Ph.D. Epidemiology
Epidemiology is the study and analysis of the patterns and causes of disease in human populations. It forms the core discipline of public health by identifying excess illness and by gaining the etiologic understanding to intervene toward the improvement of population health. The PhD program in epidemiology at ÎŰÎ۲ÝÝ®ĘÓƵ trains scientists and health professionals to design and conduct studies, analyze health data and effectively communicate scientific results, and to gain novel insights into the causes and prevention of diseases at the population level. Epidemiologic work at the doctoral level involves a thorough integration of biological knowledge of pathogenesis, statistical knowledge of quantitative analysis and causal inference, and sociological knowledge to place these insights in the context of dynamic and interconnected human populations. Major areas of strength at ÎŰÎ۲ÝÝ®ĘÓƵ include epidemiologic methods, clinical epidemiology, infectious diseases, social epidemiology, pharmacoepidemiology, public and population health, global health, environmental epidemiology, chronic diseases and aging, and perinatal epidemiology.
Program Requirements
Thesis
A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.
Required Courses (16 credits)
EPIB 701
Ph.D.Comprehensive Examination
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: The comprehensive examination is a written examination. The objective is to assess the degree to which students have been able to assimilate and apply the principles of epidemiologic research. Examinations held twice yearly.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2024 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024 academic year
EPIB 702
Ph.D. Proposal
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: Essential skills for thesis writing and defence, including essential elements of research protocols, formulation of research objectives, the design, and strategies.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Note: Required for Ph.D. students.
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2024 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024 academic year
EPIB 703
Principles of Study Design
2 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: This course will provide an overview of the concepts and principles underlying epidemiologic study design. Focus will be on the importance of appropriately formulating the research question, identifying the target population, defining the relevant entities, and on how these factors affect the validity of study findings. Examples from the published literature will be extensively used to illustrate the crucial points and will be discussed in class.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Restriction(s): Registration in the Ph.D. Epidemiology program, or permission of the instructor.
EPIB 704
Doctoral Level Epib Methods 1
4 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: Estimation of epidemiologic effect measures and their confidence intervals in a variety of different study designs. Emphasis on analysis of sample data sets using regression models, graphical and tabular presentation of results, causal interpretation of effect estimates, writing reports for scientific publications, and sensitivity analyses for violated assumptions.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Prerequisite(s): EPIB 603 and EPIB 621 or equivalent
- Restriction(s): Open to Ph.D students in Epidemiology or Biostatistics programs only.
- Not open to students who have taken EPIB 604.
EPIB 705
Doctoral Level Epid Methods 2
4 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: The course has a conceptual and analytical causal inference perspective. The nature of specific study biases resulting in non-causal components in the observed association between exposure and outcome are discussed, including endogenous selection bias, measured and unmeasured confounding, and measurement error. Methods to recover the causal effect with such biases are presented. Causal mediation analysis is discussed. Models for survival analysis are discussed as well as the problem of- and some solutions to missing data. A brief overview of genetic epidemiology principles is covered.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Prerequisite(s): EPIB 704
- Restriction(s): Open to Ph.D. students in Epidemiology or Biostatistics programs only.
- Not open to students who have taken EPIB 608.
EPIB 706
Doctoral Seminar:Epidemiology
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: This course aims to provide an opportunity to students who have completed the Epidemiology course series in the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, to optimize their training in ways that will be helpful to their thesis research and to the development of their career as epidemiologists. The content of this interactive course and the delivery of the material is primarily determined by students based on the knowledge gaps that they identify. The course will allow students to expand their methodological tool box, explore controversies in epidemiology, and gain experience synthesizing and communicating complex concepts to an informed audience.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Prerequisite(s): EPIB 701
- Restriction(s): Enrolment in PhD Epidemiology or permission of instructor
- Not open to students who have taken EPIB 609.
EPIB 707
Res Design in Health Sci
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: Lectures and discussions and student oral and written presentations with the aim of providing guidance and experience in the development of objectives, background and methods for both the formulation of, and the constructive peer criticism of, research protocols in the health sciences.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Prerequisite(s): EPIB 701
- Restriction(s): Registration in the PhD program in Epidemiology.
- Not open to students who have taken EPIB 623.
Complementary Courses (9 credits)
9 credits of coursework, at the 500 level or higher, with a minimum of 3 credits in biostatistics and 6 credits in epidemiology and/or substantive topic (normally related to the thesis topic). Courses must be chosen in consultation with the student’s supervisor and/or the degree program’s director or adviser.
These courses can be chosen from the Department’s current offer of more than 40 courses in epidemiology, biostatistics and occupational health as well as from other ÎŰÎ۲ÝÝ®ĘÓƵ Departments. To assist you in your course selections see the Ph.D. Epidemiology Electives Guidelines page.
