PhD (Health & Behavioural Sciences Specialization)

Description

The Health and Behavioural Sciences (HBS) specialization is unique in Canada. It uses research methods and theories to understand individuals, behaviour, and the social context in relation to health, illness and health care. It focuses on contemporary problems, and has an action framework that is expressed through an integration of theory and basic or applied research.

This specialization is one of several within the Dalla Lana School of Public Health where graduate students focus on a defined area. The curriculum is designed to give students an opportunity to work with faculty who are interested in individuals, their behaviors and their social environments. Students have an opportunity to work on unique and exciting research projects being conducted by their supervisors or to develop their own. Students completing the PhD degree program specializing in Health and Behavioural Sciences can expect to gain training that will allow them to become independent researchers.

The HBS specialization encourages participation in a variety of interdisciplinary graduate University of Toronto Collaborative Programs. See Collaborative Programs.

Objectives

The HBS specialization emphasizes:

• The application of concepts, theories, models and methods concerned with illness and improvement of health and health care systems.
• An understanding of the individual, individual behaviour and the social health environment.
• The use of quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method approaches, relevant to the student’s research interests.
• A model of independent scholarship to enable students to tailor their studies to their own past experience, scholarly interest, career direction and aspiration.

Admission Requirements

View minimum application requirements information about the admission process to a PhD program.  

Additional Admission Requirements for the PhD in HBS

• Background (courses, experience) in social sciences and/or health sciences
• Graduate level quantitative or qualitative methods courses/background
• A match between the student’s research area and potential supervisor’s expertise

Degree Program Requirements

The HBS specialization consists of three components which students complete sequentially, within a 4-year period of full-time study. Students are required to complete an annual progress report signed by the supervisor and the graduate coordinator. [hot link to sample]

1. Coursework
   • 3.0 FCE (i.e.. Six half courses)
   • completed in the first 18 - 24 months of study
      
2. Qualifying Examination
    
3. Research and Thesis
   • Preparation and defense should be completed between the 24th and 48th month of study

Course Requirements

 
Notes:

1. Students entering the PhD degree program are required to take one of the core graduate theory courses, or another approved theory course. The core courses consider psychological perspectives on topics such as attitudes and behaviour, intergroup relations, and social influence. The two research methods courses will ensure the student has the methodological foundations. In addition, it is strongly recommended that students take as one of their required courses, a self directed reading course leading to the conceptualization of their thesis research. A supervisor or other faculty can offer such a course.
2. Students may take courses from other graduate departments which fit with their program of study, with the approval of the Division Head.
    

Social & Behavioural Health Sciences Main Page

PhD HBS

• Description & Objectives
• Admission
• Course Requirements
• Supervision
• Qualifying Examination
• PhD Dissertation/Thesis