Department of Environmental Health Sciences
2015-2016 DOCTORAL
Student Handbook
www.jhsph.edu/dept/ehs
Department of Environmental Health Sciences
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Doctoral
Student Handbook
2015-2016
The Department of Environmental Health Sciences reserves the right
to change without notice any programs, policies, requirements, and
regulations in this handbook. Updates and revisions to this handbook
will be posted on the departmental website, at www.jhsph.edu/dept/ehs.
Additional policy information is included in various School
publications including the 2015-2016 Catalog, Student Handbook,
Policy and Procedure Memoranda (PPM), and website, which may
be accessed at www.jhsph.edu.
THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
BLOOMBERG SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
2015-16 ACADEMIC YEAR CALENDAR
SUMMER INSTITUTES
MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY
REGULAR SUMMER TERM
Begin T May 26
M May 25
W July 1 – F Aug 21 (37 class days)
Registration Begins for Summer Institute Terms…………………………………………………………….……
Registration Begins for Regular Summer Term...................................................................................................
Internet-Based/Part-Time MPH New Student Orientation ...................................................................................
Summer Institutes Begin .....................................................................................................................................
Regular Summer Term Registration Ends………………………………………………………………………….
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION/REGISTRATION .......................................................................................
Instruction Begins for Summer Term ..................................................................................................................
INDEPENDENCE DAY HOLIDAY .................................................................................................................
Regular Summer Add/Drop Period .....................................................................................................................
Last Class Day of Summer Term ........................................................................................................................
1ST TERM
F Feb 13
T April 7
Sun May 31
Begin T May 26
W June 24
M June 29– T June 30
W July 1
F July 3
W July 1– T July 14 (full term courses only)
F Aug 21
M Aug 31 - F Oct 23 (39 class days, M-F)
st
1 Term Registration Begins for Continuing and Special Students………………………………………………
1st Term Registration Ends for Continuing and Special Students .........................................................................
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION/ REGISTRATION ......................................................................................
Instruction Begins for 1st Term............................................................................................................................
Add/Drop Period.................................................................................................................................................
LABOR DAY RECESS......................................................................................................................................
Last Class Day of 1st Term ..................................................................................................................................
2ND TERM
M June 1
F Aug 21
W Aug 26 – F Aug 28
M Aug 31
M Aug 31 - F Sept 11
M Sept 7
F Oct 23
M Oct 26 - F Dec 18 (38 class days, M-F)
nd
2 Term Registration Begins ..............................................................................................................................
2nd Term Registration Ends .................................................................................................................................
Instruction Begins for 2nd Term ...........................................................................................................................
Add/Drop Period.................................................................................................................................................
THANKSGIVING RECESS ...............................................................................................................................
Last Class Day of 2nd Term .................................................................................................................................
Internet-Based/Part-Time MPH New Student Orientation ...................................................
WINTER INTERSESSION ...................................................................................................
F July 24
F Oct 16
M Oct 26
M Oct 26 – F Nov 6
Th Nov 26 – Su Nov 29
F Dec 18
Sun Jan 3
M Jan 4 – F Jan 15
Winter Intersession Registration Begins………………………………………………………………………….. Th Oct 8
Winter Intersession Registration Ends…………………………………………………………………………..… F Dec 4
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. HOLIDAY RECESS ........................................................................................ M Jan 18
3RD TERM
T Jan 19 - F Mar 11 (39 class days, M-F)
rd
Registration Begins for 3 Term .........................................................................................................................
3rd Term Registration Ends ................................................................................................................................
Instruction Begins for 3rd Term ..........................................................................................................................
Add/Drop Period.................................................................................................................................................
Last Class Day of 3rd Term .................................................................................................................................
SPRING RECESS ..............................................................................................................................................
4TH TERM
W Nov 18
F Jan 12
T Jan 19
M Jan 18 - F Jan 29
F Mar 11
M Mar 14 - F Mar 18
M Mar 21– F May 13 (40 class days, M-F)
Registration Begins for 4th Term .........................................................................................................................
4th Term Registration Ends..................................................................................................................................
Instruction Begins for 4th Term ...........................................................................................................................
Add/Drop Period.................................................................................................................................................
Last Class Day of 4th Term ..................................................................................................................................
PUBLIC HEALTH CONVOCATION ................................................................................................................
UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT ..................................................................................................................
RESIDENCY PROGRAM ENDS ......................................................................................................................
M Feb 1
F Mar 11
M Mar 21
M Mar 21 – F Apr 1
F May 13
T May 17
W May 18
Th June 30
CONTENTS
JOHNS HOPKINS BLOOMBERG SCHOOL of PUBLIC HEALTH
ACADEMIC ETHICS CODE
Policy
Procedure
THE DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES
Mission
Departmental Overview
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES STUDENT ORGANIZATION
(EHSSO)
DEPARTMENTAL CONTACT INFORMATION
Departmental Administration
Associate Chairs
Academic Administration
Business Administration
Academic Program Directors
DOCTORAL PROGRAMS
EHSPolicyonDoctoralRegistration
PhD Program
Training Competencies
Requirements for Courses Outside of EHS
Faculty Advisors
Use of Human and Animal Subjects
Assessment of Progress
AttendanceandVacation
Teaching Assistant (TA) Policy
Doctoral Student Milestones
PhD Exams and Procedures
PhD Core Curriculum Requirements
PhD Track in Exposure Sciences and
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Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) Program
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JOHNS HOPKINS BLOOMBERG SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
ACADEMIC ETHICS CODE
Policy
The faculty and students of the Bloomberg School of Public Health have the joint responsibility for maintaining the
academic integrity and guaranteeing the high standard of conduct of this institution.
An ethical code is based upon the support of both faculty and students who must jointly accept the responsibility
to live honorably and to take action when necessary to safeguard the academic integrity of this University.
Students enrolled in the Bloomberg School of Public Health assume an obligation to conduct themselves in a
manner appropriate to The Johns Hopkins University’s mission as an institution of higher education. A student is
obligated to refrain from acts which he or she knows, or under the circumstances has reason to know, impair the
academic integrity of the University. Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to: cheating;
plagiarism; knowingly furnishing false information to any agent of the University for inclusion in the academic
record; violation of the rights and welfare of animal or human subjects in research; and misconduct as a member
of either School or University committees or recognized groups or organizations.
Procedure
All members of the Johns Hopkins community are responsible for immediately informing the Academic Ethics
Board of the Bloomberg School of Public Health of any suspected violations of its Constitution. The Ethics Board,
composed of six students and four faculty members, is responsible for implementing its Constitution according to
the procedures set forth therein. This includes formal hearings of suspected violations. Students and faculty should
become familiar with the Constitution, copies of which are provided in student and faculty publications and
materials, posted on the website of the School, and can be obtained at the office of one of the deans responsible
for student affairs.
Allegations of fraud in research by students will be handled and resolved according to the policies and procedures
specified in Faculty PPM 7 - Fraud in Research. Penalties for students who are found responsible for engaging in
fraud in research under Faculty PPM 7 may be selected from among the penalties specified in the Student
Academic Ethics Code (Student PPM 1) as appropriate.
Allegations of violations of academic integrity by students in the School are covered under the policies and
procedures contained in PPM for Students - 1 (Academic Ethics) and the School’s Academic Ethics Code.
Allegations of sexual harassment are covered by the University’s Sexual Harassment Prevention and Resolution
Program for faculty, staff, and students. The University encourages individuals to report incidents of sexual
harassment and provides a variety of avenues, both formal and informal, by which individuals can report
complaints of sexual harassment. Allegations of sexual harassment by students are covered under the JHU
program and under the Student Conduct Code.
Allegations of unsatisfactory performance or unacceptable behavior by faculty are covered by PPM Faculty - 8
(Procedure for Handling Allegations of Unsatisfactory Performance or Unacceptable Behavior), and allegations of
fraud or misconduct during the conduct of research by faculty are covered by PPM Faculty - 7 (Fraud in Research).
Allegations of misconduct by staff are covered by policies and procedures established by the University Office of
Human Resources as stated in the Personnel Policy Manual. (this information is taken from the School’s POLICY
AND PROCEDURE MEMORANDUM STUDENTS – 1, SUBJECT: Academic Ethics.)
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook – 1
The Department of Environmental Health Sciences
1.0 MISSION
The Department of Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) integrates diverse scientific disciplines in its quest to
discover, translate, and disseminate new knowledge critical to understanding the impact of environmental factors
on individuals and human populations, a goal that is central to public health. Paramount to our mission is a
commitment to the education and training of public health professionals to solve environmental health challenges
ranging in scale from molecular to global.
2.0 DEPARTMENTAL OVERVIEW
The Department of Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) is a dynamic group of faculty and students exploring the
impact of chemical, biological, and physical agents on human health. We work to: discover the sources and
distribution of these agents; understand individual response at the molecular, cellular, organ, and whole-body
levels; assess environmental risk; and devise prevention and intervention strategies.
Current thinking on the environment and health has propelled us to consider how the built environment and the
social environment influence human health beyond the traditional focus on hazardous agents. We are also
pursuing the health effects of global environmental change, including global warming, persistent organic
pollutants, and ecosystems change.
Students in EHS come from diverse backgrounds, and grow to appreciate the effects of the natural, built, and social
environments on human health. Our broad, multidisciplinary approach creates a collaborative and supportive
learning atmosphere for every student, while assisting them in developing lifetime careers in public health.
EHS engages in doctoral-level training, research and practice activities in two broad areas: Exposure Sciences and
Environmental Epidemiology; Toxicology, Physiology, and Molecular Mechanisms. Faculty and students evaluate
the impact of chemical, biological, physical and psychosocial exposures on human health spanning the breadth of
environmental media including food, water and air and encompassing integrating concepts of the built
environment and environmental sustainability. Our mission is to develop solutions to key challenges in local,
national, and global environmental health, from the molecular to population-wide impacts. This is accomplished by
investigating sources and distributions of exposures, mechanisms of action, biomarkers of exposure and biological
effects, individual and population-based responses, and susceptibility factors at both the individual (molecular,
cellular, organ, whole-body) and societal levels. In addition, environmental risks are assessed and
prevention/intervention strategies are devised and evaluated.
Our broad, multidisciplinary approach creates a collaborative and supportive learning atmosphere for students
with diverse backgrounds and interests, while assisting them in developing lifetime careers in environmental and
public health research and practice. Our graduates work in academic research institutions, health agencies, health
departments and private industry organizations that are leaders in environmental and occupational health in the
U.S. and in many countries around the world.
These areas offer students many opportunities for course selection, research, and training in a setting that enables
students to pursue a wide range of environmental health science interests. Our relationships with the Johns
Hopkins School of Medicine, the Whiting School of Engineering – Department of Geography Environmental
Engineering (DOGEE), and the School of Nursing ensure that our research can be rapidly translated into prevention
strategies. In addition, our Department houses a number of Centers including the Johns Hopkins Water Institute,
Education and Research Center for Occupational Safety and Health, Center for a Livable Future (CLF), and the
Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CATT), and the Center for Public Health Preparedness enhancing our
unique academic environment.
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook – 2
3.0 ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION FOR DOCTORAL STUDENTS
3.1 Accounts
Students should monitor their ISIS account on a monthly basis so that problems may be resolved in a timely
manner. The Department may deposit funds for tuition and certain fees into accounts, but the student is
responsible for late charges related to expenses that are not covered by the Department. These charges include
late registration fees, even when the Department pays for tuition costs. Information regarding student accounts
may be found at: www.jhsph.edu/studentaccts.
3.2 Course Waivers
Waivers will be considered when a student has taken a similar, graduate-level course(s), with a passing grade, in
another division of JHU or another university. “Similarity” shall be based on comparison of the course syllabi by the
relevant JHU course director.
The waiver approval process depends on whether or not the specific requirement is Department or School-based
versus Track-based. For Department or School requirements, approval must be granted sequentially by the
student’s advisor, the Program director or Track co-directors, and the Department Chair. For track-specific
requirements, a waiver approval must be granted by the student’s advisor and the track co-directors.
