Description of the Program:
The purpose of the MPH in epidemiology is to train highly skilled individuals in the foundations of epidemiology and its application in public health. Individuals will be trained in epidemiologic study design and statistical analysis as well as the biological principles underlying human diseases. The goal is to train staff scientists and public health practitioners who can implement epidemiologic surveillance and research studies that will protect the public health and meet the rigorous standards of the scientific community.
Contact Information:
Epidemiology MPH Concentration Director Chair Epidemiology Department
Marci Sontag, PhD
(303) 724-4430
Marci.Sontag@ucdenver.edu
Epidemiology Program Assistant
Jill Norris, MPH PhD
(303) 724-4428
Jill.Norris@ucdenver.edu
Melodie Proffitt
(303) 724-4488
Melodie.Proffitt@ucdenver.edu
Competencies for students concentrating in Epidemiology
1.
Explain the descriptive epidemiology of a given condition, including case definition, calculation of the primary measures of disease morbidity and mortality, and appropriate comparisons by person, place and time.
2.
List the strengths and limitations of descriptive statistics.
3.
Identify data from existing local, national or international sources.
4.
Describe study designs and understand the advantages and limitations of each design for addressing specific problems, as well as the practical aspects of their uses, including tradeoffs.
5.
Identify and minimize sources of bias; describe both the direction and magnitude of the bias and the effect of potential biases on the measures of association.
6.
Use statistical computer packages to calculate and display descriptive statistics, analyze categorical data, and perform multivariable regression, and other analyses as required.
7.
Examine data for the presence of confounding and interaction (effect modification), identify their presence, and manage them appropriately.
8.
Interpret research results, make appropriate inferences based on results, and recognize the implications of the research results.
Updated 5/28/13 1

1.
Meet with your faculty advisor each semester. It is your responsibility to schedule a meeting with your advisor. You should meet with your advisor before your first semester, and once a semester after that.
Helpful Tips for a Successful Program
2.
Be prepared at your first meeting with your advisor. Be prepared to discuss your interests and career plans. This will help to identify the course schedule that you should be taking and may help to inform later discussions about practicum and capstone. If you don’t have specific interests yet, that is ok too!
3.
Look at the courses that we offer and when they are offered. At the first advising meeting, bring the advising worksheet already filled in with a rough draft of classes that you would like to take over the two years. You can use the EPI MPH course schedule provided to help outline electives. You may end up with more classes than you need – that is ok. Use that as a guide to start the conversation with your advisor.
4.
Practicum and Capstone: These are opportunities for you to gain real experience in the field.
Think about where you want to be in 5 years and what skills you will need to do that job. Try to find a practicum and capstone experience that will help you to gain those goals. Reach out to your advisor early in the process and have a conversation with him/her. Advisors love to have input on the projects and appreciate time to do so – avoid the end of the semester rush!  a.
Practicum: Towards the end of the first year you should schedule a meeting with your advisor to discuss practicum plans. Our first goal for a practicum is to get students exposed to an area of public health that is of interest to them and gain experience in the field. The tasks of the practicum don’t have to be directly related to epidemiology.
Many students will continue from their practicum into their capstone, so think about potential practicum opportunities and how they may work into a capstone. b.
Capstone: During the first semester of the second year you should be planning for your capstone. Many capstones come from the practicum experience, however some will be independent. You need to meet with your faculty advisor early in the semester to define an appropriate capstone. Your capstone should address epidemiology concentration competencies. Please work with your advisor and your preceptor to identify a meaningful capstone.
Updated 5/28/13 2

MPH Concentration in Epidemiology Course Requirements: (for students matriculating
Summer/Fall 2013)
Course Title Course # Credits
Required MPH Core Credits
Applied Biostatistics I

