Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health

Year 1, Fall semester

• Foundation of Public Health3 credits

  Prerequisite: None

  This interdisciplinary core course examines public health and healthcare in the UAE and globally with emphasis on the linkage of population and individual health. Using public health and healthcare delivery as the overarching framework, the course will cover foundational elements of public health, including, but not limited to, analytical approaches and major determinants of health, public health perspective on epidemiology, health promotion and health economics, as well as management and policy. The course will build a sense of community and instill a public health mindset among students taking this course. It will also lay the foundation for students to work effectively as public health professionals on inter-professional teams.

• Advanced Biostatistics3 credits

  Prerequisite: None

  This course covers advanced biostatistical concepts, study designs, and models commonly used in public health research. Building upon foundational knowledge in biostatistics and epidemiology, this course focuses on advanced statistical techniques and their practical application in public health research. Emphasis will be placed on developing critical thinking skills to appropriately select and apply statistical methods to draw valid and meaningful conclusions from public health data. Students will also gain hands-on experience using statistical software to analyze and interpret complex datasets. This course is specifically designed to provide doctoral students with an advanced understanding and proficiency in applying biostatistical methods to address complex research questions in the field of public health.

• Epidemiology for Public Health Practice3 credits

  Prerequisite: None

  Epidemiology for Public Health Practice is a 3-credit hour course offered in the fall semester of the first year. The course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive knowledge of the principles and methods of epidemiology as they apply to public health. In addition, students will gain necessary knowledge and skills to investigate the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in populations, analyze health-related data, identify patterns and trends, and contribute to evidence-based decision-making in public health practice. This course covers, but is not limited to, the principles of epidemiology, measures of morbidity and mortality, epidemiologic study designs, outbreak investigations, screening, causality, disability and quality adjusted life years, as well as epidemiology and health policy. The course is delivered through a combination of lectures, interactive discussions, and tutorials. Students will be assessed by regular quizzes, group presentations, and midterm and final written examinations.

Year 1, Spring semester

Year 1 total: 17 credit hours

• Quantitative Research Design2 credits

  Prerequisite: None

  This course develops students’ technical skills and knowledge in quantitative research methodologies with regards to public health and prepares them to be proficient researchers and users of research services rendered by others. It guides students on how to critically assess major quantitative research methods, how to make the right decision to use the most appropriate statistical analysis methods for research questions of interest, and how to carry out practical research activities. The topics covered in the course include the types of quantitative research methods: descriptive and interventional studies. Descriptive studies broadly include case-control, case reports, case series, cross-sectional studies, prospective and retrospective cohort studies, and ecological studies. Interventional studies include randomized and non-randomized controlled clinical trials (as well as crossover and cluster RCT), interventional studies without concurrent controls, before-after (pre-post) studies, and factorial study design. All of the topics are tailored to public health research specifically and are supplemented with principles of biostatistics as covered in a different course.

• Health Policy and Practice2 credits

  Prerequisite: None

  This course explores the intersection of health policy and practice, examining the ways in which policy decisions impact health outcomes and the delivery of healthcare services. The course will analyze the historical, political, and economic factors that shape health policy and provide students with the skills to evaluate the effectiveness of different policy approaches. Through case studies and simulations, students will engage in critical analysis of the challenges and opportunities of health policy and practice.

• Leadership in Public Health2 credits

  Prerequisite: None

  This course is designed to explore the principles and practices of effective leadership in the context of public health. Students will examine various leadership theories and models and apply them to real-world public health challenges. The course will focus on the development of leadership skills, including communication, decision-making, problem-solving, and strategic planning, as well as ethical considerations related to public health leadership.

• Elective I2 credits

Year 2, Fall semester

• Healthcare Systems3 credits

  Prerequisite: None

  This course provides an in-depth examination of the various factors that impact the design, delivery, and outcomes of healthcare systems. Students will learn about the economic, political, social, and cultural factors that shape healthcare systems and the role of healthcare policies and governance in shaping healthcare systems. The course will also explore healthcare delivery models and the use of technology in healthcare systems, and examine strategies for improving healthcare quality, safety, and efficiency.

• Specialized Topics in Public Health2 credits

  Prerequisite: None

  This course provides an opportunity for students to explore and critically examine specialized topics in public health. The course will focus on a range of contemporary issues and challenges facing the public health sector. Students will analyze current research, policies, and practices related to specialized topics in public health, and develop skills in assessing and applying evidence-based approaches to address complex public health issues. Through a combination of lectures, discussions, and independent research, students will gain a deep understanding of key topics in public health and develop critical thinking skills that will support them in their future research and practice.

