Master of Science in the Field of Public Health Microbiology and Emerging Infectious Diseases (STEM)

Program Co-Directors: M. Ghosh and I. Kuo

Mission

The mission of the master of science (MS) in the field of public health microbiology and emerging infectious diseases degree program is to provide training to a new generation of public health professionals to expand knowledge and expertise in the areas of disease mechanisms, with an emphasis on microbial pathogens, the use and application of modern biotechnologies, and in epidemiologic skills relevant to the prevention and control of problems in the community arising from infectious diseases.

Graduates of the MS program have an in-depth understanding of the major laboratory, clinical, and public health aspects of humankind’s microbial pathogens, and acquire epidemiologic skills relevant to the prevention and control of problems arising from infectious diseases and modern biotechnologies. Areas of emphasis include the design and analysis of epidemiologic data; emerging infections; tropical diseases; and applications of genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics. MS graduates are employed in academic and industrial research laboratories, international health agencies, NGOs, and private consulting groups. In addition, they may work in federal, state, and local public health agencies or state and local public health laboratories where their technical expertise and population-based perspective are extremely useful. Students earning this degree help meet a national demand that has reached critical proportions for a trained workforce in biodefense and emerging infections, and an international demand for training in diseases that affect the developing countries.

Goals

The goals of the MS program in the field of public health microbiology and emerging infectious diseases are to ensure that graduates:

• Identify the biological complexities of microbial pathogens and the diseases they cause
• Recognize the major epidemiologic and clinical features of microbial disease
• Identify how new biotechnologies (including genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics) can be applied to the study and control of microbial pathogens
• Develop an in-depth understanding of epidemiologic principles and practice
• Apply the principles of epidemiology, microbiology, and public health practice toward the detection, surveillance, investigation, and control of microbial diseases

This is a STEM designated program.

Visit the program website for additional information.

Visit the Milken Institute School of Public Health website for additional information about academic programs and information about GWSPH. Graduate admissions information, including application requirements and deadlines, can be found on the GWSPH Graduate Admissions website.

The following requirements must be fulfilled: 45 credits, including 10 credits in foundational courses, 23 credits in program-specific courses, 8 credits in elective courses, and 4 credits in field/laboratory experience and final project.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required
Foundational courses (10 credits)
PUBH 6002	Biostatistical Applications for Public Health
PUBH 6003	Principles and Practices of Epidemiology
PUBH 6007	Social and Behavioral Approaches to Public Health
PUBH 6080	Pathways to Public Health
PUBH 6275	Essential Public Health Laboratory Skills
Program-specific courses (23 credits)
PUBH 6245	Infectious Disease Epidemiology
PUBH 6247	Epidemiologic Methods I: Design of Health Studies
PUBH 6259	Epidemiology Surveillance in Public Health
PUBH 6262	Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
PUBH 6276	Public Health Microbiology
PUBH 6278	Public Health Virology
PUBH 6291	Infection and Immunity
or MICR 8210	Infection and Immunity
PUBH 6853	Use of SAS for Data Management and Analysis
PUBH 6861	Public Health Genomics
Electives
8 credit in courses selected from the following and/or other courses approved in advance by the advisor.
PUBH 6011	Environmental and Biological Foundations of Public Health
PUBH 6233	Epidemiologic Principles and Practice of Disease Eradication
PUBH 6234	Epidemiologic Methods in Neglected Tropical Disease Control
PUBH 6238	Molecular Epidemiology
PUBH 6239	Epidemiology of Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases
PUBH 6240	Pediatric HIV/AIDS
PUBH 6242	Clinical Epidemiology and Public Health: Reading the Research
PUBH 6243	Topics in Clinical Epidemiology and Public Health: Reading the Research
PUBH 6250	Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS
PUBH 6252	Epidemiologic Methods II: Advanced Epidemiologic Methods
PUBH 6253	Issues in HIV Care and Treatment
PUBH 6255	Organizational Responses to the Local, National, and Global HIV/AIDS Epidemics
PUBH 6263	Advanced GIS
PUBH 6271	Disaster Epidemiology
PUBH 6272	Epidemiology of Infectious Agents Associated with Human Cancer
PUBH 6282	Introduction to R Programming for Epidemiology
PUBH 6299	Topics in Epidemiology (Epidemiology of Sexually Transmitted Infections) *
PUBH 6455	Global Vaccinology
PUBH 6484	Prevention and Control of Vector Borne Diseases
PUBH 6486	Global Health Programs and Approaches to the Control of Infectious Diseases
MICR 6292	Tropical Infectious Diseases
MICR 8230	Molecular and Cellular Immunology
Field/laboratory experience and final project (4 credits)
PUBH 6016	Field/Laboratory Experience
PUBH 6280	Microbiology and Emerging Infectious Diseases Final Project

*For PUBH 6299, only the specified topics count toward pre-approved elective courses.