COURSE INFORMATION
Epidemiology
EPI200 Principles of Epidemiology
Fall 1
Dr. J. Buring
2.5 credits
Lectures, seminars. Two 1-hour lectures and one 2-hour seminar each week.
Introduces the basic principles and methods of epidemiology. Lectures are complemented by seminars devoted to exercises or to the discussion of current examples of epidemiologic studies.
Course Activities: Lectures, seminar participation, midterm, final examination.
Course Note: Thursday or Friday lab required. Credit is not given for more than one of EPI 200, EPI 201, EPI 208, or EPI500
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI200R Principles of Epidemiology Repeat
Spring 1
Dr. E. F. Cook
2.5 credits
Independent Study
Open only to students who have failed the core course, and must repeat it. Students must sign up for the section with the instructor from whom they took the original course.
Course Note: Completed independent study contract is required at the time of registration; pass/fail only; signature of instructor required.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI200R Principles of Epidemiology Repeat
Spring 2
Dr. E. F. Cook
2.5 credits
Independent Study
Open only to students who have failed the core course, and must repeat it. Students must sign up for the section with the instructor from whom they took the original course.
Course Note: Completed independent study contract is required at the time of registration; pass/fail only; signature of instructor required.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI201 Introduction to Epidemiology: Methods I
Fall 1
M. Hernan
2.5 credits
Lectures, labs. Two 2-hour sessions each week, one 2-hour lab each week.
EPI201 introduces the principles and methods used in epidemiologic research. The course discusses the conceptual and practical issues encountered in the design and analysis of epidemiologic studies for description and causal inference. The final exam requires the application of the learned skills to a real problem in epidemiology. EPI201 is the first course in the series of methods courses designed for students majoring in Epidemiology or Biostatistics, and those interested in a detailed introduction to the design and conduct of epidemiologic studies. Students who take EPI201 are expected to take EPI202 (Methods II).
Course Note: Thursday or Friday lab required. Credit is not given for more than one of EPI 200, EPI 201, EPI 208, or EPI500; ordinal grading option only; no auditors.
Course Evaluations
EPI201R Introduction to Epidemiology Repeat
Spring 1
Dr. E. F. Cook
2.5 credits
Independent Study
Open only to students who have failed the core course, and must repeat it. Students must sign up for the section with the instructor from whom they took the original course.
Course Note: Completed independent study contract is required at the time of registration; pass/fail only; signature of instructor required.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI201R Introduction to Epidemiology Repeat
Spring 2
Dr. E. F. Cook
2.5 credits
Independent Study
Open only to students who have failed the core course, and must repeat it. Students must sign up for the section with the instructor from whom they took the original course.
Course Note: Completed independent study contract is required at the time of registration; pass/fail only; signature of instructor required.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI202 Elements of Epidemiologic Research: Methods II
Fall 2
Dr. M. Mittleman
2.5 credits
Lectures, seminars. Two 2-hour sessions and one 2-hour seminar each week.
Introduces elements of study design, data analysis and inference in epidemiologic research. Principles and methods are illustrated with examples, and reviewed through homework and in-class exercises. May serve as an introduction to more advanced study or as a concluding course for those desiring a working knowledge of epidemiologic methods.
Course Note: EPI 201, EPI500, or EPI208 required - This course is intended to by taken in conjunction with EPI201 to complete the equivalent of a full semester course in Epidemiologic Methods. BIO 201, or BIO 202 and 203; or BIO 206 and BIO 207, BIO 208 or BIO 209 required - concurrent enrollment permitted. Thursday or Friday lab; sign up for appropriate section at first class meeting.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI202 Elements of Epidemiologic Research
Summer 2
Dr. M. Mittleman
2.5 credits
Lectures, seminars. Five 2-hour sessions each week.
Introduces elements of study design, data analysis and inference in epidemiologic research. Principles and methods are illustrated with examples, and reviewed through homework and in-class exercises. May serve as an introduction to more advanced study or as a concluding course for those desiring a working knowledge of epidemiologic methods.
Course Note: EPI 200, EPI 201, EPI208, or EPI500 required - concurrent enrollment permitted; BIO 200; or BIO 201; or BIO 202 and 203; or BIO 205; or BIO 219; or BIO 206 and BIO 207, BIO 208 or BIO 209 required - concurrent enrollment permitted.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI203 Study Design in Epidemiologic Research
Spring 2
Dr. A. Walker
2.5 credits
Lectures. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
Beginning with the randomized clinical trial as a paradigm, this course examines common problems in the design, analysis, and interpretation of observational studies. Cohort and case-control studies are the focus of the discussion, but not to the exclusion of other designs. Problems of exposure and disease definitions, time-dependent effects, confounding, and misclassification are considered in the light of data sources typically available. Relevant statistical methods are introduced but not developed in detail.
