BSPH in Epidemiology

Improve Population Health with Epidemiology

Do you want to help find and address serious health disparities that influence not just one person, but entire populations? Does focusing more on preventing sickness than on treating sickness sound interesting to you? Earn your Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) in Epidemiology.

Epidemiology, the science of public and population health, is a field of disease detectives who conduct studies to better understand the health status of populations. Epidemiology studies describe the occurrence of disease in communities–who, what, when, where–and determine how and why disease occurs. The findings of these studies are then used to control and prevent disease and protect and improve the public’s health.

Epidemiologists study all health phenomena, such as infectious diseases, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, maternal and child health, substance abuse, and injuries. They also work with policy makers, clinicians, and other health professionals to eliminate health disparities and improve health equity locally, nationally, and globally.

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Curriculum

The BSPH in Epidemiology teaches you to identify, understand, control, and prevent diseases in populations. Complete either the BSPH or pursue an accelerated 4+1 BSPH–MPH in five years.

Pre-Professional Curriculum

The pre-professional BSPH in Epidemiology combines the STEM coursework required for many professional schools, including medicine, dentistry, and veterinary sciences with the foundations of public health and epidemiological methods. Complete either the BSPH or pursue an accelerated 4+1 BSPH–MPH in five years.

Faculty

The Department of Epidemiology is comprised of highly effective researchers, educators and practitioners to meet the educational needs of our students. You will learn and work closely with renowned, award-winning faculty who have expertise in various types of epidemiology, including cancer prevention, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease, clinical, infectious disease, injury, genetic and molecular, nutritional, pharmacoepidemiology, and public health informatics.  

Epidemiology Faculty

Competencies

A BSPH in epidemiology prepares students to enter the public health field as an entry-level epidemiologist responsible for carrying out a range of investigative and analytical epidemiologic activities related to the surveillance, detection, and prevention of diseases and injuries. Entry-level epidemiologists often work under the direction of a Senior Epidemiologist, conducting routine epidemiologic functions comprising surveillance, data collection, data analysis using basic epidemiologic methods, and assistance with epidemiologic investigations. This degree also provides excellent preparation for completing a Master of Public Health program. After completing the BSPH in epidemiology, students will be able to:

  1. Assist in design of epidemiologic investigations and studies, including creating hypotheses and analysis plans
  2. Apply descriptive and analytic epidemiologic methods to recognize public health problems pertinent to the population
  3. Analyze data, summarize results, and draw conclusions from an epidemiologic investigation
  4. Collaborate with others inside and outside the agency to identify and address public health problems
  5. Identify public health surveillance data needs and support the evaluation of surveillance systems
  6. Use identified informatics tools in support of epidemiologic practice
  7. Develop an understanding of the social and behavioral determinants of health
  8. Apply understanding of complex biological, environmental, and behavioral disease risk factors to determine potential mechanisms of disease
  9. Assist in developing recommended evidence-based interventions and control measures in response to epidemiologic findings with appropriate cultural, social, and political frameworks
  10. Prepare written and oral reports and presentations that communicate necessary information to professionals and the general public
  11. Follow ethical, privacy, and confidentiality guidelines and principles when planning studies; conducting research; and collecting, disseminating, and using data

Students will also have opportunities to develop research skills, team work and leadership skills, and have international health experiences through additional coursework and practical opportunities.