Entrance Exam Testseries [Get Started]

Career in Epidemiology Course in India: Courses, Admission, Eligibility, Colleges, Scope, Job and Salary

Career in Epidemiology Course in India: Epidemiology is the biology of public health, and the one who practices Epidemiology is known as an Epidemiologist. Unlike a pathologist or any such doctor concerned about an individual patient, an Epidemiologist is concerned about the health condition of a community or a group of people. In this article, we will try to give you an inside review of the Career in Epidemiology in India and different Epidemiologist jobs available after doing Epidemiology courses.

A clinician or a doctor focuses on treating the disease and is less concerned with other factors. While an Epidemiologist gives more attention to the causes behind a disease, researchers gather data about the nature of the disease and the people who got affected by it and eventually come up with a solution to prevent the disease from happening in future. If you are more interested in having a clear idea about what is Epidemiology and what Epidemiologist does, continue reading this article.

Index
1. What is Epidemiology
2. What is it like to be an Epidemiologist
3. Various Epidemiology Courses in India
4. Eligibility Criteria
5. Top Colleges in India offering Career in Epidemiology
6. Job Opportunities for an Epidemiologist
7. Roles of an Epidemiologist
8. Skills of an Epidemiologist
9. Average Salary
10. Top Recruiters
11. Frequently Asked Questions

What is Epidemiology?

Epidemiology is a branch of public health that studies the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in specific populations. Epidemiology itself means a study of the public, Epi means on or upon, demos means people or public, and logos means study. It is considered a research activity involving applying probability and statistics.

The study or research is conducted based on two factors: distribution and determinant. Distribution is an aggregation of frequency which states many health events in a particular population and pattern that describes details regarding the time, place and person of a particular health event. The causes and risk factors for the disease or health condition are analyzed through determinants.

Subscribe Us to get Latest Updates from India's Top Universities.

Edufever Common Form

What is it like to be an Epidemiologist?

Even though it is a branch of medical science, it has more similarities to a profession involving investigation. Those in this profession define themselves as sort of detective as it involves lots of research, and finally, one has to come up with a solution. Being an Epidemiologist, one travels a lot and interacts with professionals from other fields. An old saying is that an Epidemiologist should have a clear mind and dirty hands. It is completely wrong to define the career of an Epidemiologist as boring since a day in the life of an Epidemiologist means endless projects.

Read Also: Know everything about a career in Dermatology in India

Various Epidemiology Courses in India

To work as an Epidemiologist or to make a career in Epidemiology, one can earn a degree in the following Epidemiology courses.

Course NameDuration
Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Epidemiology2 years
Post Graduate Diploma in Epidemiology1 year
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Epidemiology3 years

Admission Procedure

  • For admission to MSc in Epidemiology, candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in epidemiology or related to medicine with a minimum of 55% marks.
  • For admission to post graduate diploma in epidemiology, candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine.

Eligibility Criteria

The following are the eligibility criteria for a career in epidemiology course. Let’s take a look.

ParticularsDescription
QualificationBachelor’s degree in epidemiology or related to medicine
Qualifying MarksCandidates should score at least 55% marks

Top Colleges in India offering Career in Epidemiology

Some of the best colleges in India offering Epidemiology:

College NameState
Christian Medical CollegeTamil Nadu
Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences UniversityMaharashtra
SRM University, KattankulathurChennai
Homi Bhabha National InstituteMumbai
Indian Institute of TechnologyGandhinagar
Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical SciencesPatna

Read Also: Explore the World of Biology with Career in Biotechnology

Job Opportunities for an Epidemiologist

An Epidemiologist has multiple scopes. Since the profession is concerned with public health, an Epidemiologist can work under public health or health protection services. Those who love teaching can go working at universities as a teacher.

There are lots of non-profit as well as profit organizations, such as medical device or pharmaceutical companies, that offer job positions for Epidemiologists. Government organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), Health Protection Agency (HPA) and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or hospitals offer career opportunities every year.