Comprehensive Exam (EPIB 701)
Students will normally take the Comprehensive Exam (EPIB 701) within 12 to 24 months of entry into the Ph.D. degree program. The Comprehensive Exam is held once a year in June. The exam is intended to test students’ ability to synthesize and integrate epidemiological knowledge. For details on the Comprehensive Exam, see the course outline for EPIB 701. The exam is graded “Pass” or “Fail”.ĚýStudents with a “Fail” must repeat the exam the following year.
Protocol Defense (EPIB 702)
The comprehensive exam and the above required courses are usually completed before submitting and defending the thesis research protocol in EPIB 702. For details on the Protocol Defense, see the course outline for EPIB 702. The exam is graded “Pass” or “Provisional Pass” or “Fail”.
Students with a “Provisional Pass” (some deficiencies noted but not enough to stop progress on the thesis) are recommended to undertake (in consultation with their supervisor), specific remedial steps to address the areas of weakness identified in the exam. These could include additional courses, essays, assignments, and short courses. After satisfactory completion of these remedial steps the student will be considered to have a “Pass” on the Comprehensive Exam/Protocol Defense. Students are permitted to continue with their normal progression through the program.
Students with a “Fail” must repeat the exam the following year.
Thesis Research
Thesis research is normally actively undertaken following the comprehensive Exam. It is expected that students will complete their degree within 48 to 60 months of entry into the Ph.D. degree program.
Program Advisor:
erin.strumpf [at] mcgill.ca (Erin Strumpf)
Program Director:
kristian.filion [at] mcgill.ca (Kristian Filion)
Ph.D. Global Health Option
This option will provide enhanced training in global health to graduate students registered in the Ph.D. in Epidemiology; Global Health degree program at ÎŰÎ۲ÝÝ®ĘÓƵ. Students will become familiar with topics of global health relevance and incorporate this into their core coursework and thesis research. The thesis must be relevant to global health and approved by the Global Health Coordinating Committee. Contextualizing the core training students receive in epidemiology and in their respective substantive discipline within the global health research domain will enhance their academic experience. Graduates of this option will be prepared to pursue further training in global health or to undertake a variety of career opportunities in global health in Canada or internationally.
Program Requirements
Thesis
A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain. The thesis must be relevant to global health and approved by the Global Health Coordinating Committee.
Required Courses (22 credits)
EPIB 681
Global Health: Epid. Research
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: A review of selected epidemiological research focussing on global health and disease topics. Research will be mostly from developing countries and research methods will be highlighted. Case studies will be used to illustrate specific applications and challenges.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Prerequisite: With permission of instructor.
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2024 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024 academic year
EPIB 701
Ph.D.Comprehensive Examination
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: The comprehensive examination is a written examination. The objective is to assess the degree to which students have been able to assimilate and apply the principles of epidemiologic research. Examinations held twice yearly.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2024 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024 academic year
EPIB 702
Ph.D. Proposal
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: Essential skills for thesis writing and defence, including essential elements of research protocols, formulation of research objectives, the design, and strategies.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Note: Required for Ph.D. students.
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2024 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024 academic year
EPIB 703
Principles of Study Design
2 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: This course will provide an overview of the concepts and principles underlying epidemiologic study design. Focus will be on the importance of appropriately formulating the research question, identifying the target population, defining the relevant entities, and on how these factors affect the validity of study findings. Examples from the published literature will be extensively used to illustrate the crucial points and will be discussed in class.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Restriction(s): Registration in the Ph.D. Epidemiology program, or permission of the instructor.
EPIB 704
Doctoral Level Epib Methods 1
4 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: Estimation of epidemiologic effect measures and their confidence intervals in a variety of different study designs. Emphasis on analysis of sample data sets using regression models, graphical and tabular presentation of results, causal interpretation of effect estimates, writing reports for scientific publications, and sensitivity analyses for violated assumptions.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Prerequisite(s): EPIB 603 and EPIB 621 or equivalent
- Restriction(s): Open to Ph.D students in Epidemiology or Biostatistics programs only.
- Not open to students who have taken EPIB 604.
EPIB 705
Doctoral Level Epid Methods 2
4 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: The course has a conceptual and analytical causal inference perspective. The nature of specific study biases resulting in non-causal components in the observed association between exposure and outcome are discussed, including endogenous selection bias, measured and unmeasured confounding, and measurement error. Methods to recover the causal effect with such biases are presented. Causal mediation analysis is discussed. Models for survival analysis are discussed as well as the problem of- and some solutions to missing data. A brief overview of genetic epidemiology principles is covered.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Prerequisite(s): EPIB 704
- Restriction(s): Open to Ph.D. students in Epidemiology or Biostatistics programs only.
- Not open to students who have taken EPIB 608.
