NS 3600 - Epidemiology

Spring. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

Prerequisite: STSCI 2150 or BTRY 3010. Co-meets with NS 5600.

J. Finkelstein.

This course introduces the principles and methods used in epidemiologic research. NS 3600 will use a combination of didactic lectures, classroom discussions, applied projects, and in-depth case studies to explore epidemiologic research, including disease occurrence, measures of association, causal inference in quantitative research, and applications of epidemiologic methods to global and public health research. Epidemiologic principles in the design, conduct, and interpretation of findings from observational and experimental studies will be explored in detail, including strengths and limitations of study designs. The final project of the course will require integration of methodological concepts with applications to develop a scientific question and design an epidemiologic research study to address a threat to public and global health.

Outcome 1: To understand the basic principles and methods used in epidemiology research.

Outcome 2: To evaluate the scientific literature, with emphasis on epidemiologic studies, including interpretation of findings and critical examination of strengths and limitations of different study designs.

Outcome 3: To apply methodological concepts to develop a scientific question and design an epidemiologic research study to address a threat to public and global health.