A STEM-designated degree

The MS degree in epidemiology educates students in the application of epidemiologic research methods in preparation for research careers. This program introduces the student to fundamental techniques of data analysis built upon a solid methodologic base. The most competitive applicants to the MS Program have taken public health courses.  A thesis is required in order to graduate.

Epidemiology in action at UIC Heading link

A downtown street in the city of East St. Louis, Illinois.
Transforming health equity in Illinois
Faculty in the Epidemiology MPH program worked with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services to identify drivers of health inequities in five metro areas across Illinois, leading to community-based health models that emphasize access to preventive care.
Members of UIC's contact tracing team pose for a photo outside a UI Health building.
Contact tracing at UIC
As UIC opened for hybrid learning in fall 2020, SPH led the university's contact tracing efforts, mitigating the spread of COVID-19 but also addressing the social and emotional health needs of students quarantining on campus.
A satellite image of Chicago, with bar and line graphs overlaid on the image to signify data collection and access for the Chicagoland area.
Democratizing population health
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, SPH launched the Population Health Analytics, Metrics and Evaluation (PHAME) Center, aiming to make community-level population health data accessible, understandable and usable.
A screenshot of a web page from the Chicago Health Altas, showing rates of adult obesity in a Chicago community area.
Chicago Health Atlas
SPH is the new home to the Chicago Health Atlas, a publicly accessible dashboard offering granular health data at the neighborhood level, with a goal of increasing citizen involvement in public health decision-making.

Global health opportunities Heading link

SPH faculty, staff and students are collaborating to advance public health in 65 nations across the world.  MS students develop global health research skills through SPH’s global health concentration.  In particular, SPH’s Program in Kenya provides diverse opportunities for epidemiology students, with a long history of community-based efforts to reduce HIV risks and other sexually-transmitted infections.

SPH's global epidemiology research

Faculty research highlights Heading link

Pesticide exposure & cardiovascular risks

A farm worker poses for a photo standing amidst rows of crops.

A study led by Maria Argos, PhD, associate professor of epidemiology, found about five to nine percent of employed Latinos reported exposure to solvents, metals or pesticides in the workplace, and Latinos who are exposed to pesticides in their workplaces are twice as likely to have cardiovascular disease compared with Latinos who are not exposed.

Apps for HIV prevention

A Black man holds a phone in his hands and his scrolling through the contents on the screen.

Mark Dworkin, MD, professor of epidemiology, is leading a National Institutes of Health study examining the use of an app to improve adherence to antiretroviral medications among HIV-positive gay Black men, who generally have the lowest levels of retention in care and are less likely to achieve viral suppression.

Sexual & reproductive health

A glass container with bacteria samples, held in the gloved hand of a researcher.

Bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal condition in women across the globe ages 15-44, increasing risk for contracting sexually-transmitted infections and birth complications.  Research from Supriya Mehta, PhD, interim associate dean for global health, suggests male treatments could be key to stemming infections.

Environmental exposures in food

Charter boat passengers hold up the fish they caught during a voyage.

Sport fish in the Great Lakes may contain high levels of perfluoroalkyl substances and mercury, which persist in the environment.  Mary Turyk, PhD, is studying how these pollutants can cause endocrine disruption of steroid hormones, thyroid hormones and glucose regulatory systems in the human body and how exposure recommendations should be adjusted.