Biostatistics Online Masters program at University of California-Berkeley

Students in the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Concentration study the factors that underlie health and disease in human populations, including the analysis of data to develop and evaluate strategies for disease prevention and control. In this online MPH program, students will acquire proficiency in both epidemiology and biostatistics and will be able to immediately apply these skills to improve the effectiveness of public health programs.

The Mission of the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Concentration is to: generate new knowledge that can lead to improvements in health, while emphasizing and identifying emerging areas of inquiry, especially those that cross disciplinary boundaries evaluate the effectiveness of new and existing public health programs and policies disseminate and apply existing and new knowledge in the training of health professionals who will engage directly with populations at highest risk of poor health, and or who will conduct research in epidemiology and biostatistics and serve the larger communities in which we live and work by using our skills and knowledge.

Upon satisfactory completion of the MPH concentration in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, graduates will be able to demonstrate the following competencies:.

There are 6 required core and breadth courses for all students earning an MPH degree. These courses, taken primarily in the first year of the program, provide students with a foundation in the concepts and competencies relevant to addressing determinants of health, using both qualitative and data-driven approaches.

In addition to the six required core and breadth courses for all students earning an MPH degree, students in the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Concentration must complete: 1) two epidemiology and biostatistics core requirements 2) one course in data management 3) at least five additional units of courses in Epidemiology and Biostatistics and 4) a sufficient number of elective courses to complete the 42 units required for the MPH degree.

Required Epidemiology Biostatistics Courses (2 courses, 8 units).

PHW241: Intermediate Biostatistics for Public Health (4 units, Spring Full Term).

Required Competency in Data Management (select 1 course, 2 units).

Many public health professionals use statistical software to manage, clean, and analyze health-related data. In response to the increasing proportion of the public health professional and academic workforces who use R software for statistical analysis, the majority of quantitative courses at Berkeley Public Health use R software, although other software packages are also commonly used by the Berkeley Public Health community (e.g., SAS, STATA). All students in the OOMPH program are introduced to the R programming language in the required breadth course PHW142: Introduction to Probability and Statistics. Other courses in the OOMPH program that use R software are indexed according to the level of R experience you need at the beginning of the course in order to be successful.

Students in the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Concentration will require advanced training in data manipulation and analysis than what is provided in PHW142. Students in the Concentration must therefore complete at least one dedicated course in data management and programming using R or SAS software:.

Additional Courses in Epidemiology Biostatistics (select at least 5 units).

Courses in the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Concentration are generally fast moving, some involve independent analysis of epidemiologic data, and they often build upon material in prior courses. We highly recommend that students not fall behind, as course material progressively builds on the methodological foundation of prior weeks which can make it difficult to catch up. To ensure that OOMPH students can maintain the six units per semester required for full time status and financial aid eligibility, there are a variety of two unit courses that have been designed to pair with the required four unit courses.

In addition, most of the courses in the program are only offered once per year (e.g., Fall, Spring, or Summer terms only), and many courses in the Concentration have prerequisites. Thus, it is highly recommended that students develop a semester-by-semester course map to ensure that the requirements for advanced courses will have been met within the time frame of the program. For example, the optional course PHW252: Epidemiological Analysis is usually taken in the final semester, as PHW250B and PHW241 must be completed prior to enrollment. To help you plan your program and ensure you successfully complete the requirements for the Concentration, we have developed several tools for your use, including sample schedules and a course planning spreadsheet:.

Program Managers assess student progress toward degree requirements by running reports and communicating with students as needed. Students should reach out to their Program Manager with any questions related to degree requirements.

To complete the 42 units required for the MPH degree, students in the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Concentration select 2-3 elective courses, depending on how many units are needed.

Community Health Sciences offers a combined study of populations, including historically marginalized groups, to include ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status, drawing upon epidemiological, anthropological, and demographic research. These courses encompasses the use of program planning tools, behavioral determinants of population health, exposure to evaluation methods, and real-world practice with survey methods in addressing population needs.

PHW205: Program Planning and Development (3 units, Summer 2).

PHW218: Evaluation of Health Social Programs (3 units, Spring 2).