Master of Public Health

Epidemiology Concentration

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Epidemiology Department MPH Program Handbook

This Handbook is intended to give an overview of the MPH Epidemiology Concentration at Brown University’s School of Public Health.

Epidemiology Concentration

The study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states and events (not just diseases) in specified populations, and the application of this study to the control of health problems.

The mission of the MPH Epidemiology concentration is to prepare students for professions aimed at reducing disease burden and disparities through a strong background in epidemiology methods. Students taking an MPH in Epidemiology can opt for a Causal Inference or Applied Epidemiology Sub-concentration. 

The Causal Inference Sub-concentration is targeted towards experienced MPH students who are strongly interested in causal methods, academic research, and pursuing a Ph.D. in this area post-graduation. Students are expected to have experience with health research, biostatistics, or epidemiology and will be in courses with Ph.D. students. Mathematical notation will be used, and students should be familiar with concepts such as probability notation and cross-multiplication of fractions. Key course topics include effect modification and directed-acyclic graphs.

The Applied Epidemiology Sub-concentration aims to provide students with a strong foundation in epidemiological methods and rigorous training in applied skills to become public health leaders. It is targeted towards students planning a career in applied epidemiology (i.e., as a public health practitioner), but will also prepare students for academic research and Ph.D. programs in this area. Students will be taught to be critical users and producers of epidemiological research. Key course topics include public health interventions and surveillance systems.

Please consult the Epidemiology Department MPH Program Handbook or contact the MPH Epidemiology Concentration Lead if you are unclear about which Sub-concentration is right for you.

Program Snapshot

In addition to the standard MPH Program competencies, students in the Epidemiology concentration will meet the following competencies:

  1. Write an original research paper based on an epidemiologic research question formulated to help fill the gaps in a given substantive area. (PHP2260)
  2. Evaluate strengths and weaknesses of study designs commonly used in epidemiologic research for answering epidemiologic research questions. (PHP2140, PHP2200)
  3. Use causal diagrams to identify threats to study validity and approaches to minimize such threats. (PHP2140, PHP2200)
  4. Develop and implement the most appropriate analysis plan to analyze data to answer a specific epidemiologic research question. (PHP2200, PHP2210)
  5. Evaluate scientific evidence regarding a specific epidemiologic research question. (PHP2180)
  6. Justify the design and analysis for their own epidemiologic study. (PHP2260)
  7. Write and present the findings and implications of their own epidemiologic study. (PHP2260)
  8. Select the most appropriate epidemiologic study design that can be used to answer a specific epidemiologic research question. (PHP2140, PHP2200)

Students in the Epidemiology Concentration must fulfill the following non-credit activities:

  1. Online course offered by the SAS Institute, SAS Programming 1: Essentials (by end of first fall)
  2. Online course offered by the SAS Institute - SAS Programming 2: Data Management (by end of first year)
  3. Epidemiology Concentration Luncheons or Workshops (each semester)

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Core Courses

Complete one of the following Epidemiology Methods Core sequences:

A. Causal Inference Sub-concentration

  • PHP2150: Foundations in Modern Epidemiologic Methods (Fall)
  • PHP2200: Intermediate Methods in Epidemiologic Research (Spring)

B. Applied Epidemiology Sub-concentration

  • PHP2140: Principles of Applied Epidemiology
    (Fall)
  • PHP2210: Surveillance Methods for Applied Epidemiology (Spring)

Note: If a student completes 2120 or 2140 before deciding on their Concentration, the student must meet with the Epidemiology Concentration Lead, the MPH Program Director, and relevant instructors if they wish to switch between Sub-concentrations or undertake the Epidemiology Concentration. Based on an assessment of the student’s background, prior coursework and performance, knowledge base, and other Department of Epidemiology requirements, 2120 may be able to substitute for 2140 and 2140 may be able to substitute for 2150.

Complete all of the following Epidemiology Concentration Core courses:

  • PHP2260: Applied Epidemiologic Data Analysis (Fall)
  • PHP2180: Interpretation and Application of Epidemiology (Spring)

Complete one of the following Biostatistics and Applied Data Analysis Core sequences:

Sequence 1:

  • PHP2507: Biostatistics & Applied Data Analysis I
    (Fall)
  • PHP2508: Biostatistics & Applied Data Analysis II
    (Spring)

Sequence 2:

  • PHP2510: Principles of Biostatistics and Data Analysis
    (Fall)
  • PHP2511: Introduction to Applied Regression Analysis
    (Spring)

Note: PHP 2510 and 2511 have specific prerequisites set by the Biostatistics Department: students are required to have completed at least two college-level mathematics or statistics courses including at least one calculus course. Courses on algebra, trigonometry, or pre-calculus do not count towards this requirement.

