Academic Programs Catalog

College of Human Medicine

Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Dawn P. Misra, Chairperson

The Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics offers multiple graduate-level educational opportunities including Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degree programs in epidemiology, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degree programs in biostatistics, postdoctoral research training in epidemiology and biostatistics, and an epidemiology certificate program as a non-degree graduate program. The department also offers an undergraduate Minor in Global Public Health and Epidemiology. In addition, the Department faculty also teach epidemiology and biostatistics to students pursuing medical or other graduate degrees.

Epidemiology and biostatistics are population-oriented quantitative disciplines for medical science and biomedical research; both are concerned with public health. Epidemiologists and biostatisticians work to gain increasingly definitive evidence about how to promote health and to prevent or reduce risk of disease, to delay disease onset, and to shorten or ameliorate disease-related suffering and disability. They also help to shape the practice of evidence-based medicine through methodological and substantive contributions needed for cost effectiveness and decision analysis. Epidemiology and biostatistics are both multidisciplinary endeavors involving a mastery of biological science in health, as well as an understanding of mechanisms that link population health to societal factors and to individual-level health-related behavior that maintains or compromises health.


Undergraduate Program


Minor in Global Public Health and Epidemiology

The Minor in Global Public Health and Epidemiology, which is administered by the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, provides an opportunity for sustained study of public health and epidemiology-related topics and research. It is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University. Applications are accepted starting in January of the freshman year.

The minor focuses on public health and epidemiologic methods, rather than clinical medicine, and treats public health from a global perspective. It addresses the core principles of public health and gives students applied tools for evaluating and analyzing health data.

With the approval of the department and college that administer the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Requirements for the Minor in Global Public Health and Epidemiology

1. All of the following courses (16 credits):
EPI 200 A Multidisciplinary Approach to Problems in Global Public Health and Epidemiology 3
EPI 280 Applied Analytic Methods in Health Studies I 3
EPI 380 Applied Analytic Methods in Health Studies II 3
EPI 390 Disease in Society: Introduction to Epidemiology and Public Health 4
HM 101 Introduction to Public Health 3

Graduate Study


Biostatistics - Master of Science

The master’s degree program in biostatistics is designed to provide graduate students with essential quantitative training necessary for public health and medical research. Students completing the program will be well prepared to design experimental studies and analyze data in important areas of clinical and biomedical investigations. Required courses concentrate on the principles of study design,  methods for analysis of biomedical data of the continuous, categorical and mixed types from clinical experiments and from observational studies. Elective courses are offered in analytic methods for longitudinal data, genomic and genetic data, and censored data. 

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university, and of the College of Human Medicine, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

To be considered for admission applicants must:

  1. Have a bachelor’s degree including undergraduate or graduate level quantitative methods with at least two semesters of college-level calculus, a course in matrix or linear algebra, and an introductory course in statistics.
  2. Demonstrate interest or experience in a public health field by submitting a statement of purpose. 
  3. Provide an official transcript.
  4. Submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. Test results should not be older than five years.
  5. Submit three letters of recommendation, one of which must be from an academic advisor from a previous program.
  6. Provide Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores, if an international applicant. A minimum score of 80 on the internet-based test, 550 on the paper-based test or 237 on the computer-based test, or passing grade on the MSU English Language Test (MSUELT). Scores must be no older than two years. International students with full native fluency in English are exempt.

Students with less preparation may be provisionally admitted. Credits earned in collateral course work will not count towards the degree requirements.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Biostatistics

The program is available under either Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis). A total of 33 credits is required for both Plan A or Plan B, with no more than 6 credits at the 400-level.  The student's program of study must be approved by the student's academic advisor and guidance committee with the approval of the Dean of the College of Human Medicine.