Epidemiology
BIOS 6611/6601 3
21
Environmental& Occupational Health
Social & Community Factors
Health Systems
EPID 6630
EHOH 6614
CBHS 6610
HSMP 6603
3
3
3
3
Foundations in Public Health
Practicum
Masters Project
PUBH 6600
PUBH 6606
PUBH 6955
2
2
2
7 Required Epidemiology Courses
Analytical Epidemiology
Applied Biostatistics II
Bios Lab ‐ SAS #
EPID 6631
BIOS 6602
BIOS 6603
Epidemiology Electives:
Methods-Oriented Courses
Research Methods in Epidemiology
Clinical Epidemiology *
Advanced Epidemiology
Introduction to Systematic Reviews *
Outbreak Investigations *
SAS Database Design and Management in SAS
Genetic Epidemiology *
Research Methods in Secondary Data Sources
Topic Oriented Courses
Cancer Prevention and Control *
Epidemiology of Communicable Disease
Chronic Disease Epidemiology
Injury and Violence Epidemiology and Prevention *
Cardiovascular Epidemiology *
Foodborne and diarrheal disease epidemiology *
Public Health Genetics *
Pharmacoepidemiology *
Epidemiology of HIV/STD/TB *
Clinical Preventive Services: Evidence-Based Practice *
Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology
EPID 6626
EPID 6629
EPID 6632
EPID 6646
EPID 6640
BIOS 6680
EPID 7640
EPID 7605
EPID 6622
EPID 6635
EPID 6636
EPID 6637
EPID 6638
EPID 6640
EPID 6642
EPID 6670(1)
EPID 6670(2)
EPID 7615
EHOH 6617
Other Electives: All CSPH Courses are potential electives.
Epi electives are also available at CSU campus

- BIOS 6611/6612 series recommended for students who have previously taken calculus
* - Course is offered every other year – check course catalog for specific timing
1
3
2
2
3
1
2
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
3
2
1
2
2
3
3
1
5
9
Updated 5/28/13 3

# - Course is required for all Epi students entering Fall 2011 or later. Can be waived for students taking BIOS 6611/6612
Please meet with your advisor each semester before registering for courses.
Example of Full-Time Program of Study, RECOMMENDED Course of Study:
Course Title Course # Credits Total
Credits
Fall Semester Year 1
Epidemiology
Applied Biostatistics I
SAS Lab (Not required with BIOS 6611)
SAS Database Design & Management
Foundations in PH
EPID 6630
BIOS 6601/6611
BIOS 6603
BIOS 6680
PUBH 6600
3
3
1
3
2
Spring Semester Year 1
CORE Course
CORE Course or EPI Electives
Applied Biostatistics II
Research Methods in Epidemiology
Fall Semester Year 2
Practicum
Analytical Epidemiology
CORE Course
Electives (EPI or outside of EPI)
HSMP/CBH/EHOH 3
EPID 6626
HSMP/CBH/EHOH 3
BIOS 6602/6612 3
3
PUBH 6606
EPID 6631
HSMP/CBH/EHOH 3
2
2
3
12
12
Spring Semester Year 2
Capstone Project
Electives (EPI or outside of EPI)
PUBH 6955 2
6
8
10
Updated 5/28/13 4

Please meet with your advisor each semester before registering for courses.
Example of Full-Time Program of Study, students with infectious disease interests:
Course Title Course # Credits Total
Credits
Fall Semester Year 1
Epidemiology
Applied Biostatistics I
SAS Database Design & Management
EPID 6630
BIOS 6601/6611
BIOS 6680
3
3
Foundations in PH
SAS Lab (Not required with BIOS 6611)
Spring Semester Year 1
PUBH 6600
BIOS 6603
3
2
1 12
CORE Course
Research Methods
Applied Biostatistics II
Epidemiology of Communicable Disease
Fall Semester Year 2
Practicum
CORE Course
Analytical Epidemiology
Foodborne/diarrheal disease epi
OR
(odd years)
Epidemiology of HIV/STD/TB
(even years)
HSMP/CBH/EHOH 3
EPID 6626 3
BIOS 6602 3
EPID 6636
PUBH 6606
2
2
HSMP/CBH/EHOH 3
EPID 6631 3
EPID 6670 2
11
Spring Semester Year 2
Capstone Project
CORE Course
Investigation of Disease Outbreaks
(even years)
OR
Public Health Surveillance
(odd years)
Electives (EPI or outside of EPI)
PUBH 6955 2
HSMP/CBH/EHOH 3
EPID 6640
EPID 6624
2
2
10
9
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