330.603.81
Psychiatric Epidemiology

Location
Internet
Term
2nd Term
Department
Mental Health
Credit(s)
3
Academic Year
2024 - 2025
Instruction Method
Asynchronous Online
Auditors Allowed
Yes, with instructor consent
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Heather Volk
Leslie Adams
Contact Name
Leslie Adams
Contact Email
ladams36@jhu.edu
Frequency Schedule
Every Other Year
Next Offered
2026 - 2027
Prerequisite

1. Introduction to Online Learning; 330.617.01—The Public Health Approach to Psychopathology; or 330.601.81--The Perspectives of Psychiatry—the Public Health Framework. Those with a clinical background in psychiatry, psychology, or social work are exempted from this requirement.
And
2. 340.601.01 Principles of Epidemiology; or 340.751.01 Epidemiologic Methods; or another prior or concurrent course in epidemiology, approved by the instructor.

Description
Reviews descriptive and analytic epidemiology for major mental disorders. Examines issues of classification and nosology of psychiatric disorders, operational case definitions and measurement techniques, prevalence and incidence rates, natural history, risk factor research and plausible explanations for credible risk factors. Considers aspects of psychiatric epidemiology that illustrate important problems and concepts in epidemiology generally.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Apply knowledge of the descriptive epidemiology of the major mental disorders—prevalence, incidence, and natural history
  2. Compare and contrast the most important risk and protective factors for major psychiatric disorders
  3. Differentiate the most recent epidemiological evidence for two or more distinct psychiatric disorders
  4. Appraise methodological and conceptual issues for the general field of epidemiology that are especially well-illustrated in psychiatric epidemiology
  5. Evaluate gaps in knowledge, and future needs and trends in the field of psychiatric epidemiology
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
  • 25% Participation
  • 35% Paper(s)
  • 40% Exam(s)
Enrollment Restriction
No undergrads permitted
Instructor Consent
No consent required
Consent Contact
ladams36@jhu.edu
Jointly Offered With
Epidemiology
Special Comments

MH doctoral students must register for 1 unit 330.840 Dr. Leslie Adams