Course Activities: Review of published studies, class discussion.
Course Note: EPI 202 and BIO 200, BIO 201, or BIO202 and BIO203, or signature of instructor required.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI204 Analysis of Case-Control and Cohort Studies
Spring 2
TBA
2.5 credits
Lectures, seminars, labs. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
Examine, through practical examples, analysis of case-control and cohort studies using, primarily, conditional logistic and Cox regression model etiologic studies. Explore analytic approaches in the presence of missing data, confounding, and interaction. Emphasize analysis and interpretation of results in the context of research question and study design. Familiarity with SAS is desirable.
Course Activities: Written group projects, class discussion, quizzes, homework.
Course Note: BIO11 or BIO113 and EPI200, EPI201 or EPI208, and EPI202 required. Concurrent enrollment permitted. BIO210 required. Concurrent enrollment permitted. Lab optional.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI205 Practice of Epidemiology
Fall
Dr. E. Rimm, Dr. M. Stampfer, Dr. L. Mucci, Dr. G. Curhan
2.5 credits
Seminars, tutorials. One 2-hour tutorial each week during Fall 1 period and one 2-hour seminar each week during Fall 2 period.
The seminars consist of student presentations of plans for collection and analysis of epidemiological data, with discussion by students and faculty. Preparatory work is done under tutorial arrangements with members of the faculty. The emphasis is on conceptual issues necessary for the development of a feasible and informative epidemiological study.
Course Activities: Individual student paper and presentation, class discussion, and student and faculty critiques.
Course Note: This course is aimed primarily at epidemiology doctoral students; EPI201, EPI202, EPI203 and EPI204; signature of instructor required; ordinal grading option only. (5.06) class size is limited.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI207 Advanced Epidemiologic Methods
Fall 1
Dr. M. Hernan, Dr. J. Robins
2.5 credits
Lectures. Two 2-hour sessions and one 2-hour lab each week.
Provides an in-depth investigation of statistical methods for drawing causal inferences from observational studies. Informal epidemiologic concepts such as confounding, selection bias, overall effects, direct effects, and intermediate variables will be formally defined within the context of a counterfactual causal model and with the help of causal diagrams. Methods for the analysis of the causal effects of time-varying exposures in the presence of time dependent covariates that are simultaneously confounders and intermediate variables will be emphasized. These methods include g-computation algorithm estimators, inverse probability weighted estimators of marginal structural models, g-estimation of structural nested models. As a practicum, students will reanalyze data sets using the above methods.
Course Activities: Class discussion, homework, practicum and final examination.
Course Note: EPI204, BIO210 and EPI289, or BIO233, or signature of instructor required; familiarity with logistic regression and survival analysis is expected; lab time will be announced at first meeting. (5.06)
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI208 Introduction to Clinical Epidemiology
Summer
Dr. J. Katz, Dr. E. F. Cook, Dr. D. Singer, Dr. H. Baer
5 credits
Lectures, seminars, case studies. Five 2-hour sessions each week.
This course is an introductory-level course and covers the principles and methods used in traditional and clinical epidemiologic research through a series of lectures, exercises, seminars, workshops and presentations. This course is targeted at individuals planning to conduct clinical research.
Course Activities: Written assignments, computer exercises, seminar discussion; each student is required to develop a study proposal that addresses a specific clinical problem and to formally present this proposal to the class. These proposals are then written in grant application format as the final paper for the course. Seminars are held during scheduled class time.
Course Note: For participants in the Summer Program in Clinical Effectiveness only; no auditors.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI213 Epidemiology of Cancer
Spring 1
Dr. E. Giovannucci, Dr. L. Mucci
2.5 credits
Lectures. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
The aim of this course is to present an overview of the basic concepts and issues central to cancer epidemiology. We will consider the descriptive epidemiology of cancer and discuss the implications of the biology of cancer for identification of risk factors. We present topics both with respect to key cancer exposures, including smoking, radiation, nutrition, and hormones, and also highlight selected malignancies.
Course Activities: Active class participation, descriptive epidemiology of a specific cancer site, a final review paper.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI215 Adv. Topics in the Analysis of Case Control and Cohort Studies
Spring 2
Dr. E. Cook, Dr. P. Kraft, Dr. E. Tchetgen
2.5 Credits
Course Not Offered 2009-2010
Lectures, labs. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
This course primarily extends the applications of parametric regression models covered in EPI204 to address additional and related analytic issues encountered in epidemiologic research. Topics include techniques for modeling continuous and polychromous exposures, methods to account for missing data, doubly-robust modeling, and issues involved in high dimensional data analysis, risk prediction, and sample size calculations. Emphasis is on applications of interpretations of results with limited introduction to theory that underlies these techniques. Familiarity with SAS is desirable.
Course Activities: Class discussion, quizzes, homework.
Course Note: EPI204 required. Lab optional.
