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Course Title / Principles of EpidemiologyCourse Number / EPI 100
Credit / 4 units
Term / Spring 2013
Meeting Day/
Location(s) / Fridays (every other week), 1:00-5:00pm
Session 1 Fri. March 22
Session 2 Fri April5
Session 3 Fri. April 19
Session 4 Fri. May 3
Session 5 Fri. May 17
Session 6 Fri. May 31
Session 7 Fri. June 7
Deans Conference Room
(tentative)
Instructor / Marc A. Strassburg, Dr.P.H.
Adjunct Professor Epidemiology
Department of Epidemiology
818 415-3003
Office Hours: (contact Professor to request a meeting either prior to or after class sessions)
TA / To be Determined
Course Description / Epidemiology is the study of patterns and determinants of health related states or events in human populations and the application of this study to the control of health problems. The purpose of this course is to provide health professionals with a clear understanding of epidemiologic methods, principles, and terminology. This includes the descriptive and analytic tools which are used in traditional epidemiological studies as well as how such studies are applied to planning/assessing health services for defined populations.
Affinity Group / Public Health Principles
Other courses in this Affinity Group: BIO 100A, BIO 419, EHS 100, and CHS 100
Course Outcomes/ Competencies / Epidemiologic Competencies - after taking this course a student be competent in the areas listed in the table after the course schedule
See table at bottom
Required Texts/ Recommended Readings / COURSE MATERIALS: These will be provided to the students by the Professor on the eMPH website.
REQUIRED TEXTS
Rothman Kenneth J. Epidemiology an Introduction. Oxford University Press, 2002 ISBN: 0-190513553-9.
Ahlbom Anders, NorellStaffan: Introduction to Modern Epidemiology. 1990 (out of print) – all chapters will be provided in pdfs on the eMPH website. (Permission has been obtained from the authors and publisher.)
Methods of Evaluation / HOMEWORK
There are a total of 10 homework assignments. They should all be uploaded to the eMPH web site. Due dates are the day of the session. For several homeworks you are asked to select some aspect of a Rothman chapter to write on -- ½ page exposition, or a brief outline of the chapter is acceptable as well. Each well done homework is worth 3 points)
PRESENTATIONS
Each studentwill prepare and give approximately a 5 minute PowerPoint presentation (5-10 slides). Topic selection and schedule of presentations will be provided to students during Session 1. All presentations should be developed using PowerPoint and either uploaded in advance to the eMPH web site or brought to class on a memory ‘stick.’ Students are encouraged to provide feedback after each presentation.
Grading for the Powerpoint presentation :
1. Overall effectiveness of presentation: both clarity of slides, balance of text and graphics, and delivery.
2. Epidemiological and scientific appropriateness -- evidence-based, and was the information presented in the appropriate manner --e.g.. Were biases and any confounders mentioned, etc.
3. Depth of presentation - did presenter go beyond what was in the book -- and ability to go into or drill down into any data presented
4. Knowledge of subject matter and ability to convey it -- relating to one's audience
PARTICIPATION – In addition to the usual expected student-professor and student-student interactions, each student will be responsible to select at least one reasonably current medical/news article of epidemiological interest during the quarter (preferably related to the session topics). These are to be short summaries, which illustrate some epidemiological point. Students will be assigned a session by session 1. A very short summary is to be uploaded prior to the Session due.
FINAL EXAM
Multiple choice/short fill-ins. You are permitted to use one 8 ½” page of any font size, 2 sided ‘cheat-cheat’.
DECORUM
Electronic devices are to be used during class for course related activities only. Students with special needs for such devices should contact the Professor to discuss. Classroom discussion is greatly encouraged, ---side-bars are not! In addition, students are expected to follow all guidelines regarding academic integrity and conduct, please see
Grade Distribution / GRADING
Homeworks 30%
Presentation 20%
Final Exam* 40%
Participation/Attendance 10%
*The Final Exam will be multiple choice/short fill-in. You are permitted to use one 8 ½” page 2 sided ‘cheat-cheat’.
Letter grades for the course will be assigned as follows:
97-100 = A+ 88-91 = B+ 70-74 = C+ Below 65 = D
94- 96 = A 80-87 = B 65- 69 = C
92- 93 = A- 75-79 = B- 65- 69 = C-
Course Schedule/ Readings
Session 1
C1, C3, C6, I7, C9 / A. Topics: Medical Beliefs, Evidence-based Medicine, Causality, Epi Overview
B. Reading: Ahlbom 1, 6; Rothman 1, 2
C. Homework:
i. Select a personal/family medical “Belief.” Write approximately ½ page summary as to whether you think that there is ‘scientific’ justification/evidence or not. Examples include: Vitamin C and/or Chicken Soup prevents/ameliorates colds, measles vaccine causes autism, glucosamine & chondroitin as a treatment for Osteoarthritis, etc.
