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:
When long-time health promotion, education, and behavior professor Daniela Friedman officially took on the Arnold School's Associate Dean for Research position in 2025, the role came with an extended title and a pioneering charge rarely seen in academic units.
Graduate school has taught Naomi Higgins what type of epidemiologist she wants to be - someone who works in the field or a lab rather than purely crunching numbers behind a desk.
The Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics is proud to announce the recipients of their 2026 Student Awards. These students were selected for their outstanding performance both academically and outside the classroom.
SCBiz recently recognized the state's highest achieving women from across South Carolina and an array of fields for their impact in the areas of leadership, community service and mentorship.
Ten of the 41 2025-2026 Support to Promote Advancement of Research and Creativity (SPARC) Graduate Research Grants from the USC Office of the Vice President for Research have been awarded to Arnold School graduate students.
20/20 Biolabs Inc. will commercialize a patented technology developed by James Hébert, Health Sciences Distinguished Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, to assess health risks from rising levels of prostate-specific antigen.