NS 6520 - The Foundations of Epidemiology

Spring. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

Prerequisite: BTRY 6010 or equivalent. Permission of instructor required. Enrollment limited to: graduate students.

P. Cassano.

Intent is to train students to conduct epidemiologic research. Through lectures, classroom discussion, and project-based work, students will learn the principles of epidemiology, including study design and sources of bias in estimation of effects, evaluate evidence from epidemiologic studies and design an epidemiologic case study on a topic of interest. Students will apply epidemiologic approaches to study questions in health-related specialties including clinical medicine, and nutritional sciences.

Outcome 1: Demonstrate comprehension of epidemiology principles by completing assignments on basic concepts.

Outcome 2: Demonstrate epidemiologic thinking to analyze published studies to identify study hypotheses, study design features, measures of effect, internal validity information, and to interpret findings in light of critical analysis.

Outcome 3: Apply critical analysis of epidemiologic studies to evaluate evidence and to make inferences about cause–effect associations.

Outcome 4: Demonstrate ability to integrate epidemiologic principles and critical analysis and apply this by working in teams to design an epidemiologic case study.