What is Epidemiology? Epidemiology is the study of how often diseases occur in different groups of people and why. Epidemiological information is used to plan and evaluate strategies to prevent illness and as a guide to the management of patients in whom disease has already developed. Like the clinical findings and pathology, the epidemiology of a disease is an integral part of its basic description. The subject has specific techniques of data collection and interpretation that translate into procedure with a solid foundation as a basic science for public health.
Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health and disease. It is a basic science to clinical medicine, public health, and health services research. Our graduate programs have been offered since the 1960’s and are known for their strong quantitative and methodological content, as applied to a variety of health areas. We offer education and research training in the etiology, management and prevention of diseases, and the promotion of health. Areas of existing strength include clinical epidemiology, pharmacoepidemiology, cancer, cardiovascular, respiratory, perinatal, environmental, and occupational epidemiology; clinical trials, health services research. Newly emerging areas of expertise include social epidemiology, public and population health, infectious diseases, neuroepidemiology, psychiatric epidemiology, global health, clinical and health research informatics, genetic, and molecular epidemiology.
Graduates with a Master’s degree will be qualified for positions as research associates in industry, government and academic research institutes, and in other agencies and organizations where competencies in study design, research project management, data analysis, and knowledge translation are highly sought after.
The doctoral program is aimed at those who seek positions as independent epidemiological investigators and scientific collaborators in academia, in public and private agencies, as well as health care institutions. Additionally, a main part of the mandate is to train the next generation of epidemiologists.