340.721.60
Epidemiologic Inference in Public Health I

Location
East Baltimore
Term
1st Term
Department
Epidemiology
Credit(s)
5
Academic Year
2024 - 2025
Instruction Method
Hybrid In-person and Asynchronous Online
Class Time(s)
M, W, 10:30 - 11:20am
Auditors Allowed
No
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
David Celentano
Jennifer Deal
Contact Name
Allyn Arnold
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Prerequisite

None

Description
Introduces principles and methods of epidemiologic investigation of disease and other health states. Presents different types of study designs, including randomized trials, cohort and case-control studies; measurement of exposures and outcomes; risk estimation; surveillance; program evaluation; and causal inference. Discusses evaluation measures for screening programs and health interventions. Links epidemiologic inferences with the development of policy. Offers activities that provide experience in applying epidemiologic methods, interpreting findings, and drawing inferences.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Define epidemiology, describe how it is used in public health, and recognize how exposure, disease and health states may vary based on person, place and time
  2. Identify, calculate and interpret measures of disease frequency, validity and reliability, and associations (relative and absolute) as appropriate to the research question and study design
  3. Describe and compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses (biases) of epidemiologic study designs, including ecologic, cross-sectional, case-control, cohort, and clinical trials
  4. Explain the role of epidemiologic methods and inferences in determining the etiology of disease and other health states (e.g., aging, injury, mental health) in preventing disease and improving health
  5. Summarize how epidemiologic methods and inferences are used in public health practice, including in conducting outbreak investigation and surveillance, evaluating screening programs and health interventions, and in developing health and environmental policy
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
  • 50% Assignments
  • 25% Midterm
  • 25% Final Exam
Enrollment Restriction
graduate students only
Instructor Consent
No consent required
Special Comments

This class blends traditional classroom time and outside-of-class activities with a corresponding reduction in class sessions. This class will meet 2 times per week. Students are expected to spend 1.25 hours per week on class work, in addition to regular homework.