School of Public Health-Bloomington

Departmental E-mail: sph [at] indiana [dot] edu

Departmental URL: www.publichealth.indiana.edu

(Please note that when conferring University Graduate School degrees, minors, certificates, and sub-plans, The University Graduate School’s staff uses only those requirements contained in The University Graduate School Bulletin.)

Curriculum

Curriculum
Courses
Faculty

Degrees Offered

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is a research degree especially designed to prepare graduates for careers devoted to the following fields of study: environmental health, epidemiology, health behavior, leisure behavior, and human performance. There are four emphases under human performance: biomechanics, exercise physiology, motor learning/control, and sport management.

In addition, the School of Public Health offers the following graduate degrees: Master of Public Health, Master of Science in Applied Health Science, Master of Science in Kinesiology, and Master of Science in Recreation. Dual degrees include, (1) Master of Public Health and Juris Doctorate, (2) Master of Public Health and Master of Arts in Russian and East European Studies (3) Master of Public Health and Master of Arts in African Studies, and (4) Master of Public Health and Master of Arts in Caribbean, and Latin American Studies. For dual degrees, students must be admitted by both units. For full information on degrees, see this Bulletin and the School of Public Health-Bloomington Bulletin.

Special School Requirements

(See also general Graduate School requirements.)

Doctor of Philosophy

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the Ph.D. in environmental health, epidemiology, health behavior, human performance, or leisure behavior must possess an appropriate academic background in the physical, biological, social, and behavioral sciences. Prescribed deficiency work ordinarily cannot be counted among credits required for the degree. Other admission criteria are grade point averages earned in all undergraduate and graduate work, scores on the Graduate Record Examination General Test, and letters of recommendation from professors or others who are able to evaluate the applicant’s potential for success in advanced graduate study. Admission applications can be completed online. For application instructions, please visit: http://www.indiana.edu/~bulletin/iub/phb/2014-2015/graduate/admission/application.shtml .

Course Requirements

A minimum of 90 credits are required beyond the baccalaureate degree, of which at least 30 credits must be in the major area of emphasis. The remaining credits are to be distributed among the research skills requirement (minimum 9 credits), at least one minor (minimum 9 credits), supportive electives that include a substantial amount of work in statistics and research methodology, and dissertation (20-30 credits). A minimum of 9 credits, excluding courses taken to complete the research and languages requirement, must be taken outside of the student’s major department.

Elective or minor course work must clearly support the devel­opment of research competency in the major field. Frequent involvement in research projects (with or without academic credit) is essential to the program. Deficiencies in course work must be removed during the first year of study.

Grades

All doctoral students must maintain a grade point average of at least 3.0 (B). Grades of C- (1.7) and below will be calculated in the student’s grade point average, but courses in which such grades are earned cannot be counted toward degree requirements. A minimum grade of 3.0 (B) is required in each course used to satisfy the research skill requirement.

Common Requirements

All Ph.D. students must present an introductory course in research (SPH-X 590) and an introductory course in statistics (SPH-Q 501), or their equivalents, as prerequisites to the major work. Additionally, all Ph.D. students must complete an introductory course in public health (SPH-X 505) and an introductory course in epidemiology (SPH-E 651).

Ph.D. degree course work components

Foreign Language/Research-Skill Requirement

One of two options:

1. approved combination of research skills (9-credit minimum)
2. reading proficiency in one foreign language plus a minimum of 5 credits of approved research skill course work

The option pursued must clearly enhance the student’s ability to pursue research in the specific field of study and must have the approval of the student’s advisory committee and the associate dean of research and graduate studies. Research skills may be selected from, but are not limited to, areas such as computer science, mathematics, electronics, engineering, chemistry, and statistics.

Ph.D. Majors

Ph.D. track in Environmental Health

For each doctoral student in this academic program, a faculty advisory committee individually prescribes a minimum of 30 credits of courses which the student must complete in the environmental health major. The prescribed course work focuses on influences and effects of environmental factors on human health and disease. The prescribed research skill courses, along with those courses prescribed in the major, minor, and elective portions of each student’s course prescription are selected to provide students with the scientific, technological, policy, and management skills needed to address environmental, toxicological, and occupational health concerns. This program exists to prepare health scientists to conduct lab-based research and share the results in an effort to advance the discipline of environmental health.