Course Evaluations
EPI216 Epidemiology in Public Health Practice
Spring 1
Dr. R. Dicker
2.5 credits
Case studies. One 3-hour session each week.
The course uses case studies to teach the principles and practice of field epidemiology, ranging from surveillance to descriptive epidemiology to outbreak investigation to analytic methods. The course focuses on the use of sound epidemiologic judgment, particularly when epidemiologic theory and practical considerations conflict. Following this course, the student will be familiar with the principles of epidemiology relevant to public health professionals, and should be able to apply those principles to address public health problems in the community.
Course Note: EPI 200, EPI 201, or EPI 208 required.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI219 Assessment Concepts and Methods in Psychiatric Epidemiology
Fall 2
Dr. D. Blacker
2.5 credits
Lectures, laboratory/practice sessions. One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour laboratory/practice session each week.
Presents the application of basic epidemiologic and psychometric concepts and methods in psychiatric research. Topics include: measurement theory, reliability, validity, screening, and diagnostic classification procedures, as they specifically relate to psychiatric research. The course is in the psychiatric epidemiology track and is intended primarily for students interested in conducting mental health research.
Course Activities: Class discussion, brief homeworks, class project with oral presentation and final paper.
Course Note: Students should be familiar with the major forms of psychopathology, basic epidemiologic research methods, and introductory statistics; EPI 200, EPI 201 or EPI 208 and BIO 200 or BIO 201 or BIO 200s and BIO 200t required or consent of instructor; lab or section time to be arranged at first meeting. (5.06)
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI220 Psychiatric Diagnosis in Clinic and Community Populations
Spring 2
Dr. J. Smoller, Dr. M. Mimiaga
2.5 Credits
Offered in 2008-2009. Offered alternate years.
Seminars. Lab. One 2-hour class session each week and One 2-hour lab each week.
Focuses on interview schedules designed to diagnose psychiatric disorders in clinical settings and household surveys. The course provides practical experience in differential diagnosis, in the administration of different kinds of interview schedules, and in analysis of responses. The course is designed primarily for students considering a career in mental health research. The course is an applied, mid-level course in the psychiatric epidemiology track.
Course Activities: Class discussion, verbal and written reports on practicum experience.
Course Note: Students should have an understanding of the major forms of psychopathology; introductory statistics and epidemiology; clinical or research experience with psychopathology or prior psychiatric epidemiology coursework; signature of instructor required. BIO200 or BIO201 or equivalent, EPI200 or EPI201 or equivalent.
Course Evaluations
EPI221 Pharmacoepidemiology
Fall 2
Dr. A. Walker
2.5 credits
Lectures. Four 2-hour lectures each week.
Within the framework of formal epidemiologic analysis, this course covers inference about the effects of pharmaceuticals from case reports, case series, vital statistics and other registration schemes, cohort studies, and case-control studies. Decision-making with inadequate data is examined from the perspectives of manufacturers and of regulators. Students are graded on the basis of group projects. This course is intended primarily for students wishing to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry or in national regulatory bodies, but may have more general interest as an applied mid-level course with a heavy methodological emphasis.
Course Activities: Written and oral group projects, individual class presentations, class discussion.
Course Note: Knowledge of epidemiology at the level of EPI 202 and a basic understanding of drug use and nomenclature are assumed; completion of EPI203 preferred; enrollment limited to 25 students; signature of instructor required.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI222 Genetic Epidemiology of Diabetes and its Complications
Spring 2
Dr. F. Hu, Dr. A. Doria
2.5 credits
Course offered 2008-2009; taught alternate years.
Seminar, case studies, laboratories. Two 2-hour seminars each week.
The genetics of diabetes and its complications, together with the descriptive epidemiology of these conditions, will be used to illustrate the process of generating etiologic hypotheses that can be studied by the methods of genetic epidemiology. Techniques of molecular genetics relevant to epidemiologic studies will be reviewed and demonstrated. Data sets that include genotype information will be analyzed with an emphasis placed on the examination of various gene/environment interaction.
