How do you become an epidemiologist?
Epidemiology is the study of disease. An epidemiologist contributes to public health by investigating causes and prevention of epidemics. An epidemiologist may also study chronic or terminal diseases like cancer and AIDS. Become an epidemiologist if you’re interested in why disease happens and how it can be stopped or prevented. Work hard in high school to excel as an epidemiologist. Take high-level math courses, physics and biology and do laboratory work. Study U.S. history of the development and resolution of epidemics. Read nonfiction books telling the story of epidemiologists who wrestled with these diseases and how they found cures. Take undergraduate courses in the health sciences, mathematics and biology. Consider studying premed and earn a medical degree, as this will certainly give you an advantage over other job candidates. You’ll need a master’s or doctorate degree to become an epidemiologist. Prepare yourself for courses on statistics, research methods, demographics and pub
