Most PhD programs in the biological sciences have traditionally been designed to prepare graduates for careers in academia. However, a number of graduates are turning increasingly to careers outside of the traditional pathway and this trend toward alternative career choices also reflects societal needs for well educated individuals who are prepared to function in settings that require expert research skills as well as public health knowledge and skills. There is an increasing demand for highly skilled professionals who can take advantage of combined educational programs in Public Health and Biochemistry/ Molecular Biology. This dual degree program is a challenging education for exceptional students, requiring extra motivation and commitment, but rewards include a competitive advantage in the job market.

The PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology focuses on the molecular dynamics of life, seeking to understand and describe all aspects of nature at the molecular and cellular level, including the molecular basis of human diseases.

The Master's in Public Health prepares students for a professional career in a variety of public health fields and the four concentration areas that are most appropriate for this dual degree program. The following titles are linked to the MPH description for each concentration, as a matter of information.

1. Toxicology and Risk Assessment (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health) This program builds on a broad foundation in the biomedical sciences with specific attention to toxicology and risk assessment. The program is designed for advanced instruction related to decision-making and approaches to evaluation of responses of organisms (human and animal) to chemical insult and hazards
2. Environmental Health (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health) This concentration focuses its training in the public health aspects of environmental hazards on health confronting communities today including assessment of social and economic impact, regulations and policy issues.
3. Global Health/Communicable Disease (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health) This program provides an opportunity for biological science oriented students to develop laboratory and public health based communicable disease control skills. Students may also specialize in infection control practices.
4. Epidemiology (Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics) As a fundamental science of public health and preventive medicine, epidemiology students are prepared with quantitative and methodological skills to analyze factors affecting health, disease rates and the distribution of disease and disabilities from a population based perspective.

Each college reviews applicants independently and maintains their existing admission criteria and standards (see individual concentration links above). A single graduate school application form is completed, listing both Biochemistry and Public Health as major areas of study. The review process may begin in either college.  Students applying to the College of Public Health for Fall 2007 or later need to apply through SOPHAS (see the college of Public Health Admissions page at http://health.usf.edu/publichealth/degreereqs.html).  The timing of application should take into consideration that the COPH admits students three times per year (Fall, Spring and Summer) and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology admits students annually in the Fall. Once the applicant has been accepted into one program, the application folder is forwarded to the other program for review. After admission to both programs, the Graduate Admissions office instructs the Registrar's Office to classify the student as dually enrolled in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology and Public Health. In choosing which program to apply to first, students should take into consideration the following: requirements in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology for admission are different than in Public Health, admission to one program doesn't guarantee admission to the other; of course, the student's interests and career plans. The dual degree student is assigned an advisor for each respective program. Upon completion of all requirements for the dual degree program, the student submits separate applications for graduation to Biochemistry/Molecular Biology and Public Health, and is certified for graduation by both programs. Sample Plans of Study for each concentration area are attached as follows.

• PhD in Biochemistry/ MPH in Public Health
• College of Public Health MPH Program Requirements for all Concentrations
  • Concentration in Environmental Health
  • Concentration in Global Health / Communicable Disease
  • Concentration in Toxicology / Risk Assessment
  • Concentration in Epidemiology
• Samples Courses of Study
• PhD / MPH in Environmental Health
• PhD / MPH in Global Health/Communicable Disease
• PhD / MPH in Toxicology
• PhD / MPH in Epidemiology

PhD in Biochemistry / Molecular Biology

Required Courses		Credits
GMS 6200	Core Course in Medical Biochemistry	5
BCH 5105	Biochemistry Laboratory Rotations	1-3
Approved Electives Biochemistry / Molecular Biology
BCH 6411	Molecular Biology	4
BCH 6746	Physical Biochemistry	3
GMS 7910	Directed Research	1-19
BCH 6135	Methods in Molecular Biology	4
BCH 6876	Current Topics in Biochemistry / Journal Club	1
BCH 6876	Current Topics in Biochemistry / Journal Club	1
BCH 6876	Current Topics in Biochemistry	1
GMS 7939	Graduate Seminar	1
BCH 6876	Current Topics in Biochemistry	1
GMS 7980	Dissertation Research	2-19
Options for Electives from College of Public Health
PHC 6050	Biostatistics I	3
PHC 6512	Vectors of Human Disease	3
PHC 6310	Environmental Occupational Toxicology	3
HSC 6557	Pathobiology of Human Disease II	3
PHC 6359	Xenobiotic Metabolism in Environmental and Occupational Health	3
PHC 6701	Computer Applications for Public Health Researchers	3
PHC 6051	Biostatistics II	3
Options for Electives from Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
PCH 6888	Bioinformatics	2
GMS 7930	Scientific Writing and Research Ethics Selected Topics 1-3	2
BCH 6506	Advances in Enzymology	3
BCH 6876	Special Topics in Protein	2
GMS 6020	Neuroscience	5-6
PCB 6107	Advanced Cell Biology	4
GMS 6501	Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology	4
BCH 6876	Special Topics in Molecular Modeling and Drug Design	2
BCH 6876	Special Topics in Cell Signaling Pathways	2
BCH 6806	Biochemical Endocrinology	2
GMS 6876	Mouse Models of Gene Regulation & Disease	3

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College of Public Health MPH Program Requirements for all Concentrations

Core Courses
PHC 6000	Epidemiology	3
PHC 6050	Biostatistics I	3
PHC 6102	Health Policy and Management	3
PHC 6357	Environmental and Occupational Health	3
PHC 6410	Social and Behavioral Sciences Applied to Health	3
Electives	Required electives for MPH are met by Biochemistry / Molecular Biology course work.
Culminating Experiences
PHC 6945	Supervised Field Experience	3-12
	Comprehensive Exam	No credit
	PhD Dissertation meets PHC 6977 Special Project requirement

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Concentration in Environmental Health

§         Contact Person: Dr. Noreen Poor npoor@health.usf.edu

PHC 6301	Analysis of Water and Wastewater	3
PHC 6310	Environmental Occupational Toxicology	3
PHC 6512	Vectors of Human Disease	3
PHC 6356	Industrial Hygiene	2
PHC 6930	Public Health Seminar	1
PHC 6303	Community Air Pollution	3

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                        Concentration in Global Health Practice / Communicable Disease

                                    Contact Person: Dr. Boo Kwa bkwa@health.usf.edu

PHC 6251	Disease Surveillance and Monitoring	3
PHC 6511	Public Health Immunology	3
PHC 6510	Emerging and Infectious Diseases	3
PHC 6513	Public Health Parasitology	3
PHC 6512	Vectors of Human Disease	3
PHC 6930	Public Health Seminar	1

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                        Concentration in Toxicology / Risk Assessment

                                    Contact Person: Dr. Ira Richards irichard@health.usf.edu

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                        Concentration in Epidemiology

                                    Contact Person: Dr. Heather Stockwell hstockwe@health.usf.edu

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Following are typical year by year Courses of Study

PhD / MPH in Environmental Health