology (1 CU) 

  • EPID 5260A - Biostatistics for Epidemiology Methods I (1 CU) 

Semester 2 (2 CUs): Fall Term (August - December) 

  • EPID 5260B - Biostatistics for Epidemiology Methods I (0 CU)
    1st half of semester

  • EPID 5270A - Biostatistics for Epidemiology Methods II (1 CU)  
    2nd half of semester

  • EPID 5420 - Measurement of Health in Epidemiology (0.5 CU) 
    1st half of semester

  • EPID 5460 - Clinical Database Research Methodology (0.5 CU) 
    2nd half of semester

Semester 3 (2 CUs): Spring Term (January - April) 

  • EPID 5270B - Biostatistics for Epidemiology Methods II (0 CU)
    1st half of semester

  • EPID 5360 - Data Management and Visualization I  (0.5 CU) 
    2nd half of semester

  • EPID 5600 - Issues in Research Protocol Development (0.25 CU) 

  • EPID 5700 - Critical Appraisal of the Medical Literature (0.25 CU) 

  • EPIC 6400 - Advanced Topics in Epidemiology (1 CU) OR

    • Elective course (1CU) OR

    • EPID 6100 - Tutorial in Epidemiologic Research (1 CU) 

Year Two 

Semester 4 (2 CUs): Summer Term (May - August) 

  • EPID 5370 - Data Management and Visualization II (0.5 CU)  

  • For 1.5 CUs, a combination of:

    • Elective course AND/OR

    • EPID 6100 - Tutorial in Epidemiologic Research AND/OR

    • EPID 9900 - Master’s Thesis 

Semester 5 (2 CUs): Fall Term (August - December) 

  • For 2 CUs, a combination of:

    • Elective course AND/OR

    • EPID 6100 - Tutorial in Epidemiologic Research AND/OR

    • EPID 9900 - Master’s Thesis 

Semester 6 (2 CUs): Spring Term (January - April) 

  • For 2 CUs, a combination of:

    • Elective course AND/OR

    • EPID 6100 - Tutorial in Epidemiologic Research AND/OR

    • EPID 9900 - Master’s Thesis 

Semester 7 (2 CUs): Summer Term (May - August) 

  • For 2 CUs, a combination of:

    • Elective course AND/OR

    • EPID 6100 - Tutorial in Epidemiologic Research AND/OR

    • EPID 9900 - Master’s Thesis