All waiver requests should be submitted on the appropriate form to the Academic Program Administrator. Once
approved, documentation of the waiver will be maintained in the student’s file. The waiver request form can be
found at: http://www.jhsph.edu/departments/environmental-health-sciences/student-resources/forms.html
3.3 Financial Support
The Department of Environmental Health Sciences offers a number of predoctoral and postdoctoral fellowship
opportunities for U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents, which are sponsored by various training grants
including those funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health (NIOSH) and private foundations. Support from these grants includes tuition, stipend, and health
insurance for selected applicants.
All qualified applicants are considered for scholarship opportunities. Please note that funding for non-U.S. citizens
is very limited. The allocation process is very competitive and funding sources vary each year. Additional means of
financial support may be identified on the School’s website at: www.jhsph.edu/SFR. In most cases, admitted
students will be notified at the time of acceptance if they are awarded any type of financial support with the
amount and type of support specified in the award notification. Students should contact the EHS Business Office at
E7523 or 410-955-3537 if they have any questions about their award or accounts.
3.4 Registration
It is the student’s responsibility to register for courses during the appropriate time periods specified by the Office
of Records and Registration (and available on the academic calendar). The student should discuss their course
plans with their advisor before registration and confirm registration details with their advisor every term.
Regardless of funding sources such as grants, stipends, etc., students are responsible for any applicable fees if they
do not register properly.
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook – 3
3.5 Standards of Performance
Students are expected to adhere to the policies stated in the EHS Student Handbook and the School’s policy and
procedure memorandum (PPM). These policies include those related to grade requirements, registration policies,
academic progress, deadlines, satisfactory completion of exams, and the School’s Academic Ethics Code. Students
who fail to follow or meet the established policies may be subject to dismissal.
3.6 Teaching Assistants
Teaching Assistant (TA) positions provide students with an opportunity to develop their teaching and interpersonal
skills, to work professionally with faculty and fellow students, and to contribute service to the Department.
Students must receive approval from their advisors before serving as a TA for a course.
All full-time doctoral students are required to serve as a TA for at least one course during each of the second
through fourth years of their academic Program. Only EHS courses can be used to fulfill this requirement. All TAs
are required to take the Online Module: Essential Elements for Teaching Assistantships
http://distance.jhsph.edu/core/index.cfm/go/enr:enr.start/cID/296/ prior to TAing for a course.
3.7 Emergency Alerts
The JHU Weather Emergency Line can be reached at 410-516-7781 or 800-548-9004. The JHU Weather Emergency
Line provides information on class cancellations and campus closing due to inclement weather. The University may
also use the same phone lines occasionally to distribute other urgent information. Weather emergency
information is also available at www.jhu.edu/alert. To receive emergency alerts via text, sign up by logging into
https://my.jh.edu/.
3.8 Student Assistance
On occasion, problems may arise between students and other members of the School of Public Health community.
The purpose of these guidelines is to help resolve disputes informally between students and other members of the
Hopkins community. The student is encouraged to make a good faith effort to resolve the dispute informally prior
to initiating formal Grievance Procedures. For those disputes that cannot be resolved informally, a Student
Grievance Procedure has been created by the School to provide students and student groups with a formal process
to seek resolution of a grievance (see Student PPM 07). In certain circumstances, other governing bodies also assist
in these situations. A student who has a concern about a decision or act of a faculty or staff member of the
Department of Environmental Health Sciences should follow the steps outlined below.
Step 1: The student should first approach the person or parties (e.g., academic advisor, related office, etc.) directly
involved as soon as possible to discuss questions or concerns.
Step 2: If the issue or concern is not resolved informally, the student should contact the Program or Track Director
for assistance. A written request for problem resolution is requested at this stage. This request should include
specific details about the problem, documentation if appropriate, and a suggestion for resolution.
Step 3: If no resolution can be found in prior steps, the matter will be referred to the Departmental Chair, who will
address the problem as he/she deems necessary.
Step 4: If the matter is not resolved within the Department or requires review and/or decision at the School or
University level, a student should refer to the School’s Student Grievance Procedure document.
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook – 4
Additionally, The Johns Hopkins Student Assistance Program (JHSAP) is a life management resource that can help
students identify and manage challenging issues in healthy ways. Getting help is free, convenient, and confidential.
Free JHSAP services include: short-term counseling, crisis response, healthy relationship support and educational
workshops. More information can be found at www.jhsap.org.
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES STUDENT ORGANIZATION (EHSSO)
EHSSO is the departmental student organization formed for the purpose of facilitating social, intellectual, and
service-oriented interaction between students, staff, and faculty of the Department of Environmental Health
Sciences. EHSSO unites students from the different disciplines of the Environmental Health Sciences Department
and provides a forum for students to voice their concerns and share ideas and research. Networking opportunities,
social events, student-sponsored conferences, and lectures are all benefits of EHSSO.
2015-16 EHSSO Board Members
President
Makena Clive
[email protected]
President Elect
Kevin Casin
[email protected]
Secretary
Tara McAlexander
[email protected]
Treasurer
Alexis Brown
[email protected]
Student/Faculty Representative
Jessie Huang
[email protected]
Research Committee Representative
Suzanne Martos
[email protected]
Student Assembly Representative
TBD
DrPH Representative
TBD
Master’s Representatives
TBD
EHSSO Faculty Advisor
Marsha Wills-Karp, PhD
[email protected]
For further information please contact [email protected].
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook – 5
5.0 DEPARTMENTAL CONTACT INFORMATION
DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATION
Marsha Wills-Karp, PhD
EHS Department Chair
[email protected]
Office: E7527A
443-287-4290
[email protected]
Office: E6527
410-955-3348
[email protected]
Room: E7523B
410-502-4451
[email protected]
Office: E7527
443-287-4290
[email protected]
Office: E7527
410-614-3275
James D. Yager, PhD
Deputy Chair
Theresa Daniel, BA
Administrator
Patty Poole
Sr. Administrative Coordinator to the Chair
Ruth Quinn
Sr. Program Coordinator
ASSOCIATE CHAIRS
Jacqueline Agnew, PhD
Associate Chair for Practice
[email protected]
Office: W7503D
410-955-4037
Identify strategic opportunities to engage with
the practice community and promote the
scholarship of EH practice.
Marsha Wills-Karp, PhD
Acting Associate Chair for
Educational Programs
[email protected]
Office: E7527A
443-287-4290
Shyam Biswal, PhD
Associate Chair for Research
[email protected]
Office: E7624
410-955-4728
Brian Schwartz, MD, PhD
Associate Chair for Faculty
Development
[email protected]
Office: W7041
410-955-4158
Monitor existing and approval of new degree
programs and curricula, monitor courses for
non-Departmental students, assess teaching
quality, oversee doctoral admissions.
Identify Department-wide strategic research
areas, help faculty with grant submissions
(mock study section) research retreats and
seminars.
Primary: Mentor faculty.
Secondary: Recommend appointments and
promotions to Chair and Executive Committee.
ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATION
Courtney Mish
Academic Program
Administrator
[email protected]
Office: E7039
410-955-2212
Oversees all operations of the academic programs in the
Department and works as the liaison among students, faculty,
and administrative offices of both the Department and the
School. Responsible for overseeing all admissions, prospective
student communications and visits, teaching assistant
assignments, course waivers, staffing departmental academic
committees. Responsible for assuring student DGA is processed
into the system (i.e. tuition, medical insurance, matriculation
fee). Monitors registration activity, assisting with issues as
necessary, tracking of students’ academic progress – including
meeting School and departmental requirements, and exams.
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook – 6
FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ADMINISTRATION
Theresa Daniel
Administrator
[email protected]
Room: E7523B
410-502-4451
Responsible for directing the overall administrative, financial and
operational activities of the Department of EHS.
Tracy Russo
Financial Manager
[email protected]
Office: E7523
410-502-2471
This position works closely with faculty and principal investigators
to monitor expenses, prepare grant proposals and other related
items for submission, handle all pre-and post award issues and
assist with budgeting issues for sponsored & non-sponsored
accounts. Handles more complex and multi-project funding.
Erinn Johnson
Sr. Research Service
Analyst
[email protected]
Office: E7516
410-502-3694
This position works closely with faculty and principal investigators
to monitor expenses, prepare grant proposals and other related
items for submission, handle all pre and post award issues and
assist with budgeting issues for sponsored & non-sponsored
accounts. Handles more complex and multi-project funding.
Raisa Supan
Sr. Research Service
Analyst
[email protected]
Office: E7034
410-955-3328
This position works closely with faculty and principal investigators
to monitor expenses, prepare grant proposals and other related
items for submission, handle all pre and post award issues and
assist with budgeting issues for sponsored & non-sponsored
accounts. Handles more complex and multi-project funding.
Felicia Moore
Sr. HR Coordinator
[email protected]
Office: E7518
410-502-9288
The HR Coordinator provides a wide range of human resource
services for the Department. Coordinates personnel services and
HR processes. Prepares payroll submissions, job postings, visas for
faculty and staff and answers payroll and benefits questions.
Rita Hartje
Budget Specialist
[email protected]
Office: E7523
410-502-9031
Responsible for the day to day financial transactions such as
shopping carts, travel advances, travel reimbursements and online reimbursements. Work with AP to ensure the proper
documentation is attached. Monthly account reconciliation of
internal accounts.
Chichona Powell
Budget Specialist
[email protected]
Office: E7523
410-614-4762
Responsible for the day to day financial transactions such as
shopping carts, travel advances, travel reimbursements and online reimbursements. Work with AP to ensure the proper
documentation is attached. Monthly account reconciliation of
internal accounts.
Roger Stokes
Budget Specialist
[email protected]
Office: E7523
410-614-4762
Responsible for the day to day financial transactions such as
shopping carts, travel advances, travel reimbursements and online reimbursements. Work with AP to ensure the proper
documentation is attached. Monthly account reconciliation of
internal accounts.
Nicole Hughes, MA
Communications
Coordinator
[email protected]
Office: E7040
443-287-2905
Oversees the departmental website, designs and writes
departmental publications and newsletters, manages the EHS
Teamsite (SharePoint/Portal)
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook – 7
6.0 ACADEMIC PROGRAM DIRECTORS
PhD Track in Exposure Sciences and Environmental Epidemiology
Peter SJ Lees, PhD, CIH
[email protected]
Co-Director
Office: E6624
410-955-3009
Ana Navas-Acien, MD, PhD
[email protected]
Co-Director
Office: W7513D
410-502-4267
PhD Track in Toxicology, Physiology, and Molecular Mechanisms
Shyam Biswal, PhD
[email protected]
Co-Director
Office: E7624
410-502-1945
Wayne Mitzner, PhD
[email protected]
Co-Director
Office: E7608
410-614-5446
DrPH
Paul A. Locke, MPH, JD, DrPH
MHS in Environmental Health
E. William Spannhake, PhD
[email protected]
Office: W7032
410-502-2525
[email protected]
Office: E7533
410-614-5441
MSPH Track in Occupational & Environmental Hygiene
Peter SJ Lees, PhD, CIH
[email protected]
Office: E6624
410-955-3009
ScM in Environmental Health
E. William Spannhake, PhD
[email protected]
Office: E7533
410-614-5441
MSPH Track in Toxicity Testing and Human Health Risk Assessment of Environmental Agents
E. William Spannhake, PhD
[email protected]
Office: E7533
410-614-5441
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook – 8
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES
DOCTORAL PROGRAMS
DOCTORAL
PROGRAMS
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook – 9
6.4. DOCTORAL PROGRAMS (PhD and DrPH)
The Department of Environmental Health Sciences offers the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and the Doctor
of Public Health (DrPH). Students in the PhD Program select from one of two tracks within the Department:
Exposure Sciences and Environmental Epidemiology; Toxicology, Physiology, and Molecular Mechanisms. DrPH
students establish a personalized curriculum (an individual Academic Plan) based on the student’s professional
experience, future career, and goals.