Students must:

1. All of the following courses (11 credits):
EPI 808B Advanced Biostatistics 3
EPI 810 Introductory Epidemiology 3
EPI 826B Categorical Data Analysis 3
EPI 828 Seminar in Responsible Conduct of Research 1
EPI 856 Statistical Consulting in Public Health 1
2. One of the following courses (3 credits):
EPI 853B Statistical Computing 3
STT 802 Statistical Computation 3
3. Complete 12 credits (Plan A) or 15 credits (Plan B) of additional credits in biostatistics electives from the following:
EC 821A Cross Section and Panel Data Econometrics I 3
EC 821B Cross Section and Panel Data Econometrics II 3
EPI 851 SAS Programming I: Essentials 1
EPI 852 SAS Programming II: Data Management and Analysis 1
EPI 855 Biostatistical Modeling in Genomic Data Analysis 3
EPI 858 Clinical Trials 3
EPI 951 Latent Variable Modeling 3
EPI 952 Duration and Severity Analysis 3
EPI 953 Analytical Strategies for Observational Studies 3
FOR 875 R Programming for Data Sciences 3
STT 464 Statistics for Biologists 3
STT 465 Bayesian Statistical Methods 3
STT 801 Design of Experiments 3
STT 814 Advanced Statistics for Biologists 4
STT 825 Sample Surveys 3
STT 847 Analysis of Survival Data 3
STT 861 Theory of Probability and Statistics I 3
STT 862 Theory of Probability and Statistics II 3
Additional elective courses may be chosen with advisor approval.
4. Complete 3 additional credits of epidemiology electives from the following:
EPI 805 Readings in the Historical Roots of Epidemiological Thought 3
EPI 812 Causal Inference in Epidemiology 3
EPI 815 Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Disease 3
EPI 816 Perinatal Epidemiology 3
EPI 817 Epidemiology of Communicable Diseases 3
EPI 819 Spatial Epidemiology and Medical Geography 3
EPI 823 Cancer Epidemiology 3
EPI 835 Neuroepidemiology 3
EPI 890 Independent Study in Epidemiology and Biostatistics 1 to 3
EPI 910 Themes in Contemporary Epidemiology 3
EPI 977 Social Epidemiology 3
EPI 979 Advanced Topics of Infectious Disease Epidemiology 3
LCS 829 Design and Conduct of Epidemiologic Studies and Clinical Trials 3
5. Attend all MSU Graduate School Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Workshops (Human).
Additional Requirements for Plan A
1. The following course (4 credits):
EPI 899 Master’s Thesis Research 4
2. Pass an oral defense of the thesis.
Additional Requirements for Plan B
1. Complete a capstone project through enrollment in 1 credit of EPI 890 Independent Study in Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
2. Pass a final oral examination or evaluation of the capstone project.

Biostatistics - Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biostatistics provides students with the quantitative skills needed for the development, evaluation and application of novel methods for the analysis of modern biomedical data.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university, and of the College of Human Medicine, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

For admission to the doctoral degree in biostatistics on regular status, the student must:

  1. have a master’s degree in biostatistics, statistics, or related field;
  2. submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE)scores, or MCAT scores;
  3. provide TOEFL scores if their native language is other than English;
  4. provide three letters of recommendation;
  5. provide a statement of purpose;
  6. provide official transcripts.
Applicants with strong academic records who are in the process of completing a master of science may be admitted on a provisional basis. The first 33 credits applied towards the completion of a master of science may not be counted toward the Ph.D. in Biostatistics.

Applicants who are admitted without a master’s degree will be required to complete collateral course work to make up deficiencies. Collateral course work will not count towards the fulfillment of degree requirements. It is strongly recommended that applicants have taken course work in multivariate calculus, advanced undergraduate linear algebra and probability, and numerical computing.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Biostatistics

The doctoral degree program offers three concentration areas: design and analysis of medical studies; big data and statistical genetics; and ad biometry, a flexible option for students with diverse interests. The concentration is selected in consultation with a faculty advisor and guidance committee.