EPIB 706
Doctoral Seminar:Epidemiology
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: This course aims to provide an opportunity to students who have completed the Epidemiology course series in the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, to optimize their training in ways that will be helpful to their thesis research and to the development of their career as epidemiologists. The content of this interactive course and the delivery of the material is primarily determined by students based on the knowledge gaps that they identify. The course will allow students to expand their methodological tool box, explore controversies in epidemiology, and gain experience synthesizing and communicating complex concepts to an informed audience.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Prerequisite(s): EPIB 701
- Restriction(s): Enrolment in PhD Epidemiology or permission of instructor
- Not open to students who have taken EPIB 609.
EPIB 707
Res Design in Health Sci
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: Lectures and discussions and student oral and written presentations with the aim of providing guidance and experience in the development of objectives, background and methods for both the formulation of, and the constructive peer criticism of, research protocols in the health sciences.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Prerequisite(s): EPIB 701
- Restriction(s): Registration in the PhD program in Epidemiology.
- Not open to students who have taken EPIB 623.
PPHS 511
Fundamentals of Global Health
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Population&Pub Health Sciences: This exciting and interactive course aims to give students the opportunity to broaden their understanding and knowledge of global health issues, including global burden of diseases, determinants of health, transition in health and drivers of such transition, challenges in healthcare delivery in resource-limited settings, and the variety of agencies and actors engaged in addressing global health challenges. The course consists of lectures, case studies, debates, discussions and small group work.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Complementary Courses (9Ěýcredits)
6 credits of coursework at the 500 level or higher, with a minimum of 3 credits in biostatistics, and 3 credits in epidemiology. Courses must be chosen in consultation with the student's supervisor and/or the degree program's director or adviser.
3 credits of coursework at the 500 level or higher from this list, or any other course approved by the Global Health Option Committee that have not been taken to satisfy other program requirements.
GEOG 503
Advanced Topics in Health Geog
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Geography: A critical review of current themes and trends in health geography, with emphasis on geographical perspectives in public health research. Topics include the social and environmental determinants of chronic and infectious disease, health and health-related behaviours. Seminars focus on critical appraisal of conceptual and methodological approaches in health geography research.
Offered by: Geography
- Fall
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: GEOG 303 or GEOG 403 or permission of instructor
- Restrictions: Course open to U3 undergraduate students and graduate students in the Department of Geography OR others with permission of instructor. Not open to students who took GEOG 503 in Winter 2009.
NUTR 501
Nutrition: the Majority World
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Nutrition and Dietetics: Current nutrition-related issues in the Majority World, emphasizing young children and other vulnerable groups. The integration of a life science and social science perspective. The multiple causes, consequences, policies, and interventions related to current nutrition.
Offered by: Human Nutrition
- Fall
- One 3-hr lecture
- Prerequisite: A course in nutrition across the lifespan at the intermediate undergraduate level such as NUTR 337, or permission of the instructor.
PPHS 525
HlthCare Systems in Comp Persp
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Population&Pub Health Sciences: Comparative perspective to illustrate processes involved in the development and evolution of health care systems around the world. Countries examined will represent different welfare state regimes, health care system typologies, levels of development and wealth.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
- Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken EPIB 525. Not open to students who are taking or have taken SOCI 525.
- Note: This course is cross-listed in Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health and in Sociology
PPHS 527
Econ for Hlth Serv Res&Policy
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Population&Pub Health Sciences: Key health policy topics in developed economies using analytic frameworks and tools from economics. Major topics include health insurance, health care financing, and the roles of individuals and public and private institutions in the health care system.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken EPIB 527.
- NOTE: This course is open to graduate students and advanced undergraduates from all departments, with the permission of the instructor. A background in introductory economics is useful, though not required.
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2024 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024 academic year
PPHS 529
Global Env Hlth&Burden/Disease
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Population&Pub Health Sciences: This course presents the grand challenges in global health from environmental and occupational risks along with the multi-disciplinary methods used to identify, control, and prevent them. It will introduce students to knowledge and skills in core disciplines of environmental health and approaches to environmental risk recognition, control and prevention in a global context.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken EPIB 529.
- 1. Permission of instructor required for undergraduate students.
- 2.This course is open to graduate students and advanced undergraduates from all departments.
- 3. Previous coursework in statistics and environmental science is useful, though not required.
SOCI 513
Soc Aspects HIV/AIDS in Africa
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Sociology (Arts): Examination of the social causes and consequences of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Gender inequality, sexual behaviours, marriage systems, migration, and poverty are shaping the pandemic as well as how the pandemic is altering social, demographic and economic conditions across Africa.
Offered by: Sociology
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2024 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024 academic year
SOCI 519
Gender and Globalization
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Sociology (Arts): Focus on the diverse forces of globalization that impact the lives of men and women. Critical analysis of key theories and concepts implicated in the intersection of globalization processes with gender dynamisms.
