History of Health Sciences (PhD)

The History of Health Sciences (HHS) program trains students to examine the history of health sciences – medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health, alternative healing, and biomedical research – from a variety of critical approaches. With an emphasis on modern (late 19th to 21st century) contexts, the program’s faculty and students investigate how medicine, health, and illness are historically perceived, and how these perceptions reflect and shape culture and society.

Program Description

The PhD program is a five-year degree that is composed of two years of coursework and a three-year dissertation project. Students learn to make use of all aspects of historical research: identifying appropriate sources, evaluating and interpreting the content of published and unpublished documents, contextualizing and analyzing those documents within the broader framework of contemporary knowledge, society, and culture, and writing a thesis that provides both historical narrative and interpretive analysis of the dissertation topic.

Admission Requirements

• B.A in History or a related field or a B.S. in the sciences

Learning Outcomes

• Articulate the dynamic interrelationship between medicine and society through history.
• Demonstrate how to formulate an original argument both in an extended written thesis and in oral form drawing on basic critical skills and the historical record itself.
• Promote a historically informed understanding of the health sciences.

Degree Requirements

• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• All core courses and required activities taken and passed
• Six quarters in residence including a minimum of three registered quarters after advancement to candidacy
• Pass qualifying examination
• Completion and submission of the dissertation

Core Courses

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1

• HIST HL SC 200A: Introduction to the History of Health Sciences 1 (2-4 units)
• HIST HL SC 200B: Introduction to History of Health Sciences (3 units)
• HIST HL SC 204A: Research Methods in the History of Health Sciences (3 units) Total units: 8-10

Year 2

• HIST HL SC 204B: Research Methods in the History of Health Sciences (1 unit)
• HIST HL SC 205: The Science of A Historical Archive (4 units)
• HIST HL SC 250: The Anatomy of an Archive (4-5 units) Total units: 9-10

Year 3 and Beyond

• Including core courses and possible electives
  • HIST HL SC 201A: Disease and the Social Order from Black Death to Covid (2-4 units)
  • HIST HL SC 215: Crafting the Dissertation Prospectus (2 units)
  • HIST HL SC 230: Qualifying Exam Research (2 units)
  • HIST HL SC 297: Special Study (1-4 units)
  • HIST HL SC 299: Dissertation (0 units) Total units: 7-12 Total units for the program: 24-32

Non-course Core Requirements

• Dissertation presentation

Faculty

There are four core faculty and three faculty members with other academic appointments in the HHS program; and 27 other affiliated faculty.

Research Focus Areas

• Public health
• Healthcare systems
• Pharmaceuticals
• Race
• Gender
• Biomedicine

Program Leadership

• Dorothy Porter, PhD, Program Director

Additional Information

The History of Health Sciences program office at UCSF is located at the Mission Bay campus. The History of Health Sciences program is offered by the UCSF Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs. The program is administered by the UCSF School of Medicine (SOM), and courses are delivered by faculty members in SOM. Note that the Graduate Division also offers a master's degree program in HHS. Students are admitted to the History of Health Sciences program biennially, in odd-numbered years. This keeps the student-to-faculty ratio very low, enabling students to work closely with their faculty mentors.

University of California San Francisco

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Overview:

University of California San Francisco (UCSF) is a renowned public research university located in San Francisco, California. It is a leading institution in the fields of health sciences, biomedical research, and patient care. UCSF is known for its commitment to innovation, collaboration, and its dedication to improving human health.

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Services Offered:

UCSF offers a wide range of services to its students, including:

Academic Calendar:

Provides information on academic schedules and important dates.

Career Center:

Assists students with career exploration, job searching, and professional development.

Financial Aid:

Offers financial assistance to eligible students through scholarships, grants, and loans.

General Catalog:

Contains detailed information about academic programs, policies, and resources.

Library:

Provides access to a vast collection of books, journals, databases, and other research materials.

Registrar:

Handles student records, registration, and graduation.

Student Success Guide:

Offers resources and support services to help students succeed academically and personally.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

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Key Reasons to Study There:

World-Class Faculty:

UCSF boasts a faculty of renowned researchers, clinicians, and educators who are leaders in their fields.

Cutting-Edge Research:

The university is at the forefront of biomedical research, with groundbreaking discoveries and advancements in various areas of health sciences.

Exceptional Patient Care:

UCSF is home to a world-class medical center that provides comprehensive and compassionate care to patients.

Vibrant Campus Community:

UCSF offers a diverse and supportive campus community with a strong emphasis on collaboration and innovation.

Location in San Francisco:

The university's location in San Francisco provides students with access to a vibrant city with numerous cultural, entertainment, and career opportunities.

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Academic Programs:

UCSF offers a wide range of academic programs across its various schools, including:

School of Dentistry:

Offers programs in dentistry, oral health, and dental research.

School of Medicine:

Provides education and training in medicine, biomedical research, and public health.

School of Pharmacy:

Offers programs in pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, and drug discovery.

School of Nursing:

Provides education and training in nursing, nursing research, and healthcare leadership.

Graduate Division:

Offers graduate programs in various disciplines, including biomedical sciences, public health, and bioengineering.

Global Health Sciences:

Focuses on global health issues and provides training and research opportunities in this field.

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