Ph.D. track in Epidemiology

For each doctoral student in this academic program, a faculty advisory committee individually prescribes a minimum of 30 credits of courses which the student must complete in the epidemiology major. The prescribed course work focuses on distribution and patterns of health-events and provides statistical methodology on topics in human health.  The prescribed research skill courses, along with those courses prescribed in the major, minor and elective portions of each student's course prescription are selected to prepare the student to design and conduct research yielding advancements in the field of epidemiology.

Ph.D. track in Health Behavior

For each doctoral student in this academic program, a faculty advisory committee individually prescribes a minimum of 30 credits of courses which the student must complete in the health behavior major. Research and creative activities include both basic and applied work in program planning, development, evaluation of the prgram effectiveness; health policy and management; and examination of lifestyle and health behavior in relation to nutrition, exercise, stress, alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse, individual development and family health, health and aging, communicable disease, human sexuality, and related areas. The recommended research skill courses, along with those courses included in the major, minor, and elective portions of each student’s customized course prescription prepare the student to conduct scholarly inquiry in a topic that is selected from a broad spectrum of issues and problems related to disease prevention, health promotion and quality of life.

Ph.D. track in Leisure Behavior

For each doctoral student in this academic program, a faculty advisory committee individually prescribes a minimum of 30 credits of courses which the student must complete in the leisure behavior major. For students with an emphasis in leisure behavior, this prescribed course work is focused on the study of recreation, leisure, and tourism with the goal of improving health and quality of life. The prescribed research skill courses, along with courses in the major, minor, and elective portions of each student’s course prescription are selected to prepare the student to design and conduct research yielding advancements in the field of leaisure behavior.

Ph.D. track in Human Performance with an emphasis in biomechanics

For each doctoral student in this academic program, a faculty advisory committee individually prescribes a minimum of 30 credits of courses which the student must complete in the human performance major. For students with an emphasis in biomechanics, the major coursework involves an application of the laws of mechanics to human structure and function in an effort to maximize athletic performance. The prescribed research skill courses, along with those courses prescribed in the major, minor, and elective portions of each student’s course prescription are selected to prepare the student to design and conduct research yielding achievements in the field of biomechanics.

Ph.D. track in Human Performance with an emphasis in exercise physiology

For each doctoral student in this academic program, a faculty advisory committee individually prescribes a minimum of 30 credits of courses which the student must complete in the human performance major. For students with an emphasis in exercise physiology, the major coursework serves to build the student's understanding of how the various cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems respond to challenges posed by exercise and physical training, with the primary goal of achievement of optimal performance. The prescribed research skill courses, along with those courses prescribed in the major, minor, and elective portions of each student’s course prescription are selected to prepare the student to design and conduct research yielding achievements in the field of exercise physiology.

Ph.D. track in Human Performance with an emphasis in motor learning/control

For each doctoral student in this academic program, a faculty advisory committee individually prescribes a minimum of 30 credits of courses which the student must complete in the human performance major. For students with an emphasis in motor learning/control, this coursework focuses on the neuromuscular aspects related to the control of human movement and learning. A variety of neuroscience courses related to the control of human movement are prescribed. The prescribed research skill courses, along with those courses prescribed in the major, minor, and elective portions of each student’s course prescription are selected to prepare the student to design and conduct research yielding advancements in the field of motor learning and motor control. General research topics include strength acquistion, goal-directed movement control, and the effects of human aging on movement execution with emphasis given to postural control and balance.

Ph.D. track in Human Performance with an emphasis in sport management

For each doctoral student in this academic program, a faculty advisory committee individually prescribes a minimum of 30 credits of courses which the student must complete in the human performance major.  For students with an emphasis in sport management, the prescribed course work provides the student with a thorough foundation in sport, with a focus on a student’s primary interest, such as business, or communication, or history. The prescribed research skill courses, along with courses in the major, minor, and elective portions of each student’s course prescription are selected to prepare the student to design and conduct research yielding advancements in the field of sport management.

Minor(s)

At least one minor in a supporting area outside the minor area of study is required. The minor must be in a discipline related to, but distinct from, the major field(s) of study. The number of required credits is determined by the unit in which the minor is taken (minimum 9 credits)

Electives

Students with a single minor will take supportive electives which support development of research compentency in the field.

Dissertation

20-30 credits.

Milestones

Course Prescription

The courses required for a doctoral degree are individually prescribed for each student following approval of the members of the student's advisory committee. The student and the advisory committee work together to prescribe the required research skill courses, major courses, minor courses, elective courses, and the appropriate number of dissertation credits.

