Graduate Epidemiology/Biostatistics

The Biostatistics concentration trains students to apply statistical principles and methods to problems in public health, medicine and biology. The Master of Public Health program includes the development of analytic thinking and skill, with an emphasis on applications of research and evaluation in public health. Coursework in this concentration covers the span of biostatistics knowledge, including study design, data management, data analysis, interpretation, statistical reporting and use of statistical software. Master of Public Health graduates in the Biostatistics concentration are well-prepared for employment in academia, government, nonprofits, non-governmental organizations or private industry.

• PH 7027, Fundamentals of Biostatistics II, 3 credit hours, REQUIRED
• PH 7525 Statistical Computing, 3 credit hours, REQUIRED
• PH 8820 Generalized Linear Models, 3 credit hours, REQUIRED
• PH 8830 Advanced Statistical Topics, 3 credit hours, REQUIRED

 

Select two pre-approved courses focusing on advanced statistical techniques and quantitative research methods: 6 credit hours

Pre-approved courses include:

• PH 7028 – Introduction to Probability Theory and Statistical Inference
• PH 8721 – Epidemiologic Methods II
• PH 8885 – Fundamentals of Clinical Trials
• PH 8890 – Special Topics in Biostatistics (may be repeated)

This is not an exhaustive list of options. Students should seek written pre-approval of any courses(s) beyond the above listed pre-approved BSTP elective courses. Approval must come from both the Division Director and OAA. 

Epidemiology is concerned with the distributions and determinants of disease, disabilities and death in human populations; the characteristics and dynamics of human populations, and the natural history of disease and the biologic basis of health. The concentration in epidemiology will prepare Master of Public Health students for work in the field by furnishing a solid base in epidemiologic methods, including multivariable methods, time-dependent analysis, and an introduction to Bayesian approaches. The concentration will afford students choice in the in-depth treatment of substantive issues such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, general infectious diseases, STDs and HIV, and—in conjunction with the environmental health concentration—environmental epidemiology. Students will also have to opportunity to focus on prevention methods. In conjunction with the biostatistics concentration, student will become knowledgeable in the use of analytic tools such as SPSS, SAS, and STATA.

• PH 8721, Epidemiologic Methods II, 3 credit hours, REQUIRED
• PH 7027, Fundamentals of Biostatistics II, 3 credit hours, REQUIRED
• PH 7525, Statistical Computing, 3 credit hours, REQUIRED

Select 3 courses from the following elective courses: 9 credit hours

• PH 7014, Epidemiology of STDs and HIV
• PH 7265, Epidemiology and the Prevention of Violence
• PH 7275, Chronic Disease Epidemiology
• PH 7280, Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• PH 7290, Case Studies in Epidemiology PH 7355 Prevention Methods
• PH 7365, Epidemiology of Adolescent and Young Adult Health Risk Behaviors
• PH 8285, Social Determinants of Health
• PH 8790, Special Topics in Epidemiology

Epidemiology is a scientific discipline commonly defined as the study of the distribution and determinants of disease and injury in human populations. This broad scope includes understanding the distribution, patterns and causes of adverse health outcomes as well as those associated with their control and prevention, and the complex interaction of factors that play a role in these processes. The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Public Health with a concentration in epidemiology is designed to prepare students for careers in health agencies; for consultation, especially in the public fields; for independent epidemiological research; and for academic careers in schools of public health and medicine. A concentration in epidemiology prepares students to advance the scientific understanding of health and disease with an emphasis on urban and marginalized populations.

The educational objectives of the epidemiology concentration are to provide knowledge on methods for determining the causes of disease and for evaluating health services, programs, and treatments; develop concepts and statistical skills to conduct, study, analyze, and monitor the distribution and determinants of disease and other outcome measures; apply basic methodological skills to analyze discrete problems in health; acquire critical thinking for problem-solving and developing research protocols; and use the problem-solving approach for collection, analysis, and synthesis of data.

Required Concentration Courses: 9 credit hours

• PH 9731 Epidemiologic Methods III
• PH 9741 Advanced Topics in Epidemiologic Methods
• PH 8830 Advanced Statistical Topics

Required Advanced Research Methods and Statistics Courses: 6 credit hours

Select at least 2 courses in consultation with the Faculty Advisor.

• PH 8885 Fundamentals of Clinical Trials
• PH 8890 Special Topics in Biostatistics
• STAT 8440 Survival Data Analysis
• STAT 8760 Sample Surveys
• EPRS 8830 Survey Research, Sampling Principles and Questionnaire Design
• EPRS 8840 Meta-Analysis
• EPRS8840 Meta-Analysis
• EPRS 9560 Structural Equation Modeling
• EPRS 9550 Multivariate Analysis

Other appropriate research methods/statistics courses may be approved by the Faculty Advisor on the Doctoral Program of Study form.

Required Ph.D. EPID Concentration Elective Courses: 12 credit hours

Select at least 4 courses in consultation with the Faculty Advisor.

• PH 7265 Epidemiology & the Prevention of Violence
• PH 7275 Chronic Disease Epidemiology
• PH 7280 Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• PH 7290 Case Studies in Epidemiology
• PH 7365 Epidemiology of Adolescent Risk Behaviors
• PH 8285 Social Determinants of Health
• PH 8790 Special Topics in Epidemiology

Other appropriate Ph.D. EPIP elective courses may be approved by the Faculty Advisor on the Doctoral Program of Study form.

The broad epidemiologic research areas within the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics are identification of the determinants of ill health and evaluation of interventions to improve health and reduce the burden of disease. Our aim is to conduct research which is methodologically novel and which provides reliable information for evidence-based decision making in public health. There is a strong emphasis on urban health issues and the translation of findings into program action and health policy.

Our faculty research interests are multidisciplinary. Currently research activities within the division includes, epidemiologic studies of tobacco control and global health, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome, substance use, violence and injury, HIV/AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases, and many urban-associated disorders.