UIC
School of Public Health Student Handbook 2008-2009
The Master of Science
MS Learning Objectives
MS students will achieve the
following learning objectives during completion of the
MS program in public health:
- Demonstrate knowledge
and understanding of a well-defined public health
discipline and its connection to, and impact on,
public health.
- Express understanding of discipline-specific theoretical constructs, research design, research methodology and analytical strategies.
- Illustrate the ability to evaluate and interpret scientific literature.
- Participate in an original research project that makes a contribution to the body of knowledge of their discipline.
- Exhibit the ability to disseminate research findings to the scientific community and the general public.
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Master of Science
The Master of Science (MS)
degree in Public Health Sciences prepares individuals
to enter academic, research, or professional careers
pertaining to broad areas of public health concern.
It is the appropriate route for continuing studies
leading to the PhD degree. Academic preparation is
offered through a broad spectrum of public health
courses and related research from which students can
fashion individualized curricula to meet highly specialized
objectives. Integrated with the course work (in all
areas but biostatistics) is a research project, the
findings of which must be described in a research
thesis. Interdisciplinary studies that combine two
or more of the School’s program areas are encouraged.
The MS degree is awarded under the University of Illinois
at Chicago Graduate College. For the purposes of this
degree program, the School of Public Health acts as
the Department of Public Health Sciences (DPHS) of
the Graduate College. All requirements related to
the degree, as described in the UIC Graduate Study
Catalog, must be met.
Programs of study leading to the MPH degree are offered by each of the following four SPH Divisions:
Requirements for Admission
Please see the Admissions
section of the SPH website for information.
Deadline for Completing
Degree Requirements
In graduate programs requiring
32 to 40 semester hours of graduate work, candidates
must complete all of the requirements within five
calendar years after their initial registration
in the Graduate College. In programs requiring 41
to 64 semester hours of graduate work, candidates
must complete all of the requirements within six
calendar years. Students pursuing more than one
degree at the same time will be allowed an additional
two years. Time spent on a leave of absence approved
by the School and the Graduate College is not counted
toward the degree time limit (see Leave of Absence).
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Independent Study
(IPHS 596)
Students may use Independent Study (IPHS 596) to satisfy elective hours. Up to 4 semester credit hours (SH)
of independent study may be credited to the degree.
Program of Study
The Master of Science Program in Biostatistics substitutes a comprehensive examination for the thesis.
The minimum course requirement is 48 semester credit hours.
With the exception of Biostatistics, a high degree of flexibility exists in the MS program of study in that only two courses are stipulated
as school-wide requirements, and students are encouraged to select courses from more than one Division. Programs might consist, for example, of a
blend of environmental and occupational health sciences with epidemiology and biostatistics. The School of Public Health courses might also be
combined with studies outside the School. It is recommended that all students take BSTT 401, Biostatistics II, as part of their program of study
in preparation for thesis research. A major requirement is that the program of study be designed and the entire 48 semester hours, including the
electives, be directed toward a meaningful health-related goal. For full-time students, it is anticipated that at least four semesters, usually more
depending upon the thesis topic, will be needed to complete the requirements for the MS degree. The student's thesis format must adhere to the Graduate
College requirements.
Selection of Thesis Advisor and Thesis Examining Committee
Before undertaking research leading to the required thesis, the student, with the assistance and approval of his/her major advisor,
must select a Thesis Advisor, who must be a member of the Graduate College Faculty. In conjunction with the Thesis Advisor, the student
selects the Thesis Examining Committee, subject to the final approval of the major advisor, Division Director, Dean of the School of Public Health,
and the Graduate College. This committee consists of at least three members, one of whom must be a tenured full member of the Graduate College faculty.
One committee member may be selected from outside the School of Public Health.
Thesis Proposal
The members of the Thesis Examining Committee will meet with the student to approve the thesis proposal, and to determine that the student
is adequately prepared to undertake it. The thesis research may emphasize theoretical, laboratory, field, or computer-based investigations,
but it should be feasible to complete in two to three semesters of full-time work. The members of the committee then provide guidance and
assistance throughout the research experience of the student.
It is strongly advised that no more than one semester elapse following completion of course work before approval of the thesis proposal.
Preparation for Thesis Approval
Students should seek the guidance of their advisors and the Graduate College at an early stage of thesis preparation. It is highly recommended
that MS students at the point of beginning work on their thesis see the SPH Office of Student Affairs, or the Graduate College on the 6th floor
of University Hall, to obtain a copy of the Graduate College brochure, "Instructions for Completing Graduate College Degree Requirements and
Preparation of Theses." This handbook is also available online. The handbook provides instruction for final thesis preparation and format
approval. The advisor and SPH are responsible for the approval of the thesis content and style.
Final Oral Examination
When a student has completed the thesis research work and a final draft of the thesis, s/he should request the advisor to convene the
Thesis Examining Committee to conduct the final exam and for review and approval of the thesis for content. When the student and major
advisor agree that the student is prepared, the advisor assembles the Thesis Examining Committee to conduct a final oral examination.
The Thesis Examining Committee examines the student in a private session, indicating to the student whether any further work or revision
of the thesis is required. The examination is then open to faculty and students for an oral presentation of the student’s research.
Finally, the Thesis Examining Committee reports to the Graduate College that the student has or has not passed his/her examination
and thus has or has not satisfied all requirements for the MS degree. A candidate cannot be passed if more than one vote of "fail"
is reported. The report to the Graduate College is made by the members of the Thesis Examining Committee and the advisor who sign
and date the "Certificate of Approval" form (sent to the Thesis Examining Committee Chair by the Graduate College). When all
Graduate College forms have been signed and dated by the Thesis Examining Committee and major advisor, they should be brought
to the SPH Dean’s Office for "departmental" signature, and then forwarded to the Graduate College to conclude the process. Upon
approval of Dr. Faith Davis, the Director of Graduate Studies for the Department of Public Health Sciences, the student is recommended
to the Graduate College for award of the degree.
Note: SPH requires that one copy of the thesis be deposited with the SPH Office of the Dean to be placed in a repository in the student’s Division.
MS Bypass Procedure
With the approval of the student's advisor and Division Director, a student may choose to enter the PhD program
and not undertake the MS thesis. A written letter of application must be made to justify this transfer. The Division
admissions committee will review the justification letter and an accompanying transcript. Recommendations for
approving the bypass will be made to the SPH Director of Graduate Studies (Senior Associate Dean) for approval
and transmission to the Graduate College for final approval. A list of courses to be transferred to the PhD program
must accompany the justification letter and approval.
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