6.4.1 EHS Policy on Doctoral Registration
In addition to the School’s residency requirement, full-time doctoral students in the Department of Environmental
Health Sciences must register on a continuous basis for a minimum of 16-units each academic term. Registration is
not required during the summer* or interim sessions and tuition funding is typically not provided for these terms.
All students are required to discuss the current term’s registration with their advisor before the end of the
Add/Drop period. A student, full- or part-time, who fails to register by the published deadlines during a regular
academic term will incur a late registration fee from the School that must be paid by the student. If a student still
does not register after the add/drop deadline for the term, they will be considered withdrawn by the School and
the Department.
*Note: Some students will be registered by the Department during the summer term for administrative purposes;
however, this registration does not imply that didactic courses will be funded.
The DrPH Program has a part-time option. These part-time students must register on a continuous basis for a
minimum of 1 unit per term. Registration is not required during the summer or interim sessions.
If it becomes necessary to take a break from studies, students should contact their advisor and determine if a
formal Leave of Absence is necessary. Any request for change of status must be submitted to the Academic
Program Administrator and approved by the School and the Department. Please contact the Academic Program
Administrator for details about requesting a formal Leave of Absence.
6.4.2 PhD Program
PhD students have seven years from the time of matriculation to complete their degree requirements. However, it
is expected that all doctoral students will have completed the Program within five years after matriculation.
Students will receive a maximum of 5 years of funding from the Program. Student funding beyond five years is not
available. A formally approved Leave of Absence (LOA) does not count toward this time. Doctoral students will
have up to 30 days after the final defense to make corrections and turn in their thesis. All doctoral students must
remain registered during this time. If they are within the five years of funding, they will receive stipend and health
insurance coverage for these 30 days. After the 30 days, they will be terminated from payroll as a graduate student
in the department.
Training Competencies
The goal of PhD training in EHS is to, through core and track-specific courses, research rotations, qualifying
examinations, and mentored research, prepare graduates to be independent investigators who engage in
scholarship that creates new knowledge, use research to transform practice and improve environmental health,
and effectively communicate research findings.
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –10
We expect graduates of the PhD from the Department of Environmental Health Sciences to be able to:
1. Describe all aspects of the environmental health paradigm (from sources to health effects) for a range
of agents and stressors and scales from local to global
2. Identify common environmental health hazards and risks
3. Understand the interdisciplinary nature of environmental health research
4. Explain core epidemiological concepts
5. Explain the role of law, policy and regulations in environmental health protection
6. Explain concepts of risk assessment and management to assess and control environmental health risks
7. Utilize statistical techniques to support research designs and perform data analyses
8. Write and critique a grant proposal in the NIH format
9. Evaluate and critique a body of literature in order to assess the state of knowledge and research gaps
10. Develop a specialized area of knowledge within one of the Department’s academic tracks
11. Develop a set of research tools and skills needed to conduct independent research
12. Develop, conduct and defend original research that is worthy of publication and leads to a completed
thesis
13. Communicate research results to technical and lay audiences
14. Translate research findings into practice
Requirements for courses outside the Department
PhD students are required to complete at least 64 credits of formal coursework (i.e., not special studies). At least
18 credit units of formal coursework are required in courses outside the student’s primary Department. At least
nine of these credits must be taken in the School of Public Health.
Faculty Advisors
PhD students are assigned a faculty advisor once they are admitted into the Program. The advisor serves as the
primary contact for the Department and will assist the student with course selection each term, planning research
rotations if appropriate, preparation of journal club and seminar presentations, and the interpretation of
departmental and School policies. This initial, or academic, advisor may or may not become the student’s research
advisor. As early as the first year, a thesis research advisor is selected to serve as the student’s advisor for the
conduct of their research. This selection, however, does not exclude significant interactions with other members of
the faculty. The faculty advisor must approve student registration and course plans (as applicable). At the end of
each academic year, the advisor and the student should review academic progress and determine plans for the
future year that will keep the student on track toward graduation. This information is also reviewed by the
student’s doctoral track co-directors and the Academic Program Administrator. In the event that the student wants
to change advisors, he/she must discuss the reasons with his/her track co-directors and submit a request to the
EHS Academic Program Administrator. Such changes are considered upon mutual agreement and availability of an
appropriate advisor. Changes will be noted on the student’s transcript.
Use of Human or Animal Subjects
Before beginning contact with either human or animal subjects, doctoral students, as all researchers, must obtain
approval for their projects from either the Institutional Review Board (IRB) or the Institutional Animal Care and Use
Committee (IACUC). In both cases, the faculty mentor must be involved in this process in that the protocol for the
research project is submitted under the faculty member’s name with the student listed as a student investigator.
In addition, online training in the use of animals in research, human subjects research and HIPAA Privacy Rule must
be completed. It is important to remember that NO contact can be made with humans, human tissue, human
samples or human records without prior approval of the protocol by the IRB. NO animals can be purchased for
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –11
experimentation without an IACUC protocol approval. Detailed information about human subjects and the use of
animals in research can be found at: www.jhsph.edu/offices-and-services/institutional-review-board/_pdfs-anddocs/Student%20Manual_V15_17Jul14_Final.pdf
Assessment of Progress
The Department of Environmental Health Sciences requires that each student maintain a minimum grade point
average (GPA) of 3.0. Additionally, the School requires all doctoral students have a “B” or greater in PhD Program
core courses. In order to monitor and document adequate academic performance and progress, a review of the
doctoral student’s grades and activities is carried out continually. This information is reviewed by the advisor, the
doctoral track co-directors and the Academic Program Administrator. If a GPA of 3.0 is not maintained the
student’s performance will be reviewed by the Educational Programs Committee (EPC). The EPC will review each
case and make a recommendation with respect to whether the student will be allowed to continue in the Program
or be given a probation period. All recommendations about academic standing will be then presented to the
Department’s Executive committee for final disposition. In addition to maintaining an acceptable grade point
average, each student must successfully complete a comprehensive written examination, Departmental and
School-wide Preliminary Oral Examinations. Failure to successfully complete any of these requirements will also be
grounds for dismissal from the Program.
Attendance and Vacation
Students are expected to attend all classes, including journal clubs and seminars and participate actively.
Scheduling conflicts that arise must be discussed with the student’s advisor. Since research and practice are
fundamental parts of the curriculum, it is expected that students will work (with the approval of their advisor) in
the laboratory, or pursue other research, including participation in public health practice opportunities during term
breaks. Generally, students will take no more than two weeks vacation per academic year (University holidays are
approved time off and are not included in the two weeks vacation). Students must discuss plans for vacation or
other absences with their advisor.
Teaching Assistant Requirement
Teaching Assistant (TA) positions provide students with an opportunity to develop their teaching and interpersonal
skills, to work professionally with faculty and fellow students, and to contribute service to the Department.
Students must receive approval from their advisors before serving as a TA for a course.
All full-time doctoral students are required to serve as a TA for at least one course during each of the second
through fourth years of their academic Program. Only EHS courses can be used to fulfill this requirement. In order
to be considered for a TA position, a student must be currently enrolled in courses on a full-time basis. All TAs are
required to take the Online Module: Essential Elements for Teaching Assistantships
http://distance.jhsph.edu/core/index.cfm/go/enr:enr.start/cID/296/ prior to TAing for a course.
Departmental and School Required Core Curriculum
The School and the Department have specified a series of required core courses to be completed by all PhD
students. These core courses are listed on page 18 and track-specific requirements follow.
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –12
Doctoral Student Milestones
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –13
PhD Examinations and Procedures
The following information regarding thesis and doctoral exams serves as a general guide to departmental policies
and procedures. Please note that the School’s PPM
(see: https://my.jhsph.edu/Resources/PoliciesProcedures/ppm/Pages/default.aspx) for PhD Programs provides
comprehensive details about each exam and related procedures. See track sections for procedures specific to each
track.
Comprehensive Written Examination
A comprehensive written exam is required of all doctoral students. The two parts of the examination will be taken
upon completion of the EHS-required PhD Core Courses and a substantial proportion of the track-required courses,
normally at the end of the first year of study but no later than the end of the second year; both exams must be
taken within a 7 day period. The examination will include two half-day components. The first day will consist of
general questions focusing on the departmental core courses and the broad educational competencies listed
previously. The second day will consist of track area specific questions. Students are expected to integrate their
knowledge gained through required courses, courses representing the elected field of specialization and research,
and seminar presentations. The track co-directors will send written notification of the successful completion of the
examination to the Department’s Academic Program Administrator. If a student fails the written exam, track
faculty will decide if he/she will be permitted to re- take the exam, and if so, whether he/she will be examined on a
particularly weak area or be required to take another exam comprised of new questions. Only one reexamination
may be permitted. A second failure will result in termination from the Program. Doctoral students who are not
able to continue in the Program may request a transfer to the MHS, MSPH, or ScM Program.
Research Proposal
All PhD students are required to write a NIH style grant proposal as a degree requirement. The proposal will be in
the form of a standard NIH format. In general the grant proposal will be drafted as a component of the Writing
Scientific Papers and Grant Writing courses. Individual tracks may modify the format by adjusting the page number
limitations. It is the responsibility of the advisor to inform the student if there are any track-specific deviations
from this requirement.
Departmental Oral Evaluation
In preparation for taking the School-wide Preliminary Oral Examination, all PhD students of the Department of
Environmental Health Sciences are required to achieve satisfactory performance on a Departmental practice oral
exam. This Departmental evaluation provides an opportunity for the student to demonstrate the effective verbal
communication skills and the ability to engage in scientific exchange that will be tested on the official formal
School-wide Preliminary Oral Examination.
Committee Composition. The evaluating committee will consist of five faculty members with primary or joint
appointments in EHS: four from the student’s track (including the advisor) and one from within the Department
but outside the student’s track. The most senior faculty member (excluding the student’s advisor) will serve as the
chair of the evaluation process. Students should work with their advisor to select the faculty composition and
exam time and inform the Departmental Academic Program Administrator of the composition, time, and location
of the exam. The student’s advisor will bring the student’s complete academic file (as provided by the Academic
Program Administrator) to the exam for the committee members to review. Students must submit a copy of their
thesis proposal to the committee members approximately 2 weeks prior to the exam date. (Note: no more than 2
of the faculty on this practice oral can serve in the group of 5 primary members of the School-wide Preliminary Oral
Examination.)
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –14
Conduct of the Evaluation. The evaluation commences with a discussion among the faculty (in the student’s
absence) concerning the student’s academic performance and activity. The student is then invited back into the
room and begins by presenting a 10-15 minute talk about their thesis proposal. The faculty will question the
student to determine whether they are adequately prepared to conduct the research outlined in the proposal.
Questions will not be confined to the proposal, but can cover any topic deemed to be fundamental to a doctoral
student in their particular field. Questioning continues until all faculty members have had the opportunity to ask
questions and have acquired sufficient information about the student’s knowledge and abilities. The student will
then be excused from the room, and the faculty will decide whether the student performed well enough to
proceed to the School-wide Preliminary Oral Examination. If the committee feels the student is not ready, they
will decide on the appropriate next step. The most common option is to simply allow more time for a student to
study and practice answering questions orally, with a repeat of the Departmental practice evaluation at some
specified later time. If the student doesn’t achieve an acceptable performance level at this second session, the
faculty may either decide on a 3rd and final practice session or recommend that the student leave the PhD
Program. Doctoral students who are not able to continue in the Program may request a transfer to one of the
Departmental Masters programs. Following each of these practice evaluations, the advisor will submit a brief
report summarizing the decision of the committee to the Academic Program Administrator.
School-Wide Preliminary Oral Examination
The School-wide Preliminary Oral Examination (POE), administered by the School’s Office of Academic Affairs
under University Guidelines, determines whether the student has the ability, depth, breadth, and knowledge to
undertake significant doctoral-level research in his/her specialized area of interest. The examination should be
taken at the earliest feasible time, not later than the end of the student's third year in residence, and before
significant engagement in dissertation research.
The student and his/her advisor are responsible for initiating arrangements for this examination. The Department’s
Academic Program Administrator will assist with the appropriate forms and other important information. Requests
for scheduling the exam must be sent to the School’s Office of Records and Registration at least one month prior to
the examination; therefore, it should be submitted in advance of this time to the Academic Program Administrator.
