University of Delaware PhD in Disaster Science and Management

The Ph.D. in Disaster Science and Management program at the University of Delaware
approaches disasters from an interdisciplinary point of view. The program emphasizes theories,
research methodologies, and policies related to emergency preparedness, mitigation,
management and response.
The Doctor of Philosophy in Disaster Science and Management requires ! credits of graduate"
level coursewor# $eyond the master%s degree including & credits of dissertation. Students are
e'pected to choose a thematic area such as one of the following(
)rganizations, management, and leadership * focus on management and leadership in all
phases of a disaster. +ncludes #nowledge of institutional structures and tools to support
decision ma#ing.
,uilt and natural environment, and society * focus on the interfaces among the three
infrastructures -$uilt, natural and social. with an emphasis on the opportunities to
control, influence, accommodate, and understand changes and needs during and after
catastrophic events.
/ulnera$ility and resilience * focus on how systems are impacted $y and respond to
catastrophic events. +ncludes how systems can $e modified or adapted to reduce
vulnera$ility and improve resilience.
Policy and planning * focus on response to disasters including continuity of operations.
Simulation and modeling * focus on decision support tools and the modeling of impacts
to support disaster planning, mitigation, response, and recovery.
0ealth systems leadership( pu$lic health disaster planning and response * focus on the
role of health professionals and systems in planning for and responding to disasters.
The ! credits of coursewor# for the Doctor of Science in Disaster Science and Management are
specified in the individual planned program of study, and must include the following(
1ourses from a thematic area -at least & credits.

2esearch methods -qualitative or quantitative. -at least 3 credits.(
Course Code Course Title
4DU1 335 4lementary Statistics
U6PP 787 9ualitative Methods for Program 4valuation, or
4DU1 758 9ualitative 2esearch in 4ducation
1+4: 3; 2is# 6nalysis
41)< 7== 6dvanced ,enefit"1ost 6nalysis
M6ST 33 Decision Tools for Policy 6nalysis
)24S 38; Survey )perations 2esearch +
)24S 38! Survey )perations 2esearch ++
)24S38> Simulation Modeling and 6nalysis
)24S78; )ptimization Models and Methods
)24S78! )perations 2esearch 6pplications
P)S17;3 Philosophy of Science and 2esearch Design
S)1+38= Data 1ollection and 6nalysis
ST6T788 4stimation and Statistical +nference +
U6PP 3&; 9uantitative 6nalysis in Pu$lic and <onprofit Sectors
U6PP =8 Statistics for Policy 6nalysis
U6PP 7!= Program and Pro?ect 6nalysis -cost"$enefit analysis.
PhD Dissertation in the thematic area -& 1redits.
Seminar -> credits. " Students must register for and attend three semesters of seminar
-D+S6 378.. Students are e'pected to participate in seminar as a listener for other
semesters that they are on campus.
4lectives -;5 credits. " 4lectives are intended to enhance and $roaden a student%s
scholarly involvement in the program. Students in the doctoral degree program are
allowed to ta#e a ma'imum of 3 credits of independent study -D+S6 733. and a
ma'imum of & credits of research -D+S6 737.. 0owever, the com$ined num$er of credits
from research and independent study courses may not e'ceed ;!.

The University of Delaware is accredited $y the Middle States 1ommission on 0igher
4ducation.
@or more information(

1ontact( Professor Sue Mc<eil
Director, Disaster 2esearch 1enter
University of Delaware
;33 :raham 0all
<ewar# D4 ;&=;>
Phone( >8!"7>;"53=5
4mail( smcneilAudel.edu
6dditional +nformation( http(BBsuapp.udel.eduBcontentBphd"disaster"science"and"
management
Update( 7B;B;>
Please note: Some of the Web sites linked to in this document are not federal
government Web sites, and may not necessarily operate under the same laws,
regulations, and policies as federal Web sites.