The Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program is designed to meet the need for trained individuals who will assume leadership roles in the growing field of public health. It is primarily oriented to prepare professionals who will occupy key positions in teaching, research and administration in the health sciences.

1978

June 9, 1998
Approved by the University Council on July 21, 2000 together with the Epidemiology and Parasitology tracks

Graduates of the program are expected to make substantive contributions to new knowledge that is relevant to the needs of developing countries. Specifically, at the end of the program, the DrPH graduates should be able to:

1. demonstrate the use of scientific methods and tools of inquiry to study various health and related issues given the socioeconomic, political and cultural dynamics of a particular situation and utilize such findings;
2. demonstrate the ability to plan, implement, evaluate and document a research and development project;
3. demonstrate the ability to advocate desirable health policy development activities and effectively influence decision-making; and
4. demonstrate the ability to apply theories and strategies of behavioral and structural changes within one’s organization.

1. MPH/MSPH degree or any equivalent preparation relevant to the field of concentration from a recognized institution of higher learning. Those with a master’s degree other than the MPH/MSPH must have at least 2 years of experience in public health.
2. Excellent performance in the master’s program, with emphasis on courses in the field of specialization
3. Must have demonstrated evidence of competence in the area of specialization, through written examination or interview administered by the DrPH Program Committee
4. Submission of an essay describing the applicant's previous and current work and an explanation of how the DrPH program is relevant to his future career
5. Letters of recommendation from two previous professors or employers
6. Must be 45 years old and below except in meritorious cases
7. Duly accomplished Application Form (downloadable through the NGOHS website: ngohs.upm.edu.ph)
8. Comply with the General requirements found on the 2nd page of the Application Form (UPM-NGS-OP-01F1)

1. Completion in at least two full academic years of 33 units (13 units of core courses, 14 units of major courses, 4-6 units electives/cognates)
2. An overall weighted average of 1.75 or better and weighted average of 1.75 or better in required courses in the field of specialization and no grade of 5.0
3. Passing the comprehensive examination
4. Oral and written presentation of original dissertation
5. Satisfactory completion and submission of the required hard bound copies of dissertation
6. Certificate of acceptance of paper for publication

Course Code: Biostat 301
Course Title: Biostatistics II
Credit Units: 3.0
Pre-requisite: Biostat 201
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: Principles of data collection, data processing and data presentation, computer-aided elementary and advanced techniques in the analysis of biomedical data

Course Code: Epi 301
Course Title: Applications of epidemiologic principles and methods
Credit Units: 3.0
Pre-requisite: Epi 201
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: Principles and concepts of epidemiology and critical appraisal of epidemiologic studies with respect to the study design, analysis and interpretation of findings

Course Code: HPAD 301
Course Title: Advanced Course in Health Management
Credit Units: 3.0
Pre-requisite: None
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: The course focuses on managerial work and competencies/ techniques in health organizations (service, teaching, research).

Course Code: PHPE 301
Course Title: Advanced Theories and Methods in Health Promotion and Education
Credit Units: 2.0
Pre-requisite: None
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: An overview of the theories, methods and research relevant to health promotion and education

Course Code: PH 301
Course Title: Advances in the Biological and Physio-Chemical Foundations of Public Health
Credit Units: 2.0
Pre-requisite: None
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: The course will provide comprehensive insights into the advances in understanding exposure and impact of nutrition and lifestyle, parasitic and microbial infections, and environmental factors to public health. These insights will be utilized as tools in the improvement and development of integrated strategies to prevent and control diseases.

Course Code: Micro 310
Course Title: Public Health Immunology
Credit Units: 3.0 (2 units lecture, 1 unit laboratory)
Pre-requisite: Microbiology 202 (Immunology) or its equivalent
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: Advanced studies on microbial antigens, and vaccines, immunologic mechanisms decisive in the prevention and control of leading diseases of public health importance and investigations of the immune responses against such diseases and their vaccines. Immunologic surveillance in public health.

Course Code: Micro 311
Course Title: Public Health Bacteriology
Credit Units: 3.0 (2 units lecture, 1 unit laboratory)
Pre-requisite: Microbiology 203 (Applied Bacteriology) or its equivalent
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: Critical analysis of the ten leading bacterial infections in the Philippines. Application of theories, methods and research for assessment, prevention and control of these bacterial infections. Actual investigations of outbreaks or water, drinks and food in public health places.

Course Code: Micro 312
Course Title: Public Health Mycology
Credit Units: 3.0 (2 units lecture, 1 unit laboratory)
Pre-requisite: Microbiology 206 or its equivalent
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: Application of mycological research methods in studying fungal infections of public health importance in the Philippines. Actual laboratory experience in mycological research investigation is provided.

Course Code: Micro 313
Course Title: Public Health Virology
Credit Units: 3.0 (2 units lecture, 1 unit laboratory)
Pre-requisites: Microbiology 205 (Virology), 209 (Applied Virology), or its equivalent
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: Critical analysis of viral pandemics and the leading viral infections of medical and public health importance in the Philippines; their prevention, control and eradication. Serological assays employed in rapid diagnosis.

Course Code: Micro 397.1
Course Title: Seminars in Public Health Microbiology I
Credit Units: 1.0
Pre-requisite: None
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: None (currently undergoing revision)

Course Code: Micro 397.2
Course Title: Seminars in Public Health Microbiology II
Credit Units: 1.0
Pre-requisite: None
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: None (currently undergoing revision)

Course Code: Micro 314
Course Title: Molecular Bacteriology
Credit Units: 3.0 (2 units lecture, 1 unit laboratory)
Pre-requisite: Microbiology 100/Microbiology 203
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: Molecular biology of medically relevant bacteria. Molecular basis of bacterial pathogenesis, epidemiology and diagnosis. Techniques employed in diagnosis.

Course Code: Micro 315
Course Title: Molecular Mycology
Credit Units: 3.0 (2 units lecture, 1 unit laboratory)
Pre-requisite: Microbiology 206
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: Molecular basis of fungal pathogenesis, epidemiology and diagnosis. Techniques employed in diagnosis

Course Code: Micro 316
Course Title: Molecular Virology
Credit Units: 3.0 (2 units lecture, 1 unit laboratory)
Pre-requisite: Microbiology 100/Microbiology 205
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: Molecular biology of human and animal viruses. Molecular basis of viral pathology, epidemiology and diagnosis. Molecular techniques in serodiagnosis.

Course Code: Micro 399
Course Title: Special Studies and Research
Credit Units: 3.0
Pre-requisite: Microbiology 314 or Microbiology 315 or Microbiology 316
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: Research on a problem in Molecular Microbiology

Course Code: Micro 400.1
Course Title: Dissertation
Credit Units: 4.0 units
Pre-requisite: Must have finished and passed all the courses and passed the Comprehensive examination
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: Writing and Presentation of Research Proposal (based on NGOHS Code of Graduate School)

Course Code: Micro 400.2
Course Title: Dissertation
Credit Units: 4.0 units
Pre-requisite: Must have finished and passed all the courses and passed the Comprehensive examination
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: Research Implementation and Oral Defense (based on NGOHS Code of Graduate School)

Course Code: Micro 400.3
Course Title: Dissertation
Credit Units: 4.0 units
Pre-requisite: Must have finished and passed all the courses and passed the Comprehensive examination
Co-requisite: None
Course Description: Writing of research article and acceptance for publication in a reputable, peer-reviewed journal (based on NGOHS Code of Graduate School)