Module Aims:

This core module covers principles of both descriptive and analytical epidemiology. Students will learn how to describe the distribution and determinants of health-related states and events in a population, the main approaches to studying the relationship between exposures and outcomes and their principal applications to the control of diseases and other health problems.

Module Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

1. Describe and discuss the application and scope of epidemiological research
2. Define, calculate and interpret epidemiological measures, including measures of disease frequency, measures of association and measures of population impact
3. Plan, discuss and evaluate epidemiological study designs and analytical strategies
4. Describe the uses and limitations of different data sources in the context of epidemiological measures
5. Express and describe the key concepts, implications and approaches to address random error, bias, and confounding in the context of epidemiological research and study design
6. Discuss the concepts of reliability and validity
7. Evaluate the results and interpretation of published epidemiological research
8. Describe strategies for causal inference in epidemiological research

 

Pre-requisites:

Fluent numeracy and a good understanding of elementary algebra (e.g. rearranging equations, graphical interpretation of a linear equation in two variables, simultaneous linear equations when solution is unique, quadratic equations), logarithms (and performing algebraic operations on logarithmic scale), summation notation (∑), and probability (including performing simple probability operations). Familiarity with scientific notation, and with performing automated calculations (e.g. in excel, R, or equivalent).

 

Teaching Strategy:

The module will be delivered using a combination of lectures, workshops, group discussion and experiential learning. Some reading will be required prior to some sessions.

Assessment:

A timed assessment, 1 week after the end of the module, consisting of a set of structured questions on a range of epidemiological principles.

 

Module Length: 8 days over 4 weeks