Minor in Epidemiology

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution, determinants, and consequences of disease in populations. The goal of epidemiology is to elucidate and quantify the relation between potential risk factors or exposures and disease to prevent the onset and/or the progression of illness. Those wishing to enter the minor should have at least a B.S. or M.S. degree (or the equivalent) in a discipline related to (or offering preparation for) the proposed graduate studies in epidemiology. Applicants should have a sound background in mathematics and the sciences, with additional preparation consistent with the requirements of their proposed major fields of interest.

Students should have taken coursework that deals with physiological or psychological behaviors of individuals. In the social sciences, suitable courses would be medical sociology or psychology. In the zoologic sciences, suitable courses would be physiology, pathology or nutrition. Other biologically and socially oriented courses or background experiences would be appropriate depending on the goals of training for each student.

Graduate students enrolled in the minor will conduct their research in the departments of their major advisors. Participating faculty are drawn from the Division of Nutritional Sciences, the Department of Computational Biology, the Department of Statistics and Data Science, the Department of Population Medicine & Diagnostic Sciences, and the Department of Population Health Sciences at Weill Cornell Medicine. Areas of research interest among the faculty can be found on each faculty webpage; interests are broad and include infectious disease epidemiology, nutritional epidemiology, genetic epidemiology, epidemiology and data sciences, artificial intelligence and machine learning in epidemiology, social epidemiology, veterinary epidemiology, and statistical aspects of epidemiology.

Epidemiology is an academic discipline that requires training in the specific principles of the design and analysis of epidemiologic studies, statistical methods appropriate for such studies, and an area of substantive specialization (such as genetics/genomics, animal science, demography, environmental sciences, nutrition, toxicology, or veterinary medicine).

For the Epidemiology minor ('human and animal epidemiology'), the recommended courses include coursework in biostatistics (n=2), epidemiology methods (n=2), and at least one additional quantitative course (n=1; appropriate to your interests and with permission of your Epidemiology minor advisor in consultation with the DGS), outlined below. 

Courses	Cornell Ithaca	College of Veterinary Medicine
Biostatistics	BTRY 6010 | Statistical Methods I BTRY 6020 | Statistical Methods II	BTRY 6010 | Statistical Methods I BTRY 6020 | Statistical Methods II
Epidemiology	NS 6520 | Epidemiology Foundations  NS6580 Advanced Epidemiology: Theory and Practice	VTPMD 6640 | Introduction to Epidemiology  VTPMD 6660 Advanced Methods in Epidemiology
Additional course(s)*	BTRY 6030 | Statistical Methods III or additional quantitative course*	VTPMD 6665 | Novel epidemiology methods  or additional quantitative course*

*Or an additional quantitative course appropriate to interests and with permission of Epidemiology minor advisor in consultation with the DGS.

These courses will provide a broad overview of epidemiology and the knowledge essential for the design and analysis of epidemiologic research. Additional courses related to the student's area of intended specialization may also be necessary. In particular, students should be aware that there may be additional course requirements if a statistician represents the Minor Field of Epidemiology on the student's committee.

1. Society for Epidemiologic Research

The Society for Epidemiologic Research (SER) was established in 1968 as a forum for sharing the latest in epidemiologic research. The SER is committed to keeping epidemiologists at the vanguard of scientific developments. To this end, the Society sponsors the American Journal of Epidemiology and Epidemiologic Reviews, as well as the annual SER meeting which includes the John C. Cassel Memorial Lecture and contributed papers, symposia, and posters on a wide range of epidemiologic issues.

2. American College of Epidemiology

Over the past three decades, epidemiology, has matured into a field of its own, as both an academic discipline and a field of practice in a large variety of health agencies, hospitals, and research institutions. The past twenty years have been marked by a significant increase in the number of individuals who have chosen epidemiology as a career or who have entered epidemiology from such disciplines as medicine, statistics, sociology, genetics, and biology.

The American College of Epidemiology was incorporated in 1979 to develop criteria for professional recognition of epidemiologists and to address their professional concerns. The College has benefited from the leadership of the leading epidemiologists in the world.

3. World Congress of Epidemiology

The Congress theme is reflected in the title: "Changing populations, changing diseases: Epidemiology for Tomorrow's World." Within this future-orientated theme we will discuss the full span of research across the many disciplines contributing to our science and practice."

4. International Society of Environmental Epidemiology

The International Society for Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE) provides a forum for the discussion of problems unique to the study of health and the environment. With membership open to environmental epidemiologists and other scientists worldwide, ISEE provides a variety of forums for discussions, critical reviews, collaborations and education on issues of environmental exposures and their human health effects. These include annual meetings, newsletters, workshops and liaisons with academic, governmental, inter-governmental, non-profit and business institutions.

5. American Society for Nutrition, Nutritional Epidemiology Research Interest Section (RIS)