About the Concentration in Infectious Disease Epidemiology

The concentration in infectious disease epidemiology (often referred to as “ID Epi”) provides a rare opportunity for students to obtain rigorous training both in traditional methods for epidemiologic studies, and in mathematical modeling and other approaches to study the mechanisms of transmission. Coursework bridging these areas is reinforced by ongoing collaborations within the department, and between epidemiologists and bench scientists who can measure parameters relevant to epidemiologic models.

The study of Infectious Disease Epidemiology can be pursued in two ways:

Degree Area of Research Interest within the Dept. of Epidemiology

Students in an SM or SD program in Epidemiology can select Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases from one of the twelve Areas of Research Interest. Students are then required to complete elective courses and conduct thesis or dissertation research in this area.

In order to study Infectious Disease Epidemiology as an Area of Research Interest, the student must be accepted into the Epidemiology program. The requirements for the SD program are 20 credits above entry-level Epi, 10 credits in biostatistics (a required minor), and 10 credits from any other area. The remaining 10 credits provide the student with the option to create their own course load in ID Epi.

Students pursuing ID Epi as an Area of Research Interest can also participate in a certificate program known as the Interdisciplinary Concentration in Infectious Diseases Epidemiology (described below), and are encouraged to do so.

Interdisciplinary Concentration in Infectious Disease Epidemiology

This concentration confers a certificate upon completion; it does not award a degree in the epidemiology of infectious diseases.  The concentration in ID Epi is open to students from all departments.

Once admitted and matriculated to an HSPH degree program (PhD, SD, SM, MPH), interested students must complete and submit the Concentration Plan form in their first term of participation. Students will then be expected to meet the requirements of the interdisciplinary concentration, as well as those of their home departmental degree program. The requirements of the Interdisciplinary Concentration in ID Epi and the Concentration Plan form are located on the Interdisciplinary Concentration Courses page.

The concentration consists of completing at least 15 credits–divided equally among required courses, primary and secondary electives. Required courses must be graded; the pass-fail option is accepted for primary and secondary electives.

The concentration is primarily oriented toward doctoral students or two-year Masters students, with emphasis on those from Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Immunology and Infectious Disease / Biological Sciences in Public Health, and Global Health and Population.  Because some key courses are not offered every year, and courses may conflict with requirements for particular programs, one-year Masters students should consult with their academic advisors prior to considering this interdisciplinary concentration.

The interdisciplinary concentration is designed to meet specific academic priorities. In particular, the primary electives are geared toward more rigorous, methodologically oriented courses which are considered important to success in the field of infectious disease. For this reason, substitutions of courses are not generally allowed without strong academic basis.

Upon successful completion of the concentration requirements, graduating students are presented with the letter/certificate of completion from the department faculty.

Graduating students must submit a final, revised concentration form with an unofficial transcript prior to graduation to Jeffrey Noyes in Kresge 901 for review and approval of concentration completion.