AND
ii. Write 1/2 page on some aspect from each of Rothman’s Chapters – or submit brief outlines of the chapters.
D. In-Class Exercise: Epi Pre-Test
E. Special Presentation: Disease de Jour
Session 2
C3, C7, C1 / A. Topics: Measuring Diseases, Infectious Diseases, Bioterrorism, Eradication
B. Reading: Ahlbom 2, 3, 9, Rothman 3
C. Homework
i. Select a disease which you believe would be a good candidate for eradication and provide justification - – ½ to 1 page.
AND
ii. Complete Exercise - Outbreak of Enteritis - Mecca (on website)
D. In-Class Exercise: Syndromic Surveillance - New York Experience
E. Special Presentation: Smallpox - The Disease and the Eradication Story
Session 3
C6, C7, C10 / A. Topics: Study Designs –Biases in Study Design. Cross-Sectional, Ecological, Experimental
B. Reading: Ahlbom 8, Rothman 5
C. Homework: Write 1/2 page on some aspect from Rothman’s Chapter – or submit a brief outline of the chapter.
D. In Class: Exercise on Study Types
E. Special Presentation: Hyperbaric Oxygen and “Brain Repair,” Experimental (Intervention) Studies
Session 4
C6, C7, C10 / A. Topics: Study Designs – Case-control, Cohort
B. Reading: Ahlbom 7, 10; Rothman 4
C. Homework: Complete Case-Control and Cohort exercises (on eMPHwebsite)
Session 5
:
C5, C5 / A. Topics: Epidemiology in Health Services: Information for decision making
and Epidemiology as a management tool
C. Readings: On eMPH website
B. Homework: Select an epidemiologic concept or a method and illustrate how you would be able to use this concept or method to better manage operations within a health service practice environment.
Session 6
C2,C7, C9 / A. Topics: Screening and Standardization (Age Adjustment)
B. Reading: Ahlbom 4, 5, Rothman 11
C. Home work: Write (1/2 page) on some aspect from Rothman’s chapter – or submit a brief outline of the chapter.
D. In Class Exercises: Direct Adjustment of Rates, Surveys and Screening
Session 7
C8, C10 / A. Topics: Accuracy of Epidemiologic Studies – Validity, Random Error, Meta-analyses,
B. Ahlbom 8, Rothman 6
C. Homework – ½ page on some aspect of the course which impressed you or is most useful for you.
E. FINAL EXAM
Learning Objectives / ASPH Competencies
- Characterize and describe disease or injury by person, place, time, and by agent, host, or environment.
C.4. Explain the importance of epidemiology for informing scientific, ethical, economic and political discussion of health issues.
2. Measure and describe health problems in population groups, including incidence, prevalence, morbidity/mortality rates, and vital statistics. / C3. Describe a public health problem in terms of magnitude, person, time and place.
C.4. Explain the importance of epidemiology for informing scientific, ethical, economic and political discussion of health issues.
C.7. Calculate basic epidemiology measures.
- Understand and utilize approaches to epidemics of known and unknown etiologies.
C.4. Explain the importance of epidemiology for informing scientific, ethical, economic and political discussion of health issues.
- Recognize epidemiological study designs such as ecologic, cross-sectional, cohort, case-control, and experimental studies.
C.6. Apply the basic terminology and definitions of epidemiology
- Calculate measures of association between risk factors and health outcomes (including interpretation and significance).
C.7. Calculate basic epidemiology measures.
- Formulate hypotheses from descriptive studies and evaluate hypotheses using cohort or experimental studies.
C.9. Draw appropriate inferences from epidemiologic data.
- Calculate and assess basic measures of validity and public health screening programs.
C.4. Explain the importance of epidemiology for informing scientific, ethical, economic and political discussion of health issues.
C.7. Calculate basic epidemiology measures.
- Know and use basic epidemiologic terms and principles.
C.6. Apply the basic terminology and definitions of epidemiology
- Select the appropriate public health data source to answer public health questions.
C.4. Explain the importance of epidemiology for informing scientific, ethical, economic and political discussion of health issues.
C.5. Comprehend basic ethical and legal principles pertaining to the collection, maintenance, use and dissemination of epidemiologic data.
- Criticize the communication of an epidemiologic study as reported in the popular press.
C.8. Communicate epidemiologic information to lay and professional audiences.
C.10. Evaluate the strengths and limitations of epidemiologic reports.
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