HSCI 302: Epidemiology

This course explores basic concepts of epidemiology within multiple dimensions of healthcare. Topics include population health, disease and prevention, distributions of diseases, and evaluation of public health data. Course Outcomes: 1. Explain the place of epidemiology within public health and medicine. ILO 6; PLOs 1 & 2 2. Define and use basic epidemiologic terminology. ILO 3; PLO 1 3. Calculate and interpret mean, median, mode, ranges, variance, standard deviation, and confidence interval. ILOs 2 & 4; PLOs 1 & 3 4. Calculate and interpret ratios, proportions, incidence rates, mortality rates, prevalence, and years of potential life lost. ILOs 2 & 4; PLOs 1 & 3 5. Prepare and apply tables, graphs, and charts, such as scatter diagrams, pie charts, and box plots. ILOs 2, 3, & 6; PLOs 1 & 3 6. Evaluate the basic structure, strengths, and weaknesses of common epidemiologic study designs. ILOs 3 & 4; PLOs 1 & 3 7. Identify the basic standards used to determine whether an association is causal. ILOs 2, 4, & 6; PLOs 1 & 3 8. Explain the difficulties of designing studies to make fair comparisons. ILOs 1 & 6; PLOs 1 & 3 9. Critically evaluate and interpret scientific literature relevant to public health professionals. ILOs 1, 2, 3, 4, & 6; PLOs 1 & 3 10. Analyze raw data and interpret results for public health professionals and the general public. ILOs 2 & 4; PLOs 1 & 3 11. Describe the processes, uses, and evaluation of public health surveillance. ILOs 1, 4, & 6; PLOs 1, 2, & 3 12. Describe the steps of an outbreak investigation. ILOs 1, 2, 4, & 6; PLOs 1, 2, 3, & 4