Occupational Epidemiology

Academic Information | Program Director | Admissions Requirements

Doctoral Program in Occupational Health

A doctoral degree may be earned by students who wish to specialize in one of the following areas: environmental and occupational epidemiology, occupational epidemiology, environmental and occupational molecular epidemiology, environmental and occupational medicine, or occupational hygiene. Students interested in the epidemiology of occupational disease and injury may elect to pursue training in this area. The curriculum includes courses in epidemiology, exposure assessment, occupational health, biostatistics, and toxicology. The area emphasizes the application of biomarkers to occupational health and the statistical modeling of exposure-response relationships.

For the environmental and occupational molecular epidemiology specialization, the curriculum is augmented by the study of molecular biomarkers, genetics, and molecular biology.

Academic Information

In addition to School-required core courses, students subscribe to courses that include:
  • design of epidemiologic studies
  • occupational and environmental epidemiology
  • exposure analysis for epidemiology
  • biomarkers for occupational and environmental epidemiology

Major content areas addressed in targeted courses of occupational health, occupational epidemiology, and occupational and environmental molecular epidemiology curricula include:

  • molecular biology for epidemiologists
  • biomarkers
  • advanced pathophysiology
  • ergonomics
  • occupational safety
  • advanced epidemiologic methods

The doctoral program is structured to give students exposure to the critical areas of the research process including:

  • hypothesis formation
  • field observations and data-collection skills
  • statistical modeling
  • laboratory training (where appropriate)

Normally, three to four years are required following Master’s-level preparation to complete the requirements for awarding of the doctoral degree. The Master’s degree program provides the majority of required core courses in the first two years of the doctoral training program.

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Program Director

David C. Christiani, MD, MPH, MS
Director, Harvard Chan Education and Research Center of Occupational Safety and Health; Director, Occupational Epidemiology Training Core and Doctoral Programs in Occupational Safety and Health

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
665 Huntington Avenue, SPH I-1401
Boston, MA 02115
Telephone: (617) 432-3323
Email: dchris@hsph.harvard.edu

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Admissions Requirements

Applicants to the doctoral program with an appropriate background in biologic or health sciences may be admitted directly to doctoral training. Applicants to the program may be required to complete the Master’s degree program prior to being granted admission into doctoral study.

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