What field is epidemiology?
Epidemiology is a field where trained epidemiologists study patterns of frequency and the causes and effects of diseases in human populations. Epidemiology provides the scientific footings for evidence-based medicine and allows placement of strategies for improvement in public health.
Is Epidemiology a social science?
Social epidemiology draws on methodologies and theoretical frameworks from many disciplines, and research overlaps with several social science fields, most notably economics, medical anthropology, medical sociology, health psychology and medical geography, as well as many domains of epidemiology.
What is the difference between a hard and soft science?
“Hard” sciences include things like physics, math, and chemistry, while “soft” sciences include things like sociology and philosophy. The terms hard and soft refer strictly to the way the scientific method is used.
What kind of jobs do epidemiologists get?
The most jobs for epidemiologists as of 2019, according to the BLS, were in:
- State government, excluding education and hospitals.
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals.
- Hospitals; state, local and private.
- Colleges and universities; state, local and private.
- Scientific research and development.
Do epidemiologists travel?
Most epidemiologists spend their time studying data and reports in an office setting. In state and local government public health departments, epidemiologists may be more active in the community and may need to travel to support community education efforts or to administer studies and surveys.
How long does it take to become an epidemiologist?
Becoming an Epidemiologist may take 6 to 12 years, depending on the type of Epidemiology jobs that you seek. You may only need a Master’s degree, which often takes two years to earn after earning a four-year Bachelor’s degree.