Course Note: EPI 202 required; lab or section time to be announced at first meeting; ordinal grading option only. (5.06)
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI223 Cardiovascular Epidemiology
Fall 2
Dr. D. Mozaffarian
2.5 credits
Lectures, in-class presentations. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
This course reviews the epidemiology of cardiovascular disease, including the major cardiovascular diseases, related conditions, emerging risk factors, and current controversies. The principal methods used, and their limitation, will also be discussed. Both historically important and current research will be presented. Grades are based on participation in class discussions, brief written paper critiques, and an in-class presentation. There is no midterm or final exam.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI224 Cancer Prevention
Spring 2
Dr. L. Frazier, Dr. C. Stein
2.5 credits
Lectures, case studies. Two 2-hour session each week
The course will help students develop a framework for analyzing and designing cancer prevention interventions to reduce the burden of cancer. Approaches to cancer prevention will be reviewed with the principal emphasis on primary prevention. The lectures and readings will examine different theoretical and practical issues around effectiveness, feasibility, and sustainability of interventions, including theories of behavior change, population vs. high-risk approaches, risk perception and communication, and barriers to implementation. Through problem-based learning exercises, students will review the strategies for cancer prevention in the areas of tobacco control, physical activity and obesity, and screening and vaccines, in addition to other topics. We will emphasize the timing of prevention in the context of the natural history of disease etiology (e.g. breast cancer) and consider population-based approaches to prevention (e.g. skin cancer). Strategies for prevention on multiple levels will also be examined. Levels of intervention from action by health care providers (e.g., counseling and screening), regulatory policy, social structural changes, and individual behavior changes will be emphasized. Key components necessary for prevention policy will include an adequate knowledge base, social strategies, and political will. Students will have homework assignments to collect and summarize information based on case studies, which will be used to develop a cancer prevention intervention as a final project. Grades will be based on class participation, short homework assignments and a final project paper and presentation.
Course Note: Requirement in the Cancer Education Program.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
Course Evaluations
EPI228 Oral Epidemiology
Fall
Dr. T. Zavras
2.5 credits
Course offered 2009-2010, offered alternate years.
Lectures, case studies. One 2-hour session each week.
This course will first discuss the principal measures and methods of epidemiology as they apply to oral conditions; then the distribution, etiology and risk factors for dental caries, periodontal diseases, cleft lip and palate, oral cancer, soft tissue lesions and malocclusions will be studied. The third part of the course links oral epidemiology data to health policy issues:e.g. community preventive dentistry programs, national health care policy, infection control, and health services outcome research.
Course Activities: Class discussion, reading homework, written assignments, midterm and final examinations.
Course Note: EPI 200, EPI 201 or EPI 208 required (concurrent enrollment permitted).
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI229 Ophthalmic Epidemiology
Fall 2
Dr. D. Schaumberg
1.25 credits
Offered 2008-2009, offered alternate years.
Lectures, seminars, discussion. One 2-hour session each week.
The blinding eye disease macular degeneration has emerged as a paradigmatic example of the interplay between genetic predisposition and lifestyle risk factors in causing chronic disease. This course will use the example of macular degeneration as a jumping off point to study the epidemiology of some of the leading causes of blindness and visual impairment. Other diseases will include cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and dry eye disease, and possibly others. Students will obtain knowledge of the leading causes of blindness and visual impairment throughout the world, the burden of disease, the large socioeconomic and gender inequities globally, and what is known about major risk factors for eye diseases. The course will also touch on strategies to study gene-environment interactions, as well as some statistical issues related to correlated data structures that arise when studying eye disease--e.g. should we study people or eyes?--and how to begin to translate research findings into public health action.
Course Note: EPI 200, EPI 201 or EPI 208 preferred.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI233 Research Synthesis & Meta-Analysis
Spring
Dr. C. Hsieh, Dr. J. Goodman
2.5 credits
Seminars. One 1.5-hour session each week.
Concerned with the explosion of biological data for etiologic inquiry and the use of existing data to inform public health decision making, the course focuses on research synthesis and meta-analysis. We will review the principles and methods for combining epidemiology studies and introduce how other types of scientific evidence, such as toxicology or mode-of-action data, can be incorporated using weight of- evidence analyses. This course will emphasize the use of critical reviews and meta-analysis to explore data and identify sources of variation among studies.
Course Activities: Students will learn the principles of a systematic review, to use existing meta-analys is software to apply principles outlined in the course on example data sets, and, on a topic of their choice, to conduct a critical review or meta-analysis that appropriately weights effect estimates in each study, assesses uncertainty, and incorporates other kinds of scientific data in the overall analysis.
Course Note: EPI200 or EPI201 and BIO200, BIO201, or BIO202 and BIO203 .
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI235 Epi Methods in Health Services Research
Spring 1
Dr. S. Setoguchi-Iwata
Course offered 2009-2010; offered alternate years.
2.5 credits
Lectures, case studies. Two 2-hour lectures each week.
This course is designed to introduce Epidemiology students to the application of standard epidemiologic methods to Health Services Research. The course helps students to recognize the principles of Epidemiology in Health Services Research, and understand the terminology and methods specific to the field. Threats to validity including selection bias, confounding, information bias, and methods for their control will be discussed in a variety of settings emphasizing practical considerations. Lectures include recent or ongoing case studies and examples from the literature. Topics include strategic planning, quality management, risk-adjustment, benchmarking, outcomes and effectiveness research, and program evaluation.
Course Note: EPI202 and BIO 200 or BIO201 required or signature of instructor.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI236 Analytical Aspects of Clinical Epidemiology
Summer 1
Dr. E. F. Cook
5 credits
Lectures, seminars. Ten 2-hour sessions each week.