Students must:
1. Complete all of the following courses (13 credits):
EPI 810 Introductory Epidemiology 3
EPI 828 Seminar in Responsible Conduct of Research 1
EPI 860 Advanced Inference for Biostatistics 3
STT 867 Linear Model Methodology 3
STT 868 Mixed Models: Theory, Methods and Applications 3
2. Complete one of the following concentrations:
Design and Analysis of Medical Studies
1. One of the following courses (3 credits):
EPI 858 Clinical Trial I 3
EPI 952 Duration and Severity Analysis 3
Or
STT 847 Analysis of Survival Data 3
2. Complete 11 credits of elective course work:
ANS 814 Advanced Statistics for Biologists 4
CSE 331 Algorithms and Data Structures 3
CSE 480 Database Systems 3
CSE 482 Big Data Analysis 3
CSE 847 Machine Learning 3
CSE 881 Data Mining 3
EC 821A Cross Section and Panel Data Econometrics I 3
EC 821 Cross Section and Panel Data Econometrics II 3
EPI 812 Causal Inference in Epidemiology 3
EPI 855 Biostatistical Modeling in Genomic Data Analysis 3
EPI 880 Selected Topics in Biostatistics 3
EPI 920 Advanced Methods in Epidemiology and Applied Statistics 3
EPI 950 Advanced Biostatistical Methods in Epidemiology 3
EPI 952 Duration and Severity Analysis 3
EPI 953 Analytical Strategies for Observational Studies 3
EPI 990 Independent Study 3
STT 801 Design of Experiments 3
STT 825 Sample Surveys 3
STT 855 Statistical Genetics 3
STT 861 Theory of Probability and Statistics I 3
STT 862 Theory of Probability and Statistics II 3
STT 873 Statistical Learning and Data Mining 3
STT 874 Introduction to Bayesian Analysis 3
Additional courses may be chosen with advisor approval.
Big Data and Statistical Genetics
1. One of the following courses:
EPI 855 Biostatistical Modeling in Genomic Data Analysis 3
Or
STT 855 Statistical Genetics 3
CSE 231 Introduction to Programming I 3
Or
CSE 232 Introduction to Programming II 4
STT 456 Actuarial Models II 3
2. Complete 11 credits of elective course work:
ANS 814 Advanced Statistics for Biologists 4
CSE 331 Algorithms and Data Structures 3
CSE 480 Database Systems 3
CSE 482 Big Data Analysis 3
CSE 847 Machine Learning 3
CSE 881 Data Mining 3
EC 821A Cross Section and Panel Data Econometrics I 3
EC 821 Cross Section and Panel Data Econometrics II 3
EPI 812 Causal Inference in Epidemiology 3
EPI 858 Clinical Trials 3
EPI 880 Selected Topics in Biostatistics 3
EPI 920 Advanced Methods in Epidemiology and Applied Statistics 3
EPI 950 Advanced Biostatistical Methods in Epidemiology 3
EPI 952 Duration and Severity Analysis 3
EPI 953 Analytical Strategies for Observational Studies 3
EPI 990 Independent Study 3
STT 801 Design of Experiments 3
STT 825 Sample Surveys 3
STT 861 Theory of Probability and Statistics I 3
STT 862 Theory of Probability and Statistics II 3
STT 873 Statistical Learning and Data Mining 3
STT 874 Introduction to Bayesian Analysis 3
Additional courses may be chosen with advisor approval.
Biometry
1. Complete 14 credits of elective course work:
ANS 814 Advanced Statistics for Biologists 4
CSE 331 Algorithms and Data Structures 3
CSE 480 Database Systems 3
CSE 482 Big Data Analysis 3
CSE 847 Machine Learning 3
CSE 881 Data Mining 3
EC 821A Cross Section and Panel Data Econometrics I 3
EC 821 Cross Section and Panel Data Econometrics II 3
EPI 812 Causal Inference in Epidemiology 3
EPI 855 Biostatistical Modeling in Genomic Data Analysis 3
EPI 858 Clinical Trials 3
EPI 880 Selected Topics in Biostatistics 3
EPI 920 Advanced Methods in Epidemiology and Applied Statistics 3
EPI 950 Advanced Biostatistical Methods in Epidemiology 3
EPI 952 Duration and Severity Analysis 3
EPI 953 Analytical Strategies for Observational Studies 3
EPI 990 Independent Study 3
STT 801 Design of Experiments 3
STT 825 Sample Surveys 3
STT 847 Survival Analysis 3
STT 855 Statistical Genetics 3
STT 861 Theory of Probability and Statistics I 3
STT 862 Theory of Probability and Statistics II 3
STT 873 Statistical Learning and Data Mining 3
STT 874 Introduction to Bayesian Analysis 3
Additional courses may be chosen with advisor approval.
2. Attend all MSU Graduate School Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Workshops (human).
3. Attend 80% of department-sponsored Seminars.
4. Attend 80% of department Ph.D. Journal Club meetings.
5. Present at one Ph.D. Journal Club meeting.
6. Pass a comprehensive examination.
7. Complete 24 credits of EPI 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research.
8. Pass an oral defense of the doctoral dissertation.

