340.721.81
Epidemiologic Inference in Public Health I
Location
Internet
Term
3rd Term
Department
Epidemiology
Credit(s)
5
Academic Year
2024 - 2025
Instruction Method
Asynchronous 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
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:
- 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
- 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
- Describe and compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses (biases) of epidemiologic study designs, including ecologic, cross-sectional, case-control, cohort, and clinical trials
- Explain the role of epidemiologic methods in determining the etiology of disease and other health states (e.g., aging, injury, mental health) in preventing disease and improving health
- Summarize how epidemiologic methods 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
Course replaces 550.694.81 and 550.695.81. Students who have completed 340.601 or 550.694 and 550.695 should not need to take this course. No undergraduates allowed.