This course examines some features of study design, but is primarily focused on analytic issues encountered in clinical research. These include techniques for stratified analysis, regression modeling, propensity scores, matching and recursive partitioning. Emphasis is placed on the use of these techniques for the control of confounding and the development of clinical prediction rules. The focus of this course is on applications and interpretations of results with limited introduction to theory that underlies these techniques.
Course Activities: Seminars are scheduled during regular class time. Students must develop a written summary of the analysis of a clinical data set based on the results of daily computer exercises.
Course Note: EPI 208 and BIO 206 and (BIO 207 or BIO 208 or equivalent courses) required; signature of instructor required.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI240 Use of Biomarkers in Epidemiologic Research
Spring 1
Dr. S. Hankinson, Dr. S. Tworoger
1.25 credits
Course offered 2008-2009; offered alternate years.
Lectures, case studies. One 2-hour session each week.
The purpose of this course is to provide students with an overview of the issues pertinent to the collection, measurement, and statistical analysis of biomarker data. The course aims to address general principles within the context of relevant examples. Topics to be covered include study-design considerations, sample storage, sources of laboratory variability, assay evolution and use of pooled samples, among others.
Course Activities: Class discussion, final project.
Course Note: EPI 200, EPI 201 or EPI 208 required; minimum enrollment of 10 students required.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI241 Measuring Health Status
Fall 2
TBA
2.5 credits
Course not offered 2008-2009
Lectures. One 2-hour session each week.
Examines methodologic issues related to measures of health and disease status encountered in clinical research. Topics to be covered include instrument development, scaling, space assessment of reliability, validity and responsiveness to change; principal component analysis and factor analysis; diagnostic test evaluation.
Course Activities: Class discussion, examination, paper.
Course Note: Minimum enrollment of 10 students required.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI242 Seminar in Applied Research in Clinical Epidemiology
Fall
Dr. D. Singer, Dr. E. Orav, Dr. E. F. Cook (Section 1)
Dr. E. F. Cook (Section 3)
1.25 credits for Fall semester; 1.25 credits for Spring semester
Seminars. One 1.5-hour session each week.
This seminar serves as a forum for students' clinical epidemiologic research. In the process, students are exposed to a variety of research designs, analytic strategies, and content areas. There is active class discussion. Faculty emphasize methodologic issues pertinent to the class research presentation.
Course Activities: Student presentation or written assignment.
Course Note: Must register in each appropriate semester; separate grade given at the end of each semester; signature of instructor required.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI242 Seminar in Applied Research in Clinical Epidemiology
Spring
Dr. D. Singer, Dr. E. Orav, Dr. E. Cook (Section 2)
Dr. E. F. Cook (Section 4)
1.25 credits for Fall semester; 1.25 credits for Spring semester
Seminars. One 1.5-hour session each week.
This seminar serves as a forum for students' clinical epidemiologic research. In the process, students are exposed to a variety of research designs, analytic strategies, and content areas. There is active class discussion. Faculty emphasize methodologic issues pertinent to that presentation.
Course Activities: Student presentation or written assignment.
Course Note: Must register in each appropriate semester; separate grade given at the end of each semester; signature of instructor required.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI244 Genetic Epidemiologic Methods for Psychiatric & Other Disorders
Spring 1
Dr. S. L. Santangelo, Dr. D. Pauls
2.5 Credits
Offered alternate years. Offered 2009-2010.
Lectures. One 3-hour session each week.
Designed to introduce students to classical and current research methodology for genetic epidemiologic studies of complex (non-Mendelian) disorders using examples drawn from the psychiatric genetics literature. Topics include issues in phenotype definition, design and analysis of family, twin and adoption studies, segregation analysis, linkage analysis, and association study methods. Students will gain direct experience in carrying out linkage and association analyses using different approaches and analytic packages. Laboratory sessions will be devoted to gene-finding methods and discussion of the technical details of executing the relevant computer programs and interpretation of results. This is one of the courses on the psychiatric epidemiology track, but it may also be of interest to students interested in methods for studying any disorders with complex genetic inheritance.
Course Activities: Lectures, class discussion, homework assignments, labs devoted to computer analyses of data, interpretation, oral or written presentation of results of data analysis.
Course Notes: 1, 5: Students should have an understanding of basic epidemiologic research methods, introductory biostatistics and probability; enrollment limited to 25 students.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI245 Cardiovascular Epidemiology II - Reading the Literature
Spring
Dr. D. Mozaffarian
1.25 Credits
Seminars. One 2-hour session each week.
