Courses

Epidemiologic Applications of GIS

June 12 - June 30, 2023
Online course
2 credits
Course Number: 340.701.89


Course Instructor:

Description:

Presents the methods and uses of epidemiology towards the development and application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in public health. Emphasizes the potential of GIS as an epidemiological analysis tool for describing the magnitude of priority health problems, identifying health determinants and supporting health decision-making. Specific topics include epidemiological risk assessment and GIS, thematic mapping of unmet health needs, malaria risk assessment and GIS application for identifying public health problems. Includes hands-on experience and laboratory exercises using public domain and ESRI software.

Student Evaluation: Exam

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the course participants will be able to:

  • Apply the concepts of GIS in public health surveillance and health situation analyses, including assessment of health needs and priorities

  • Use the SIGEpi software as a GIS tool for producing and editing health thematic maps, tables and graphs

  • Carry out queries for epidemiological analyses from maps and tables, using the basic aspects of the structured query language (SQL)

  • Carry out basic spatial analyses of epidemiological information from different cartographic layers through different GIS tools and procedures

  • Create and edit quality thematic maps for final presentation

Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of epidemiology and biostatistics and of use of spreadsheets and tabulations

Grading Options: Letter Grade or Pass/Fail 

Course Materials: A required GIS textbook is available in the on-line library in CoursePlus. Students must bring a laptop to class.

Special Comments: Should not be taken by students who completed 223.842 or 340.881.11

Related Courses: Investigation of Outbreaks  • Decision Making in Health Situation Analysis