Academic Standards

Students will sit for a comprehensive examination after the necessary course work is completed, typically at the end of the first year of study. A student who fails the comprehensive examination may repeat it only once. A retake examination will generally be given in January.




 

Epidemiology - Master of Science

The master's degree program is designed to provide students with the epidemiologic and biostatistical skills essential to engaging in clinical and population-based research.
Students are trained in a wide range of applications of epidemiologic methods, from investigation into the causes of disease to the means for prevention. The program prepares students to participate in public health activities sponsored by academic, government and non-governmental organizations such as health planning, disease control, and community health projects.. Required core courses concentrate on the population approach to disease, quantification of disease frequency, approaches to acute disease outbreaks, relevant biostatistical techniques, sources of health data, research design and analysis, and the development of skills in epidemiologic judgment.  Specialized elective courses are offered in epidemiologic aspects of heart disease, cancer, reproductive health, and communicable diseases.

Admission

A bachelor's degree is required for admission to the program.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the University and the College of Human Medicine, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Epidemiology

The program is available only under Plan A (with thesis).  The distribution of credits within the student's program is determined by the student's academic advisor and guidance committeee. The guidance committee determines the form, scope, and time of required examinations.

Students must complete 40 credits, with no more than 6 credits at the 400-level:

1. All of the following courses (31 credits):
EPI 808 Biostatistics I 3
EPI 809 Biostatistics II 3
EPI 810 Introductory Epidemiology 3
EPI 812 Causal Inference in Epidemiology 3
EPI 817 Epidemiology of Communicable Diseases 3
EPI 826 Research Methods in Epidemiology 3
EPI 828 Seminar in Responsible Conduct of Research 1
EPI 836 Practicum in Epidemiological Methods 3
EPI 851 SAS Programming I: Essentials 1
EPI 852 SAS Programming II: Data Management and Analysis 1
EPI 899 Master's Thesis Research 4
LCS 829 Design and Conduct of Epidemiological Studies and Clinical Trials 3
2. One of the following courses (3 credits):
EPI 815 Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Disease 3
EPI 823 Cancer Epidemiology 3
3. An additional 6 credits of elective course work from the following list of approved courses:
EPI 805 Readings in the Historical Roots of Epidemiological Thought 3
EPI 815 Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Disease 3
EPI 816 Perinatal Epidemiology 3
EPI 823 Cancer Epidemiology 3
EPI 835 Neuroepidemiology 3
EPI 890 Independent Study in Epidemiology and Biostatistics 1 to 3
EPI 910 Themes in Contemporary Epidemiology 3
EPI 920 Advanced Methods in Epidemiology and Applied Statistics 3
EPI 950 Advanced Biostatistical Methods in Epidemiology 3
EPI 952 Duration and Severity Analysis 3
EPI 953 Analytical Strategies for Observational Studies 3
EPI 977 Social Epidemiology 3
EPI 979 Advanced Topics of Infectious Disease Epidemiology 3
STT 847 Analysis of Survival Data 3
Additional elective courses may be chosen with advisor approval.
4. Attend all MSU Graduate School Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Workshops (human)
5. Pass an oral examination in defense of the thesis.

