This area combines biological experimentation, epidemiological analysis, and population studies. Students become familiar with the various arthropods that are associated with human disease and learn the ways environmental change may result in ill health. Students conduct studies on mechanisms of transmission of vector-borne pathogens, both in the laboratory and in the field, and devise novel intervention strategies. This area of interest is designed to prepare a future generation of experts for new developments in the pathogenesis and prevention of AIDS and other infectious diseases. At present the program emphasizes the epidemiology, biology, and vaccinology of AIDS as an example of a complex infectious disease.
Students take courses in virology, vaccine development, and related fields.
The department offers two doctoral degree programs. The SD degree is also available to candidates without a clinical degree who wish to focus on the epidemiology of infectious diseases and who apply to the Program in the Epidemiology of Infectious Disease. Please note that the application requirements for the PhD and SD programs are different in that the GRE subject test is required for the PhD program. The department does not offer a master of science program. Students wishing to study cellular and molecular biology, immunology, virology, or physiology as it pertains to major problems in public health should apply to the PhD program offered by the Division of Biological Sciences through Harvard University's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.