Please note that admission to the Graduate Diploma Population Health Risk Assessment and Management is suspended until further notice.
Summary
- Degree offered: Graduate Diploma
- Registration status options: Full-time; Part-time
- Language of instruction:
- French
- English
Note: The core courses are offered in English.
- Program option (expected duration of the program):
- with coursework (2 full-time terms; 8 consecutive months)
- Academic units: Faculty of Medicine, School of Epidemiology and Public Health.
Program Description
Population health risk assessment is the comprehensive assessment of health risks in the general population based on environmental, genetic, economic, social and behavioural determinants of health. This leads to evidence-based population health risk policy analysis, and ultimately, cost effective population health risk management decisions.
The Graduate Diploma in Population Health Risk Assessment and Management is specially designed for those individuals employed and/or interested in population health analysis and risk assessment. The diploma aims to provide the professional skills and knowledge needed to pursue careers in both the public and the private sectors.
Other Programs Offered Within the Same Discipline or in a Related Area
- Master of Science Epidemiology (MSc)
- Master of Science Epidemiology Specialization in Biostatistics (MSc)
- Doctorate in Philosophy Epidemiology (PhD)
Fees and Funding
- Program fees:
The estimated amount for university fees associated with this program are available under the section Finance your studies.
International students enrolled in a French-language program of study may be eligible for a differential tuition fee exemption.
- To learn about possibilities for financing your graduate studies, consult the Awards and financial support section.
Notes
- Programs are governed by the general regulations in effect for graduate studies.
- In accordance with the University of Ottawa regulation, students have the right to complete their assignments, examinations, research papers, and theses in French or in English.
Program Contact Information
Graduate Studies Office, Faculty of Medicine
451 Smyth Road, Room RGN 2016
Ottawa ON Canada
K1N 6N5
Tel.: 613-562-5800 x5215
Email: grad.med@uottawa.ca
For the most accurate and up to date information on application deadlines, language tests and other admission requirements, please visit the specific requirements webpage.
To be eligible, candidates must:
- Have a bachelor’s degree in with honours in science, health sciences and/or social sciences with a minimum average of 75% (B+).
Note: International candidates must check the admission equivalencies for the diploma they received in their country of origin.
- Have successfully completed core study in biostatistics and epidemiology, covering topics including regression analysis, the primary study designs, confounding and similar concepts. Ideally, students will have completed courses equivalent to EPI 5240 and EPI 5242 prior to their admission. Students who have not completed courses in biostatistics and epidemiology will be required to attend a non-unit one-week intensive course in the relevant areas in August. These courses are offered by the University of Ottawa. Students will be required to have met this requirement prior to being allowed to register for the diploma.
Language Requirements
Applicants must be able to understand and fluently speak the language of instruction (French or English) in the program to which they are applying. Proof of linguistic proficiency may be required. The core courses are offered in English.
Applicants whose first language is neither French nor English must provide proof of proficiency in the language of instruction.
Language tests recognized by the University of Ottawa:
- TOEFL: 550 (paper-based) – 79-80 (internet-based); or
- IELTS: 6.5 Overall – 5.0 Individual (paper-based or internet-based); or
- An equivalent language test.
Note : Candidates are responsible for any fees associated with the language tests.
Notes
- The admission requirements listed above are minimum requirements and do not guarantee admission to the program.
- Admissions are governed by the general regulations in effect for graduate studies.
- Candidates holding credentials that may not exactly match these standards but who meet the Graduate Studies minimum admission requirements may be admitted based on having demonstrated knowledge and skills obtained through relevant training and/or experience. Proficiency in English is required.
- A maximum of three units in equivalencies or advanced standing may be granted. To be eligible, the units in question must not have counted towards the requirements of a previous diploma or degree. Candidates who have already successfully completed some of the compulsory units may be allowed to replace those units with elective units.
Documents Required for Admission
In addition to the documents required for graduate and postdoctoral studies, candidates must submit the following documents:
- A resume
- A letter of intent or motivation or statement of purpose
Letter outlining your professional goals and proposed research area.
- Two confidential letters of recommendation from professors who have known the applicant and are familiar with their work.
You are strongly encouraged to contact your referee(s) prior to submitting your application in order to confirm their email address and their availability to complete your letter of recommendation.
- Transcripts from all universities attended:
- You must submit official transcripts from all the universities you have attended.
This applies to all courses and programs at any university you attended, including regular programs (completed or not), exchanges, letters of permission, online or correspondence courses, courses taken as a special student or visiting student, etc. - If the transcript and degree certificate are not in English or French, a certified translation (signed and stamped/sealed) must be submitted.
- You must submit official transcripts from all the universities you have attended.
Note: Documents that are not required for admission will not be consulted, conserved or returned to the student. These documents will be destroyed according to our administrative procedures.
Information about how to apply to this program is available under the Apply Now section.
Students should complete and submit their online application with supporting documentation (if applicable) by the deadline indicated above.
