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Arnold School of Public Health

  • Epidemiology and Biostatistics faculty members posing

Epidemiology and Biostatistics

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.

Degrees Offered

We offer eight advanced degrees in epidemiology and biostatistics. Each graduate degree has specific application deadlines and requirements.

Directors:

 

Epidemiology and Biostatistics News

Xiaowen Sun

I Am Public Health: Xiaowen Sun

Ph.D. in Biostatistics candidate Xiaowen Sun entered the field because she was passionate about using statistical methods to solve real-world problems. She's particularly interested in using machine and deep learning to improve medical research and public health through data analysis.

Anwar Merchant

Anwar Merchant selected as Fulbright Scholar

Epidemiology professor Anwar Merchant has received a Fulbright Scholar Award from the U.S. Department of State to help build capacity for public health research in Pakistan by mentoring/training early-career researchers. 

Tara Sabo-Attwood

Tara Sabo-Attwood returns to USC as new dean for the Arnold School of Public Health

Donna Arnett, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, is pleased to announce the selection of a highly accomplished public health leader, Tara Sabo-Attwood, as the new dean beginning August 1. 

ACE Awards

2024 Access & Collective Engagement Awards announced

These awards are designed to recognize alumni, faculty, staff and students who have made exceptional contributions to advancing access and collective engagement.

Melissa Nolan

Faculty Award Winners recognized at annual Hooding Ceremony

The Arnold School is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Faculty Awards: James A. Keith Excellence in Teaching Award (Sheri Silfies), Faculty Research Award (Melissa Nolan), and Faculty Service Award (Toni Torres-McGehee).

Paige Jones

May graduate preps for career in psychiatric epidemiology

M.S. in Epidemiology student Paige Jones believes that her coursework and work experiences have prepared her for positions in a research lab, health department or hospital settings.

Rajat Das Gupta

Top graduate student award winners announced

The top master's and doctoral students were honored at the annual Hooding Ceremony. Brandi Daves (M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology) received the Jeffrey Keith Mattison Award, and Rajat Das Gupta (Ph.D. in Epidemiology) won the Doctoral Achievement Award.

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