Qualifying Examination

The qualifying examination may not be taken until the student is within one course of completing all prescribed course work and the foreign language/research-skill requirement has been completed. The exam consists of two portions, a written portion and an oral portion.

Two options exist for the written portion of the qualifying examination.

Three opportunities per year exist for a student to sit for the traditionally formatted written portion of the qualifying examination. The three regularly scheduled exam dates are in September, February, and June. Alternatively, a doctoral student’s advisory committee may design and administer the written portion of the examination differently in order to assess the student’s fitness for candidacy in a different way. Applications for both options must be filed at least 30 days in advance.

The oral portion of the qualifying examination should take place within a month following the written portion.

Research Proposal

The proposal meeting will be open to faculty and students in the university community. During the first portion the student will formally present her/his dissertation proposal in an open forum. Committee members and visitors will have the opportunity to ask questions. Visitors will leave after the formal presentation. The remaining time will be determined by the student’s research committee.

Final Examination

Oral defense of the dissertation.

Ph.D. Minors Offered by the School of Public Health-Bloomington

Doctoral students in other departments can complete a minor in a specific emphasis by satisfactorily completing a minimum number of credits of graduate-level course work which has been approved by the minor field representative on the doctoral advisory committee. A qualifying examination is required.

Options for an Outside Doctoral Minor in the Department of Applied Health Science

Addictive Behaviors Complete 9 credits as follows:

Complete each of the following courses:

• SPH-B 518 The Nature of Addictive Disorders (3 cr.)
• SPH-H 518 Alcohol and Drug Education (3 cr.)

Complete 3 credits from the following elective courses in consultation with the minor advisor to include a selective topic directly related to addictive behaviors:

• SPH-B 701 Advanced Health Behavior Theory for Research (3 cr.)
• SPH-B 702 Advanced Evaluation and Research in Public Health (3 cr.)
• SPH-B 703 Acquiring External Funds for Research (3 cr.)
• SPH-H 791 Readings in Health Behavior (1-10 cr.)
• SPH-H 792 Research in Health Behavior (1-10 cr.)

Gerontology Complete 9 credits including 3 courses from the following list of options to be selected in consultation with the minor advisor:

• EDUC-P 517* Adult Development and Aging (3 cr.) (*offered online)
• EDUC-P 518* Social Aspect of Aging (3 cr.)
• SPH-B 535* Contemporary Issues in Aging and Health (3 cr.)
• SPH-B 615* Health, Longevity, and Integrative Therapies for the Later Years (3 cr.)
• SPH-H 524/EDUC-P 513* Gerontology: Multidisciplinary Perspective (3 cr.)

Health Behavior Complete 12 health behavior graduate-level credits in consultation with the minor advisor.

Health Promotion Complete 15 credits as follows:

Complete the following course:

• SPH-B 589 Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health (3 cr.)

Complete one of the following courses:

• SPH-H 500 Philosophy and Principles of Health Education (3 cr.)
• SPH-H 635 Health Promotion in the 21st Century (3 cr.)

Complete 9 additional graduate-level credits, selected in consultation with the minor advisor.

Human Development and Family Studies Complete 9 credits as follows:

Complete the following courses:

• SPH-F 654 Conceptual Frameworks in Human Development and Family Studies (3 cr.)
• SPH-F 656 Families and Health (3 cr.)

Complete 3 additional graduate-level SPH-F credits to be selected in consultation with the minor advisor.

Human Sexuality Education Complete 15 credits as follows:

Complete the following courses:

• SPH-B 589 Social and Behavioral Determinates of Health (3 cr.)
• SPH-H 515 Human Sexuality Education in Schools (3 cr.)
• SPH-H 540 Practicum in College Sex Education (3 cr.)
• SPH-H 555 Issues in Sexuality and Health (3 cr.)

Complete 3 additional graduate-level credits to be selected in consultation with the minor advisor.

Nutrition Science Complete 12 credits as follows:

Complete the following courses:

• SPH-N 530 Advanced Human Nutrition (3 cr.)
• SPH-N 532 Advanced Human Nutrition II (3 cr.)

Complete 1 of the following biochemistry courses.

• CHEM-C 483 Biological Chemistry (3 cr.)
• CHEM-C 484 Biomolecules and Catabolism (3 cr.)
• MCHE-C 580 Medical Biochemistry (3 cr.)

