Our program offers a curricular track directed toward acquiring proficiency in both biostatistics and epidemiology. Training emphasizes the development of skills applicable to the study of the occurrence and distribution of disease, focusing on determining the impact and magnitude of disease frequency so that effective control measures can be designed. Areas of study include the investigation of the natural history and clinical course of disease, as well as the study of statistical methods used to identify and evaluate risk factors associated with disease outcomes.
Curriculum
Our two-year program’s course of study consists of 48 units. While generally devoting a substantial portion of course hours to topics in epidemiology and biostatistics, students have the opportunity to take additional courses in areas of interest to them and/or courses needed for their research.
The required capstone is a master’s research paper and presentation.
Qualifications
- Applicants have completed undergraduate course work in the biological, social or math sciences.
- Common undergraduate majors for admitted applicants: Health, biological, natural, social and cognitive sciences.
- Common work experience for admitted applicants: Volunteer work in public health, research assistants or lab technicians.
- GRE scores are optional for the fall 2023 admissions cycle. We recommend submitting a GRE if you have no other evidence of quantitative, verbal, or analytical abilities in your application.
Employment
Graduates are qualified for positions in federal, state and local health departments, as well as positions in academic research and in the private medical and health care fields. Some graduates decide to pursue doctoral studies in epidemiology or biostatistics.
Admissions Statistics
Bethany Lee
MPH ’19
I came here so I could learn the epidemiologic tools to carry out rigorous research and analyze the effects of policy on health. Not only did my time at Berkeley equip me with these skills and more, but it also solidified my passion to work in the intersection of research and policy.
Andrea Seet
BA ’18, MPH ’20
Berkeley's Epidemiology/Biostatistics MPH takes in around 22-25 students and I have learned firsthand that working with this smaller cohort has been a wonderful aspect of the program. You have the opportunity to learn with driven individuals who each have their own specific career interests and are amazing people to collaborate and work with in classes.
Gene Ho
MPH ’20
Seeing the health disparities in Laos made me realize the potential in public health, and that there is a lot of work that needs to be done globally to address these issues and health inequities. I want to be part of that change.
Epidemiology/Biostatistics Faculty
Core Faculty

Mahasin Mujahid PhD, MS, FAHA
Chair, Epidemiology Division

Jennifer Ahern, PhD, MPH
Professor, Epidemiology

Laura B. Balzer, PhD, MPhil
Associate Professor, Biostatistics

Lisa F. Barcellos PhD, MPH
Professor, Epidemiology

Michael Bates, PhD
Research Professor, Emeritus, Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences

Patrick Bradshaw PhD
Associate Professor, Epidemiology

John Colford Jr. MD, PhD, MPH
Professor, Epidemiology

Brenda Eskenazi MA, PhD
Professor Emeritus

Rohini J. Haar MD, MPH
Assistant Adjunct Professor, Epidemiology

Alan Hubbard PhD
Chair, Biostatistics Division

Mi-Suk Kang Dufour PhD, MPH
Associate Adjunct Professor, Biostatistics

Joseph Lewnard, PhD
Associate Professor, Epidemiology

John Marshall PhD
Professor in Residence, Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Sandra McCoy PhD, MPH
Professor in Residence, Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Catherine Metayer MD, PhD
Adjunct Professor, Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Maya Petersen MD, PhD
Professor, Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Arthur Reingold, MD
Professor, Epidemiology

Corinne Riddell PhD, MSc
Assistant Adjunct Professor, Biostatistics

Sharon K. Sagiv PhD, MPH
Associate Adjunct Professor, Epidemiology

Alejandro Schuler, PhD
Assistant Professor in Residence, Division of Biostatistics
Affiliated Faculty

John Balmes MD
Professor Emeritus (UCSF), Environmental Health Sciences

Sandrine Dudoit PhD
Associate Dean for the Faculty and Research, Division of Computing, Data Science, and Society

Ellen Eisen ScD
Professor in Residence, Environmental Health Sciences

Lia Fernald PhD, MBA
Brian and Jennifer Maxwell Endowed Professor in Public Health, Community Health Sciences

Rohini J. Haar MD, MPH
Assistant Adjunct Professor, Epidemiology

Kim Harley, PhD
Associate Adjunct Professor, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health

William Jagust MD
Professor, Public Health and Neuroscience

Barbara Laraia PhD, MPH, RD
Professor, Community Health Sciences

Emily J. Ozer PhD
Professor, Community Health Sciences

Lee Riley, MD
Professor (1996–2022), Epidemiology; Infectious Diseases

Mark van der Laan PhD
Professor, Biostatistics and Statistics
Adjunct Faculty
Emeriti Faculty

Barbara Abrams DrPH, RD
Professor of the Graduate School, Epidemiology, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, and Public Health Nutrition

Ralph Catalano PhD, MRP
Professor of the Graduate School, Public Health

Nicholas P. Jewell PhD
Professor of the Graduate School, Public Health

Maureen Lahiff PhD
Emeritus Academic, Epidemiology and Biostatistics

David Ragland PhD, MPH
Professor Emeritus, Epidemiology

Martyn Smith, PhD
Professor of the Graduate School

S. Leonard Syme PhD
Professor Emeritus, Epidemiology; Community Health Sciences