Offered by: Sociology
- Prerequisite: SOCI 270 or permission of instructor.
SOCI 545
Sociology of Population
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Sociology (Arts): The classic literature of sociology of population. Drawing reciprocal linkages between social and population processes: Historical, family and labour force demography, demographic and fertility transitions, mortality, ethnic and race relations, gender, macro-structural interaction theory, and the relation of population and the environment.
Offered by: Sociology
Comprehensive Exam (EPIB 701)
Students will normally take the Comprehensive Exam (EPIB 701) within 12 to 24 months of entry into the Ph.D. degree program. The Comprehensive Exam is held once a year in June. The exam is intended to test students’ ability to synthesize and integrate epidemiological knowledge. For details on the Comprehensive Exam, see the course outline for EPIB 701. The exam is graded “Pass” or “Fail”.ĚýStudents with a “Fail” must repeat the exam the following year.
Protocol Defense (EPIB 702)
The comprehensive exam and the above required courses are usually completed before submitting and defending the thesis research protocol in EPIB 702. For details on the Protocol Defense, see the course outline for EPIB 702. The exam is graded “Pass” or “Provisional Pass” or “Fail”.
Students with a “Provisional Pass” (some deficiencies noted but not enough to stop progress on the thesis) are recommended to undertake (in consultation with their supervisor), specific remedial steps to address the areas of weakness identified in the exam. These could include additional courses, essays, assignments, and short courses. After satisfactory completion of these remedial steps the student will be considered to have a “Pass” on the Comprehensive Exam/Protocol Defense. Students are permitted to continue with their normal progression through the program.
Students with a “Fail” must repeat the exam the following year.
Thesis Research
Thesis research is normally actively undertaken following the comprehensive Exam. It is expected that students will complete their degree within 48 to 60 months of entry into the Ph.D. degree program.
GH Advisor:
madhukar.pai [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Ph.D.%20Epidemiology%20Global%20Health%20Option%20inquiry) (Madhukar Pai)
Program Advisor:
erin.strumpf [at] mcgill.ca (Erin Strumpf)
Program Director:
kristian.filion [at] mcgill.ca (Kristian Filion)
Ph.D. Pharmacoepidemiology Option
This program provides in-depth training for graduate students on pharmacoepidemiologic methods and the application of these methods to study the population effects (benefits and harm) of pharmaceutical products. Students will acquire the skills to become independent investigators and conduct original research in pharmacoepidemiology. Career opportunities for graduates are multiple and include work in industry, government, or academia. Students will be required to participate in the Pharmacoepidemiology Journal Club. Research topics must be related to pharmacoepidemiology and approved by the program coordinating committee.
Program Requirements
Thesis
A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.
Required Courses (25 credits)
EPIB 639
Pharmacoepidemiologic Methods
4 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: The objective of this course is to provide students with an in-depth review of the methods and principles of pharmacoepidemiology. Topics covered include themes related to the potential data sources, appropriate exposure definitions, the use of active drug comparators, latency and the application of lag periods, reverse causality, detection bias, methodological considerations in the assessment of acute versus chronic outcomes, new-user designs, healthy-user effects, and non-traditional study designs (e.g., within-user designs). In addition, the role of confounding and methods used to minimize its effects, such as the use of propensity scores, instrumental variables, and marginal structural models will be discussed.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Prerequisite(s): EPIB-603, EPIB-621, or equivalent, or permission of instructor.
EPIB 654
Pharmacoepidemiology 4
2 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: The utility of epidemiological techniques for the assessment of drug benefits after their marketing is presented. The course is composed of four parts: (i) methodology of Phase IV studies (efficacy and effectiveness studies); (ii) measurement of quality of life; (iii) evaluation of the economic impact of drugs; (iv) assessment of the effects of drugs and vaccines on the public health system.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Offered only in Summer term.
- Prerequisite(s): EPIB 601 and EPIB 607 or permission of instructor.
- Due to the intensive nature of this course, the standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines do not apply. Add/drop is the first lecture day and withdrawal is the second lecture day.
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2024 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024 academic year
EPIB 661
Pharmacoepidemiology 3
2 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: In this course, students are confronted with real examples of pharmaco-epidemiologic problems. Flagship studies in pharmaco-epidemiology are reviewed in terms of protocol, design issues, data collection, statistical analysis and interpretation of results.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Offered only in Summer term.
- Prerequisites: EPIB 631, EPIB 633 or permission of instructor
- Due to the intensive nature of this course, the standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines do not apply. Add/drop is the first lecture day and withdrawal is the second lecture day.
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2024 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024 academic year
EPIB 662
Pharma Basis of Pharmacoepidem
1 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: The objective of this course is to provide students with an indepth review of the principles of pharmacology which are essential for the design, analysis and critical appraisal of studies in pharmacoepidemiology.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Prerequisite(s): EPIB 633, or equivalent, or permission of the instructor.
