Public Health was defined by C-E.A. Winslow as the science and the art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting physical health and efficiency through organized community efforts with the goal of enabling every citizen to realize his/her birthright of health and longevity.
The disciplines of epidemiology and biostatistics are essential to achieving the goals of public health, and combining these two disciplines in a single department creates synergies for both training and research. Epidemiologists study the distribution and determinants of health and disease in populations. Biostatisticians develop and apply statistical theory, methods and techniques to public health research data and the planning, implementation and evaluation of public health programs. Given the strong overlap, epidemiologists and biostatisticians often collaborate to work toward the shared goal of generating and analyzing data to advance the public’s health.
Within the department, the degree programs are administered under two separate streams, the Division of Epidemiology and Division of Biostatistics.
Find out more about the department and what we offer in our welcome from the Chair.
We offer eight advanced degrees in epidemiology and biostatistics. Each graduate degree has specific application deadlines and requirements.
SmartState Endowed Chair Jamie Lead (ENHS; CENR) and Distinguished Professor Emeritus Steven Blair (Epidemiology and Biostatistics; EXSC) have once again been included in the Clarivate Analytics’ Highly Cited Researchers List.
Alyssa Clay-Gilmour joined the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics on the Arnold School’s satellite campus in Greenville, and her work aims to understand the underlying genetic and environmental risk factors contributing to cancer susceptibility.
Monique Brown has won a four-year, $615K K01 Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award from the National Institute of Mental Health. She will use the funding to advance her research expertise through various trainings while conducting an HIV-related study.
In the past few years the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics has made significant strides in growing its expertise in infectious disease epidemiology. The School’s efforts to increase its contributions to this perpetually relevant field are reflected by the department’s recruitment of faculty experts.
Cassie Odahowski is committed to passing on what she's learned in UofSC's Ph.D. in Epidemiology program. Following her August graduation, the rural health researcher began her new role as an assistant professor of health sciences at the University of Central Florida.