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.
A comprehensive exam is required as well as a master’s 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.
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
Associate Professor, Epidemiology
Jennifer Ahern PhD, MPH
Professor, Epidemiology
Lisa F. Barcellos PhD, MPH
Professor, Epidemiology
Michael Bates PhD
Adjunct Professor and Researcher, Emeritus, Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences
Patrick Bradshaw PhD
Assistant Professor, Epidemiology
John Colford Jr. MD, PhD, MPH
Professor, Epidemiology
Brenda Eskenazi MA, PhD
Brian and Jennifer Maxwell Endowed Chair in Public Health
Rohini J. Haar MD, MPH
Adjunct Professor, Epidemiology
Alan Hubbard PhD
Professor , Biostatistics
Mi-Suk Kang Dufour PhD, MPH
Associate Adjunct Professor, Biostatistics
Joseph Lewnard PhD
Assistant Professor, Epidemiology
John Marshall PhD
Assistant Professor in Residence, Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Sandra McCoy PhD, MPH
Associate Professor in Residence, Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Catherine Metayer MD, PhD
Adjunct Professor, Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Maya Petersen MD, PhD
Chair, Division of Biostatistics
Arthur Reingold MD
Professor, Epidemiology
Corinne Riddell PhD, MSc
Assistant Adjunct Professor, Biostatistics
Sharon K. Sagiv PhD, MPH
Associate Adjunct Professor, Epidemiology
Affiliated Faculty
John Balmes MD
Professor, Environmental Health Sciences
Sandrine Dudoit PhD
Chair, Department of Statistics
Ellen Eisen ScD
Professor in Residence, Environmental Health Sciences
Lia Fernald PhD, MBA
Professor, Community Health Sciences
Rohini J. Haar MD, MPH
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
Scott Lee MD, MPH, FACS
Lecturer, Epidemiology
Emily J. Ozer PhD
Professor, Community Health Sciences
Lee Riley MD
Professor, 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
Lecturer, Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Nancy Padian PhD, MPH
Adjunct Professor, Epidemiology
David Ragland PhD, MPH
Professor Emeritus, Epidemiology
Martyn Smith PhD
Professor, Toxicology
S. Leonard Syme PhD
Professor Emeritus, Epidemiology; Community Health Sciences