1. Summer-Only Master of Science in Epidemiology
Summer-Only Master of Science in Epidemiology
Department of Epidemiology
Advising Session
July 5, 2017

2. Introductions Dr. Albert Hofman, MD, PhD Dr. Fran Cook, SD
Chair, Department of Epidemiology
Dr. Fran Cook, SD
Faculty Director Summer Only
Ellen Y. Furxhi, MS
Assistant Director of Graduate Studies
Eric DiGiovanni
Graduate Studies Coordinator (SM1)

3. Department of Epidemiology: Mission
To evaluate and improve human health through research and education. We strive to accomplish our mission through three major approaches…
Research
Methodology
Education
- Our mission is based on three guiding principles: Research, Methodology, and Education

4. Mission Research Methodology Education
Well-grounded multidisciplinary research toward assembling the distribution and determinants of human illness with the aim of establishing reasoned preventative measures
Methodology
Continuous efforts to improve methods for epidemiological investigation, to enhance validity and efficiency, and to expand the scope of activities in which epidemiologic methods can be usefully applied
Education
Preparation of future researchers and practitioners in the field of epidemiology, as well as dissemination of knowledge to health professionals, and the general public

5. Department of Epidemiology
Student Handbook
Handbook

6. Summer-Only Master of Science in Epidemiology
Open to applicants with a medical degree or master’s-level background in relevant disciplines (e.g., biology, chemistry, genetics, physiology, bioengineering, and related social and computational sciences).
42.5 credits (30 must be ordinal)
Thesis (5 – 12.5 credits) graded as Pass/Fail
Program must be completed in three summers to avoid continuation fee.

7. Chan School Academic Dates
SM1 Summer Check-In/Orientation
July 5
Summer Session
July 6- August 18
Summer 1
July 6- July 28
Summer 2
July 31- August 18
Fall Pre-registration begins
August 10
Fall Session
August 28- December 15
Fall 1
August 28- October 20
Fall 2
October 23- December 15
Spring Pre-registration begins
December 7
Winter Session*
January 2- January 19
Spring Session
January 22- May 11
Spring 1
January 22- March 9
Spring 2
March 19- May 11
Copy and paste from Handbook.

8. Required courses (20 credits)
Started Program with
Courses
Program in Clinical Effectiveness
Summer Session in Public Health Studies
Certificate Program in Clinical Research Methods (2014 last year offered)
Intro Epidemiology
EPI208
EPI500 and EPI202
ID207
Intro Biostatistics
BST 206 and
(BST207 or BST208)
BST202 and BST203
Advanced Epidemiology: Analysis
EPI236
Advanced Epidemiology: Study Design
EPI210
Other Required Methods Courses
2.5 credits from method course offered in the summer or winter period
5.0 credits from method course offered in the summer or winter period

9. Elective courses (10-17.5 credits)
Summer
Winter Session
Classes are in person, short & intensive
Fall & Spring
(online courses only through MPH EPI)
Fall Semester
BST 213 Applied Regression for Clinical Research
EPI 527 Design and Conduct of Trials in Preventive Medicine
EPI 526 Public-Use Data Bases for Epidemiology and Health Services Research
Spring Semester
EPI 288 Introduction to Data Mining and Risk prediction
RDS 202 Decision Science for Public Health
BST 226 Applied Longitudinal Analysis

10. BST213: Applied Regression for Clinical Research
Distance Learning add-on to BST213
Synchronous
Mon/Wed: 8:30 – 10:30 Lectures from Kresge G1
TA monitors chat box and relays questions
Asynchronous
Videotape of Lectures
See John Orav if you have questions

11. MPH-EPI Online Elective Courses
Course is open to MPH Epi student first
Summer only SM request enrollment in course
Initially waitlisted
At set date, the course will be open to Summer only students and moved from waitlist based on position
Not guaranteed enrollment
Option if space exists
MPH-EPI students given priority
Chunk and Test
Synchronous and Asynchronous format
Contact Dr. Fran Cook with Questions

12. Flat Tuition Rate Tuition is split over 3 summers
Tuition ,380 (full-time) Summer 2017 Charged $18,460
Tuition 2018, Tuition 2019…
Continuation Fee ($5,528 per year)
Flexibility in program/ graduation & Thesis

13. Supervised Research Project (EPI315)-Thesis
Supervised by local mentor and Harvard faculty member
Harvard faculty member (ideally from the Department of Epidemiology) identified by the end of the second summer of course work.
Assists in the supervision of the student on the project and determines when the project is completed (typically when there is a manuscript suitable for publication).

14. Thesis Credits – EPI 315 (5–12.5 credits)
Students should register for EPI 315 in the Summer session if the project is to be completed in time for a November graduation date. Registration in EPI 315 during Fall/Winter Session is required for a March graduation date or Spring Semester for a May graduation date.
My.harvard.edu -> add to crimson cart-> request enrollment-> once approved by Dr. Cook you complete enrollment in my.harvard.

16. Sample Schedules Summer Year 1 Fall/ Spring Year 1(optional)
EPI 208, BST 206, and BST 207 or 208- Core requirements
Electives 5 credits
Fall/ Spring Year 1(optional)
MPH in Epidemiology Online Elective (max credits per term 5, max for degree 10)
Summer Year 2
EPI 210 and EPI 236- Core requirements
Electives 7.5 credits
Fall/Spring Year 2 Optional
MPH in Epidemiology online electives and/or Epi 315 Thesis credits
Summer Year 3
Wrap up required thesis credits & electives
Submit thesis by last day of Summer term

17. Some Advice & Misc. Info
Full-time status- Summer term you must be enrolled in 7.5 credits, minimum
15 credit max, can petition for 20.
Three year program (3 summer session)
Continuation fee
General Petition / Non-degree credit transfer
Accessing the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

18. Examples of Past Thesis
Renal outcomes following transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement
Derivation and validation of the Acute Organ Failure Score to predict outcome in critically ill patients
Association of dialysis vintage on outcomes after kidney transplantation
Trend in radiation therapy referral and utilization post-prostatectomy
Implementation of data-driven vital sign parameters to decrease monitor alarms burden in a pediatric cardiac care unit.
Retention of physicians in rural areas
Application of AHA/ACC cholesterol guidelines among HIV patients
Pre-operative cervical traction and neurological recovery
Factors associated with new-onset depression after stroke
Breast cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction

19. Application December 1 for degree programs
See Harvard Chan webpage for details
Application + Statement
GRE or MCAT
Transcripts
Letters of Recommendation (3)
Proposal for potential thesis required with application to HSPH
Indication for feasibility to complete degree
Can be changed later
Letter from local mentor required with application to HSPH
Indicates that the mentor has read the proposal and agrees to supervisor the student on the project.

20. Questions??