Program Overview

Introduction to the MPH in Epidemiology and Biostatistics

The Master of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology and Biostatistics is a comprehensive program designed to equip students with the skills necessary to design and conduct population health studies, and apply research findings to improve the health of urban populations. This program consists of two tracks: Epidemiology and Biostatistics.

Program Tracks

Epidemiology Track

The Epidemiology track focuses on teaching students to understand the principles, methods, strengths, and limitations of epidemiologic study designs. Students learn to collaborate on applied population health research, interpret epidemiologic findings, and effectively communicate research and findings to both lay and professional audiences. Furthermore, they apply these findings to the development of evidence-based interventions aimed at improving population health.

Biostatistics Track

The Biostatistics track provides students with an awareness and basic understanding of advanced statistical methods. Students learn to apply core and intermediate-level statistical methods to public health endeavors, including data management, statistical analysis, interpretation, and presentation of analytical results using computing technology.

Competencies

• Biostatistics Track:
  • Describe assumptions, procedures, strengths, and limitations of statistical methods used in public health research.
  • Select statistical methods suitable for different purposes of analysis and different types of data.
  • Apply statistical methods correctly in public health research.
  • Use information technology and computer software effectively for collection, management, analysis, and presentation of public health data.
  • Accurately describe computer outputs of those analyses and appropriately interpret the statistical results.
  • Write scientific reports of statistical analyses correctly with tables and figures.
  • Orally present statistical findings clearly and effectively.
  • Summarize correctly and critically evaluate statistical analyses in published literature.
• Epidemiology Track:
  • Identify key sources of data for epidemiologic purposes.
  • Use measures of disease frequency and association to describe the distribution and determinants of disease, and characterize statistical uncertainty around such estimates.
  • Critically read and evaluate the strengths and limitations of epidemiologic literature from a methodological perspective.
  • Select epidemiologic study designs, data collection techniques, and analytic approaches suitable for different scientific inquiries.
  • Identify key threats to validity (internal and external) within and across epidemiologic studies.
  • Use statistical software to collect, retrieve, analyze, and summarize epidemiologic data.

Curriculum

Core Coursework (15 credits)

• BIOS 610: Fundamentals of Biostatistics
• EPID 610: Fundamentals of Epidemiology
• EOHS 610: Fundamentals of Environmental Health
• CHSS 610: Fundamentals of Social & Behavioral Health
• HPAM 610: Fundamentals of Health Policy & Management

Required Coursework (15 credits)

• BIOS 620: Applied Biostatistics I
• BIOS 621: Applied Biostatistics II
• EPID 620: Epidemiologic Methods I
• EPID 621: Epidemiologic Methods II
• EPID 622: Applied Research: Data Management and Analysis

Elective Coursework (9 credits)

Students choose three electives in consultation with their academic advisor.

Practice Experience (3 credits)

• PUBH 696: Supervised Fieldwork

Culminating Experience (3 credits)

• PUBH 698: Capstone Project

Total Credits Required for MPH

The total credits required to complete the MPH in Epidemiology and Biostatistics program is 45 credits. Graduates of both tracks are employed in government and private health agencies, industry, and research institutions.