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MS in Epidemiology
The MS in Epidemiology is an academic degree that prepares students for careers in research. It serves students new to public health as well as those currently working in the field who wish to gain the quantitative skills necessary to conduct population based research. The curriculum focuses on understanding theoretical issues and applying disciplinary methods to the study of public health problems. Coursework includes learning experiences in epidemiologic methods, biostatistics, data management, analysis and interpretation of findings in content areas such as chronic or infectious disease, reproductive, molecular or genetic epidemiology. Students learn study design and implementation, from developing protocols and instruments, to the selection and recruitment of subjects, data collection and quality control. These skills prepare graduates for engaging roles in research activities that impact public health planning, control and global disparities.
Program Competencies
- Define the concepts and contents of epidemiology.
- Formulate a research hypothesis.
- Determine study aim, objectives and appropriate study design to address the hypothesis.
- Identify risk and/or preventive factors that may contribute to outcomes and incorporate them into a research study.
- Use computers to collect, manage and analyze data for evaluation of hypotheses.
- Evaluate the use of questionnaires and measurement instruments in collection of data to maintain internal validity.
- Use existing databases to provide background or supportive data to address research questions.
- Analyze data, interpret the findings and prepare a report of study result.
- Perform ethical research.
Admission Requirements
Students applying to master's programs at SPHTM must meet the school's general admission requirements and submit materials per the application requirements.
Degree Program Requirements
In addition to the SPHTM academic standards, students in the MS in Epidemiology and those taking advanced epidemiology courses must demonstrate the following standards:
- All students must complete and earn a "B" or better in the prerequisite foundational course, SPHL 6060 Epidemiology for Public Health, before advancing to EPID 7120 Epidemiologic Methods II or other advanced epidemiology courses.
- Any Epidemiology student receiving a grade of "C" in any required course (including any foundation course) must repeat the course.
- Epidemiology students receiving a grade of "F" in any course may not continue in the MS program (unless special extenuating circumstances can be demonstrated.)
- To take an advanced epidemiology course, student must have a grade of "B" or better in any prerequisite courses.
The MS Degree in Epidemiology requires 42 credits that includes:
Epidemiology Course Requirements (18 credits)
- SPHL 6020 Foundations in Public Health (3)
- SPHL 6060 Epidemiology for Public Health (3)
- EPID 7120 Epidemiologic Methods II (3) EPID 7130 Observational Epidemiology (3)
- EPID 6230 Computer Packages for Epidemiology (2)
- EPID 7000 Departmental Seminar (1)
- EPID 7220 Analytic Epidemiology (3)
Advanced Methods Course Requirements (5-6 credits) selected from:
- EPID 6290 Genetic Epidemiology (3)
- EPID 6340 Clinical and Translational Research Methods (3)
- EPID 6420 Clinical Epidemiology (3)
- EPID 6500 Nutritional Epidemiology (3)
- EPID 6750 Outbreak Epidemiology (3)
- EPID 7160 Survey Methodology (3)
- EPID 7170 Clinical Trials: Design, Conduct and Analysis (3)
- EPID 7310 Meta-Analysis (3)
- EPID 7410 Pharmacoepidemiology (2)
Descriptive Epidemiology Course Requirements (6 credits) select from:
- EPID 6090 Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases (3)
- EPID 6210 Cancer Epidemiology (3)
- EPID 6220 Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology (3)
- EPID 6320 Molecular Epidemiology (3)
- EPID 6480 Reproductive Epidemiology (3)
- EPID 7210 Epidemiology of HIV/STIs (3)
- EPID 7810 Human Molecular Genetics (3)
Biostatistics Course Requirements (12 credits)
- SPHL 6050 Biostatistics for Public Health (3)
- BIOS 6040 Intermediate Biostatistics (3)
- BIOS 7060 Regression Analysis (3)
- BIOS 7150 Categorical Data Analysis (3)
Thesis
Students must successfully complete a thesis. The thesis is based on a supervised research project demonstrating scholarship in the area of epidemiology. The results will be presented orally and in writing and reviewed by two faculty members. The master’s thesis must be completed within a year of completion of the required courses. It should be an academic investigation suitable for publishing.
Degree Program Requirements (entry prior to Fall 2018)
Students achieve grounding in public health through their course work in epidemiology, the basic science of public health. The MS in Epidemiology requires 42 credits.
Epidemiology Required Courses (15 credits)
- EPID 6030 Epidemiological Methods 1 (3)
- EPID 7120 Epidemiologic Methods II (3)
- EPID 7130 Observational Epidemiology (3)
- EPID 6230 Computer Packages for Epidemiology (2)
- EPID 7000 Departmental Seminar (1)
- EPID 7220 Analytic Epidemiology (3)
Advanced Methods Requirements (5-6 credits) selected from:
- EPID 6290 Genetic Epidemiology (3)
- EPID 6340 Clinical and Translational Research Methods (3)
- EPID 6420 Clinical Epidemiology (3)
- EPID 6500 Nutritional Epidemiology (3)
- EPID 6750 Outbreak Epidemiology (3)
- EPID 7160 Survey Methodology (3)
- EPID 7170 Clinical Trials: Design, Conduct and Analysis (3)
- EPID 7310 Meta-Analysis (3)
- EPID 7410 Pharmacoepidemiology (2)
Descriptive Epidemiology Requirements (6 credits) select from:
- EPID 6210 Cancer Epidemiology (3)
- EPID 6220 Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology (3)
- EPID 6320 Molecular Epidemiology (3)
- EPID 6480 Reproduction Epidemiology (3)
- EPID 7090 Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases (3)
- EPID 7210 Epidemiology of HIV/STIs (3)
- EPID 7810 Human Molecular Genetics (3)
Biostatistics Required Courses (12 credits)
- BIOS 6030 Introductory Biostatistics (3)
- BIOS 6040 Intermediate Biostatistics (3)
- BIOS 7060 Regression Analysis (3)
- BIOS 7150 Categorical Data Analysis (3)
Elective courses (3-4 credits)
Selected in consultation with an academic advisor. Selected from courses offered within the department, school, or university in consultation with an academic advisor.
Grounding in Public Health
- BIOS 6030 Introduction Biostatistics (3)
- EPID 6030 Epidemiologic Methods (3)
- EPID 7000 Departmental Seminar (0-1)
Research Experience
EPID 9910 (0): Master of Science Research Experience
Thesis
EPID 9980 (0): MS students must successfully complete a research thesis that demonstrates an ability to interpret current literature and conduct epidemiologic research and analysis.
Academic Performance
Students in the MS in Epidemiology and those taking advanced epidemiology courses must demonstrate the following performance standards:
- All students must complete and earn a "B" or better in the prerequisite EPID 6030 Epidemiologic Methods I before advancing to EPID 7120 Epidemiologic Methods II or other advanced epidemiology courses.
- Any Epidemiology student receiving a grade of "C" in any required course (including any core course) must repeat the course.
- Epidemiology students receiving a grade of "F" in any course will be dismissed from the program, unless special extenuating circumstances can be demonstrated.
- Can only register for courses in an advanced epidemiology if they have a grade of "B" or better in any prerequisite courses.
Contact Us
Department Chair: Jiang He, MD, PhD
Program Director: Tanika Kelly, PhD
Department Administrator: Therese Carter
Email: epi@tulane.edu
Phone: (504) 988-6809
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