Infectious diseases are leading causes of global mortality and morbidity. Therefore, advancing our understanding of the epidemiology of infectious diseases is crucial to public health. The Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases (EMD) teaches students critical infectious disease epidemiological skills foundational to public health. The MPH curriculum gives students an understanding of the epidemiology of the major infectious agents, the diseases they cause, and the host response to those diseases. The interaction of the agent (virus, bacterium, or parasite) with the host and the influence of the environment and social context are studied. The curriculum considers the role of immunological response, genetics, the natural history of vectors, geographic distribution, transmission and transport of agents, and the behaviors and policies that can reduce disease burden.