<p>hi...</p>
<p>i'm looking to pursue a career (MD) in epidemiology/public health, and i'm wondering what undergrad major would be the best preparation. currently i'm a physics + international affairs major and i'm looking to change the physics to something a little more medical related. any advice?</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>well i was just concerned about the applicability of physics to medicine. i mean, i know i can major in anything, but say i want to do an MD+PhD, then would physics be the best choice for me?</p>
<p>It still doesn't matter.</p>
<p>Well, I'll say this - that if you're going for an MD/PhD, then perhaps your major will matter some. After all, if you're going to apply to a straight PhD program, your major matters quite a bit.</p>
<p>Now, MD/PhD admissions are managed by medschool adcoms, so it won't help you there - but perhaps your actual PhD work will be helped. I don't really know.</p>
<p>Statistics. Economics? The international relations thing is good, I think. Microbiology?</p>
<p>i like the international relations major as well. how does statistics relate to epidemiology?</p>
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Epidemiologic studies are generally categorized as descriptive, analytic (aiming to examine associations, commonly hypothesized causal relationships), and experimental (a term often equated with clinical or community trials of treatments and other interventions).
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<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epidemiology%5B/url%5D">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epidemiology</a></p>
<p>Epidemiologists analyze data and their research almost always has statistical information. I would assume that a good background in statistics would be helpful. Although a major in it may be overkill. A minor, perhaps? It's just an idea.</p>
<p>another question: i'm doing a physics B.S. right now, and that involves really in depth study of the subject matter. since i'm doing a double major with international relations, which is a less strenuous major that in theory should be combined with another major, is it wise to overload myself with a lot of physics classes at the same time? or should i do a physics "B.A." in order to be able to manage the two degrees/preserve my GPA?</p>
<p>thanks for all your great help</p>
<p>
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Whether it's too hard: We get a lot of threads on this, and I am afraid that the answer is very simple: nobody else can help you. This varies a great deal from school to school, but more importantly, from person to person. How smart are you? How good was your high school? How good are your study habits now? How good will they be when you enter college? If you think you don't know the answers - and you probably don't - then there is certainly no way any of us could know the answers. Simply put, the members on this board cannot compose a reasonable answer for you.
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<p>final question (i promise) -- does an MD/MPH track necessarily need the study of a foreign language or international health as an undergrad...or is the most well rounded schedule an advantage in med school admissions?</p>
<p>Not all MPHs study international medicine, so there's certainly no need for a foreign language simply for admission. Obviously it would help in a career, but a major in a foreign language - which will involve culture and literature and history - is clearly overkill.</p>
<p>We're always advised to apply to any programs other than MSTP separately - that is, to apply after we've enrolled in medical school.</p>
<p>all this advice really helps me out...thanks bluedevilmike...you da man</p>