The Examining Committee must consist of five voting members. Two members must be from the sponsoring
department; one of these is the advisor. A third member from the sponsoring department is optional. The senior
faculty member without a primary appointment in the student's Department will serve as Chair of the Committee
and must hold the rank of Associate or Full Professor. All faculty members must serve on the Committee
representing the department of their primary faculty appointment. Most often, the committee is comprised of
duly appointed faculty members of a University department and must hold, at the time of selection, an
appointment of Assistant Professor or higher. Occasionally, one adjunct or one scientist faculty member, but not
both, may serve on the Committee. Neither may serve as the Chair. All members of the Committee must be
present at the scheduled exam location; teleconference participation is not permitted.
The Examining Committee must be comprised of three Departments of the University, two being from the
Bloomberg School of Public Health. The Examining Committee must have appropriate alternate members to serve
on the committee. The selection of alternates is very important for ensuring the exam can take place at the
originally scheduled date/time.
If the student fails the Preliminary Oral Examination and is permitted a re-examination, he/she must be reexamined within one year.
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –15
Thesis Advisory Committee (Departmental)
Upon successful completion of the Preliminary Oral Examination, a Thesis Advisory Committee will be formed to
provide continuity in the evaluation of progress and development of the student. The principal responsibilities of
the Committee are to review the student’s dissertation proposal, to advise and guide the student’s research, and
to read and evaluate the student’s final dissertation. Students work in consultation with their advisor and/or track
co-directors to select members of the Committee. The Committee consists of the student’s advisor and two to four
other faculty members from both inside and/or outside the student’s Department with expertise in areas relating
to the proposed research of the student.
Membership of the Committee may change as dictated by the needs of the student and direction of the research.
It is expected that the student will meet formally at least twice per year (every six months) with the Committee,
beginning six months after the successful completion of the School-Wide Preliminary Oral Examination and
continuously until the final defense. At these meetings, the student will present progress on his/her thesis project
and the Committee will offer advice. For each meeting, a written evaluation (Research Committee Meeting Form
found on the Student Resources section on the EHS website) of the student’s development will be prepared by the
Committee, discussed with the student, and submitted to the Academic Program Administrator to be included in
the student’s departmental file. As the thesis project progresses, the Committee may indicate a target date for
completion of the project.
Thesis Research (Dissertation)
The thesis must be based on original research, worthy of publication and acceptable to the Department and to the
Committee of Thesis Readers (Committee of Readers). Students should consult the Preparation of Thesis,
Attachment No.1, of the Policy and Procedure Memorandum (PPM) for details on the preparation of the thesis at:
http://guides.library.jhu.edu/etd.
Final Oral Defense and Public Seminar
The Committee of Thesis Readers shall conduct the oral defense of the thesis after the Thesis Advisory Committee
agrees that the candidate is ready for the formal defense (also known as Final Oral Exam or FOE). During this
defense the Committee shall evaluate:
I. The originality and publication potential of the research;
II. The candidate’s understanding of the details of the methodologic and analytic work;
III. The final quality of the written thesis document.
Once a date for the defense has been agreed upon by the Committee of Thesis Readers, a formal request for the
final oral defense should be submitted to the Office of Records and Registration at least one month prior to the
exam date. This should be submitted in advance of the one month period to the EHS Academic Program
Administrator for processing. The Academic Program Administrator will assist with the appropriate forms and
other important information. The advisor will confirm that the thesis is in a final form that is ready to be submitted
to the readers and that all other School and Department requirements for the degree have been fulfilled.
Committee of Thesis Readers — The final oral examination is a defense of the thesis before a committee of at least
four readers. Typically, most or all of the members of this Committee were also members of the student’s Thesis
Advisory Committee. The readers include the thesis advisor and at least three other faculty members with the rank
of Assistant Professor or higher. At least three Departments of the University, including at least two Departments
of the JHSPH must be represented. Normally, two readers are from EHS. The senior faculty member outside EHS
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –16
will normally serve as chair and must hold the rank of Full or Associate Professor. The primary appointment of
faculty members determines whether they are considered inside or outside the Department.
Timing Note: The thesis should be in its final form before distribution to the readers. This is confirmed by the
advisor signing off on the thesis before it’s distributed to the readers. Thesis readers must have at least one month
to read the thesis before the final examination is held as they might have suggested revisions as well.
Thesis Seminar — All doctoral candidates are required to give a formal public presentation of their completed
thesis work at a public Program Seminar. Administrative staff is available to assist in scheduling a room for this
event as well as advertising this event to the appropriate audience.
Doctoral students will have up to 30 days after the final defense to make corrections and turn in their thesis. All
doctoral students must remain registered during this time. If the funding has not gone over the total number of
years allotted, they will receive stipend and health insurance coverage for these 30 days. After the 30 days, they
will be terminated from payroll as a graduate student in the department.
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –17
Department of Environmental Health Sciences
PhD Program Core Curriculum Requirements
Academic Year 2015-16
Course Number
Course Name
Term
Day/Time
180.609
Principles of Environmental Health I
1
MW 1:30-3:20
180.612
Advanced Environmental Health
2
MW 8:30 - 10:20
187.610
Public Health Toxicology
317.600
180.840, 1 credit w/
Dr. Wills-Karp
Introduction to Risk Sciences and Public
Policy
Epidemiology –All PhD students must take at
least one epidemiology course
Biostatistics – All PhD students must take at
least one biostatistics course
1 or 2
WF 3:30 - 4:50 or online
1 or 3
MW 5:00 - 6:50 or online
See track specific section
See track specific section
EHS Doctoral Student Seminar
1,2,3,& 4
& Grant Rounds
2nd Tuesday of every
month, 12:00 - 1:00
2nd Friday of every
month, 12:00 - 1:00
180.661 & 180.662
Writing Scientific Papers I & II
3&4
TBD
180.663 & 180.664
Grant Writing I & II
1&2
TBD
See track for course
number
Journal Club
550.860
Academic and Research Ethics at JHSPH
1
online
550.865
Public Health Perspectives in Research
2
online
550.600
Responsible Conduct of Research
1
W 3:20 - 5:20
or 306.665
Research Ethics and Integity
3
TTh 1:30 - 2:50
1,2,3,& 4
See track specific section
Note: The School’s Satisfactory Academic Performance policy requires Doctoral students to maintain
a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 and to have a B or greater in Program core courses.
Please refer to your track-specific section for additional course requirements.
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –18
6.4.2.1 PhD Track in Exposure Sciences and Environmental Epidemiology
The Exposure Sciences and Environmental Epidemiology Track offers research and training opportunities in key
topic areas relevant to environmental and occupational health. These include air, water, the food system, early life
exposures, metals and synthetic chemicals, environmental microbiology, the built environment, global
environmental health, molecular and integrated epidemiology, and the investigation of susceptibility factors and
effective interventions. Graduates from the Exposure Sciences and Environmental Epidemiology track work in
academic research institutions, health agencies, health departments, public health advocacy organizations, and
private industry organizations that are leaders in environmental and occupational health in the United States and
around the world.
While the exact course sequence for each student is customized on an individual basis dependent on their
background and research interests, coursework generally centers around one of several focus areas as illustrated
below. This coursework is designed to achieve in depth and experiential training to complement the core
instruction.
Exposure Sciences
Preventing or minimizing exposure from airborne, waterborne or foodborne physical, chemical or biological
pollutants, and promoting health and safety in occupational and non-occupational environments are major
strategies to protect public health. Using principles of chemistry, biology, physics, epidemiology, risk assessment
and mathematics, we develop innovative solutions to environmental contamination problems. We conduct
scientific studies to assess the levels of exposure, evaluate the impact of a hazard, offer solutions on treatment or
containment, promote regulations and policies to prevent human or environmental contamination, and perform
quality control checks.
Environmental Epidemiology
Understanding the role of the environment in human health is critical to improve health and quality of life in
human populations, especially among vulnerable and marginalized groups. Using an epidemiologic approach, we
conduct population-based research that incorporates state-of-the art exposure and outcome assessment to
evaluate the role of the environment in disease, disability, and other health outcomes and to develop strategies
for disease prevention and control. We engage with diverse populations nationally and internationally, employ
classic and cutting-edge epidemiologic methods, and investigate a broad range of environmental exposures
including the natural and built-environment.
Occupational Health
Protecting workers from disease and injury is vital nationally and internationally and is an important component of
environmental health. We address work-related health problems and design solutions to control and prevent
disease or injury caused by chemical, physical, psychosocial, and biological threats. Our goal is to promote and
maintain the health of worker populations, particularly those who are most vulnerable, to ensure healthy and
productive working lives. Our research includes clinical and laboratory toxicology, development and validation of
biomarkers, epidemiology, population health management, health promotion, policy analysis, and intervention
studies focused on disease prevention.
Sustainability
It is increasingly apparent that human activities and the evolution of anthropogenic systems into their current
forms are moving societies at a rapid pace towards numerous global crises that can threaten public health and
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –19
ecosystems. In an era of changing climate, there is recognition that our common resources may not be able to be
preserved in a manner that will allow us to draw on them at current rates. Research is needed to support
interventions aimed at slowing the progression of these ecological crises in order to avoid or minimize their impact
on human wellbeing. Utilizing systems thinking in combination with core public health disciplines and policy
analysis, we build the evidence base for understanding the risks and benefits associated with various models of
food production, land, water and energy use, and other human activities.
Seminars and Journal Club Opportunities
To foster collaboration and enhance research creativity and performance, the ESEE Track organizes the following
seminars and journal clubs:
1. The ESEE Seminar series, offered on the 3rd Monday of each month, a forum to discuss research ideas and
ongoing projects by students and faculty.
2. The ESEE Journal Club, offered on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month, jointly with the Department of
Epidemiology, a forum to stay up-to-date with the latest research.
3. The Johns Hopkins Education and Research Center (ERC) seminar series offered the 1 st Monday of each month, a
forum for discussion and learning on occupational health research and practice.
4. Other activities open to students and faculty in the ESEE track include:
 Center for Livable Future’s food system-oriented event program and seminar series (see more at
http://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/johns-hopkins-center-for-a-livable-future/newsroom/events/index.html)
 Environmental Epidemiology Group (bi-monthly meeting)
 Environmental Epigenetic Epidemiology Group (bi-monthly meeting)
Exposure Sciences and Environmental Epidemiology – 2015 Program Track Faculty
(Note: faculty in bold type are currently accepting PhD students)
Jacqueline Agnew, PhD, MPH; Occupational health, aging workers and musculoskeletal disorders
Daniel Barnett, MD, MPH; Preparedness, emergency response, all hazards readiness
Maureen Cadorette, PhD; Occupational and environmental health
Meghan Davis, PhD, DVM; Environmental microbiology, one health, asthma
Sheila Fitzgerald, PhD, MSN; Young working adults, cardiovascular disease risk, workplace violence
Christopher Heaney, PhD, MS; Environmental epidemiology, water and health, community-based research
Markus Hilpert, PhD; Subsurface hydrology, pathogen transport, hydrocarbon contamination, multiphase-flow
Norma Kanarek, PhD, MPH; Community health, applied epidemiology, cancer
Kirsten Koehler, PhD, MA; Exposure assessment, aerosols, air quality
Peter SJ Lees, PhD; Occupational and environmental hygiene, exposure assessment, chromium
David Love, PhD; Environmental microbiology, aquaculture, food production
Luke McDonald, PhD; Drinking water, biogeochemistry, environmental engineering
Keeve Nachman, PhD, MHS; Risk science, risk assessment, food systems
Ana Navas-Acien, PhD, MD; Environmental epidemiology, cardiometabolic diseases, metals, tobacco smoke
Roni Neff, PhD, ScM; Food system, agriculture, sustainability, health disparities
Cindy Parker, MD, MPH; Climate change, sustainability, energy and health
Ana Rule, PhD; Air pollution, bioaerosols, metal speciation
Kellogg Schwab, PhD, MSPH; Environmental microbiology, microbial fate and transport, water quality
Brian Schwartz, MD, MS; Environmental Epidemiology, sustainability, built environment, lead
Ellen Silbergeld, PhD; Industrial farming, metals, environmental and occupational health
Paul Strickland, PhD; Molecular biomonitoring, molecular epidemiology, genotoxic agents, cancer
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –20
Department of Environmental Health Sciences
PhD track in Exposure Sciences and Epidemiology - Academic Year 2015-16
Core Curriculum Requirements
Departmental Requirements
All doctoral students have the same core requirements. Please refer to the Core Curriculum for these details.