EPIB 701
Ph.D.Comprehensive Examination
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: The comprehensive examination is a written examination. The objective is to assess the degree to which students have been able to assimilate and apply the principles of epidemiologic research. Examinations held twice yearly.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2024 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024 academic year
EPIB 702
Ph.D. Proposal
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: Essential skills for thesis writing and defence, including essential elements of research protocols, formulation of research objectives, the design, and strategies.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Note: Required for Ph.D. students.
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2024 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024 academic year
EPIB 703
Principles of Study Design
2 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: This course will provide an overview of the concepts and principles underlying epidemiologic study design. Focus will be on the importance of appropriately formulating the research question, identifying the target population, defining the relevant entities, and on how these factors affect the validity of study findings. Examples from the published literature will be extensively used to illustrate the crucial points and will be discussed in class.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Restriction(s): Registration in the Ph.D. Epidemiology program, or permission of the instructor.
EPIB 704
Doctoral Level Epib Methods 1
4 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: Estimation of epidemiologic effect measures and their confidence intervals in a variety of different study designs. Emphasis on analysis of sample data sets using regression models, graphical and tabular presentation of results, causal interpretation of effect estimates, writing reports for scientific publications, and sensitivity analyses for violated assumptions.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Prerequisite(s): EPIB 603 and EPIB 621 or equivalent
- Restriction(s): Open to Ph.D students in Epidemiology or Biostatistics programs only.
- Not open to students who have taken EPIB 604.
EPIB 705
Doctoral Level Epid Methods 2
4 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: The course has a conceptual and analytical causal inference perspective. The nature of specific study biases resulting in non-causal components in the observed association between exposure and outcome are discussed, including endogenous selection bias, measured and unmeasured confounding, and measurement error. Methods to recover the causal effect with such biases are presented. Causal mediation analysis is discussed. Models for survival analysis are discussed as well as the problem of- and some solutions to missing data. A brief overview of genetic epidemiology principles is covered.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Prerequisite(s): EPIB 704
- Restriction(s): Open to Ph.D. students in Epidemiology or Biostatistics programs only.
- Not open to students who have taken EPIB 608.
EPIB 706
Doctoral Seminar:Epidemiology
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: This course aims to provide an opportunity to students who have completed the Epidemiology course series in the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, to optimize their training in ways that will be helpful to their thesis research and to the development of their career as epidemiologists. The content of this interactive course and the delivery of the material is primarily determined by students based on the knowledge gaps that they identify. The course will allow students to expand their methodological tool box, explore controversies in epidemiology, and gain experience synthesizing and communicating complex concepts to an informed audience.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Prerequisite(s): EPIB 701
- Restriction(s): Enrolment in PhD Epidemiology or permission of instructor
- Not open to students who have taken EPIB 609.
EPIB 707
Res Design in Health Sci
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: Lectures and discussions and student oral and written presentations with the aim of providing guidance and experience in the development of objectives, background and methods for both the formulation of, and the constructive peer criticism of, research protocols in the health sciences.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Prerequisite(s): EPIB 701
- Restriction(s): Registration in the PhD program in Epidemiology.
- Not open to students who have taken EPIB 623.
Complementary Courses (3 credits)
3 credits of coursework in biostatistics at the 500 level or higher. Courses must be chosen in consultation with the student’s supervisor and/or the degree program’s director or adviser.
These courses can be chosen from the Department’s current offer of more than 40 courses in epidemiology, biostatistics and occupational health as well as from other ÎŰÎ۲ÝÝ®ĘÓƵ Departments. To assist you in your course selections see the Ph.D. Epidemiology Electives Guidelines page.
Comprehensive Exam (EPIB 701)
Students will normally take the Comprehensive Exam (EPIB 701) within 12 to 24 months of entry into the Ph.D. degree program. The Comprehensive Exam is held once a year in June. The exam is intended to test students’ ability to synthesize and integrate epidemiological knowledge. For details on the Comprehensive Exam, see the course outline for EPIB 701. The exam is graded “Pass” or “Fail”.ĚýStudents with a “Fail” must repeat the exam the following year.
Protocol Defense (EPIB 702)
The comprehensive exam and the above required courses are usually completed before submitting and defending the thesis research protocol in EPIB 702. For details on the Protocol Defense, see the course outline for EPIB 702. The exam is graded “Pass” or “Provisional Pass” or “Fail”.
Students with a “Provisional Pass” (some deficiencies noted but not enough to stop progress on the thesis) are recommended to undertake (in consultation with their supervisor), specific remedial steps to address the areas of weakness identified in the exam. These could include additional courses, essays, assignments, and short courses. After satisfactory completion of these remedial steps the student will be considered to have a “Pass” on the Comprehensive Exam/Protocol Defense. Students are permitted to continue with their normal progression through the program.
