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340.601.01
Principles of Epidemiology

Location
East Baltimore
Term
Summer Term
Department
Epidemiology
Credit(s)
5
Academic Year
2024 - 2025
Instruction Method
In-person
Class Time(s)
M, W, F, 8:30 - 9:20am
Lab Times
Monday, 10:00am - 12:00pm (01)
Wednesday, 10:00am - 12:00pm (01)
Monday, 10:00am - 12:00pm (02)
Wednesday, 10:00am - 12:00pm (02)
Monday, 10:00am - 12:00pm (03)
Friday, 10:00am - 12:00pm (03)
Monday, 10:00am - 12:00pm (04)
Friday, 10:00am - 12:00pm (04)
Wednesday, 10:00am - 12:00pm (05)
Friday, 10:00am - 12:00pm (05)
Wednesday, 10:00am - 12:00pm (06)
Friday, 10:00am - 12:00pm (06)
Auditors Allowed
No
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Description
Introduces principles and methods of epidemiologic investigation of infectious and noninfectious diseases. Illustrates methods by which studies of the distribution and dynamic behavior of disease in a population can contribute to an understanding of etiologic factors, modes of transmission, and pathogenesis. Presents different types of study design, including randomized trials, case-control and cohort studies, risk estimation, and causal inferences. Demonstrates the relationship between epidemiology and the development of policy. Laboratory problems provide experience in epidemiologic methods and inferences, illustrating a common-vehicle epidemic; the spread of infectious disease in school, home, and community; epidemiological aspects of a noninfectious disease; vaccination; the epidemiological approach to health services evaluation; rates of morbidity and mortality; sensitivity and specificity; and life table methods.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Construct models for populations described by person, place, and time
  2. Identify and distinguish major epidemiological study designs, including descriptive (e.g., ecological and cross-sectional), experimental (e.g., randomized clinical trials), and observational (e.g., cohort and case-control) designs
  3. Critically review published epidemiologic papers and assess the validity of their design and their inferences
  4. Explain the role of epidemiologic methods in uncovering the etiology of disease and other health states in order to prevent disease and improve health
  5. Identify the place of epidemiology in outbreak investigation and surveillance
  6. Explain how epidemiologic methods are used in evaluating screening programs and health interventions, and in the development of health policy
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
  • 30% Midterm
  • 50% Final Exam
  • 20% Quizzes
Enrollment Restriction
Full time MPH students only (no part time MPH or special students
Special Comments

Tthe lectures end at 9:30, not 9:20