Graduate Diploma
Students must meet the following requirements:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory Courses: | ||
| PHR 5181 | Population Health Risk Assessment I | 3 Units |
| PHR 6182 | Population Health Risk Assessment II | 3 Units |
| PHR 6101 | Risk Management in Government | 3 Units |
| 3 optional course units from: | 3 Units | |
| Climate and Environmental Policy | ||
BIO 9101 | ||
| Health Communication Theories | ||
| Health Technology Assessment | ||
| Health Economic Evaluation | ||
| Decision at the Interface of Science and Policy | ||
| Practicum in Population Health Risk Assessment and Management | ||
| Directed Studies in Population Health Risk Assessment | ||
| 3 elective course units chosen from courses offered at the University of Ottawa or Carleton University 1 | 3 Units | |
- 1
The elective course units must comply with the following requirements:
- The course units have to be approved by the Diploma program director,
- The course units are required to relate to population health risk assessment and management. It is recognized that this field encompasses a wide range of disciplines, and
- The course units cannot cover content that the academic unit classifies as duplicating content required for admission to the diploma. Exclusions would include EPI 5240, EPI 5242, and MHA 6301.
Minimum Requirements
The passing grade in all courses is C+.
Students who fail six units or the same course twice must withdraw from the program.
Research at the University of Ottawa
Located in the heart of Canada’s capital, a few steps away from Parliament Hill, the University of Ottawa ranks among Canada’s top 10 research universities. Our research is founded on excellence, relevance and impact and is conducted in a spirit of equity, diversity and inclusion.
Our research community thrives in four strategic areas:
- Creating a sustainable environment
- Advancing just societies
- Shaping the digital world
- Enabling lifelong health and wellness
From advancing healthcare solutions to tackling global challenges like climate change, the University of Ottawa’s researchers are at the forefront of innovation, making significant contributions to society and beyond.
Research at the Faculty of Medicine
“The Faculty of Medicine has a long history of conducting both basic and clinical research of the highest quality. Many of our high profile research projects are conducted in partnership with affiliated-teaching hospitals and research institutes. These partnerships lead to biomedical discoveries that have a significant impact on health care. In the process they educate the next generation of Canadian scientists. Our research activity also attracts significant investment, which stimulates the Ottawa economy.”
- Dr. Bernard Jasmin, Vice-Dean, Research
Facilities, Research Centres and Institutes at the Faculty of Medicine
- Centre for Neural Dynamics
- University of Ottawa Centre for Neuromuscular Disease
- Centre for Research in Biopharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
- Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery
- Kidney Research Centre
- University of Ottawa Skills and Simulation Centre
- Medical Devices Innovation Institute
- Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology
- University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute
For more information, refer to the list of faculty members and their research fields on Uniweb.
IMPORTANT: Candidates and students looking for professors to supervise their thesis or research project can also consult the website of the faculty or department of their program of choice. Uniweb does not list all professors authorized to supervise research projects at the University of Ottawa.
PHR 5181 Population Health Risk Assessment I (3 units)
National and international policy frameworks for health risk assessment and management, including determinants of population health; epidemiological, clinical, and toxicological methods for identifying health hazards; population health surveillance; methods of population health risk assessment; regulatory, economic, advisory, and technological approaches to population health risk management; community action and social marketing; selection of risk management strategies; risk perception and risk communication. Lectures and case studies. Preparation of term paper on a current issue in population health risk assessment. Courses EPI 5181, PHR 5181 cannot be combined for units.
Course Component: Lecture
Exclusion: EPI 5181.
PHR 6101 Risk Management in Government (3 units)
Study of risk management frameworks, guidelines and principles for decision makers; review of ethical grounding and risk evaluation techniques and follow-up. Written report to be submitted by the student on a current risk management project.
Course Component: Lecture
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
PHR 6102 Selected Topics in Risk Sciences (3 units)
The content of this seminar course is flexible, covering issues of current debate in risk sciences, including risk assessment methods, risk management and risk policy development. It includes presentations by invited experts, participants and seminar discussion.
Course Component: Lecture
PHR 6182 Population Health Risk Assessment II (3 units)
Scientific methods for population health risk assessment; characterization of population health risks, and attendant uncertainties; risk modeling; combining risk information from different sources; risk acceptability; principles of risk management decision making; evidence-based risk management policy development; audit and evaluation of risk interventions; priority setting; case studies on current population health risk assessment issues. Term paper on a current methodological issue in population health risk assessment required.
Course Component: Lecture
Prerequisite: PHR 5181. PHI 6182 and EPI 6182 cannot be combined for units.
PHR 6900 Études dirigées en évaluation du risque en santé des populations / Directed Studies in Population Health Risk Assessment (3 crédits / 3 units)
Études dirigées qui porteront sur la gestion ou l’évaluation du risque en santé des populations et aborderont des problématiques telles que les risques environnementaux, les facteurs sociaux, la génétique ou le système de santé. / Directed study on a topic relevant to population health risk assessment or management, addressing risk issues related to topics such as the environment, social determinants, genetics or the health system.
Volet / Course Component: Séminaire / Seminar
Préalable : PHR 5181 ou EPI 5181. / Prerequisite: PHR 5181 or EPI 5181.
PHR 6910 Stage en évaluation et gestion du risque en santé des populations / Practicum in Population Health Risk Assessment and Management (3 crédits / 3 units)
Stage de terrain de 10 heures par semaine dans le milieu des politiques en santé. Permet de participer à la mise en application de principes d’évaluation ou de gestion du risque en santé des populations et d’obtenir de l’expérience pratique dans le domaine. Évaluation : note de S (Satisfaisant) ou NS (Non satisfaisant) / A field work placement of 10 hours/week in a health policy setting which provides an opportunity to participate in the application of population health risk assessment or management principles. Provides hands-on experience in the risk policy and evaluation field. Graded: S (satisfactory)/NS (not satisfactory)
Volet / Course Component: Stage / Work Term
Préalable : EPI 5181 ou PHR 5181. / Prerequisite: EPI 5181 or EPI 5181.