Program requirements
| Summary of Course Requirements | Units |
|---|---|
| Total: | 18.0 |
| Fundamental of Health Research (SDH 500a; 500b) | 3.0 |
| Methodology | 3.0 |
| Colloquium (SDH 501a; 501b) | 3.0 |
| Electives | 3.0 |
| Thesis (SDH 599) | 6.0 |
Student Handbook
Fundamentals of Health Research (SDH 500a and b)
Master's students are required to complete two 1.5-unit Fundamentals of Health Research courses. These courses will cover topics including basics in epidemiology, ethics, policy, health and wellness, grant and proposal writing, academic presentations, critical review for publication, knowledge transfer and developing community partnerships. Topics covered in the core courses are central to health research scholarship and provide core competencies preparatory to the independent research component of the program.
SDH Colloquium (SDH 501a and b)
Master's students are required to attend and participate in an SDH colloquium exposing them to a wide range of conceptual and substantive issues that reflect the breadth and depth of health research. Students will receive 3.0 units of pass/fail credit during their first year for attending the colloquium; however, attendance and participation in the colloquium throughout their time in the SDH program is mandatory. In their second year, students will be expected to make a presentation of their own research.
Methodology
Two additional required courses (1.5 units each) focus on methods and will typically be chosen from a list of approved courses offered in the program's collaborating faculties. This list can be obtained here.
The departments/schools offering these courses will consider requests from SDH students on an individual, student-by-student basis provided they have permission of the instructor and/or the chair or director of the unit offering the course, that there is space in the course and the student has the particular prior background and skills to succeed in the course. Students without an appropriate background may be asked to take additional courses preparatory to taking the courses.
Other courses, such as directed reading, special topic courses or upper-level undergraduate courses that address health-related topics may be used to fulfill the methodology requirements if approved by the SDH Program Director.
Ideally, methodology courses are completed during Year 1 (fall, spring or summer session) depending on course availability.
Electives
Two 1.5-unit elective courses, which allow students to tailor their coursework to their specific research interests, will be chosen in consultation with the student's supervisory committee from an approved list of graduate courses. This list can be obtained by here
The departments/schools offering these courses will consider requests for SDH students on an individual, student-by-student basis provided they have permission of the instructor and/or the chair or director of the unit offering the course, that there is space in the course and the student has the particular prior background and skills to succeed in the course. Students without an appropriate background may be asked to take additional courses preparatory to taking these courses.
Other courses, such as directed reading, special topic courses or upper-level undergraduate courses that address health-related topics may be used to fulfill the elective requirements if approved by the SDH Program Director.
Ideally, elective courses are completed during Year 1 (fall, spring or summer session) depending on course availability.
Thesis (SDH 599)
A thesis based on independent research will form a major part of the program. Thesis proposals will be examined by the supervisory committee in an oral examination. Upon successful defense of the proposal, the student will be approved to begin thesis research and will register in SDH 599 Thesis. Normally master's research proposals should be approved no later than the beginning of the second year of the program. The thesis defense will normally take place by the end of the second year.