This course builds upon concepts and methods learned in cardiovascular Epidemiology I (taught in Fall), with a focus on reading and evolution of scientific literature. Coursework will be taught in a seminar-style format, with a focus each class on reading and evaluating relevant original published manuscripts in cardiovascular epidemiology. Students will actively take part in the biweekly manuscript critiques, including leading of at least one critique during the course. The focus will be on development of the student's ability to consider and evaluate scientific investigations in term of methods, strengths and limitation (e.g. related to study design, classification and exposure and outcome, bias/confounding, generalizability, etc) and implications.
Course Requirements: successful completion Cardiovascular Epidemiology I (EPI223) or approval of the course instructor. Enrollment is limited to 10 students.
Course Evaluations
EPI246 Applied Biomarkers in Cancer Epidemiology
Fall 2
Dr. E. Schernhammer
2.50 credits
Not Offered 2009-2010. Alternate year course.
Lectures, discussions. Two 2-hour sessions each week
The focus of this course is on application and interpretation of cancer studies using biomarkers. Topics include biomarkers of exposure, biomarkers related to metabolism/activation and other biological pathways, intermediate/surrogate endpoints, markers of early cancer detection and prognosis. Examples are discussed in each topic to demonstrate different issues in the interpretation of results. Class will be split into one hour lectures and one hour discussions of assigned readings.
Course Activities: Class discussion, one oral presentation, homework assignments, group project, final exam.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI247 Epidemiologic Methods Development - Past and Present
Fall 2
Dr. M. Mittleman
2.5 credits
Lectures. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
This course aims to provide students with a strong foundation in understanding the theoretical basis of currently used epidemiologic methods and also to help students acquire an understanding of the process of developing new approaches. The course will review the theoretical basis of modern epidemiology by reviewing landmark papers in the development of epidemiologic methods. Students will review classic papers that introduced important theoretical and methodological advances in the field.
Course Note: EPI289 or Signature of instructor required.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI249 Molecular Biology for Epidemiologists
Fall 1
Dr. I. De Vivo
2.5 credits
Lectures. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
This course offers an overview of molecular biology and presents molecular biological concepts and techniques commonly used in the laboratory and in epidemiological research. Topics include the structure of DNA and genes, DNA replication, transcription and RNA translation. (5.06)
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI252 Infections and Cancer
Spring 2
Instructor TBA
2.50 credits
Course not offered 2008-2009; offered alternate years.
Lectures, seminars, case studies. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
This course reviews the epidemiology and public health impact of viral and other infectious agents associated with malignancy. The role of host response and the use of serology and viral probes as risk markers are discussed. A related disease or unknown agent is discussed as a case study.
Course Note: EPI 213 required. (5.06)
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI254 The Epidemiology of Aging
Spring 2
Dr. F. Grodstein
1.25 credits
Course Not Offered 2009-2010. Offered Alternate Years.
Lectures. One 2-hour session each week.
This course will cover epidemiologic concepts and methods related to diseases of aging as well as general health issues in the elderly. Topics will include the epidemiology of Alzheimer's Disease; pharmacoepidemiology in the elderly; methodologic dilemmas in such research; as well as others.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI255 Epi of HIV,Part I:Etiology, Natural History & Transmission
Fall 2
Dr. G. Seage
2.5 credits
Course offered 2009-2010; Offered alternate years.
Lectures. One 3-hour session each week.
This course is designed to introduce students to the epidemiology of HIV infection. It is designed for those students with a keen interest in both HIV/AIDS and epidemiologic methods. This course will survey state-of-the-art knowledge of the epidemiology of HIV infection and will emphasize epidemiologic principles and methods; including studies of the etiology of AIDS, estimation of the incidence and prevalence of HIV and AIDS, natural history and survival. The use of appropriate study designs and potential sources of bias will be discussed, with a focus on observational designs. This course will provide the student with experience in the critical review of epidemiologic studies in this area.
Course Activities: Homework assignments will consist of study questions, study critiques, and an in-class exam. These assignments constitute 100% of the grade and are due on the day of the discussions.
Course Note: EPI200, EPI201, or EPI208 required.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI256 Epi of HIV, Part II: Therapeutic & Prevention Interventions
WinterSession
Dr. G. Seage
2.5 credits
Course not offered 2009-2010; offered alternate years.
Lectures. Three 3-hour sessions each week.
This course is designed to introduce students to the design and conduct of HIV therapeutic and prevention interventions. It is designed for those students with a keen interest in both HIV/AIDS and epidemiologic methods. This course will survey state-of-the-art knowledge of the epidemiology of HIV infection and will emphasize epidemiologic principles and methods including the design and conduct of ethical HIV intervention trials. The use of appropriate study designs and potential sources of bias will be discussed. This course will provide the student with experience in the development of a research proposal.
Course Activities: Grades will be based on a research proposal describing a therapeutic or prevention trial.
