By Erica Chan AVID, 2A 11-14-2011

EPIDEMIOLOGIST

Small Fact
What is Epidemiology? - Epidemiology is the study of diseases. It usually

include diseases such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and other chronic diseases.

History of Epidemiology

Started in Greece Hippocrates, wrote a book called Air, Waters and Places Early medical observations, presented many hypothesis John Graunt (early 1600s and mid 1600s) Published Natural and Political ObservationsUpon the Bills of Mortality provided statistical evidence for many theories on disease, and also refuted many widespread ideas on them. Dr. John Snow (mid 1800s and early 1900s) Famous for early 19th century cholera epidemic investigations Found a way to end this outbreak, early antiseptic Considered one of the doorways to later epidemiology studies Other pioneers include: Peter Anton Schleisner Ignaz Semmelweis They all also contributed to major epidemiology studies

Education Requirements
Degree Requirement - Minimum is a Masters, depends on the college/university - Most graduating students earn a Master of Public Health or -

Master of Science PhD is for research positions in academia or in government, industry or clinical settings. License/Certification The Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (CBIC): offers a voluntary certification for all professionals in the infection control and epidemiology industry. for credibility between both employers and colleagues Recertification is required every 5 years

Colleges
Some colleges that offer this field is ( including

graduate school): Stanford University, CA Boston University, MA UC Davis, CA Etc. There are few colleges that offers undergraduates study in this particular field, generally it is only offered for graduate students 6 8 years

Skills They Needed

Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry,

calculus, statistics, and their applications. English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment. Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures. Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Skills They Need to Be Able to Do

Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems. Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and

paragraphs in work related documents. Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively. Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

A Typical Day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4js9pGBmF5

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Salary
Average Salary: $83,150 Ranges from: $51,090 - $117,850 Money~!

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Interview (from a video) with Tan Kamatzu

How you came about your -

education previous education? Undergraduate degree is in microbiology Went into food microbiology Investigate food-borne illnesses, runs several tests, do lab work, etc. Got the interest of epidemiology from food microbiology Went to University of Arizona Did you have to go further in your education? Went from his previous job (food microbiology) to UCLA graduate program for epidemiology (Public Health) Got a degree in epidemiology epidemiology specializes in many areas his specialty is infectious diseases

What skills are necessary for this -

job? Surveillance is necessary how do you gather that information? Communicate to other health facilities, i.e. hospital, clinics, etc. Technology skills, math skills, biology skills, etc. Do epidemiologist work in hospitals? Yes, they work in hospitals, clinics, pharmaceutical clinic, and other health facility. Overall, epidemiologist are medical detectives. They need to know who, what, when, where, and why to investigate the diseases.

Why?
After researching this career, it really opened

options for me. I was always so intent on being a physician/pediatrician. Though I was aware that the medical field has many job varieties, I never really took the time to really investigate what other medical jobs that I couldve possibly considered. This career research project provides a great opportunity and gives me an optimistic view of what I may want to do in my future life. So, epidemiology/epidemiologist is definitely a job of my interest.

Thank you!

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