Job profile

  • Community Health Workers
  • Public Health Epidemiologist
  • Supervisory Epidemiologist
  • Speciality Epidemiologists
  • Statisticians and Surveyors

Read Also: Career and courses after class 12th science

Roles of an Epidemiologist

  • Develop and implement methods and systems for acquiring, compiling, synthesising, extracting and reporting information.
  • Design statistical analysis plans, then perform and guide analysis
  • Provide critical analysis and thinking, advice and recommendations on issues based on accepted scientific understanding of infectious and emerging diseases in a global context
  • Work with specialist statistical computer software when analysing data
  • Provide statistical insight into the interpretation and discussion of study results.
  • Contribute to study reports, either by writing the report or managing others.
  • Communicate analysis results through presentations and publications.
  • Network with cross-sector specialists and global colleagues to identify where their expertise and experience can benefit or enhance your approach
  • Collaborate with government agencies and other global health partners to assist in the development of positions and recommendations on key policy issues.
  • Assist in formulating progress reports and related documents to assess programme progress.
  • Maintain focus and delivery against commercial objectives, especially in the private sector.

Skills of an Epidemiologist

  • The ability to analyse, summarise and interpret complex epidemiological data
  • Accuracy and a systematic approach to work
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills to communicate ideas and methods clearly and succinctly
  • Strong IT skills, including experience using database software such as Access/SQL, spreadsheets, and statistical and graphics packages.
  • The ability to work independently and take responsibility for your work and time
  • Problem-solving skills to identify and find solutions to day-to-day practical problems
  • Multi-tasking skills when managing a range of varied tasks while keeping to agreed deadlines
  • The ability to deal with unpredictable situations and conflicting information
  • Experience in creating and giving presentations to groups of internal and external stakeholders
  • High levels of numeracy combined with analytical skills.

Average Salary

Job ProfileAverage Salary
Community Health Workers6.45 LPA
Public Health Epidemiologist6.70 LPA
Supervisory Epidemiologist8.65 LPA
Speciality Epidemiologists7.30 LPA
Statisticians and Surveyors5.55 LPA

Top Recruiters

Government and Private HospitalsPharmaceutical Manufacturing Industry
Government Health DepartmentNGOs
National and Global Disease Control CentreNational and Global Medical Control Centre

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the scope of epidemiology in India?

An Epidemiologist has multiple scopes. Since the profession is concerned with public health, an Epidemiologist can work under public health or health protection services.

Is epidemiology a good career?

Epidemiology is a good career as candidates have many job opportunities and can work in government or private hospitals, the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry etc.

Is epidemiologist in demand?

Recent infectious disease outbreaks, including the COVID-19 pandemic, have meant a growing awareness of the importance of having knowledgeable and experienced epidemiologists in the workforce. With that increased awareness comes increased demand for more roles in the field.

What skills does an epidemiologist need?

The following are the skills required by epidemiologists:
>The ability to analyse, summarise and interpret complex epidemiological data
>Accuracy and a systematic approach to work
>Excellent oral and written communication skills to communicate ideas and methods clearly and succinctly
>Strong IT skills, including experience using database software such as Access/SQL, spreadsheets, and statistical and graphics packages.

Read Also:

Shiv Nadar UniversityPES University, Bangalore
Symbiosis International University, PuneUttaranchal University, Dehradun
Amity University, NoidaBennett University
Graphic Era University, DehradunSharda University
Galgotias UniversityGD Goenka University
2.9/5 - (7 votes)
About Edufever Staff

Edufever Staff at Edufever is a team of NEET & Other Exam experts team have over 14+ years of experience in Indian/Abroad Education, Course & Career Mapping. Started in 2009, Edufeer is now the largest NEET resource site in the industry and is often referred to as Wikipedia for NEET Exam.

Comments (4)

  1. I m a veterinary student
    Want to do pg in veterinary public health and epidemiology so is it good career for me

    Reply
  2. Greetings!!!
    I have completed my bachelor’s as well as masters in Zoology.
    Now I just want to choose my career as an epidemiologist.
    What are the essential qualifications that I should have to become an epidemiologist ?

    Thanks

    Reply

Leave a Comment

Common Form Popup

Admission 2024-25: Vacant Seat Update, College-wise Fees etc.