Track Core Requirements
Course Number
Course Name
140.621-624
Statistical Methods in Public Health
340.751-753
Epidemiology Methods
185.621 &185.921 Methods in the Exposure Sciences & Lab
180.640
Molecular Epidemiology & Biomarkers in Public Health
340.680
Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology*
185.801
ESEE Journal Club
Term
1/2/3/4
1/2/3
4
3
4
1/2/3/4
Units
4
5
4
4
4
1
Typical Courses for Exposure Sciences Focus Area:
Course Number
Course Name
182.625
Principles of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
182.615
Airborne Particles
182.614
Industrial Hygiene Laboratory
340.696
Spatial Analysis I: ArcGIS
140.698
Spatial Analysis III: Spatial Statistics
180.629
Environmental and Occupational Health Law and Policy
317.610
Risk Policy, Management and Communication
317.615
Topics in Risk Assessment
Term
2
4
3
1
3
3
2 (4)
4
Units
3
3
5
3
4
4
3
2
Typical Courses for Environmental Epidemiology Focus Area:
Course Number
Course Name
188.680
Fundamentals of Occupational Health
183.931
Fundamentals of Human Physiology
340.666
Foundations of Social Epidemiology OR
340.705
Advanced Seminar in Social Epidemiology
340.731
Principles of Genetic Epidemiology
140.655
Analysis of Longitudinal Data
140.656
Multilevel Statistical Models in Public Health
340.696
Spatial Analysis I: ArcGIS
140.698
Spatial Analysis III: Spatial Statistics
180.629
Environmental and Occupational Health Law and Policy
Term
1
2 (4)
2
3
1
3
4
1
3
3
Units
3
4
3
3
4
4
4
3
4
4
Typical Courses for Occupational Health Focus Area:
Course Number
Course Name
188.680
Fundamentals of Occupational Health
188.621
Occupational Health
182.625
Principles of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
180.629
Environmental and Occupational Health Law and Policy
182.621
Introduction to Ergonomics
182.623
Occupational Safety and Health Management
182.631
Principles of Occupational Safety
188.686
Clinical Environmental and Occupational Toxicology
188.694
Occupational Health and Vulnerable Worker Populations
Term
1
4
2
3
2
3
1
3
1
Units
3
5
3
4
4
3
2
3
3
* Required for Environmental Epidemiology Focus only
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –21
Department of Environmental Health Sciences
PhD track in Exposure Sciences and Epidemiology - Academic Year 2015-16
Core Curriculum Requirements
Typical Courses for Water Focus Area:
Course Number
Course Name
182.638
Environmental & Health Concerns in Water Use & Reuse
260.631
Immunology, Infection and Disease
182.626
Issues for Water & Sanitation in Tropical Environmental Health
180.651
Energy, Environment, and Public Health
182.640
Food- and Water-borne Diseases
Typical Courses for Food Systems Focus Area:
Course Number
Course Name
180.620
Food Production, Public Health, and the Environment
180.606
Case Studies in Food Production and Public Health
180.605
Food System Sustainability Practicum
222.653
Food Technology and Health
180.655
Baltimore Food Systems: A Case Study of Urban Food
Environments
222.657
Food and Nutrition Policy
222.654
Food, Culture and Nutrition
Typical Courses for Built Environment and Communities Focus Area:
Course Number
Course Name
340.696
Spatial Analysis I: ArcGIS
140.698
Spatial Analysis III: Spatial Statistics
188.688
Global Sustainability and Health Seminar
180.651
Energy, Environment, and Public Health
180.611
The Global Environment and Public Health
Interdisciplinary Research Practice in Sustainability & Health
EN 570.605
Term
1
2
3
3
3
Units
3
3
2
2
3
Term
1
4
4
4
3
Units
3
4
3
3
4
4
4
2
4
Term
1
3
2&4
3
1
1&2
Units
3
4
1
2
4
3
( ) = online term
Students who receive any funding from the NIOSH Education and Research Center may be required to take
additional course work. Contact your advisor for more information.
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –22
6.4.2.1 PhD Track in Toxicology, Physiology, and Molecular Mechanisms
Chronic diseases such as COPD, asthma, cancer, pulmonary fibrosis and cardiovascular diseases are major causes
of morbidity and mortality, and environmental exposures are the key drivers of these diseases. The research in the
Toxicology, Physiology, and Molecular Mechanisms (TPM) track is focused on discovering novel molecular
mechanisms that drive the pathophysiology of major chronic diseases, with the goal of developing prevention and
therapeutic strategies to improve public health. The track is supported by NIEHS and NHLBI research training
grants.
Students in this track will engage in academic training in specific areas of environmental health with in-depth
courses in molecular, toxicologic, physiologic, immunologic, and pathophysiologic sciences. Prior to focusing on a
specific area of thesis research, they will also obtain a broad background in environmental health sciences by
taking core courses that underlie its scientific basis. During the first year, students will begin to engage in research
by doing lab rotations with selected faculty. Training in writing scientific papers and grant proposals is also
included in the curriculum.
The research done by PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty has led directly to an enhanced
understanding of the biological changes that represent early stages and progression of many chronic diseases. The
track is aimed towards creating the next generation of scientists with laboratory skills to tackle complex
environmental effects in individuals and population. Graduates can look forward to successful careers in academic
or industrial research and government or regulatory agencies.
Seminars and Journal Club Opportunities
In addition to attendance at formal courses, students are expected to attend Departmental and Program seminars
and journal club. Students are also required to attend the EHS Grand Rounds in which Hopkins faculty, scientists
from other institutions, and alumni are invited to present their latest research results. In addition, students attend
and present (at least once per year) their ongoing research at the EHS Doctoral Student Seminar Series.
Students, fellows, and faculty participate in the track journal club, where a current research paper is discussed and
analyzed. The paper selection is done on a rotating schedule with close interaction between the student
presenters and faculty.
Research Rotations
Each student must complete at least three research rotations in their first academic year. The purpose of these
research rotations is first to expose the students to the spectrum of basic pathophysiologic research questions and
laboratory methods, and second to help students select a lab for their own thesis research. Selection of the
laboratories for these rotations depends upon the needs and interests of the student – the specific labs are chosen
in discussions with the Program director.
The research rotation Program is normally structured as follows:
First Rotation during the 1st and 2nd terms of year one.
Second Rotation, Jan. 3 to March 15.
Third Rotation, March 15 to June 15.
At the end of each rotation, students must present a brief oral summary describing the goals, results, and
conclusions drawn from the research experience. By the end of June of the first year, students should select their
thesis research advisor.
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –23
Postdoctoral Opportunities
In addition to predoctoral training, there are also excellent opportunities for postdoctoral research training in this
track. Postdoctoral fellows are primarily focused on their research, but also are expected to participate in journal
clubs and seminars. They are also able to take courses to enhance their knowledge in basic science and
environmental health.
Toxicology, Physiology, and Molecular Mechanisms 2015 Program Track Faculty
(Note: faculty in bold type are currently accepting PhD students)
Steven An, PhD; Smooth muscle mechanics and respiratory physiology
Shyam Biswal, PhD; Molecular mechanisms, pathophysiology and therapeutics of COPD and lung cancer
Joseph P. Bressler, PhD; Neurotoxicology
Srinivasan Chandrasegaran, PhD; Genome editing of human pluripotent stem cells; Total synthesis of designer
chromosomes
Robert Fitzgerald, PhD; Control of the Cardiopulmonary System
Alan M. Goldberg, PhD; Farm animal welfare as it relates to human health
John D. Groopman, PhD; Molecular biomarkers of environmental carcinogens and chemoprevention
Thomas Hartung, MD, PhD; Developmental Neurotoxicity, Immunotoxicity & Endocrine Disruption with integrated
omics-technologies
Thomas Kensler, PhD; Basic & translational approaches for chemoprevention of environmental carcinogenesis
Mark Kohr, PhD; Cardiovascular physiology, Electrophysiology, Cardiovascular disease
Wayne Mitzner, PhD; Pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying asthma and COPD
Machiko Shirahata, MD, PhD; Control of ventilation; carotid body
Ernst Spannhake, PhD; Interaction and response of the respiratory epithelium with environmental agents
Winnie Wan-yee Tang, PhD; Epigenetic regulation in environmental diseases
Michael A. Trush, PhD; Air toxics and environmental justice
Zhibin Wang, PhD; Epigenomic mechanisms in the pathogenesis of environmental diseases
Marsha Wills-Karp, PhD; Genetic and environmental mechanisms of asthma and allergy
James D. Yager, PhD; Endogenous & xenoestrogen signaling pathways & mechanisms of estrogen carcinogenesis
Joanne Zurlo, PhD; Optimal treatment of laboratory animals to ensure the best science and animal welfare
Joint Faculty
Robert Brown, MD; Asthma and COPD in humans, Lung imaging
Robert A. Casero; PhD; Role of polyamine catabolism in inflammation-associated carcinogenesis
Valeria Culotta; PhD; Pathogens and metal toxicity
Rachel Damico, MD; Role of the pulmonary endothelium in lung disease
Kathleen Gabrielson, PhD, DVM; Cardiovascular pathology
Maureen Horton, MD; Role of immune system and extracellular matrix in lung fibrosis
Sharon McGrath-Morrow, MD; Pediatric lung diseases
Alan Scott, PhD; Immunology of lung disease
James Sham, PhD; Cardiac and pulmonary vascular cell physiology
Bradley Undem, PhD; Neural control of airway smooth muscle
Elizabeth Wagner, PhD; Angiogenesis in the lung; bronchial circulation
Robert Wise, MD; Pathogenesis of COPD
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –24
Department of Environmental Health Sciences
PhD track in Toxicology, Physiology, & Molecular Mechanisms
Academic Year 2015-16
Core Curriculum Requirements - Year 1
First Term
Course Number
180.609
Units
4
4
Course Name
Principles of Environmental Health I
Introduction to Risk Sciences and Public
Policy
Public Health Toxicology
Journal Club and Seminar
Special Studies & Research
Doctoral Student Seminar & Grand Rounds
Day/Time
MW 1:30 - 3:20
WF 3:30 - 4:50
M 4:00 - 5:00
TBA
2nd Tues. & 2nd Fri. each month
TOTAL CREDITS
4
1
4
1
18
Course Name
Advanced Environmental Health
Molecular Biology and Genomics
Fundamentals of Human Physiology
Molecular Toxicology
Toxicology 21: Scientific Foundations
Journal Club and Seminar
Special Studies & Research
Doctoral Student Seminar & Grand Rounds
Day/Time
TTh 8:30 - 10:20
MWF 9:00 - 10:30 (Oct.-Dec)
MW 1:30-3:20
MWF 10:30 - 11:50
T 10:30 - 11:20
M 4:00 - 5:00
TBA
2nd Tues. & 2nd Fri. each month
TOTAL CREDITS
Units
4
3
4
4
1
1
1
1
19
Course Number
140.615
360.728 (SOM)
340.703 (SOM)
186.805
186.840
180.661
180.840
Course Name
Statistics for Laboratory Scientists I
Pathways and Regulation
Cell Structure and Dynamics
Journal Club and Seminar
Special Studies & Research
Writing Scientific Papers I
Doctoral Student Seminar & Grand Rounds
Day/Time
MWF 10:30 - 11:20
TTh 9:00-10:30 (Jan 4-March 1)
MWF 9-10:30 (Jan 24-March 4)
M 4:00 - 5:00
TBA
TBA
2nd Tues. & 2nd Fri. each month
TOTAL CREDITS
Units
4
3
3
1
5
1
1
18
Fourth Term
Course Number
140.616
187.620
340.688
186.805
186.840
180.662
180.840
Course Name
Statistics for Laboratory Scientists II
Environmental Toxicology Pathology
Practical Epidemiology for Basic Scientists
Journal Club and Seminar
Special Studies & Research
Writing Scientific Papers II
Doctoral Student Seminar & Grand Rounds
Day/Time
MWF 10:30 - 11:20
WF 3:00 - 4:50
MWF 1.30-2:20
M 4:00 - 5:00
TBA
TBA
2nd Tues. & 2nd Fri. each month
TOTAL CREDITS
Units
4
4
3
1
4
1
1
18
317.600
187.610
186.805
186.840
180.840
Second Term
Course Number
180.612
260.709 (SOM)
183.631
187.632
187.640
186.805
186.840
180.840
MW 5-6.50
Third Term
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –25
Department of Environmental Health Sciences
PhD track in Toxicology, Physiology, & Molecular Mechanisms
Academic Year 2015-16
Core Curriculum Requirements - Year 2
First Term
Course Number
550.600
260.611
186.805
186.840
180.663
180.840
Course Name*
Responsible Conduct of Research
Principles of Immunology I
Journal Club and Seminar
Special Studies & Research
Grant Writing I
Doctoral Student Seminar & Grand Rounds
Day/Time
W 3:30-5:20
TTh 8:30-10:20
M 4:00 - 5:00
TBA
TBA
2nd Tues. & 2nd Fri. each month
TOTAL CREDITS
Units
1
4
1
10
1
1
18
Second Term
Course Number
550.865
260.612
186.805
186.840
180.664
180.840
Course Name
Public Health Perspectives on Research
Principles of Immunology II
Journal Club and Seminar
Special Studies & Research
Grant Writing II
Doctoral Student Seminar & Grand Rounds
Day/Time
Online
TTh 8:30-10:20
M 4:00 - 5:00
TBA
TBA
2nd Tues. & 2nd Fri. each month
TOTAL CREDITS
Units
2
4
1
9
1
1
18
Course Name
Environmental Health in Neurotoxicological
and Mental Disorders [Elective]
Alternative Methods in Animal Testing
[Elective]
Journal Club and Seminar
Special Studies & Research
Doctoral Student Seminar & Grand Rounds
Day/Time
Units
3
Third Term
Course Number
187.661
187.650
186.805
186.840
180.840
TTh 10:30 - 11:50
Online
3
M 4:00 - 5:00
TBA
2nd Tues. & 2nd Fri. each month
TOTAL CREDITS
1
10
1
18
Day/Time
TTh 1:30 - 2:50
Units
3
3
Fourth Term
Course Number
187.641
183.643
360.720 (SOM)
186.805
186.840
180.840
Course Name
Immunology of Environmental Disease
Essentials of Pulmonary Function
Measurements [Elective]
Organ Systems Physiology [Elective]
Journal Club and Seminar
Special Studies & Research
Doctoral Student Seminar & Grand Rounds
TBA
MTWTF 9:00 - 10:30
M 4:00 - 5:00
TBA
2nd Tues. & 2nd Fri. each month
TOTAL CREDITS
5
1
5
1
18
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –26
6.4.3 DrPH Degree Program
The DrPH Program educates senior level professionals in the biomedical sciences, behavioral sciences,
epidemiology and biostatistics, legal, economic and social issues, engineering technologies, management concepts
and communication skills. In addition to being top scientists, DrPH graduates are leaders and innovators in
environmental health sciences in local, regional, national and international settings. The Program encourages both
the recruitment of practicing professionals and the ongoing involvement of DrPH candidates with health agencies
and organizations.
