Public Health was defined by C-E.A. Winslow as the science and the art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting physical health and efficiency through organized community efforts with the goal of enabling every citizen to realize his/her birthright of health and longevity.
The disciplines of epidemiology and biostatistics are essential to achieving the goals of public health, and combining these two disciplines in a single department creates synergies for both training and research. Epidemiologists study the distribution and determinants of health and disease in populations. Biostatisticians develop and apply statistical theory, methods and techniques to public health research data and the planning, implementation and evaluation of public health programs. Given the strong overlap, epidemiologists and biostatisticians often collaborate to work toward the shared goal of generating and analyzing data to advance the public’s health.
Within the department, the degree programs are administered under two separate streams, the Division of Epidemiology and Division of Biostatistics.
Find out more about the department and what we offer in our welcome from the Chair.
We offer eight advanced degrees in epidemiology and biostatistics. Each graduate degree has specific application deadlines and requirements.
Director:
Dr. Robert Moran, Graduate Director for Biostatistics
Directors:
Professor Edward Frongillo and Angela Liese, along with Ph.D. alumna Chiwoneso Tinago, have co-authored papers published in a special series by The Lancet that focuses on adolescent nutrition.
One year after the launch of the SC Strong Project, UofSC interviews epidemiology assistant professor Melissa Nolan to find out what the team has learned about COVID-19 infections, spread, testing, vaccinations and risk factors in South Carolina.
A study led by epidemiology researchers has investigated COVID-19 infection rates and deaths among long-term care facility residents and staff in South Carolina. The team found that the early detection of COVID-19 in these settings could serve as a first indicator of disease spread in the surrounding area
Bankole Olatosi, assistant professor of health services policy and management, and Jiajia Zhang, professor of biostatistics, have been awarded more than $3.5 million from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Professors Xiaoming Li and Jihong Liu will lead an NIH-funded study to better understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected severe maternal morbidity/mortality with a focus on the combined effects of pre-existing disparities and disproportionate rates of COVID-19.
This fall, Wei brought his expertise in lifestyle, psychosocial, and vascular risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline and dementia to the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics as an assistant professor.