Spatial Epidemiology

W. LAWRENCE BEESON, Program Director

This concentration is comanaged by the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health—the
academic home of the school's geoinformatics curricula—and the Department of Epidemiology,
Biostatistics and Population Medicine, and is designed for students who wish to incorporate innovative
spatial analytic techniques in their epidemiological practices and research. The specialization prepares
students to apply GIS and other spatial technologies (such as remote GPS and remote sensing) to
Epidemiology—PH 781, epidemiology, research, and public health. Acquiring dual skills in epidemiology and GIS enhances the
preparation of public health professionals by increasing their decision-making methods and problemsolving
ability.

For more info please see the Environmental and Occupational Health Program section.
Degree requirements
Research and forums
Students are required to attend a minimum of twenty forums in the Department of Epidemiology,
Biostatistics and Population Medicine and/or in the Adventist Health Study during their program.

Culminating Activity
In order to obtain a degree, the student is required to successfully complete the culminating activity as
required by the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Population Medicine. The culminating
activity consists of research, including a written report and oral presentation; professional portfolio (upon
completion of the research); a field practicum and an exit interview with the department chairs (at the
conclusion of the program)