Investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, and other health outcomes and develop the means for prevention and control.

Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

1. Monitor and report incidents of infectious diseases to local and state health agencies.

2. Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.

3. Communicate research findings on various types of diseases to health practitioners, policy makers, and the public.

4. Provide expertise in the design, management and evaluation of study protocols and health status questionnaires, sample selection and analysis.

5. Oversee public health programs, including statistical analysis, health care planning, surveillance systems, and public health improvement.

6. Investigate diseases or parasites to determine cause and risk factors, progress, life cycle, or mode of transmission.

7. Educate healthcare workers, patients, and the public about infectious and communicable diseases, including disease transmission and prevention.

8. Conduct research to develop methodologies, instrumentation and procedures for medical application, analyzing data and presenting findings.

9. Identify and analyze public health issues related to foodborne parasitic diseases and their impact on public policies or scientific studies or surveys.

10. Supervise professional, technical and clerical personnel.

11. Plan, administer and evaluate health safety standards and programs to improve public health, conferring with health department, industry personnel, physicians and others.

Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

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.

Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

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.

Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.

Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

Education: A bachelor's degree is the minimum formal education required for these occupations. However, many also require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Training: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

The college search results are undergraduate programs associated with Epidemiologists. Further education may also be required to pursue this career.

The training search results include both short and long-term programs associated with Epidemiologists, and may be more appropriate for adult and non-traditional students. Further training may also be required to pursue this career.

In US the average wage for this occupation was:

$51,590 for entry level workers, and $106,670 for experienced workers.

Based on the total number of annual openings and its growth rate, the employment prospects for this occupation are described as Less Favorable.

During 2006, there were approximately 320 Epidemiologists employed in NY.

We estimate that in 2016 there will be 350  employed in NY. This represents an increase of 0 job(s) each year, and a total of 10 job openings each year.

SUNY New Paltz Summer Camp: Mad Science Secret Agent Lab - Mad Science has sparked imaginative learning with their unique brand of engaging and educational live programs and activities. Secret Agent Lab - delve into the mysteries of forensic science! Discover different methods of secret writing and break coded messages in a quest for treasure. Explore the world of optics and make your own camera obscura and kaleidoscope. Use chemistry to identify mysterious substances, and mix your own chemical reactions.

Learning at the Marian Koshland Science Museum - The Marian Koshland Science Museum has identified unique, inquiry-based activities that can be used in the classrooms. They are related to its Global Warming and Infectious Disease exhibits that are designed for middle and high-school students and adhere to the National Academies' National Science Education Standards.

Columbia University Summer Research Program for Science Teachers - The primary aim of the Program is to provide New York metropolitan area middle and high school science teachers with sustained hands-on experience in scientific research so they can better understand the practice of science, and better transmit to their students and fellow teachers a feeling for its practice. Each teacher spends two consecutive summers working as a laboratory research assistant under the supervision of a Columbia faculty mentor.

Biological and medical scientists - Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.

Underground Adventure - ``

CELLS alive! - CELLS alive! has captured with film and computer-enhanced images living cells and organisms for education and medical research. This is the place to watch cells in motion! A few of the animations illustrated include the basic cell-cell interactions that lead to antibody production, the stages of mitosis in an animal cell and the sequence of activities exhibited by cells.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Teaching Center - This site is for educators who wish to teach about the environment. It offers background information on a variety of topics, lesson plans, and activities that work in and out of the classroom. You will also find information on workshops, conferences, grants, awards and a variety of other information that will assist you in your educational goals.

Learning at the Marian Koshland Science Museum Webquests - The Koshland Science Museum has created online webquest activities for students interested in learning more about issues presented in the exhibits of Global Warming and Genetic Disease.

Institute of Medicine (IOM) - The nation turns to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies for science-based advice on matters of biomedical science, medicine, and health. The Institute provides unbiased, evidence-based, and authoritative information and advice concerning health and science policy to policy-makers, professionals, leaders in every sector of society, and the public at large.

What is it Like Where You Live? Biomes and Ecosystems of the World - Scientists have different ways to describe regions of the world. Plants and animals that live near you don't necessarily live elsewhere. Explore terrestrial biomes like Temperate Deciduous Forests, the Deserts, the Grasslands, the Rainforests and more and Aquatic Ecosystems such as Ponds and Lakes, Rivers and Streams, Wetlands and more at this interactive site.

Cornell University Summer College Program: Biological Research and Health Professions - Biological research and the health professions are the hottest fields in science. From biotechnology to rediscovering ancient methods of healing and making brand-new medical breakthroughs you'll learn about different career options, hear what it takes to get the necessary training, and find out what everyday life is like as a researcher or doctor.

Project E.R. (Environmental Rescue) - Ecosystems are changing rapidly, and plants and animals are becoming extinct at an alarming rate. Because humans depend on ecosystems for food, medicine, and other natural resources, it is time for you to rescue the environment. What can you do to protect the planet and the things that live on it? To find out join Project E.R. (environmental rescue).

Soil and Water Conservationists - Plan and develop coordinated practices for soil erosion control, soil and water conservation, and sound land use.

Foresters - Manage forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. May inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber's worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up contracts for procurement. May determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, water quality, and soil stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations. May devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine the best time for harvesting. Develop forest management plans for public and privately-owned forested lands.

Dietitians and Nutritionists - Plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to assist in the promotion of health and control of disease. May supervise activities of a department providing quantity food services, counsel individuals, or conduct nutritional research.

Anesthesiologists - Administer anesthetics during surgery or other medical procedures.

Podiatrists - Diagnose and treat diseases and deformities of the human foot.

Veterinarians - Diagnose and treat diseases and dysfunctions of animals. May engage in a particular function, such as research and development, consultation, administration, technical writing, sale or production of commercial products, or rendering of technical services to commercial firms or other organizations. Includes veterinarians who inspect livestock.

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists - Perform complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May train or supervise staff.