Program Information
The Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics develop analytic methods (Biostatistics) and apply these methods (Epidemiology) in order to identify factors which influence human health. This leads to opportunities for health promotion and disease prevention. We also study the therapeutic impact of medical treatments and the way in which health care is delivered.
Epidemiology is the discipline concerned with studying the determinants and distribution of diseases in human populations. Biostatistics is the discipline that develops and discovers new statistical methods for collecting, analyzing and interpreting the data arising from medical and epidemiologic studies.
Students who are interested in pursuing a module in Epidemiology and Biostatistics are encouraged to enroll in Epidemiology 2200A/B (Introduction to Epidemiology) to find out more about the discipline. Students must take this course in their second year to be eligible to register for our program modules which begin in third year. This course is also great preparation for students with career interests in public health or clinical research. The purpose of the course is to understand why some people get sick and others do not, why rates of disease vary by person, place and time and to learn how to investigate disease causation, prevention and intervention.
Admission to this Honors Specialization module will occur in Year 3 and requires Admission to the Bachelor of Medical Sciences (BMSc) Program. Students will usually complete the Medical Sciences First Entry Program (Medical Sciences 1 and 2) prior to admission to the Honors Specialization module.
Please note, Epidemiology and Biostatistics 2200A/B, with a mark of at least 75%, is a pre-requisite to application to our Honors Specialization and Major modules. However, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission, as enrollment is limited and competitive.
The Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics offers modules leading to an Honours Specialization, a Major and a Minor in Medical Cell Biology, as well as an Honours Specialization in Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