They analyze and assess complex environmental risks and problems and design and implement intervention
strategies that reduce risks and resolve environmental problems. DrPH graduates are highly skilled scientists and
practitioners who can comprehend and integrate the many dimensions of environmental health sciences, define
the disciplines that can best be applied to a problem, make sound and critical judgments, and implement proactive
change in industry, government and academia.
The DrPH program offers both part-time and full-time options. The curricular requirements are the same, but
students in the full-time program have seven years from the date of matriculation to complete their degree
requirements while students in the part-time program have nine years from the time of matriculation to complete
their degree requirements. DrPH students in part-time status must register on a continuous basis for a minimum
of 1 unit per term. A formally approved Leave of Absence (LOA) does not count towards this time. Part-time
status may be requested at anytime during a full-time student’s academic career. In addition, a full time student
can request part-time status by developing and presenting a sound academic plan for degree completion to his or
her advisor and the EHS DrPH Program Director.
Degree Requirements
For the DrPH Program, the School of Public Health defines a set of minimum curricular and other requirements.
The Department adds certain other requirements. Because public health is constantly evolving, these
requirements are subject to revision, and it is the student’s responsibility to know and understand these
requirements. In general, the requirements include a minimum of 64 units of formal course work (see DrPH
required course list in this handbook), a written comprehensive examination, preliminary departmental and
School-wide oral examinations, an acceptable thesis, and a final oral examination. School requirements for the
DrPH degree are discussed in the DrPH Program’s PPM on Academic Programs - 3, which can be obtained on-line
at: https://my.jhsph.edu/Resources/PoliciesProcedures/ ppm/Pages/default.aspx. While this handbook can
summarize key parts of the DrPH Program and its requirements, the PPM is the authoritative source for the
Program.
If a student seeks a modification and/or waiver of the School’s DrPH requirements, approval must be obtained
from the advisor, the EHS DrPH Program Director, the Department chair, and finally, the School’s DrPH Program
director. For issues regarding Departmental requirements, the process is the same but does not require DrPH
Schoolwide Program approval. All waiver requests and approvals must be forwarded to the EHS Academic
Program Administrator.
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –27
Academic Plan
During the first term, every DrPH student must design an individual academic plan that fulfills formal course work
requirements. This academic plan will also identify additional courses that are appropriate for the student, given
the student’s interests and future career goals. The academic plan must be approved by the advisor and the EHS
DrPH Program Director. The academic plan is a very important tool that is used to guide the course work and thesis
requirements for DrPH students. Amendments are allowed and are approved in the same way as the original
academic plan. Waivers of School-wide and/or Departmental program requirements are considered on a case-bycase basis using the process set out earlier.
The academic plan must describe career goals, the competencies required for those career goals, the courses that
must be taken to achieve the stated competencies, and how the thesis, practicum and other experiences will
contribute to the career goals and competencies.
Employer-Department-Student Relationship
If the student chooses to seek employment or remain employed in a public health position during his/her
academic career, the candidate and his/her advisor should discuss the academic plan with the employer. The
candidate must work with the advisor and the employer to plan work schedules and academic plans to avoid
delays in completion of the degree program. In addition, the student must obtain consent if they intend to use the
employer’s data and acquire all IRB or other approvals to conduct research.
Oral and Written Examination Procedures
Written Comprehensive Examination: The comprehensive written examination is taken when the student
completes his/her required coursework. In order to be eligible to sit for the comprehensive written examination,
the student must have a grade point average of 3.0 or better. The exam will be offered at least once a year and is
scheduled by the EHS DrPH Program Director. Generally, comprehensive written exams are given in June and/or
December. Students with special circumstances may request an alternate administration, with approval of the
advisor and DrPH Program Director. It is strongly advised that the students focus full-time on examination
completion during the examination period. Scheduling competing activities during this period is highly
discouraged.
Written Examination Content: The written comprehensive examination focuses on testing concepts and
fundamental knowledge that all DrPH graduates of the Department of Environmental Health Sciences are expected
to master. Examinations generally cover five broad topical areas:
1. Policy frameworks for national and international standards
2. Evaluation of the weight of scientific evidence (epidemiology, toxicology, study design, research strategy and
statistics)
3. Risk assessment, risk management and risk communication
4. Knowledge of principles of exposure assessment, including pollution sources, pathways, interventions and
practices; and
5. Environmental health program development, planning, implementation and management.
Questions will be structured to discern the student’s knowledge of environmental health and ability to integrate
concepts across all environmental health disciplines. In addition, the exam will be designed to test students’
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –28
comprehension of epidemiology, biostatistics, social and behavioral health, law and regulations, health policy and
management, and leadership.
In conjunction with the EHS DrPH committee, the EHS DrPH Program Director coordinates writing, administering,
grading, and scoring the examination. Traditionally, the EHS Program director has selected several faculty
members of the EHS DrPH committee and/or the EHS faculty as grading faculty. Additionally, it is the responsibility
of the EHS DrPH Director to furnish complete documentation of the examination and passing status to the
Registrar, the student, and the student file (Office of Academic Programs file).
Written Examination Grading: Each of the assigned DrPH Committee faculty will independently grade the
examinations, scoring questions that they feel sufficiently qualified to judge, using the criteria set out below:
Criteria for Evaluation of DrPH Written Comprehensive Examinations
Score Definition
100 Superb: Response is thorough, complete, and correct; beyond expectation.
This is a rare and exceptional grade.
90-99 Excellent: Response is thorough, complete and correct with only very minor errors or omissions.
80-89 Very good: Response thoroughly covers the major facets of the question but lacks rigor and completeness
with respect to details.
70-79 Good: Response adequately covers most of the major facets of the question but lacks rigor and
completeness with respect to details.
60-69 Poor: Response covers correctly and completely some of the content/ principles but with some major
omissions. Response is incomplete and carelessly prepared.
<60 Failure: Response is incomplete and incorrect. Unacceptable.
The scores assigned by DrPH grading faculty will be averaged for each question. In order to pass the examination
without conditions, the student must receive an average score of 70 or greater on each question. A student failing
one or two questions shall be assigned a conditional pass. Students receiving a conditional pass shall be required
to carry out additional work. The EHS DrPH Committee will evaluate the type and nature of additional work
needed for the student to pass the examination without conditions. A student failing more than two questions on
the examination is considered to have failed the entire examination and must retake it.
If the student fails the written comprehensive examination, the student can either withdraw from the DrPH
Program or retake the examination. Only one reexamination is permitted. A student failing to pass a second
examination shall be automatically removed from the EHS DrPH Program.
The EHS DrPH Program Director and the student’s advisor are expected to communicate the results of the
examination to the student, the EHS Office of Educational Programs and the Office of the Registrar. As a part of
this communication, the advisor or DrPH Program director can review the answers to the examination with the
student.
Departmental Preliminary Oral Examination
All DrPH students of the Department of Environmental Health Sciences are required to take and pass a
departmental oral exam as a prerequisite for taking the School-wide Preliminary Oral Examination. This exam
provides an opportunity for the student to demonstrate effective verbal communication skills and the ability to
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –29
engage in scientific exchange.
The following process is usually followed for the examination but students should consult with their advisor about
specific expectations, including faculty who should be in attendance. The examining committee comes
predominantly from EHS, but must include at least one faculty member from outside the Department. It is the
responsibility of the student to arrange a time and place for the examination. A written notice of the date and time
of the exam along with a copy of the research proposal must be submitted to the committee at least two weeks in
advance of the examination. The student bears overall responsibility for arranging the examination and ensuring
that the required number of faculty will be in attendance.
During the oral examination, the student presents his/her proposal and fields questions about the proposal and
any topic in public health that the committee members deem appropriate. The purpose of the departmental
written examination is to determine whether he/she is adequately prepared to conduct doctoral level research
and is ready for the School-wide Preliminary Oral Examination. Questioning continues until all faculty members are
satisfied that the questioning has been completed. At the conclusion of the examination, the student will be
excused from the room and the faculty will vote to pass or fail the student. If more than one faculty member does
not vote to pass the student then the student will be considered to have failed the exam.
If the student does not pass the exam, he/she can have an opportunity to retake the exam at the discretion of the
examining committee. The committee can agree to a conditional pass and define the conditions that must be
fulfilled in order to obtain an unconditional pass. The committee chair will submit a brief report summarizing the
decision of the committee to the EHS Office of Educational Programs. This information will be included as part of
the student’s official EHS file.
DrPH School-Wide Preliminary Oral Examination
The DrPH School-wide Preliminary Oral Examination determines whether the student has both the ability and
knowledge to undertake significant doctoral level research in his/her specialized area of interest. It is required of
all DrPH students.