Complete one course selected, in consultation with the minor advisor, from the following:

• SPH-N 520 Food Chemistry (3 cr.)
• SPH-N 531 Medical Nutrition Therapy (3 cr.)
• SPH-N 536 Community Nutrition (3 cr.)
• SPH-N 600 Nutrigenomics (3 cr.)
• SPH-N 601 Phytonutrients (3 cr.)
• SPH-N 620 Nutrition in Sports (3 cr.)
• SPH-N 691 Readings in Nutrition Science (1-5 cr.)
• SPH-N 692 Research in Nutrition Science (1-5 cr.)

Public Health Complete 12 credits with a minimum cumulative doctoral minor GPA of 3.0 in the following courses:

• SPH-B 589 Social Determinates of Health (3 cr.)
• SPH-E 651 Epidemiology (3 cr.)
• SPH-P 510 Organization and Administration of Public Health Programs (3 cr.)
• SPH-V 541 Environmental Health (3 cr.)

Safety Management Complete 15 credits as follows:

Complete the following course:

• SPH-B 589 Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health (3 cr.)

Complete 12 credits of graduate-level courses selected in consultation with the minor advisor.

School and College Health Education Complete 15 credits as follows:

Complete each of the following courses:

• SPH-B 589 Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health (3 cr.)
• SPH-H 510 Organization of School Health Programs (3 cr.)
• SPH-H 623 School Health Program Management (3 cr.)
• SPH-H 635 Health Promotion in the 21st Century (3 cr.)

Complete one course from:

• SPH-H 500 Philosophy and Principles of Health Education (3 cr.)
• SPH-H 502 Instructional Strategies for School and College Health (3 cr.)

Option for an Outside Minor in the Department of Environmental Health

Environmental Health Complete 9 credits as follows:

Complete the following course:

• SPH-V 541 Environmental Health (3 cr.)

Complete 6 credits from the following courses:

• SPH-V 510 Human Health and the Natural Environment (3 cr.)
• SPH-V 542 Principles of Toxicology (3 cr.)
• SPH-V 545 Exposure, Assessment, and Control (3 cr.)
• SPH-V 546 Risk Assessment Policy and Toxic Regulations (3 cr.)
• SPH-V 548 Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology (3 cr.)
• SPH-V 741 Molecular Toxicology (3 cr.)
• SPH-V 743 Environmental Health Sampling (3 cr.)
• SPH-V 745 Advanced Toxicology (3 cr.)
• SPH-V 747 Carcinogenesis (3 cr.)

Options for an Outside Minor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Biostatistics Complete 9 credits as follows:

Complete the following courses:

• SPH-Q 602 Multivariate Statistical Analysis (3 cr.)
• SPH-Q 603 Categorical Data Analysis (3 cr.)

Complete 3 credits from the following courses, selected in consultation with the minor advisor:

• SPH-Q 502 Intermediate Statistics in Public Health (3 cr.)
• SPH-Q 601 Experimental Analysis and Design (3 cr.)
• SPH-Q 611 Statistical Packages in Research (3 cr.)
• SPH-Q 612 Survival Analysis (3 cr.)

Epidemiology Complete 9 credits as follows:

Complete the following courses:

• SPH-E 651 Epidemiology (3 cr.)
• SPH-Q 502 Intermediate Statistics in Public Health (3 cr.)

Complete 3 credits from the following courses, selected in consultation with the minor advisor:

• SPH-E 653 Chronic Disease Epidemiology (3 cr.)
• SPH-E 655 Infectious Disease Epidemiology (3 cr.)
• SPH-E 657 Social Epidemiology (3 cr.)
• SPH-E 658 Advanced Epidemiology (3 cr.)
• SPH-E 659 Advanced Epidemiological Methods (3 cr.)
• SPH-Q 602 Multivariate Statistical Analysis (3 cr.)

Option for an Outside Minor in the Department of Kinesiology

Human Performance Complete 12 credits of graduate-level humnan peformance courses to be selected in consultation with the minor advisor.

Option for an Outside Minor in the Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies

Leisure Behavior Complete 9 credits as follows:

Complete 3 credits from the following courses:

• SPH-R 710 Social Science of Leisure (3 cr.)
• SPH-R 711 Higher Education in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Studies (3 cr.)
• SPH-R 712 Inquiry Methodology in Leisure Behavior (3 cr.)
• SPH-R 794 Doctoral Seminar: Leisure Behavior (3 cr.)

Complete 6 additional graduate-level credits to be selected either from remaining courses listed above, or from other Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies courses which are selected in consultation with the minor advisor.