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:
- Describe and discuss the application and scope of epidemiological research
- Define, calculate and interpret epidemiological measures, including measures of disease frequency, measures of association and measures of population impact
- Plan, discuss and evaluate epidemiological study designs and analytical strategies
- Describe the uses and limitations of different data sources in the context of epidemiological measures
- 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
- Discuss the concepts of reliability and validity
- Evaluate the results and interpretation of published epidemiological research
- 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