Students with a “Fail” must repeat the exam the following year.
Thesis Research
Thesis research is normally actively undertaken following the comprehensive Exam. It is expected that students will complete their degree within 48 to 60 months of entry into the Ph.D. degree program.
PE Advisor:
robert.platt [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Ph.D.%20Epi.%20Pharmacoepidemiology%20Option%20inquiry) (Robert Platt)
Program Advisor:
erin.strumpf [at] mcgill.ca (Erin Strumpf)
Program Director:
kristian.filion [at] mcgill.ca (Kristian Filion)
Ph.D. Population Dynamics Option
The Population Dynamics Option (PDO) is a cross-disciplinary, cross-faculty graduate program offered by theĚýCentre on Population DynamicsĚý(CPD) as an option within existing master’s and doctoral programs in the Departments of Sociology, Economics, and Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health (EBOH) at ÎŰÎ۲ÝÝ®ĘÓƵ University. Students who have been admitted through their home department or faculty may apply for admission to the option. The option is coordinated by the CPD, in partnership with participating academic units.
Thus, in addition to the rigorous training provided in the Department of EBOH, graduate students who choose this option becomeĚýCentre on Population DynamicsĚý(CPD) student trainees. This affiliation notably offers opportunities for interdisciplinary research and supervision. The option also provides a forum whereby graduate students bring their disciplinary perspectives together and enrich each other's learning through structured courses, a weekly seminar series, and informal discussions and networking.
With interdisciplinary research being increasingly important to understanding complex social and biological processes, CPD student trainees benefit from both a strong disciplinary foundation from their departmental affiliations, as well as from the sharing of knowledge across disciplinary boundaries through CPD activities.
Program Requirements
Thesis
A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.
Required Courses (22 credits)
EPIB 701
Ph.D.Comprehensive Examination
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: The comprehensive examination is a written examination. The objective is to assess the degree to which students have been able to assimilate and apply the principles of epidemiologic research. Examinations held twice yearly.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2024 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024 academic year
EPIB 702
Ph.D. Proposal
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: Essential skills for thesis writing and defence, including essential elements of research protocols, formulation of research objectives, the design, and strategies.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Note: Required for Ph.D. students.
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2024 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024 academic year
EPIB 703
Principles of Study Design
2 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: This course will provide an overview of the concepts and principles underlying epidemiologic study design. Focus will be on the importance of appropriately formulating the research question, identifying the target population, defining the relevant entities, and on how these factors affect the validity of study findings. Examples from the published literature will be extensively used to illustrate the crucial points and will be discussed in class.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Restriction(s): Registration in the Ph.D. Epidemiology program, or permission of the instructor.
EPIB 704
Doctoral Level Epib Methods 1
4 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: Estimation of epidemiologic effect measures and their confidence intervals in a variety of different study designs. Emphasis on analysis of sample data sets using regression models, graphical and tabular presentation of results, causal interpretation of effect estimates, writing reports for scientific publications, and sensitivity analyses for violated assumptions.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Prerequisite(s): EPIB 603 and EPIB 621 or equivalent
- Restriction(s): Open to Ph.D students in Epidemiology or Biostatistics programs only.
- Not open to students who have taken EPIB 604.
EPIB 705
Doctoral Level Epid Methods 2
4 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: The course has a conceptual and analytical causal inference perspective. The nature of specific study biases resulting in non-causal components in the observed association between exposure and outcome are discussed, including endogenous selection bias, measured and unmeasured confounding, and measurement error. Methods to recover the causal effect with such biases are presented. Causal mediation analysis is discussed. Models for survival analysis are discussed as well as the problem of- and some solutions to missing data. A brief overview of genetic epidemiology principles is covered.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Prerequisite(s): EPIB 704
- Restriction(s): Open to Ph.D. students in Epidemiology or Biostatistics programs only.
- Not open to students who have taken EPIB 608.
EPIB 706
Doctoral Seminar:Epidemiology
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: This course aims to provide an opportunity to students who have completed the Epidemiology course series in the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, to optimize their training in ways that will be helpful to their thesis research and to the development of their career as epidemiologists. The content of this interactive course and the delivery of the material is primarily determined by students based on the knowledge gaps that they identify. The course will allow students to expand their methodological tool box, explore controversies in epidemiology, and gain experience synthesizing and communicating complex concepts to an informed audience.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Prerequisite(s): EPIB 701
- Restriction(s): Enrolment in PhD Epidemiology or permission of instructor
- Not open to students who have taken EPIB 609.
EPIB 707
Res Design in Health Sci
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: Lectures and discussions and student oral and written presentations with the aim of providing guidance and experience in the development of objectives, background and methods for both the formulation of, and the constructive peer criticism of, research protocols in the health sciences.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Prerequisite(s): EPIB 701
- Restriction(s): Registration in the PhD program in Epidemiology.
