600.702.86
Intermediate Epidemiology
Location
Internet
Term
2nd Term
Department
MAS Office
Credit(s)
4
Academic Year
2024 - 2025
Instruction Method
Asynchronous Online with Some Synchronous Online
Auditors Allowed
No
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Resources
Prerequisite
Introduction to Epidemiology (600.701.86) or equivalent (with instructor permission) and either Public Health Statistics 1 (600.711.86) or Statistical Concepts in Public Health 1 (600.709.86)
Expands knowledge beyond introductory level epidemiologic concepts and methods material using examples from the published literature. Emphasizes interpretation and the ability to critically evaluate issues related to populations/study design, measurement, population comparisons and inference, including modern cohort study designs; advanced nested designs; novel techniques for exposure assessment; interpretation and utility of measures of impact; sources of bias and methods for their prevention; descriptive and analytical goals for observational study inference; the counterfactual model for defining exchangeability, cause, and confounding; and synthesis of inferences from observational studies as compared with randomized clinical trials.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
- Critically analyze public health literature and utilize a framework to illustrate strengths and limitations in the epidemiologic approach
- Compare and contrast study design aspects of randomized clinical trials, cohort studies, and nested study designs, specifically regarding methods for participant selection, data summarization and population comparisons
- Identify sources of bias resulting from participant selection and measurement
- Describe the impact of biases resulting from participant selection and measurement on epidemiologic inferences and approaches for ameliorating their influence
- Articulate and illustrate (using DAGs) concepts and terminology used to define a ‘cause’ in epidemiology
- Define and distinguish confounding, effect modification, and mediation
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
- 30% Quizzes
- 45% Written Assignment(s)
- 25% Final Paper
Enrollment Restriction
Restricted to students enrolled in OPAL programs