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.
Director:
Dr. Robert Moran, Graduate Director for Biostatistics
Directors:
Directors:
Delores Marie ("Marie") Thomas only had four years at USC, first as part of the COVID-19 testing group and then as a member of Melissa Nolan's infectious disease laboratory, yet her impact touched every one of the faculty, staff, students and community members she interacted with.
During her five years at the Arnold School, Ye most remembers the inspiring mentors – one of whom once juggled stuffed animals to bring statistical concepts to life.
Manufactured chemicals and medications can impact maternal and child health well beyond pregnancy, and Pengfei Guo is using environmental and perinatal epidemiology to better understand and mitigate these impacts.
Entomology Today features the career path of Katherine Brown, a professional dancer who was inspired by the pandemic to pursue an MPH in Epidemiology at the Arnold School. Now she's the tick surveillance manager for the Nolan Lab.
Harris Pastides is most often associated with his 11-year tenure as USC President, but few keep it top of mind how his five years as dean of the Arnold School were incredibly impactful for both the school and Pastides' own career.
The Duke Endowment has awarded $650,000 to epidemiology professor Jihong Liu to continue developing a new program designed to protect the health of pregnant and postpartum women in South Carolina.