- Not open to students who have taken EPIB 623.
SOCI 545
Sociology of Population
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Sociology (Arts): The classic literature of sociology of population. Drawing reciprocal linkages between social and population processes: Historical, family and labour force demography, demographic and fertility transitions, mortality, ethnic and race relations, gender, macro-structural interaction theory, and the relation of population and the environment.
Offered by: Sociology
SOCI 626
Demographic Methods
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Sociology (Arts): Introduction to demographic measurement and modeling. Course covers direct and indirect estimation, standardization, life table construction, and population projections.
Offered by: Sociology
- Specific topics may vary from semester to semester.
Complementary Courses (9 credits)
9 credits of coursework, at the 500 level or higher, with a minimum of 3 credits in biostatistics, 3 credits in epidemiology, and 3 credits from courses approved for the Population Dynamics Option from the list below:
ECON 622
Course not available
ECON 634
Economic Development 3
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Economics (Arts): A systematic treatment of the characteristics and problems of economic development in underdeveloped countries.
Offered by: Economics
ECON 641
Labour Economics
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Economics (Arts): A synthesis of theoretical developments in the area of labour economics with stress upon problems of empirical testing.
Offered by: Economics
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2024 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024 academic year
ECON 734
Economic Development 4
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Economics (Arts): Problems of economic growth and planning in selected underdeveloped countries. Topics covered vary from year to year in response to student interests; growth, poverty and income distribution, LDC labour markets and institutions, trade and development, international debt problems, issues in trade policy.
Offered by: Economics
- Terms
- Instructors
- Franque Grimard, Francesco Amodio
ECON 741
Advanced Labour Economics
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Economics (Arts): Selected theoretical and policy issues in labour economics.
Offered by: Economics
ECON 742
Empirical Microeconomics
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Economics (Arts): Surveys the empirical techniques used in applied microeconomic fields, particularly development and labour economics. Focus is on the formulation of empirical models derived from economic theory, and on various estimation methodologies, including panel data econometrics, limited dependent variable models, and duration analysis. A "hands on" approach is emphasized.
Offered by: Economics
ECON 744
Health Economics
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Economics (Arts): The emphasis will be on describing and analyzing the structure and performance of the Canadian health system, though some attention will be given to recent attempts by the federal and provincial governments to deal with current problems in this field. Readings will be selected from the economics and health literature.
Offered by: Economics
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2024 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024 academic year
EPIB 648
Methods in Social Epidemiology
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: Methods for conducting studies in social epidemiology and population health will be covered. Topics will include causal inference; measurement and concepts of social exposures; methods for study design and analysis. Techniques for descriptive and etiologic investigations of socioeconomic position, gender, race and ethnicity, geography, and social policies will be discussed.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
EPIB 681
Global Health: Epid. Research
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: A review of selected epidemiological research focussing on global health and disease topics. Research will be mostly from developing countries and research methods will be highlighted. Case studies will be used to illustrate specific applications and challenges.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Prerequisite: With permission of instructor.
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2024 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024 academic year
PPHS 525
HlthCare Systems in Comp Persp
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Population&Pub Health Sciences: Comparative perspective to illustrate processes involved in the development and evolution of health care systems around the world. Countries examined will represent different welfare state regimes, health care system typologies, levels of development and wealth.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
- Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken EPIB 525. Not open to students who are taking or have taken SOCI 525.
- Note: This course is cross-listed in Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health and in Sociology
PPHS 528
Economic Eval of Hlth Programs
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Population&Pub Health Sciences: Concepts and methods used to carry out economic evaluations of health programs and interventions, including public health interventions, pharmaceuticals, and other health care interventions. Includes topics such as calculation of unit costs, measurement of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and assessment of uncertainty in cost-effectiveness analysis.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
- Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken EPIB 528.
- No prior background in economics is required.
- Open to graduate students and advanced undergraduates from all departments.
PPHS 529
Global Env Hlth&Burden/Disease
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Population&Pub Health Sciences: This course presents the grand challenges in global health from environmental and occupational risks along with the multi-disciplinary methods used to identify, control, and prevent them. It will introduce students to knowledge and skills in core disciplines of environmental health and approaches to environmental risk recognition, control and prevention in a global context.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken EPIB 529.
- 1. Permission of instructor required for undergraduate students.
- 2.This course is open to graduate students and advanced undergraduates from all departments.
- 3. Previous coursework in statistics and environmental science is useful, though not required.
PPHS 615
Intro:Infectious Disease Epid
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Population&Pub Health Sciences: Introduction to the field of infectious disease epidemiology taught from a public health perspective. Topics include analytic methods, study design, outbreak investigations, surveillance, vaccine development and evaluations, screening, modelling, and infectious causes of cancer or chronic diseases.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Prerequisite: EPIB 601 or Permission of Instructor.
- Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken EPIB 615.
- Note: An undergraduate level biology course is highly recommended.
SOCI 502
Sociology of Fertility
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Sociology (Arts): An upper-level course that will cover the major theories and findings from the social scientific study of fertility behavior. Readings and discussion will focus on the causal linkages between social change and transitions in fertility behavior. We will examine contemporary and historical fertility behavior and transitions across the globe.
Offered by: Sociology
- Restriction(s): Open to graduate students and final year undergraduates
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2024 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024 academic year
SOCI 512
Ethnicity & Public Policy
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Sociology (Arts): Major themes in the theoretical literature on ethnicity. Public policies with direct and indirect implications for inter-ethnic relations will be studied. Policies affecting areas such as language, education, immigration, employment and promotion, multiculturalism and welfare. Examples drawn from several multi-ethnic societies. Political, constitutional, and economic problems associated with these policy initiatives.
Offered by: Sociology
- Prerequisite: SOCI 230 or permission from the instructor.
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken SOCI 629.
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2024 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024 academic year
SOCI 513
Soc Aspects HIV/AIDS in Africa
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Sociology (Arts): Examination of the social causes and consequences of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Gender inequality, sexual behaviours, marriage systems, migration, and poverty are shaping the pandemic as well as how the pandemic is altering social, demographic and economic conditions across Africa.
Offered by: Sociology
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2024 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024 academic year
SOCI 520
Migration and Immigrant Groups
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Sociology (Arts): Review of the major demographic, economic and sociological theories of internal and international migration. The main emphasis will be on empirical research on migration and immigrant groups.
Offered by: Sociology
- Prerequisite: 15 credits in the Social Sciences
SOCI 525
HlthCare Systems in Comp Persp
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Sociology (Arts): Comparative perspective to illustrate processes involved in the development and evolution of health care systems around the world. Countries examined will represent different welfare state regimes, health care system typologies, levels of development and wealth.
Offered by: Sociology
- Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
- Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken EPIB 525. Not open to students who are taking or have taken PPHS 525.
- Note: This course is cross-listed in Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health and in Sociology.
SOCI 535
Sociology of the Family
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Sociology (Arts): This seminar reviews literature on major research areas in family. The course examines families in the past, the study of family using a life course approach, and considers selective areas which may have had significant influences on contemporary family such as work and family, family violence, and cultural variation in families.
Offered by: Sociology
- Undergraduate students require permission of instructor
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2024 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024 academic year
SOCI 588
Biosociology/Biodemography
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Sociology (Arts): This course will explore linkages between social and biological systems, their influence on health and well-being over the life course, and on health disparities. Topics include classical sociological approaches to biosocial processes, sociobiology (reductionist, but population-based), and newer demographic studies on gen-environment, epigenetic, and stress-metabolic/allostatic processes.
Offered by: Sociology
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2024 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024 academic year
Courses must be chosen in consultation with the student's supervisor and/or the degree program's director or adviser.
Comprehensive Exam (EPIB 701)
Students will normally take the Comprehensive Exam (EPIB 701) within 12 to 24 months of entry into the Ph.D. degree program. The Comprehensive Exam is held once a year in June. The exam is intended to test students’ ability to synthesize and integrate epidemiological knowledge. For details on the Comprehensive Exam, see the course outline for EPIB 701. The exam is graded “Pass” or “Fail”.ĚýStudents with a “Fail” must repeat the exam the following year.
Protocol Defense (EPIB 702)
The comprehensive exam and the above required courses are usually completed before submitting and defending the thesis research protocol in EPIB 702. For details on the Protocol Defense, see the course outline for EPIB 702. The exam is graded “Pass” or “Provisional Pass” or “Fail”.
Students with a “Provisional Pass” (some deficiencies noted but not enough to stop progress on the thesis) are recommended to undertake (in consultation with their supervisor), specific remedial steps to address the areas of weakness identified in the exam. These could include additional courses, essays, assignments, and short courses. After satisfactory completion of these remedial steps the student will be considered to have a “Pass” on the Comprehensive Exam/Protocol Defense. Students are permitted to continue with their normal progression through the program.
Students with a “Fail” must repeat the exam the following year.
Thesis Research
Thesis research is normally actively undertaken following the comprehensive Exam. It is expected that students will complete their degree within 48 to 60 months of entry into the Ph.D. degree program.
PDO Advisor:
amelie.quesnelvallee [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Ph.D.%20Epi.%20Population%20Dynamics%20Option%20inquiry) (Amélie Quesnel-Vallée)
Program Advisor:
erin.strumpf [at] mcgill.ca (Erin Strumpf)
Program Director:
kristian.filion [at] mcgill.ca (Kristian Filion)