March 4, 2004

New program leads to Ph.D., M.P.H. degrees

The Integrated Graduate Program in the Life Sciences (IGP) and the Master of Public Health program of the department of preventive medicine have created a new program leading to both Ph.D. and M.P.H. degrees.

The distinctive program of study will train students in both laboratory research and interdisciplinary public health fields. Graduates will be positioned to take leadership roles in academic, industrial and government institutions by providing expertise in molecular or cellular approaches to population-based health questions.

Students in the program will concentrate their IGP research in infectious diseases or cancer biology. These are two areas in which the emerging specialization of “molecular epidemiology” will play an increasingly important role. Dual degree students will complete several M.P.H. course as well as the IGP requirements.

Ph.D./M.P.H. students will take a minimum of six IGP courses, as well as the required courses of the student’s chosen curriculum and appropriate electives to a total of at least six. Students will take all nine core M.P.H. and five elective courses required by the M.P.H. program, two of which are I.G.P. courses.

“I don’t know of any other program like it in the United States,” said Steven J. Anderson, IGP associate director.

“Most applicants tell us that it matches their career goals very well,” Anderson said.

The first accepted students will begin their studies in fall 2004, with an expected inaugural class of one to three.

The IGP is an umbrella program for graduate student training in all basic science and clinical departments. This program provides comprehensive, interdisciplinary training in modern biomedical sciences while allowing each student the flexibility to design his/her course of study, pursue individual research interests and choose a thesis advisor. The broad choice of research opportunities within the IGP serves those who are committed to a specific research and those who begin with many interests.

The Master of Public Health degree program provides an educational environment for health professionals that fosters knowledge of the factors that contribute to the health and diseases of populations and to educate these individuals to bridge professions engaged in clinical care and public health. The program also educates students to recognize and interpret research that contributes to better health outcomes and identify preventive strategies that may reduce and prevent health problems.