Epidemiology - Doctor of Philosophy

The Ph.D. degree program is designed for students who plan to become independent researchers in epidemiology. Emphasis is on the development and mastery of epidemiologic ad biostatistical skills required for the highest levels of scholarship investigation, and leadership in public health work. Students design and complete their own investigator-initiated research projects are prepared to compete for research grant awards supported by the National Institutes of Health and other agencies that fund epidemiology research. Learning experiences are pursued through course work and readings, apprenticeships with supervising faculty, participation on a research team, and completion of the dissertation research project.

Admission

To be considered for admission to the program:

  1. an applicant must have earned a bachelor's or master of science or a master of public health in epidemiology degree with at least 40 credits.
  2. applicants who earned their master of science or master of public health in epidemiology at an institution other than Michigan State University will be evaluated individually by the department to determine if any additional collateral course work will be required. Credits earned in collateral courses will not count toward the Ph.D. in Epidemiology.
  3. submit GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores, or MCAT scores.
  4. present evidence of competency in English (TOEFL or MELAB scores) with their application if their native language is not English.
  5. submit three letters of recommendation.
  6. submit a statement of purpose.
  7. submit official transcripts.
Applicants with strong academic records who are in the process of completing a master of science or a master of public health in epidemiology may be admitted on a provisional basis. The first 40 credits applied towards the completion of a master of science or a master of public health in epidemiology may not be counted toward the Ph.D. in Epidemiology.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the University and the College of Human Medicine, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Epidemiology

Students must complete 51 credits for the degree with no more than 6 credits at the 400-level. 
1. All of the following courses (7 credits):
EPI 805 Readings in the Historical Roots of Epidemiological Thought 3
EPI 828 Seminar in Responsible Conduct of Research 1
EPI 910 Themes in Contemporary Epidemiology 3
2. Two of the following courses (6 credits):
EPI 855 Biostatistical Modeling in Genomic Data Analysis 3
EPI 920 Advanced Methods in Epidemiology and Applied Statistics 3
EPI 950 Advanced Biostatistical Methods in Epidemiology 3
EPI 952 Duration and Severity Analysis 3
EPI 953 Analytical Strategies for Observational Studies 3
3. Complete a minimum of 15 credits of elective course work from the following list of approved courses. Additional courses may be chosen with advisor approval.
EPI 815 Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Disease 3
EPI 816 Perinatal Epidemiology 3
EPI 823 Cancer Epidemiology 3
EPI 835 Neuroepidemiology 3
EPI 890 Independent Study in Epidemiology and Biostatistics 1 to 3
EPI 910 Themes in Contemporary Epidemiology 3
EPI 920 Advanced Methods in Epidemiology and Applied Statistics 3
EPI 950 Advanced Biostatistical Methods in Epidemiology 3
EPI 952 Duration and Severity Analysis 3
EPI 953 Analytical Strategies for Observational Studies 3
EPI 977 Social Epidemiology 3
EPI 979 Advanced Topics of Infectious Disease Epidemiology 3
STT 847 Analysis of Survival Data 3
4. Attend all MSU Graduate School Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Workshops.
5. Attendance at 80% of all presentations in the departmental epidemiology seminar series during the period of course work.
6. Attendance at 80% of Ph.D. Journal Club meetings.
7. Present at one Ph.D. Journal Club meeting.
8. Pass a Qualifying Examination at the end of the first year of study.
9. Pass a Comprehensive Examination.
10. Successfully complete 24 credits of Epidemiology 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research.
11. Successfully defend the oral defense of the doctoral dissertation.

Academic Standards

A student who fails the Qualifying Examination may repeat it only once. A Remediation Examination will be given in late summer immediately following the failed examination. A student who fails the Comprehensive Examination may repeat in only once. A retake examination will be given at the beginning of the subsequent semester.