Infectious Disease Epidemiology – Public Health (2024)

Infectious disease epidemiology is the study of how and why infectious diseases emerge and spread among different populations, and what strategies can prevent or contain the spread of disease at the population level. Students in our Infectious Disease Epidemiology concentration study the biology of viral, bacterial, and parasitic agents, as well as the arthropod vectors that can carry and transmit diseases, such as ticks and mosquitoes. Our students also learn statistical methods to analyze data and explore disease transmission systems, and evidence-based approaches to preventing or containing disease transmission.

Our students recognize that humans, plants, animals, and non-living parts of the environment such as climate and water, are inseparable when exploring infectious disease epidemiology. This One Health approach prepares our graduates to address challenges from an ecological perspective, understanding that preventing the spread of disease from animals to human populations requires preserving natural resources and investing in the health of ecosystems.

• Integrate the general principles of infectious disease epidemiology and biology to explain infectious disease events and programs
• Critically assess different epidemiological and statistical methodologies and assessment techniques used in infectious disease events, research, and programs
• Interpret how different environmental and socioeconomic systems impact infectious disease epidemiology
• Compare and contrast infectious disease prevention and control strategies and systems
• Critique methods of infectious disease diagnostics and detection systems

This course will introduce and illustrate advanced epidemiologic concepts, study designs, and statistical methods commonly used in the analysis of epidemiologic data.

By the end of the course, students will be able to properly apply and interpret linear regression, logistic regression, Poisson regression, survival analysis, cluster analysis, and infectious disease modeling for a variety epidemiologic data and associated assessments.

Graduates of the Infectious Disease Epidemiology concentration build careers as epidemiologists, biostatisticians, consultants, analysts, project managers, and more. Some of our graduates help to tackle infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and tuberculosis, while some use their skills to address other complex public health, clinical, and healthcare problems.

In the US, our alumni take on roles with government agencies and research centers at local, state, and federal levels, including the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, NASA’s Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health Program, the Texas Department of State Health Services, and Weill Cornell Medicine Center for Global Health. Others work in healthcare consulting with companies such as Deloitte and Boston Healthcare Associates.

Infectious Disease Epidemiology graduates also work for corporations and NGOs around the world, applying a range of public health skills from systems thinking to cultural competence in roles such as Health Equity Analyst for an international stock brokerage firm, Project Manager for an African start-up company focused on food security, and Health Officer for the International Federation of Red Cross in East Asia.

While most of our graduates immediately enter the workforce, approximately 25% go on to pursue additional degrees, such as an MD or PhD in Epidemiology.