For full-time students, the exam must be taken no later than the end of the student’s third year in residence, and
before significant engagement in dissertation research.
As explained earlier in this handbook this exam is different from a Departmental Preliminary Oral Examination,
which is also required.
The student and his/her advisor are responsible for initiating arrangements for this examination. The EHS Office of
Educational Programs will assist with the appropriate forms and other important information. Requests for the
exam must be sent to the Office Records and Registration at least four weeks prior to the examination.
The committee shall consist of five voting members. Not more than three members of EHS can serve, and one of
these must be the student’s thesis advisor. A minimum of three Departments of the University, at least two being
from the School of Public Health, must be represented. At least one member must hold neither a primary nor joint
appointment in EHS. A full-time faculty member from outside EHS will normally serve as chairperson and must
hold the rank of Full or Associate Professor at The Johns Hopkins University. The fifth member on the preliminary
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –30
oral committee must have professional practice experience related to the public health problem addressed by the
student.
The fifth member is not necessarily a faculty member of The Johns Hopkins University, and will be approved to
serve on the Committee by the School-wide DrPH Program Director, based on a submitted Curriculum Vita.
The Committee member fulfilling this practice experience must be explicitly designated on examination forms.
Two faculty alternates also will be designated—one from inside and the other from outside the Department. Each
must have a current appointment as Assistant Professor or higher in the JHU Department or Program. A third
alternate with professional experience may also need to be designated if neither of the first two alternates fulfills
this requirement.
Immediately following the examination, the committee evaluates the success or failure of the student by a closed
ballot prior to any discussion. If the student fails the exam the committee can agree to a reexamination, which
must be within one year.
DrPH students are required to prepare a thesis proposal for use during the schoolwide oral examination. This
proposal typically consists of a description of the specific aims of the proposed research, the appropriate
background and significance, proposed design and methods, and any preliminary data in-hand before the oral
examination. The thesis format can take the form of a traditional thesis or publishable manuscript option,
described below.
DrPH Thesis/Dissertation
Thesis Research Committee
Soon after the student selects his/her thesis/dissertation advisor, generally around the time of the Departmental
preliminary oral examination and before the preparation of the thesis proposal, a Dissertation Advisory Committee
will be constituted. This committee consists of the thesis advisor and at least two other faculty members, from
inside or outside of the EHS Department; a part-time adjunct faculty member or a non-faculty member may serve
as one of the members of this committee.
These individuals can be different from those faculty who will later serve as thesis readers and/or members of the
Thesis Readers Committee (see below). Their function will be to facilitate the progress of the student in the
completion of his/her thesis project, to assist the thesis advisor in providing suggestions and critical feedback to
the student, and to provide a measure of consistency and continuity for the student. Membership of the
Dissertation Advisory Committee may change as dictated by the needs of the student and the direction of the
research.
The Thesis Research Committee (which can be composed of the same persons who are on the Dissertation
Advisory Committee) will meet with the student at least twice a year from the time of the preliminary oral
examination until the final defense. The thesis advisor will forward a brief written report of these meetings, with
recommendations to the EHS Office of Educational Programs. A copy of this report will be given to the student.
These reports will be used by departmental administration to review student progress during the research period
of the student’s Program, and will demonstrate continued eligibility for student support, if applicable.
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –31
The composition of the DrPH Thesis Research Committee includes at least one reader other than the advisor
having professional practice experience related to the public health problem addressed in the dissertation. This
reader, who may or may not hold a faculty appointment with the University, shall be identified to the Office of
Records and Registration during the process of constituting the committee and will be approved to serve on the
committee by the School’s DrPH Program Director, based on a submitted Curriculum Vita. The committee member
fulfilling this practice experience must be explicitly designated on examination forms.
Please refer to the DrPH Policies and Procedures Manual (PPM) regarding policies relating to the thesis and final
oral exam: https://my.jhsph.edu/resources/policiesprocedures/ppm/Pages/default.aspx. The EHS Office of
Educational Programs can assist with the identification of deadlines and completion of necessary forms.
Publishable Manuscripts Option
DrPH students have the option of submitting publishable manuscripts as an alternative to the traditional
dissertation. The publishable manuscript option is often preferred as it offers the opportunity to develop skills in
scientific or professional journal preparation.
A manuscript-oriented dissertation must meet the following criteria:
1. Two manuscripts must be linked to a common theme.
2. The doctoral student must be the first author on the two manuscripts.
3. A manuscript will not be accepted as part of the dissertation if it is submitted before the student’s
dissertation topic is approved by the Thesis Research Committee. All manuscripts to be submitted must
have been reviewed by members of the Thesis Research Committee.
4. The manuscripts must be found acceptable for publication according to the internal peer review
process.
5. The dissertation, which includes two (or more) publications, should be organized as follows. The body
of the dissertation should include a series of at least two papers that are linked to a common theme (i.e.,
the student’s dissertation topic). The first chapter should be a comprehensive critical literature review
suitable for publication. Chapters two and three (and possibly four) are the papers with a transitional
short chapter between each relating one to the other. The final chapter should integrate and discuss the
findings reported in the papers. It should include a discussion of the conclusions and environmental
health implications of the findings of the research.
6. The dissertation should include an appendix outlining in detail the study methods and any
accompanying data tables deemed necessary to fulfill School policies.
Data Collection and Laboratory Experience
Although the Department of Environmental Health Sciences has strong laboratory based research efforts, neither
original laboratory research nor the de novo collection of data is a requirement of the DrPH thesis.
Many DrPH students are mid-career professionals working for government agencies, advocacy groups or
businesses organizations. It is anticipated that a number of research proposals and their associated investigational
and/or developmental endeavors will involve an extension of these professional activities. The proprietary nature
of the data collected in these situations and the uniqueness of the data collection to the student’s proposal will be
closely scrutinized and evaluated by the EHS DrPH program. .
All DrPH students proposing research on humans or animals must follow these procedures:
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –32
Before beginning contact with either human or animal subjects, doctoral students as all researchers, must obtain
the appropriate approval for their projects from either the Institutional Review Board (IRB) or the Institutional
Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). In both cases, the faculty mentor must be involved in this process in that
the protocol for the research project is submitted under the faculty member’s name with the student listed as a
student investigator. It is important to remember that NO contact can be made with humans, human tissue,
human samples or human records without prior approval of the protocol by the IRB. In addition, online training in
the use of animals in research, human subjects research and HIPAA Privacy Rule must be completed. NO animals
can be purchased for experimentation without an IACUC protocol approval. Detailed information about this can be
found at: www.jhsph.edu/offices-and-services/institutional-review-board/_pdfs-anddocs/Student%20Manual_V15_17Jul14_Final.pdf
Seminar and Journal Club Opportunities
Seminars and meetings are held, usually during lunchtime, especially for DrPH students. Topics focus on the
analysis of public health problems. The seminar presentations feature student and faculty research, discussions by
environmental health practitioners, and other presentations relevant to environmental health problem-solving. In
addition to seminars offered by the Department’s academic Programs, the Department’s Research Enrichment
Committee also offers monthly departmental seminars that focus on research topic areas that span the interests of
the Department. All EHS students, fellows and faculty are invited.
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –33
DrPH Practicum Requirements and Policy
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
1. Rationale
All Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health DrPH students are required to complete a practicum in order
to comply with the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) requirements. This note serves to set common
minimum guidelines for the DrPH practicum, which departments may further elaborate.
DrPH students entering the program already have significant work experience (3 years minimum). The purpose of
the DrPH practicum is to further the development of higher level competencies, and in particular applied
competencies and critical thinking relevant to the student’s area of specialization. Practica should form an integral
part of student learning, complementing course work, special studies and student dissertations in a way that
responds to student learning objectives.
The DrPH program consists of both full time and part time students. Many part-time students are in full-time
employment. The practica requirements apply to both of these groups of students, and have been crafted so as to
provide valuable learning opportunities for both.
2. Minimum Practicum Requirements
i. Applies and further develops public health skills and competencies - the objectives of student practica should
be clearly identified as part of an integrated, individualized, academic plan that is approved in advance of the
practicum. Students will identify competency domains in which they wish to achieve high-level skills and the
DrPH student practicum presents an important opportunity for the application of these skills.
ii. Is framed and carried out in a public health context – the practicum will include population-level activities
carried out at, or in collaboration with, an organization or agency. Students should not merely crunch
numbers, or administer surveys but should be engaged in the larger public health context of their activities.
iii. Is supervised and supported – The practicum preceptor will be qualified to evaluate the student’s
professional competence and will supervise the student throughout the project. The preceptor will typically
be from an outside organization (i.e. community-based organization, health department, private corporation,
etc.), but can be a JHSPH faculty member if appropriate. The preceptor will provide background information,
directions, feedback, and guidance with regards to student progress on well-defined learning objectives. The
faculty advisor will be kept informed of the student’s practicum activities and progress and may provide
additional assistance if warranted.
iv. Is significant – Given that DrPH students already have significant work experience, the practicum should be
more than an opportunity for additional work experience. Practicum projects should make a significant
contribution to the organization with which the student is collaborating, as well as constituting a significant
investment of student time and effort. There is no minimum number of hours required, but it is estimated that
the typical DrPH student may spend 100-300 hours on practica projects. Student practica may take the form of
one significant large project or several smaller practica experiences. DrPH student practica do not need to be
individual projects, students may work independently but may also be part of a student team, or a team
composed of other members of the organization with which they are collaborating. If students are members
of a broader team, then their role on the team should be clearly defined.
v. Is evaluated - Students will be evaluated on achievement of defined learning objectives and deliverables by
the preceptor. Faculty advisors will be informed and have an opportunity to provide feedback on the
student’s progress if they choose to do so. As part of the practicum experience students will reflect on and
evaluate their overall practicum experiences, particularly as they relate to their career goals. Clearly identified
outputs from the practicum experience (not necessarily written products, but oral presentations or a new
management or information system) should be identified in advance.
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –34
The DrPH practicum is designed to be flexible, and to respond to individual students’ prioritized learning needs, as
such the practicum should be an important part of the program for all DrPH students, and waivers for practica will
only be granted in exceptional circumstances.
3. Practicum opportunities
The DrPH practicum is an opportunity to apply skills acquired in the classroom, as such it can take multiple forms,
for example all of the following could constitute practica: Work on a project at a specific outside organization such as a health department, community
organization, international agency or private corporation;
 Applied work on a research project in which JHSPH faculty are involved, for example, assisting with the
coordination of a clinical trial, or translating research findings into a form where they are actionable by
practitioners and advocating for their uptake;
 For part time students in employment, the practicum is most likely to take the form of a special project in
his or her place of work;
 Some courses provided by JHSPH may count toward practica requirements where they require working
closely with outside organizations, in applied public health issues.
For part-time DrPH students in employment, ongoing routine work within their current work place does not count
towards the practicum. Full time students however, may return to a previous place of employment for their
practicum, so long as their work there presents clear opportunities for professional growth.
The students’ advisors, Departmental DrPH Directors and the DrPH office, will all assist students with the
identification of relevant practicum opportunities.
4. Mentoring/Approval of preceptor
All preceptors must be approved by JHSPH prior to the commencement of the practicum. Current JHSPH faculty
may act as preceptors where this is appropriate, for example where the faculty member is engaged in collaborative
work with an outside agency. Many other individuals working in relevant practice positions will already have an
adjunct position at the School, and thus are “preapproved” as preceptors. Where the preceptor does not have a
faculty position at the School, their CV should be submitted to the Department DrPH Program Director, along with
the practicum proposal, for approval.
5. Documentation and evaluation
 During their first term at JHSPH new DrPH students complete an individual goals analysis that helps them
to identify the competency areas they wish to develop, and different modes of developing those
competencies. This goals analysis should be discussed with their advisor and initial ideas about potential
practica shared at this point.
 When a student wishes to proceed with a practicum opportunity they will complete a short practicum
proposal form that outlines the nature of the project, how it fits with their learning objectives, the
location of the practicum, the preceptor, a time frame for the work and outputs. This should be discussed
with and approved by the student’s advisor and departmental DrPH Director and the form will be added
to the student’s file at the department.
