Program Statistics
Visit Master's Program Statistics and PhD Program Statistics for statistics such as program admissions, enrollment, student demographics and more.
Last Updated: August 28, 2026
Life Sciences and Public Health Dual Degree
Overview
Degree Types: PhD/MPH
The Life Sciences and Public Health Combined PhD/MPH Program focuses on scientific research and interdisciplinary public health. Graduates of this program will be positioned for leadership roles in academic and government institutions seeking expertise in molecular or cellular approaches to population-based health questions.
Students typically conduct thesis research in the basic mechanisms of infectious diseases or cancer biology. These areas play an increasingly important role in the emerging specialization of molecular epidemiology. Other areas of research, however, are available to dual-degree students.
Applicants wishing to apply to the combined PhD/MPH degree program will do so by selecting L21PH from the application pull-down menu. Applicants should include their intention in their personal statement.
The PhD/MPH program will also accept applications from first-year Driskill Graduate Program in Life Sciences (DGP) students who did not seek admission to the combined degree program before matriculation.
Successful applicants will demonstrate exceptional academic potential, indicative of an ability to master the additional course load required of the combined degree. The DGP and MPH admissions committees make admission decisions jointly.
Additional resources:
Program Contact
Contact
Pamela Carpentier
Assistant Director
312-503-1880
Degree Requirements
Degree Requirements
The following requirements are in addition to, or further elaborate upon, those requirements outlined in The Graduate School Policy Guide.
PhD/MPH
Total Units Required for the combined PhD/MPH Degree: 22
Courses Required by DGP for PhD Component
Total DGP courses: 7 graded courses, 2 0-credit courses
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| Core Courses | |
| DGP 402-0 | Fundamentals of Biomedical Sciences 1 |
| DGP 404-0 | Fundamentals of Biomedical Sciences 2 |
| DGP 484-0 | Quantitative Biology: Statistics and Data Analysis for Life Scientists |
| DGP 496-2 | Introduction to Life Science Research |
| DGP 494-0 | Colloqium on Integrity in Biomedical Research |
| DGP 496-3 | Introduction to Life Science Research |
| Elective Courses | |
Three DGP electives of the student's choice in consultation with their adviser(s). Any DGP class will count as will classes in other programs with permission from the advisor and program. Students should register for DGP 590 Research for their first 8 quarters and may register for DGP 499 Independent Study as an elective with permission from the program. | |
Courses Required by Public Health for MPH Component
Total MPH course units: 16
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| Required Courses | |
| PUB_HLTH 301-0 | Behavior, Society & Health |
| PUB_HLTH 302-0 | Introduction to Biostatistics |
| PUB_HLTH 304-0 | Introduction to Epidemiology |
| PUB_HLTH 306-0 | Health Literacy, Communication, & Systems Change |
| PUB_HLTH 418-0 | Applied Practice Experience I |
| PUB_HLTH 419-0 | Applied Practice Experience II |
| PUB_HLTH 560-0 | Culminating Experience |
| Intermediate Level Course Requirement | |
| One of the following: | |
PUB_HLTH 421-0 | Intermediate Biostatistics |
PUB_HLTH 422-0 | Intermediate Epidemiology |
| Methodology Course Requirement | |
| One of the following: | |
PUB_HLTH 416-0 | Program Evaluation |
PUB_HLTH 425-0 | Introduction to GIS and Spatial Analysis for Public Health |
PUB_HLTH 435-0 | Health Services Research Design & Analysis Strategies: Technology Assessment |
PUB_HLTH 438-0 | Survey Design & Methodology |
PUB_HLTH 439-0 | Qualitative Research Methods |
| Equity Selective | |
| One of the following: | |
| PUB_HLTH 323-0 | Health Equity |
| PUB_HLTH 446-0 | LGBTQ Health |
| PUB_HLTH 447-0 | Structural Racism in Public Health |
| Electives | |
| Two of the following: 1 | |
DGP 403-0 | Advanced Immunology |
DGP 433-0 | Advanced Microbial Pathogenesis |
DGP 442-0 | Fundamentals of Microbiology |
DGP 450-0 | Tumor Cell Biology |
DGP 475-0 | Virology |
DGP 480-0 | Molecular Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis |
| The remaining five electives must be chosen from among the following MPH courses in consultation with the MPH adviser: | |
PUB_HLTH 390-0 | Introduction to International Public Health |
PUB_HLTH 391-0 | Global Health Care Service Delivery |
PUB_HLTH 393-0 | Introduction to Health and Human Rights |
PUB_HLTH 411-0 | Assessment, Planning & Evaluation in Community Health |
PUB_HLTH 412-0 | Infection Disease Epidemiology and Prevention |
PUB_HLTH 414-0 | Injury and Violence Prevention |
PUB_HLTH 417-0 | Public Health Law: Promoting Healthy Youth Development |
PUB_HLTH 430-0 | Global Health Research Practicum |
PUB_HLTH 441-0 | Ethical Issues in Clinical Research |
PUB_HLTH 445-0 | Writing and Peer Reviewing for Scientific Publication |
PUB_HLTH 448-0 | Introduction to Maternal Child Health |
PUB_HLTH 449-0 | Public Health Policy |
PUB_HLTH 490-0 | Advanced Global Public Health |
PUB_HLTH 499-0 | Independent Study |
PUB_HLTH 520-0 | Artificial Epidemics and Changes in Human Culture |
PUB_HLTH 521-0 | Artificial Epidemics and Changes in Human Culture II |
PUB_HLTH 524-0 | Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology |
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Two of these DGP courses may be double counted toward both the PhD and MPH degrees.
Other PhD Degree Requirements
- Thesis prospectus: written thesis proposal and oral defense to thesis committee in spring of year two; also serves as qualifying examination
- Research/Projects: laboratory research based on dissertation research proposal. Student must meet with thesis committee once per year (prior to fifth year) or twice per year (fifth year and above)
- Teaching requirement: one quarter teaching assignment in third year
- Publication requirement: one first-author, peer reviewed research publication accepted
- Seminar requirement: two full length seminars (30+ minutes; includes final public seminar) plus one additional full length or three shorter presentations of the students work to a broad audience.
- PhD Dissertation: written dissertation and defense to thesis committe