Department of Quantitative Methods:
Biostatistics and Epidemiology (QNME)

Concentration Competencies for the MPH Degree

Upon graduation, a student with the MPH degree in the Biostatistics emphasis will be able to:

• Conceptualize public health or clinical research questions using quantitative methods;
• Develop research protocols to assess public health problems, clinical questions and public health programs;
• Apply statistical methods for inference;
• Describe methodological alternatives to statistical methods when assumptions are not met;
• Apply descriptive and inferential methodologies according to the type of study design for answering a particular research question;
• Apply statistical methods to describe, investigate, and assess public health problems, clinical questions, and public health programs
• Interpret published statistical data presented by a variety of sources, including peer-reviewed journals, federal agencies, and on the Internet;
• Design methodology for use in the evaluation of clinical and drug trials; and
• Possess proficiency in the use of a variety of software packages used in biostatistics, such as Statistical Analysis System, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, and Epi-Info.

Upon graduation, a student with the MPH degree in the Epidemiology emphasis will be able to:

• Use epidemiologic concepts to identify public health and clinical research problems;
• Apply the steps in an epidemiologic investigation to a problem;
• Conduct public health surveillance in a prevention program;
• Develop research protocols to assess public health problems, clinical questions and public health programs;
• Interpret published epidemiological data presented by a variety of sources, including peer-reviewed journals, federal agencies, and on the Internet;
• Apply methodology for use in the evaluation of clinical and drug trials;
• Demonstrate expert-level proficiency in the use of a variety of software packages used in epidemiology, such as Statistical Analysis System, Excel, Powerpoint and Epi-Info;
• Use basic informatic techniques with vital statistics and public health records in the description of public health characteristics and in public health research and evaluation;
• Utilize behavioral and social sciences concepts to determine the relationships between health, culture, and community; and
• Be familiar with important epidemiologic challenges on the local, national, and international level.