• Qualifying Exam0 credits

  Prerequisite: None

  This exam is designed to assess student's knowledge in his/her discipline and student’s ability for critical, analytical, and creative thinking in problem-solving and proposing effective solutions. The qualification examination is not another test in the courses studied by the student. The exam has an oral examination (Part 1) and a written exam (Part 2). In Part 1, the student will present background information on the selected topic. Afterward, the Graduate Studies Committee will conduct a discussion session to assess the student's comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the topic. Part 2 is a written exam to emphasize the student's critical thinking and ability to analyze and synthesize information. Students may attempt the qualification examination up to two times; if they fail the second attempt, they will be expelled from the program.

• Dissertation Proposal3 credits

  Prerequisite: None

  In this course, students will develop a detailed doctoral research proposal under the mentorship of faculty advisors. The proposal will articulate a significant research problem, objectives, comprehensive literature review, theoretical framework, advanced methodology, and ethical considerations. Emphasis is placed on ensuring the proposal's feasibility, scholarly merit, and potential contribution to best evidence-based practices in public health and healthcare systems. Completion and successful defense of the proposal are critical steps toward embarking on the dissertation research.

Year 2, Spring semester

Year 2 total: 16 credit hours The study plan gives Doctoral Seminar in Public Health 6 credit hours; the course description on the programme page gives it 2. The university disagrees with itself here.

• Doctoral Seminar in Public Health6 credits

  Prerequisite: None

  The course is designed to provide an advanced level of education and training for doctoral students in the field of public health. This course aims to foster critical thinking, research skills, and in-depth knowledge of recent topics in public health. Through a combination of lectures, discussions, and independent study, students will explore emerging issues, methodologies, and theories in the field, enhancing their capacity to contribute to public health research and practice. The course addresses a variety of professional issues that are vital to success as a doctoral student and public health professional. A major portion of the course is dedicated to responsible conduct in research. Other topics include ethical considerations in research; reviewing others’ scientific work; delivering poster and oral presentations.

• Elective II2 credits

Years 3 and 4

Programme total: 54 credit hours

• Dissertation21 credits

  Prerequisite: None

  This course is designed to prepare students for the research component of their Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health program by providing them with an understanding of the fundamental principles of conducting research and writing a research thesis. The course will cover the essential elements of research, including the organization and preparation of the research logistics, formulation of research questions, research design, begin the pilot study or validate the questionnaire or run clinical tests to optimize their methods, begin data collection either in field work or clinical experiments. The course will also cover the structure and organization of a research thesis, the writing process, and the presentation of findings and to ensure that their human/animal ethics approval has been approved and they meet their project supervisors regularly to update their research activities.

Elective courses

Elective Courses (4 credit hours): Elective I in the Year 1 spring semester and Elective II in the Year 2 spring semester.

• Contemporary Learning and Teaching in Health Professions Education3 credits

  Prerequisite: None

  Teaching strategies in a university or healthcare institutes often involves lectures accompanied by tutorials. However, there are several other contemporary modes of delivery that can be very effective such as problem-based learning, team-based learning, case-based learning, and computer-enhanced blended learning. This course will be pursued through the delivery of a structured sequence of seminars that response to the needs of diverse disciplines in Health Professions Education (HPE).

• Principles of Health Promotion and Communication2 credits

  Prerequisite: None

  This course aims to familiarize students with the theories, and models of health education and communication relevant to public health. It explores the determinants of health and the factors shaping healthy behaviors among individuals and communities within the UAE. Additionally, the course highlights the role of effective communication in planning, implementing, and assessing health promotion initiatives. Students within this course will be able to conduct a community project that aims to address healthcare needs and promote wellbeing of the community.

• Global Health2 credits

  Prerequisite: None

  This course offers a comprehensive overview of global health issues, focusing on health disparities and strategies to improve health outcomes worldwide. It examines the interplay between infectious and non-communicable diseases, alongside the social, economic, and environmental factors influencing health at local, national, and global levels. Students will explore how health inequities arise, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, while addressing major challenges such as maternal and child health, malnutrition, mental health, emerging infectious diseases, climate change, and chronic illnesses. The course also highlights the role of key international organizations like the WHO, UN, World Bank, UNICEF, and NGOs in shaping policies and delivering interventions. Through case studies and real-world examples, students will analyze global health initiatives such as vaccination campaigns, disease eradication efforts, and responses to pandemics. Ethical considerations, cultural influences, and interdisciplinary collaboration will also be explored. By the end of the course, students will develop the skills to assess global health challenges, propose evidence-based solutions, and advocate for policies that advance health equity and social justice globally.

• Quality Management in Healthcare2 credits

  Prerequisite: None

  The course integrates Miller’s Knowledge-Based Pedagogy, through knowledge acquisition, applications of quality & excellence frameworks, performing and demonstration of practical aspects of quality. It will cover topics in the context of performance management, leadership, policies at local and global levels, optimization through recent advancements in science and technology