Biostatistics graduates learn to develop and apply statistical reasoning and methods to analyze public health problems. They are able to interpret results from public health studies and understand trends in health at the population-level. In addition, graduates may develop specialized skills in health data science in the areas of data mapping, data visualization, machine learning and the analysis of “big data.” Graduates also have the option of specializing in computational biology and quantitative genetics through a joint degree with the Department of Epidemiology where they obtain skills related to the collection, management, and analysis of genomics data.
Graduates may go on to work at universities, research institutes, hospitals or biomedical corporations as biostatisticians, bioinformatics analysts, computational biologists, data analysts, data scientists, research associates, statistical programmers and more. Employers who hire our biostatistics graduates include organizations such as Cytel, Analysis Group, Sanofi-Aventis, Boston Medical Center, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare, Biogen, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Broad Institute.
Environmental health graduates are trained to understand the role of the environment including air, water, the built environment and the workplace and its effects on health. Their work can include analyzing results from data gathered in laboratories, field studies and epidemiologic studies or in shaping policy that protects the public from adverse health outcomes.
Graduates may go on to careers at government agencies, hospitals, or laboratories as industrial hygiene specialists, health inspectors, public health analysts or research scientists. Employers who hire our environmental health graduates include organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency, Access Health International, the US Coast Guard, Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital.
Health management and policy graduates are interested in improving the cost, quality and access of healthcare delivery systems. They are able to manage complex systems, develop evidence-based policy and serve as leaders in the healthcare field.
Graduates may go on to work in management and leadership roles in health care or as policymakers, analysts or advocates in the public, nonprofit or private sectors. Employers who hire our health policy and management graduates include organizations such as Kaiser Permanente, the Center for Healthcare Strategies, Ariadne Labs, CVS Healthcare and the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Epidemiology graduates are skilled in analyzing and researching disease patterns across populations. They are able to design studies, apply statistical methods and develop protocols to address public health problems. Graduates also have the option of specializing in computational biology and quantitative genetics through a joint degree with the Department of Biostatistics where they obtain skills related to the collection, management, and analysis of genomics data.
Graduates may go on to work at hospitals, academic institutions or government agencies at the local, state or federal levels as epidemiologists, outcomes researchers, research managers or surveillance scientists. Employers who hire our epidemiology graduates include organizations such as the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Rand Corporation and the Council for State and Territorial Epidemiologists. Those who have focused on computational biology and quantitative genetics may work as computational biologists, data scientists or bioinformatics analysts in research institutions, biomedical or pharmaceutical companies or health care systems.
GENETICS AND COMPLEX DISEASES
Genetics and complex disease graduates are trained to research the relationship between biology and the environment and the role they play in complex diseases such as cancer, diabetes and various cardiovascular diseases.
Graduates may go on to work at universities, research institutes, governmental agencies, or biomedical and pharmaceutical companies as research associates, research scientists, senior scientists and professors. Employers who hire our graduates in genetics and complex diseases include the Koch Institute at MIT, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Novartis, Sanofi, Harvard Chan School and other institutes of higher education.
Global health and population graduates are prepared to tackle pressing public health problems that affect disadvantaged populations worldwide. They are trained in quantitative and qualitative methods, knowledgeable about healthcare delivery, and committed to health equity and human rights.
Graduates may go on to work at national or international organizations that gather data, develop policy or implement interventions as monitoring and evaluation associates, technical advisors, program associates or policy managers. Employers who hire our global health and population graduates include organizations such as the International Rescue Committee, the World Health Organization, Mathematica Policy Research, Abt Associates and the Advisory Board Company.
IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Immunology and infectious disease graduates conduct laboratory and field-based research to better understand the transmission, control and treatment of infectious diseases primarily in the developing world.
Graduates may go on to work at national laboratories, research institutes, universities and international health agencies as research scientists, immunologists, infectious disease physicians and professors. Employers who hire our graduates include GlaxoSmithKline, the World Health Organization, the National Institutes of Health, and Massachusetts General Hospital.
Nutrition graduates investigate the connection between diet and health, develop and implement programs and policy, and disseminate nutrition information to the public.
Graduates may go on to work at hospitals, academic institutions or government agencies as professors, researchers, clinical nutritionists or policy analysts. Employers who hire our nutrition graduates include the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Institutes of Health, Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health and other institutions of higher education.
SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
Social and behavioral sciences graduates are concerned with the social and behavioral factors that influence health and are skilled in the development, implementation and evaluation of interventions to prevent disease and promote health.
Graduates may go on to work in community agencies, non-profit organizations, or government agencies as program managers, health educators, policy analysts or prevention specialists. Employers who hire our social and behavioral sciences graduates include organizations such as the Lown Institute, Partners Healthcare, Pathfinder International, Massachusetts Health Policy Commission and the Clinton Global Initiative.