Master of Public Health

Epidemiology Concentration

Breadcrumb

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 may opt to take an MPH in Epidemiology or an MPH in Epidemiology with an Applied Epidemiology Sub-concentration. 

The MPH in Epidemiology program is targeted towards experienced MPH students who are strongly interested in pursuing a PhD or academic research. Students are expected to have previous experience with health research, biostatistics, or epidemiology and will be in courses with PhD-level students. Mathematical notation will be used, and students should be familiar with concepts such as probability notation and cross-multiplication of fractions.

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. This Sub-concentration is suitable for students planning a career in applied epidemiology (i.e., as a public health practitioner). Students will be prepared to be critical consumers, users, and producers of epidemiological research appropriate for a master’s level. 

Please consult the Epidemiology Department Graduate Program Handbook or reach out to the MPH Epidemiology Concentration Lead if you are unclear about which course sequence is right for you.

Program Snapshot

Students who earn an MPH in Brown with a concentration in Epidemiology should be able to do the following:

  • Write an original research paper based on an epidemiologic research question formulated to help fill the gaps in a given substantive area.
  • Evaluate strengths and weaknesses of study designs commonly used in epidemiologic research for answering epidemiologic research questions.
  • Use causal diagrams to identify threats to study validity and approaches to minimize such threats.
  • Develop and implement the most appropriate analysis plan to analyze data to answer a specific epidemiologic research question.
  • Evaluate scientific evidence regarding a specific epidemiologic research question.
  • Justify the design and analysis for their own epidemiologic study.
  • Write and present the findings and implications of their own epidemiologic study.
  • Select the most appropriate epidemiologic study design that can be used to answer a specific epidemiologic research question.

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

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

Modeling risk behavior and transmission

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Courses

Epidemiology Concentration Core Courses

All MPH students complete PHP2355, PHP2071 and PHP2072 (see core requirements page). Students in the Epidemiology Concentration should complete the following courses for the Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Applied Data Analysis core requirements.

  • PHP2150, Foundations in Epidemiologic Research Methods ​(Fall)
  • PHP2510, Principles of Biostatistics and Data Analysis (Fall)
  • PHP2511, Introduction to Applied Regression Analysis (Spring)

Epidemiology Concentration Courses

  • PHP2200, Intermediate Methods in Epidemiologic Research (Spring)
  • PHP2260, Applied Epidemiologic Data Analysis (Fall)
  • PHP2180, Interpretation and Application of Epidemiology (Spring)

Applied Epidemiology Sub-Concentration Core Courses

All MPH students complete PHP2355, PHP2071 and PHP2072 (see core requirements page). Students in the Applied Epidemiology Sub-Concentration should complete the following courses for the Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Applied Data Analysis core requirements.

  • PHP2140, Principles of Applied Epidemiology (Fall)
  • PHP2507, Biostatistics & Applied Data Analysis I (Fall)
  • PHP2508, Biostatistics & Applied Data Analysis II (Spring)

Applied Epidemiology Sub-Concentration Courses

  • PHP2210, Surveillance Methods for Applied Epidemiology (Spring)
  • PHP2260, Applied Epidemiologic Data Analysis (Fall)
  • PHP2180, Interpretation and Application of Epidemiology (Spring)

If a student completes 2120 or 2140 or 2507 and 2508 before fully 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 Epidemiology Sub-concentrations or undertake an Epidemiology Concentration. Based on an assessment of the student’s background, prior coursework and performance, knowledge base, and other Department of Epidemiology requirements, 2120 or 2140 or 2507 and 2508 may be able to substitute for 2150 or 2510 and 2511 respectively.

Methods Courses for Epidemiology Concentration and Applied Epidemiology Sub-Concentration

Complete one of the following methods courses:

  • PHP1895, Mindfulness Epidemiology** (Spring)
  • PHP2015, Foundations in Spatial Analysis in Public Health (Fall)
  • PHP2030, Clinical Trials Methodology (Spring)
  • PHP2040, Survey Research Methods (Spring)
  • PHP2200, Intermediate Methods in Epidemiologic Research* (Spring)
  • PHP 2210, Surveillance Methods for Applied Epidemiology* (Spring)
  • PHP2220B, Nutritional Epidemiology** (Fall)
  • PHP2250, Advanced Quantitative Methods in Epidemiologic Research (Fall)
  • PHP 2415, Introduction to Evidence-based Medicine (Spring)
  • PHP2455A, Health Services Research Methods I (Fall)
  • PHP2455B, Health Services Research Methods II (Spring)
  • PHP2465A, Introduction to Health Decision Analysis (Fall)
  • PHP 2490, Methods in Pharmacoepidemiology (Fall)
  • PHP2516, Applied Longitudinal Data Analysis, and PHP2517, Applied Multilevel Data Analysis (Both half-credit courses must be taken to count as the methods requirement) (Spring)
  • PHP2520, Statistical Inference I (Fall)
  • PHP2530, Bayesian Statistical Methods (Spring)
  • PHP2580, Statistical Inference II (Spring) *requires PHP2520
  • PHP2602, Analysis of Lifetime Data (Spring)
  • PHP2610, Causal Inference and Missing Data (Fall)
  • PHP2620, Statistical Methods in Bioinformatics I
  • PHP2670, Simulation Models for Public Health (spring) *requires PHP2510 and PHP2511

Note: Some courses may be offered every other year

Substantive Area Courses for Epidemiology Concentration and Applied Epidemiology Sub-Concentration

Complete one of the following courses:

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

*Only if not taken as a required course, it cannot count towards both.

**Can be used as either a substantive or methods course but cannot count towards both. 

Sample schedules (PDF)

Epidemiology Thesis

All in person students are required to complete a thesis.

Students in the Epidemiology Concentration must complete their thesis focused on epidemiology with an advisor approved by the Epidemiology Concentration Lead. Please consult the Epidemiology Department Graduate 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