This area of interest is jointly administered by the Department of Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology in the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and the HSPH Department of Epidemiology. This area is designed for those interested in studying the frequency and determinants of both unintended and expected effects of drugs and medical devices. The Department of Epidemiology offers an intermediate-level course in pharmacoepidemiology and a variety of ongoing research projects. Relevant courses elsewhere in the school cover such areas as clinical trials, meta-analysis, drug regulatory affairs, decision analysis, and vaccine development. Students in pharmacoepidemiology have the opportunity to attend courses and congresses outside the school and are encouraged to undertake internships of up to three months in pharmaceutical firms or regulatory agencies.
Students ordinarily have a prior degree in medicine or pharmacy.
Others are expected to acquire substantially equivalent expertise in fields related to their research. This area introduces students to concepts and methods for studying the genetic and psychosocial factors that relate to the prevalence, incidence, and outcome of different types of psychiatric illnesses. Emphasis is given to issues of reliability and validity in studying such disorders among children, adolescents, and adults. The curriculum consists of six specialized courses, as well as related courses offered in the Departments of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Maternal and Child Health, and Health and Social Behavior. In addition to unique methodological issues, this area encompasses clinical, environmental, cancer, and infectious disease epidemiology.