SOC 1236: Epidemiology

Abstract

Course Description: The study of epidemiology teaches the methods, ethics, and applications of the scientific method. It provides a vehicle for rigorously linking the concerns of the natural and social sciences, thus enriching understanding of public policy and other population-based disciplines. This graduate level course on epidemiology is designed to introduce epidemiology, basic concepts, methodology, and their practical usage in public health. The overall aim of this course is to introduce students to the “tools of the trade” – the basic ideas and methods that the avid students with an interest in public health epidemiology should know to effectively function in a public health setting. Students will gain knowledge and skills to evaluate public health problems by using epidemiological methodology to design an epidemiological study, analyze data, and interpret its results to develop strategic solutions. Examples of the use of the principles of epidemiology are presented so that students will have sufficient understanding to apply such principles in future public health work. ¶ LEARNING OBJECTIVES: At the end of this course, students should be familiar with: ▪ The measures used to quantify diseases in populations. ▪ The types of epidemiological studies that can be used to investigate disease in populations. ▪ How to decide when an observed association is likely to be causal. ▪ Some of the potential pitfalls of epidemiological studies and how to avoid them. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: By the end of this course, students should be able to: ▪ Describe the main uses of epidemiology. ▪ Calculate measures of disease frequency, measures of effect and impact, and know the application of each. ▪ Read understand and interpret scientific papers. ▪ Discuss the main types of epidemiological studies including their strengths weaknesses and when to use them.