 At the completion of the practicum, an additional form (the practicum completion form) should be
completed by the student and the preceptor that reflects on the experience and lessons learned, and
provides constructive feedback to the student. Final outputs from the project should be attached to the
form and these should all be submitted to the Department.
 Departmental Academic administrators will be responsible for notifying the Registrars Office which will
annotate the student’s file to signify completion of their practicum.
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –35
School-Wide DrPH Course Requirements
AY 2015 – 2016
School-wide DrPH Curriculum Checklist
The following sections describe the school-wide course requirements. For specific department
requirements please contact your departmental academic coordinator. DrPH students are also
responsible for meeting the MPH core requirements in environmental health, public health
biology, management sciences, and the social and behavioral sciences (see below).
Other courses may be substituted to meet the requirements below with approval from the DrPH
Executive Committee. Students are strongly encouraged to identify existing courses or design
doctoral-level special studies courses that provide them with the opportunity to develop higher
level DrPH competencies. These courses may involve experiential learning and can be designed
independently or in conjunction with other students.
DOMAIN 1: PUBLIC HEALTH ANALYSIS
Definition: The ability to identify, synthesize and apply evidence-based public health research
and theory from a broad range of disciplines and health-related data sources for problem-solving
and to advance programs, policies, and systems promoting population health.
In the domain of Public Health Analysis students must take one of the epidemiology options
listed below and one of the biostatistics options listed below.
I Epidemiology -- DrPH students must take all courses listed under Option IA or Option IB
or Option IC below:
I A. Epidemiology
Course No.
340.721.01/.81 (plus
lab 340.921)
Units
5
Course Title (credits)
Epidemiological Inference in Public
Health I
COMMENTS
In addition to 340.721 students must take at least one additional course in Epidemiology (that is a minimum of
2 credits).
I B. Epidemiology continued- students must take all three of the following courses
Course No.
340.751
5
Units
Course Title (credits)
Epidemiologic Methods 1
340.752
5
Epidemiologic Methods 2
340.753
5
Epidemiologic Methods 3
COMMENTS
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –36
School-Wide DrPH Course Requirements
AY 2015 – 2016
I C. Epidemiology continued-students must take all three of the following courses*
Course No.
340.721.60/.81 (plus
lab 340.921)
340.722.60/.81
340.769.01
Units
5
4
4
Course Title (credits)
Epidemiological Inference in Public
Health I
Epidemiological Inference in Public
Health II
Professional Epidemiology Methods
COMMENTS
Some students may wish to take Epidemiological methods 1 and 2 (340.751, 340.752) followed by
Professional Epidemiology methods (340.769). This is acceptable to meet DrPH course requirements.
II A. Biostatistics--DrPH students must take all four of the following courses OR all listed in II B.
Course No.
140.621**
4
Units
Course Title (credits)
Statistical Methods in Public Health I
140.622**
4
Statistical Methods in Public Health II
140.623**
4
Statistical Methods in Public Health III
140.624
4
Statistical Methods in Public Health IV
COMMENTS
**The Biostatistics series 140.651 – 654 may be used as a substitute.
II B. Biostatistics continued - students must take all six of the following courses
Course No.
140.611.01/.81
3
Units
Course Title (credits)
Statistical Reasoning in Public Health I
140.612.01/.81
3
140.613 .11/.13
2
Statistical Reasoning in Public Health
II
Data Analysis Workshops I
140.614.11/.13
2
Data Analysis Workshops II
140.620.11
2
Advanced Data Analysis Workshop
140.624.01
4
Statistical Methods in Public Health IV
COMMENTS
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –37
School-Wide DrPH Course Requirements
AY 2015 – 2016
DOMAIN 2: ETHICS
Definition: The ability to identify and analyze an ethical issue; balance the claims of personal
liberty with the responsibility to protect and improve the health of the population; and act on the
ethical concepts of social justice and human rights in public health research and practice.
All new students must take the online course “Academic and research ethics at JHSPH”
(550.860.82). DrPH students must also take the online IRB training course. In addition to these
two required, non-credit courses, DrPH students must take at least 2 credits of
practice/management/policy ethics from the following courses.
DrPH students who receive NIH funding are additionally required to take either 550.600 or
306.665 as part of their ethics requirement.
Course No.
221.616.01/.81
2
Units
306.655
3
306.663
3
Course Title
Ethics of Public Health Practice in
Developing Countries
Ethical Issues in Public Health
COMMENTS
Legal and Ethical Issues in Health
Services Management
306.625
3
Ethical Issues in Health Policy: Public
Health and Health Care
Course requirements for students receiving NIH funding
550.600
1
Responsible Conduct of Research
OR
306.665
3
Research Ethics and Integrity: US and
International Issues
In addition to the ethics courses described above, students may benefit from taking one or more
of the following recommended (but not required) courses on human rights.
Human Rights – The following human rights course options are suggested (but not required) as a
complement to the ethics courses listed above.
Course No.
180.636.01
3
Units
340.639.01
2
340.683.01
180.600.13
2
2
Course Title (credits)
Human Rights and Health Seminar
COMMENTS
Assessing Epidemiologic Impact of
Human Rights Violations
Human Rights in public health practice
Special Topics in Health and Human
Rights: Public Health Implications of
Health as a Human right
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –38
School-Wide DrPH Course Requirements
AY 2015 – 2016
DOMAIN 3: POLICY ANALYSIS, DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION
Definition: The ability to influence decision-making regarding policies and practices that
advance public health using scientific knowledge, analysis, communication and consensus
building.
Health Policy--DrPH students must take at least one policy course from the following:
Course No.
300.600.81
Units
4
Course Title (credits)
Introduction to Health Policy (internet)
COMMENTS
180.628.81
4
180.629.01
4
221.650.01
3
300.652.01
4
Introduction to Environmental and Occupational
Health Law
Environmental and Occupational Health Law and
Policy
Health Policy Analysis in Low and Middle Income
Countries
Politics of Health Policy
306.650.01
3
Public Health and the Law
308.602.01
3
Role of Government in Health Policy
180.631.01
3
Environmental & occupational health policy seminar
380.624.01/81
4
Maternal and Child Health Legislation and Programs
380.665.01
380.740.81
4
3
Family Planning Policies and Programs
Nutrition Programs, Policy and Politics in the United
States
DOMAIN 4: MANAGEMENT
Definition: The ability to provide fiscally responsible, strategic, and operational guidance
within both public and private health organizations, for achieving individual and community
health and wellness.
DrPH students must take one of the following courses in addition to the MPH Management requirement:
Course No.
221.602.60
Units
3
Course Title (credits)
Applications in Managing Health Organizations in
Low and Middle income countries
312.600.81
4
Managing Health Services Organizations
312.601.01
5
221.608.01
3
221.722.01/81
4
312.603.81/01
3
221.604.01
3
Fundamentals of Management for health care
organizations
Managing Non-Governmental Organizations in the
Health Sector
Quality Assurance Management Methods for
Developing Countries
Fundamentals of Budgeting and Financial
Management
Case Studies in Management Decision Making
221.610.01
3
317.610.01/81*
3
COMMENTS
Pharmaceutical management for underserved
populations
Risk Policy, Management and Communication
** Students may take this course to fulfill either their Management requirement or their Communication
requirement, but the same single course cannot fulfill both requirements.
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –39
School-Wide DrPH Course Requirements
AY 2015 – 2016
DOMAIN 5: LEADERSHIP
Definition: The ability to enable organizations and communities to create, communicate and
apply shared visions, missions and values; inspire trust and motivate others; build capacity;
improve performance, enhance the quality of the working environment; and use evidence-based
strategies to enhance essential public health services.
DrPH Students must take one of the following courses in Leadership
Course No.
312.610.01/.11
3
Units
380.681.01
4
Course Title (credits)
Foundations of Leadership – A
Leadership Survey Course
Strategic Leadership Principles and
Tools for Health System Transformation
in Developing Countries
COMMENTS
DOMAIN 6: COMMUNICATION
Definition: The ability to assess and use communication strategies across diverse audiences to
inform and influence individual, organization, community and policy actions in order to promote
the health of the public.
DrPH Students must take one of the following courses in Communication
Course No.
410.654.01
4
Units
Course Title (credits)
Health Communication Programs I:
Planning and Strategic Design
Health Communication Programs II:
Implementation and Evaluation
Health Communication Programs
410.655.01
4
410.755.81
4
410.650.01/.13
4
410.663.01
3
301.645.01
3
Introduction to Persuasive
Communications: Theories and Practice
Media Advocacy and Public Health:
Theory and Practice
Health Advocacy
312.670.01
3
Negotiation in Health Care Settings
317.610.01/81*
3
COMMENTS
Risk Policy, Management and
Communication
* Students may take this course to fulfill either their Management requirement or their Communication requirement,
but the same single course cannot fulfill both requirements.
7. Individual Goals Analysis: before the end of the second term of their first year, all DrPH
students are required to complete an Individual Goals Analysis and discuss this with their
academic advisor and/or Departmental DrPH Director. There is no credit associated with this
requirement, but completion of the individual goals analysis will be monitored by each
department.
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –40
School-Wide DrPH Course Requirements
AY 2015 – 2016
8. DrPH Practicum: DrPH students are required to complete a practicum that further develops
their public health skills and competencies. This should be carried out in a public health context,
and properly supervised and evaluated. There is no minimum number of hours required, but the
typical DrPH student will spend 100-300 hours on their practicum. Students are not required to
register for credit for their practicum, but can register for special studies credits related to their
practicum if they wish. All students must complete a practicum proposal form before they start
their practicum, and a practicum completion form upon completion. These forms should be
submitted to their Departmental Academic Administrator who will ensure that their transcript is
appropriately annotated to reflect completion of their practicum.
Course Number
Not applicable
Units
TBD
Course Title
DrPH Practicum
COMMENTS
Additional MPH Core Curriculum Requirements: Students who completed an MPH degree
in the US are assumed to have fulfilled all MPH Core Curriculum requirements. Other students
(who studied overseas, or completed a degree other than an MPH) must document that they have
fulfilled these requirements either as part of their previous master’s program or by completing
one of the course options approved by the JHBSPH MPH program. Please see the MPH student
handbook at http://www.jhsph.edu/academics/degree-programs/master-of-publichealth/current_students/FT%20MPH%20Student%20Manual%202012-13.pdf
I.
Environmental Health:
Course Number
180.601
II.
Units
Course Title
Management Sciences: Please indicate how the requirement was fulfilled.
Course Number
IV.
Course Title
Environmental Health
Public Health Biology: Please indicate how the requirement was fulfilled.
Course Number
III.
Units
5
Units
Course Title
Social and Behavioral Sciences: Please indicate how the requirement was fulfilled.
Course Number
Units
Course Title
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –41
School-Wide DrPH Course Requirements
AY 2015 – 2016
Recommended Courses
In addition to the required courses listed above, DrPH students may find it useful to take a course
from the domain of community and cultural orientation, which is often viewed to be a core
domain in public health. Possible courses are described below.
DOMAIN: Community/Cultural Orientation: The ability to communicate and interact with
people across diverse communities and cultures for the development of programs, policies and
research to advance population health.
The following courses options are suggested but are not required.
Course No.
380.611.01
4
Units
Course Title (credits)
Fundamentals of Program Evaluation
410.610.01
3
Health and Homelessness
410.618.01
4
410.620.01
3
410.630.01
3
410.631.01
3
410.733.01
4
224.689.01
4
221.688
4
Integrating Social and Behavioral
Theory into Public Health
Program Planning for Health Behavior
Change
Implementation and Sustainability of
Community-based Health Programs
Introduction to Community-Based
Participatory Research: Principles and
Methods
Communication Network Analysis in
Public Health Programs
Health Behavior change at the
Individual, Household and Community
levels
Social and behavioral foundations of
Primary Health Care
Course Level
COMMENTS
Revised 7/7/2015
2015-16 EHS Doctoral Student Handbook –42