At the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), you won’t just learn data science and data-driven health — you’ll use them to solve urgent, real-world problems that affect millions. Whether you’re passionate about statistical research, artificial intelligence, or no one left behind in health, UIC’s Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics puts you at the forefront of innovation in health science.
Your education will take place in one of the world’s most vibrant cities, where you’ll be part of a campus of over 33,000 students. The university’s seven health science colleges and the state’s major public medical centre give you unmatched opportunities to engage with medicine, public health, and research. You’ll learn analytical methods and collaborative team science approaches that equip you to tackle complex health challenges.
In these programmes, you are never just a number. The close-knit programmes ensure you get the attention, support, and opportunities that help you thrive. Whether it’s research guidance, career planning, or even help with homework, faculty and staff are there for you. The connections you make don’t end at graduation — alumni remain closely engaged and part of your extended network.
Tackling the global challenge of Long COVID
Long COVID, also called post-COVID-19 condition, is a complex illness that can affect nearly every organ system. It has over 200 symptoms, from fatigue and brain fog to cardiovascular and neurological issues. It’s estimated to impact more than 400 million people worldwide.
UIC is a proud partner in RECOVER, the National Institutes of Health’s nationwide study of tens of thousands of Long COVID patients. Faculty and students here are developing advanced tools, including machine learning, AI, and biostatistical models, to understand, diagnose, and treat this pressing public health crisis.
As a student, you’ll have the opportunity to work directly with this data, gaining skills in cutting-edge research while making a real difference in people’s lives.
Investigating the invisible: The exposome
The exposome encompasses every environmental factor that affects our health — from pollution and chemicals to stress, diet, and social determinants of health. At UIC, biostatisticians and epidemiologists are leading a major research initiative to explore how these factors interact and influence disease risk.
If you’re curious about how the environment shapes public health, and how data science can reveal these hidden connections, this is the place to be.
Where innovation meets purpose
At UIC, biostatistical data science and epidemiological research work hand-in-hand to protect health, reduce disparities, and drive discoveries. Here, education is hands-on.
You’ll work with real data from ongoing projects in infectious disease, maternal and child health, aging, and environmental justice. You’ll gain experience in designing clinical trials, building predictive models, analysing massive datasets, and developing methods to improve health outcomes. You’ll learn how to uncover the root causes of health problems, including systemic injustices, and contribute to equitable solutions.
UIC students are collaborators, not just observers. You’ll be part of interdisciplinary teams alongside experts from UIC’s Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Social Work, and major institutions like the UIC Cancer Center, Center for Clinical and Translational Science, and Population Health Analytics.
Build your career while you study
UIC’s Chicago location places you in the centre of a vast healthcare ecosystem with easy access to leading hospitals, research institutions, and pharmaceutical companies like AbbVie and Boehringer Ingelheim. Many students find internships, job placements, and research assistant roles before they even graduate, thanks to our strong alumni network and faculty mentorship.
“There is so much innovative and exciting research being conducted just down the street,” says Armando G., an MS in Biostatistics student.
At the University of Illinois Chicago, students can gain the skills and experience needed to drive real change. Source: University of Illinois Chicago
Explore UIC’s graduate programmes
MS in Biostatistics
Learn to design, conduct, and analyse research studies that drive biomedical innovation. Gain deep expertise in statistics, clinical trials, and public health applications while contributing to research at UIC’s top-tier centers, including The Biostatistics Shared Resource Core (BSR) of the UIC Cancer Center, The Center for Clinical and Translational Science, The Centers on Climate and Health, The RECOVER Network, and Population Health Analytics.
“Taking classes and being mentored by UIC’s biostatistics faculty sparked my interest in statistical research. I developed methods and tools that led to further research opportunities,” says graduate Ruizhe C..
MS in Health Data Science
If you’re drawn to coding, AI, and big data, this programme prepares you to solve public health problems with advanced data science tools. Following the model of the MS in Biostatistics, this programme offers you hands-on research experience within UIC’s network of research centres and partnerships across academia and the private sector. Increasing your capacity in this area will also enhance your ability to partner on multidisciplinary research that deals with biomedical enterprises that include human genomics, medical imaging, mobile health, and telemedicine. You’ll learn Python programming, machine learning, statistical learning, data visualisation and predictive modelling, all within a public health context.
You’ll graduate with the technical depth and ethical grounding to turn data into meaningful, responsible solutions. “Research offers a great opportunity to relate the methods you learn in class to real-life problems. I was able to balance being a full-time student and full-time research analyst because of the support I received at UIC,” says Ryan Z., a Student & Research Associate.
Why choose UIC?
UIC is an R1 research university, that has held the highest national research classification since 1987. Every year, UIC’s research expenditures are around US$485 million, with 3,400+ active projects. Located in Chicago, a world-class city and health innovation hub, the UIC community is collaborative and cross-disciplinary. UIC graduates are in-demand and ready to lead in academia, pharma, tech, public health, and beyond.
Ready to make your impact?
At UIC, you’ll gain the skills, experience, and network to turn your passion for data and health into real-world solutions.
Come be part of a close-knit community where students don’t just learn — they lead, discover, and drive change. Learn more about UIC School of Public Health.
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