Course Note: EPI 200, EPI201, EPI208 and EPI255 or signature of instructor required. Course meets Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9 am to 12 pm during WinterSession. On 1/20 and 1/23 the course will meet from 9 am to 1:30 pm. (5.06)
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI257 Advanced Seminar in Cancer Epidemiology
Fall 2
Dr. R. Tamimi
2.5 credits
Course Not Offered 2009-2010
Interactive seminars. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
This course is an advanced seminar in current cancer research. The goal of this course is to present an integrated view of current issues central to cancer epidemiology. We will build on knowledge gained in other courses and cover cancer sites not typically discussed in other courses. The course will take a global perspective on cancer epidemiology, and will emphasize the integration of knowledge from other courses. The course is intended for graduate students who have a research focus in, or a strong interest in cancer epidemiology and cancer prevention. Meetings are expected to be participatory discussions about the current status and future directions for research in the selected areas.
Course Note: Enrollment limited; pass/fail only.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI260 Mathematical Modeling of Infectious Diseases
Spring 2
Dr. M. Lipsitch
2.5 credits
Course offered 2008-2009. Offered alternate years.
Lectures, seminars. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
This course will cover selected topics and techniques in the use of dynamical models to study the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases. Class sessions will primarily consist of lectures and demonstrations of modeling techniques. Techniques will include design and construction of appropriate differential equation models, equilibrium and stability analysis, parameter estimation from epidemiological data, determination and interpretation of the basic reprodutive number of an infection, techniques for sensitivity analysis, and critique of model assumptions. Specific topics will include the use of age-seroprevalence data, the effects of population heterogeneity on transmission, stochastic models and the use of models for pathogens with multiple strains. This course is designed for students with a basic understanding of mathematical modeling concepts who want to develop models for their own work.
Course Note: Previous course in calculus is required; EPI225, EPI285, EPI501, or permission of instructor required.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI269 Epidemiological Research in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Fall 2
Dr. K. Terry, Dr. D. Cramer, Dr. K. Michels
2.5 credits
Lectures. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
This course will provide an overview of the current research in reproductive epidemiology. The course will cover epidemiologic research in the areas of contraception, infertility, pregnancy, menopause, and both benign and malignant gynecological conditions. Students will be introduced to methods used in reproductive epidemiology and learn how to critically evaluate results from epidemiologic studies in obstetrics and gynecology. An overview of the clinical and physiological underpinnings of particular topical areas will be provided.
Course Note: EPI 200, EPI 201 or EPI 208 or signature of instructor required. (6.06)
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI270 Advanced Reproductive Epidemiology
Spring 2
Dr. J. Rich Edwards, Dr. M. Hacker
1.25 credits
Lectures, seminars. One 2-hour session each week.
This course is an advanced seminar in reproductive epidemiologic methods. It is intended for graduate students who have a research focus, or a strong interest, in reproductive epidemiology. The course will cover methodological challenges in analyzing and interpreting epidemiologic data on reproductive outcomes including fertility, fetal development, complications of pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, the controversial role of birthweight and perinatal status in determining short-term and long-term health outcomes of offspring, and the implications of reproductive health status for chronic disease in women. The course will be led by Drs. Rich-Edwards and Hacker, with faculty joining to present methodological cases. Students must read the case materials before class and be prepared for active class discussion. Pass/fail grading will be based on class participation.
Course Note: EPI 269 or equivalent required; instructor's signature required if student has not completed prerequisites; pass/fail grading option only.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI271 Propensity Score Analysis:Theoretical & Practical Considerations
WinterSession
Dr. T. Kurth , Dr. J. D. Seeger
1.25 Credits
Lectures, Computer Lab. Five 2-hour lectures and four 2-hour computer lab sessions
This course introduces basic and advanced theory underlying propensity score analyses and provides practical insights into the conduct of studies employing the method. Course readings will include propensity score theory as well as applications. Lectures are complemented by computer lab sessions devoted to the mechanics of estimating and using the propensity score as a tool to control for confounding in observational research. Students should have knowledge in multivariable modeling approaches. A course project will involve the application of propensity scores to a data set.
Course Activities: Lectures, readings, homeworks, computer labs, participation, project.
Course Notes: BIO210 or equivalent or EPI204 or equivalent required; instructor's signature required. Course meeting dates: TBA
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI284 Epidemiology of Neurologic Diseases
Spring 1
Dr. A. Ascherio, Dr. M. Weisskopf, Dr. M. Breteler
2.5 credits
Course offered 2008-2009; offered alternate years.