If a student completes 2506 or 2507 before deciding on their data analysis sequence, the student must meet with the Epidemiology Concentration Lead, the MPH Program Director, and relevant course instructors if they wish to move to a different data analysis sequence. Based on an assessment of the student’s background, prior coursework and performance, knowledge base, and other requirements, 2506 may be able to substitute for 2507 and 2507 may be able to substitute for 2510.

Complete one of the following Epidemiology methods courses:

  • PHP1855: Infectious Disease Modeling
  • PHP1895: Mindfulness Epidemiology**
  • PHP2015: Foundations of Spatial Analysis in Public Health
  • PHP2030: Clinical Trials Methodology
  • PHP2040: Survey Research Methods
  • PHP2060: Qualitative Methods in Health Research
  • PHP2200: Intermediate Methods in Epidemiologic Research*
  • PHP2210: Surveillance Methods for Applied Epidemiology*
  • PHP2220B: Nutritional Epidemiology**
  • PHP2232: Contemporary History of Epidemiologic Methods
  • PHP2250: Advanced Quantitative Methods in Epidemiologic Research
  • PHP2415: Introduction to Evidence-Based Medicine
  • PHP2455A: Health Services Research Methods I
  • PHP2455B: Health Services Research Methods II
  • PHP2465A: Introduction to Health Decision Analysis
  • PHP2490: Methods in Pharmacoepidemiology
  • PHP2516: Applied Longitudinal Data Analysis*** (1/2 credit)
  • PHP2517: Applied Multilevel Data Analysis*** (1/2 credit)
  • PHP2520: Statistical Inference I
  • PHP2530: Bayesian Statistical Methods
  • PHP2580: Statistical Inference II
  • PHP2602: Analysis of Lifetime Data
  • PHP2610: Causal Inference and Missing Data
  • PHP2620: Statistical Methods in Bioinformatics I
  • PHP2670: Simulation Models for Public Health

Note: some courses may only be offered every other year.

It is highly recommended to complete one of the following Epidemiology substantive area courses:

  • PHP1670: Public Mental Health: A Framework for Studying and Preventing Mental Disorders
  • PHP1700: Current Topics in Environmental Health
  • PHP1854: Infectious Disease Epidemiology
  • PHP1895: Mindfulness Epidemiology**
  • PHP1900: Epidemiology of Disorders and Diseases of Childhood and Young
  • PHP1920: Social Determinants of Health
  • PHP1964: Cancer Epidemiology
  • PHP2018: Epidemiology of Cardio-Metabolic Health
  • PHP2130: Human Biology for Public Health
  • PHP2220B: Nutritional Epidemiology**
  • PHP2220F: Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiology
  • PHP2220H: The Epidemiology: Treatment and Prevention of HIV
  • PHP2220E: Topics in Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology
  • PHP2440: Introduction to Pharmacoepidemiology

Note: some courses may only be offered every other year.

Sample schedules

Epidemiology Integrated Learning Experience (ILE)

Students are required to complete either a thesis or a capstone course for the ILE.

Students in the Epidemiology concentration must complete their ILE (thesis or capstone) project on an appropriate Epidemiology topic. Please consult the Epidemiology Department MPH Program Handbook for more information on the thesis process for Epidemiology Concentration students.

Faculty

Epidemiology Concentration Lead

Centers and Institutes

Research Centers and Institutes with Epidemiology Research Activities

International Health Institute

We develop, promote, and coordinate the international health activities of Brown University faculty and students committed to global community engagement

Mindfulness Center

The Mindfulness Center at Brown University is a leading institution worldwide for research and teaching in the public health science of mindfulness.

The Pandemic Center

The Pandemic Center works to reduce vulnerabilities and increase resilience to pandemics, other biological emergencies, and the harms they pose to health, peace, security, and prosperity. The Pandemic Center is an independent and credible voice for positive disruption.

Survey Research Center

Dedicated to conducting high-quality survey research in partnerships with universities, hospitals, government agencies, and non-profit organizations

Epidemiology Department MPH Program Handbook

This Handbook is intended to give an overview of the MPH Epidemiology Concentration at Brown University’s School of Public Health.