Public Health BS Epidemiology

Program Purpose

Epidemiology's main role is investigating the spread and causes of disease. Epidemiologists are particularly interested in understanding why some groups of people are healthier than others. The findings of epidemiologic studies help public health practitioners remove and control causes of disease to help a population be healthier. preventing the onset and spread of disease by finding causes-the reasons why some groups of people are healthier than others-then removing or controlling these causes. Sometimes epidemiologists are called "disease investigators."  Epidemiology is the foundation of public health research.  It studies chronic diseases (e.g. heart disease, cancer, and diabetes), infectious diseases (e.g. flu and HIV), outbreaks (e.g. salmonella poisonings), illness from exposure to something in the environment, illness related to people's genes, injuries and much more.

Curricular Structure

Links to University Course Catalog, MAP sheet, and semester plans

Learning Outcomes

Select meaningful research goals

Deliberately choose epidemiologic research projects that add value to human knowledge and support human well-being.

Courses that Contribute: None
Linked to BYU Aims: Character Building, Lifelong Learning and Service
Design epidemiologic studies

Design epidemiologic studies that are methodologically strong and ethically sound in participant selection, measurement, data curation, statistical analysis, and stewardship of resources.

Courses that Contribute: None
Linked to BYU Aims: Intellectually Enlarging, Character Building
Analyze quantitative data and report findings

Apply rigorous statistical methods to epidemiologic data and report numerical findings to suitable audiences in tables, graphs, and text, honestly and responsibly without disortion or misrepresentation.

Courses that Contribute: None
Linked to BYU Aims: Intellectually Enlarging, Character Building
Draw conclusions that support action

Communicate conclusions and implications of epidemiologic findings to support policy decisions that will advance human well-being, consistent with a commitment to serving and uplifting all people.

Courses that Contribute: None
Linked to BYU Aims: Intellectually Enlarging, Lifelong Learning and Service
Use gospel principles to understand disease

Analyze aspects of human disease such as prevalence, causes, treatments, prevention, and experiences of individuals and families through a lens of gospel principles such as faith, charity, humility, patience, and compassion.

Courses that Contribute: None
Linked to BYU Aims: Spiritually Strengthening, Intellectually Enlarging

Evidence of Learning

Data Analysis and Presentation

Epidemiologic Study Design

Critical Assessment of Epidemiologic Literature

Learning and Teaching Assessment and Improvement

Direct measures provide necessary data for continuous quality improvement. Data from direct measures are collected and analyzed to determine areas of strength and weakness. Results provide important feedback for program improvement.

Assessment information is collected at the end of each winter semester and summer term. Conclusions of assessment findings are made and presented to department faculty for further discussion. Faculty ultimately agree on quality improvement actions to be taken in subsequent semesters.