About
Epidemiology is the science that studies health states and disease occurrence in human populations, with roots in biology, social sciences, logic, and philosophy of science. Epidemiology is fundamentally concerned with finding the causes of disease, identifying people at high risk for outcomes, finding targets for improving health, and ultimately the application of this study to prevent and control health problems in groups of individuals. It is a core science for public health, clinical medicine, and health services research. Students in this concentration will learn principles, concepts, and methods for study design, data collection and critical analysis and interpretation to generate information and knowledge that is used for evidence-based medicine to public health practice. Epidemiology graduate students also receive extensive training in statistical methods, and this combination of skills and knowledge presents an array of employment opportunities in industry, government/NGO, academic, and health care settings. The Epidemiology concentration is STEM designated.
In addition to meeting the 22 MPH Foundational Competencies, graduates from the Epidemiology concentration will meet the following concentration specific competencies.
Concentration Competencies
- Assess disease occurrence in populations using quantitative methods and accounting for factors impacting measurements.
- Evaluate original research studies, including randomized trials, observational cohort studies, and case-control studies, to appraise their practical application in implementation science, public health or clinical initiatives, and policy impact.
- Develop a data analysis plan, including identifying potential biases, mediators and effect modifiers of a disease/outcome-exposure association
- Communicate the purpose and logic of hypothesis testing and calculate confidence intervals
- Develop a regression model and perform an analysis using statistical software, including:
– Applying appropriate regression model
– Determine variables needing transformations
– Applicable selection of variables to include in the regression model
– Correct modeling of interactions when needed
Concentration Director
