GRADUATE EDUCATION - SOCIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
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Introduction
Philosophy & Goals
Objectives
Career Opportunities
Faculty
Admission Requirements
Degree
Requirements
Contact Information |
SMS graduate student Anita Nash was awarded the James A. Hokanson PhD
Endowed Scholarship at the 2007 GSBS Awards Luncheon. Anita is
shown with her mentor Susan Weller and members of the Hokanson family,
Marie and Walter. The award is given annually to an outstanding
student engaged in population health research. |
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Introduction
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The Curriculum in
Sociomedical Sciences prepares students to apply the theories and
methods of the social and behavioral sciences to the study of health and health care. Sociomedical Sciences faculty are actively engaged in research on
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- aging
- health behaviors
- health disparities
- social support and health
- social epidemiology
- psychosocial stress
- cultural influences on health
- international health
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There is particular focus on Hispanic/Latino
populations. U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to
participate in the National Institute on Aging training program, in
minority aging.
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Philosophy & Goals
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The Graduate School of Biomedical
Sciences Program in Preventive Medicine and Community Health offers a
curricular focus in Sociomedical Sciences leading to the Ph.D. degree.
This area of study is designed to provide students the means of
applying the theories and methods of the social and behavioral sciences to
the study of health, risk of illness, the recovery process, and the
delivery of health services. To
foster an understanding of the interaction among individual, social, and
environmental factors affecting community and individual health, the
Sociomedical Sciences program interfaces with other UTMB programs.
These include divisions in Preventive Medicine - Epidemiology/Biostatistics,
Environmental Toxicology, Nutrition, and the Institute for the
Medical Humanities - as well
as with other Departments in the School of Medicine such as Pediatrics,
Psychiatry, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and others. |
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Objectives
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To provide students with
the knowledge and skills to apply social and behavioral science
theories and methods to the study of health and health care.
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To provide solid training
in biostatistics and epidemiologic methods.
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To develop written and oral
communication skills by presentation and preparation of research
proposals and scientific manuscripts, and an original doctoral
dissertation.
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To develop skills required
to conduct independent research in the sociomedical sciences field.
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To assist students in
furthering their education through postdoctoral training and/or
obtaining academic or professional positions after completion of their
graduate education.
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Career Opportunities |
The Sociomedical
Sciences curriculum has been planned to provide a solid theoretical and
methodological foundation in social science approaches to health studies.
It is designed to prepare graduates seeking careers in teaching and research in
universities, medical schools, schools of public health, federal, state,
and private agencies, health maintenance organizations, and occupational
health settings.
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Typical Course
Plan
This is a typical course
plan for a new graduate student in the Sociomedical Sciences Standard Curriculum of the Preventive Medicine and Community
Health Graduate Program. The exact courses to be taken might change
depending on the previous courses taken by the student and on the
availability of the listed courses. |
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Term
1 |
Term
2 |
Term
3 |
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1
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Introduction to
Epidemiology1
Statistical Methods I1
Society and Health Care2
PMCH
Seminar1
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Prevention and Public Health1
Statistical Methods II2
PMCH Seminar1
Research Methods in SMS2 |
Ethics of Science1
Community Health
Research3
Research Practicum in SMS2 |
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2
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Social Epidemiology2
PMCH Seminar1
Research Practicum in SMS2
Electives |
Health Behavior2
Culture & Health2
PMCH
Seminar1
Electives |
Community Health
Research3
Electives |
| 3 |
Research
Part A and B qualifying examinations |
Research
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Research |
| 4 |
Dissertation |
Dissertation |
Dissertation |
| 5 |
Dissertation |
Dissertation |
Dissertation
Dissertation defense, completion of degree |
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1PMCH
Program requirement;
2Sociomedical
Science Curriculum requirement
Electives:
Aging and Health
Minority Aging and Health
Introduction to Data Management
Categorical Data Analysis
Longitudinal Data Analysis
Survival Analysis
Immunization Policy
Health Policy and Management
Outcomes Research
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Faculty
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The
faculty of the Sociomedical Sciences Division are committed to
interdisciplinary teaching and research. Faculty members have backgrounds
in sociology, anthropology, psychology, gerontology, epidemiology,
statistics, demography, behavioral medicine, and program evaluation. Areas
of research interests include aging, international and minority health
(with a special focus on Hispanics), behavioral medicine, social support and health, medical outcomes,
health services utilization, social epidemiology, psychosocial stress,
sexual behavior, health promotion, and health economics.
Core Faculty:
Kyriakos S. Markides, Professor, Ph.D., Louisiana State University, Social
Gerontology, Medical Sociology
M. Kristen Peek, Associate Professor, Ph.D., Duke
University, Sociology
Laura L. Rudkin, Associate Professor, Ph.D.; Princeton University, Demography, Social
Gerontology
Susan C. Weller, Professor, Ph.D., University of California, Irvine, Social Sciences,
Cross-Cultural Health
Services Research
Affiliated Faculty:
Joanna Campbell, Assistant Professor,
Ph.D., Stanford University, Economics
Malcolm Cutchin, Associate Professor, Ph.D., University of
Kentucky, Geography
Karl Eschbach, Associate Professor, Ph.D., Harvard University, Physiology
Jean Freeman, Professor, Ph.D., Yale University, Medical Care Epidemiology
James Goodwin, Professor, M.D., Harvard University,
Geriatrics
Charles Holzer III, Professor, Ph.D., University of
Florida, Psychiatric Epidemiology
Glen Ostir, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., University of
Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Kenneth Ottenbacher, Professor, Ph.D., University of
Missouri, Special Education
Billy U. Philips, Professor, Ph.D., M.P.H.; University of Oklahoma, Human Ecology,
Cancer Epidemiology
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Admission Requirements
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- A degree in social or behavioral science, medicine,
public health, or a closely related field is preferred. In some cases,
applicants with appropriate training in other areas may be admitted if
their curriculum, work experience, and aptitude are judged especially
suitable by the faculty.
- A basic background in social or behavioral science
theory, research, and statistical methods.
- A minimal grade-point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0
scale), and high performance in graduate courses, if such have been
taken.
- A Graduate Record Examination taken
within the
past five years, with a total score of not less than 1100, and a minimum score of 500 in
both quantitative and verbal categories.
- Agreement of a departmental faculty member to serve
as advisor for the student's program.
- A personal contact or interview, if specified by the
program advisors.
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Degree Requirements
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Course Requirements: Students must satisfactorily complete courses including Issues
in Prevention and Public Health, Statistical
Methods, Society and Health Care, Epidemiology, Health Behavior, Research Design and Methods, Social and
Behavioral Epidemiology, and Culture and Health.
(See Chart above)
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Electives/Externships:
Students and their Advisory Committees select a set of elective
courses on the basis of individual program interests and goals. In addition, students participate in research or teaching,
which provides the opportunity for exploring and clarifying career
goals, and applying
acquired skills in health settings.
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Examinations and Dissertations:
Upon completion of approximately two years of full-time course
work, the student must pass written and oral qualifying examinations
that test for substantive knowledge of preventive medicine and
community health, sociomedical sciences, elective area specialization,
and the ability to design and conduct independent research. After
fulfilling the requirements for qualification, the student is advanced to
doctoral candidacy and is required to complete and defend a doctoral
dissertation that makes a substantial contribution to sociomedical
science.
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Contact Information
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The Department of Preventive Medicine
& Community Health
301 University Boulevard
Galveston, Texas 77555-1150
409/772-1128
(Phone)
409/772-5272 (Fax)
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Typical Course Plan
Graduate Education Home
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PMCH