A teaching internship and completion of a research project and dissertation also are required. Development of computer skills is integrated into the curriculum. Development of grantsmanship skills is strongly encouraged. To complete the oral epidemiology program, students must take five specified courses relating to oral epidemiology and dental public health in addition to those necessary for completion of the PhD in Epidemiology. Additional coursework and electives will be in the student's specific area of research interest and can be taken in the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry or Public Health, or the College of Arts and Sciences.
Formal coursework is concentrated in the first two years of the program.
During this time the student selects a topic and initiates a research project. The final years involve teaching and completion of a dissertation. The development of research skills is initially undertaken in the form of apprenticeship with individual faculty members. The student also will formulate an original project and will find more than 25 faculty members in the three departments available to serve as mentors. The faculty's interests range over many aspects of the field.