Georgia Institute of Technology

What you'll study

The programme provides core public health training with specialised coursework and practical experiences addressing animal-associated disease and the animal–human–environment interface. Core content typically covers epidemiologic methods, biostatistics, infectious disease dynamics and public health systems. Specialist modules focus on veterinary epidemiology, zoonoses, surveillance systems, outbreak investigation, risk analysis and One Health approaches.

• Epidemiologic methods: study design, measures of disease frequency and association, causal inference and field epidemiology techniques.
• Biostatistics and quantitative methods: regression modelling, survival analysis, spatial statistics and computational tools for analysing surveillance data.
• Zoonotic infectious diseases and veterinary epidemiology: transmission ecology, host–pathogen interactions, diagnostics, herd health and disease control strategies.
• Surveillance and outbreak response: syndromic surveillance, data systems, case investigation, contact tracing and emergency preparedness.
• One Health and policy: cross-sectoral collaboration, risk communication, regulatory frameworks and programmes integrating human, animal and environmental health.
• Applied practicum or capstone: placement with public health agencies, veterinary services, NGOs or research centres to apply methods to real-world problems, or an independent research thesis project.

Programme structure

Students typically complete a combination of core public health courses, specialist electives, and an applied practicum or research capstone. The programme emphasises hands-on data analysis, field methods and interdisciplinary collaboration with biological, environmental and policy perspectives. Opportunities exist to take elective modules in geographic information systems (GIS), laboratory diagnostics, modelling of infectious diseases and policy analysis.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline such as veterinary medicine, animal science, biology, ecology, public health or a related field. Typical requirements include:

• Academic record: a good honours degree or equivalent from a recognised institution.
• Quantitative preparation: demonstrable experience or coursework in statistics, mathematics or epidemiology is strongly recommended; bridging coursework may be required if quantitative prerequisites are lacking.
• Professional or research experience: relevant work, clinical or research experience with animals, public health agencies or field studies strengthens an application.
• Supporting documents: statement of purpose outlining interests in veterinary epidemiology/One Health, academic transcripts, letters of recommendation and a CV.
• English language proficiency: applicants whose first language is not English will need to meet institutional English language requirements.

Some applicants may be invited to interview. Specific admissions policies such as test score submission or prerequisite waivers are determined by the programme and should be checked with the admissions office.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for roles in public health, animal health and related sectors that require quantitative epidemiology skills and a One Health perspective. Common career paths include:

• Veterinary public health or epidemiologist positions within national animal health agencies and government departments responsible for livestock, wildlife or zoonoses control.
• Roles in international organisations and NGOs focused on global health security, disease surveillance and outbreak response.
• Positions in public health agencies and laboratories working on zoonotic disease surveillance, policy and emergency preparedness.
• Analyst or scientist roles in pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotech companies involved in animal health, vaccine development and diagnostics.
• Research and academic careers investigating disease ecology, pathogen emergence and intervention strategies.

Graduates often work in multidisciplinary teams with veterinarians, clinicians, ecologists and policy makers and may pursue further doctoral study or professional certification in epidemiology or veterinary public health.

Why study at Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia Tech brings a strong quantitative and computational emphasis to public health training, which is especially valuable for modern veterinary epidemiology that relies on data analysis, modelling and informatics. The institute’s location and partnerships provide ready links to public health agencies and research organisations, supporting applied practicum placements and collaborative projects. Students benefit from interdisciplinary faculty expertise across epidemiology, computational biology, environmental science and policy.

The programme leverages Georgia Tech’s strengths in technology and analytics to train practitioners who can design surveillance systems, model disease spread and translate data into policy for animal and public health. Career support and industry connections help graduates move into roles in government, international organisations, industry and academia focused on One Health challenges.