Lectures, seminars. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
This course is designed to introduce students to the epidemiology of major neurologic diseases. The emphasis will be both on research methods and on substantive issues. The course will stress etiologic and research intergrating epidemiology with clinical and pathological aspects. Neurological diseases that will be discussed include multiple sclerosis, cerebrovascular diseases, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclorosis, cancers of the nervous system and epilepsy.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI286 Advanced Pharmacoepidemiology
Spring 2
Dr. S. Schneeweiss
2.5 credits
Seminars, lectures. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
Using current examples and with the participation of active researchers in pharmacoepidemiology, this course addresses a range of study designs and analytic techniques for observational studies on the utilization, safety, and effectiveness of pharmaceuticals. Students will develop an understanding of how to plan, implement, analyze, and criticize pharmacoepidemiologic studies. Original research will be presented by principal investigators, followed by intensive discussions on design options, analytic strategies, and sensitivity analyses of confounding and misclassification bias. Lectures will provide methodological background and will cover applied issues typically encountered in pharmacoepidemiology. This course is intended primarily for graduate students considering a career in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry, pharmaceutical benefits management, or in national regulatory bodies.
Course activities: Class discussion, reading homework, individual class presentations.
Course notes: EPI 203, EPI 204, EPI 221, and BIO 210 or BIO 223, or signature of instructor required; familiarity with logistic regression and survival analysis is expected.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI288 Data Mining and Prediction
WinterSession
Dr. N. Cook, Dr. E.F. Cook
2.50 credits
Lecture, computer lab. Eight 3-hour lectures and with daily 2-hour computer labs over two weeks.
This course will present an introduction to the methods of data mining and predictive modeling, with applications to both genetic and clinical data. Basic concepts and philosophy of supervised and unsupervised data mining as well as appropriate applications will be discussed. Topics covered will include multiple comparisons adjustment, cluster analysis, self-organizing maps, principal component analysis, and predictive model building through logistic regression, classification and regression trees (CART), multivariate adaptive splines (MARS), neural networks, random forests, and bagging and boosting.
Course Activities: Computer labs.
Course Note: Students should be familiar with logistic regression (EPI236, BIO213, BIO210, or equivalent); signature of instructor required; no auditors.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI289 Models for Causal Inference
Spring 1
M. Hernán
2.5 credits
Lectures, labs. Two 2-hour sessions each week, one 2-hour lab each week.
EPI289 describes models for causal inference, their assumptions, and their practical application to epidemiologic data. The course introduces ropensity score methods, the parametric g-formula, inverse probability weighting of marginal structural models, g-estimation of nested structural models, and instrumental variable methods. The course also introduces methods for causal inference in the presence of time-varying exposures, and for infectious disease epidemiology, which will be extensively studied in EPI207 and EPI260/EPI501, respectively. EPI289 is designed to be taken after EPI201/EPI202 and concurrently with EPI204. The epidemiologic concepts and methods studied in EPI201/202 will be reformulated within a modeling framework in EPI289, and the statistical models described in EPI204 will be used throughout EPI289. Some familiarity with the SAS anguage is recommended.
Course Note: Wednesday lab required; no auditors.
Course Evaluations
EPI291 Data Collection
WinterSession
M. Murray
2.50 credits
Course not offered 2006-2007
Seminar. Two 1-hour sessions, two 4-hour labs
This is a practical data collection experience that involves surveying and measurements to be performed in the Brigham and Women's Emergency Room. Course participants will be expected to recruit and collect data directly from study participants for two 4-hour shifts per week, scheduled in the afternoons or evenings. The course will also meet for hourly classes twice a week; these classes will include lectures and discussions on practical aspects of study design and data gathering and management including recruitment, dealing with IRBs, writing surveys and consents, setting up data systems and troubleshooting. This course will fulfill the Epidemiology doctoral student's requirement to participate in data collection.
Course note: Pass/Fail option only. (5.06)
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI292 Advanced Topics in Epidemiologic Methods
Spring 2
Dr. P. Kraft
1.25 credits
Course not offered 2008-2009.
Seminars. One 2-hour session each week.
This is a seminar course designed to give students a better understanding of methods not covered in depth by core courses. It consists of lectures by HSPH faculty on their current research, directed readings, and discussion.
Course Activities: Each student will lead a discussion on an article relevant to at least one of the topics covered. Students will be evaluated on class participation.
Course Note: BIO200 or BIO201, EPI200 or EPI201, and EPI202 and EPI203 and EPI204 and EPI207 and EPI247 or permission of instructor required; minimum enrollment of 10 students required.
Course Evaluations
EPI293 Analysis of Genetic Association Studies Using Unrelated Subjects
WinterSession
Dr. P. Kraft
2.50 credits
Lectures, case studies. Eight 3-hour sessions and three computer labs during WinterSession.
This course introduces the conceptual and practical tools needed for genetic association studies using unrelated subjects. Students will gain hands-on experience with a range of analytic tools and software packages as part of a class project which gives them the opportunity to design and analyze an association study. This project will require students to tackle real-world problems such as marker selection, potential multiple comparisons issues due to multiple markers and multiple outcomes, and missing data. Lectures and selected readings present key ideas (such as linkage disequilibrium, "tagging SNPs," haplotypes, population stratification and epistasis) and appropriate statistical methods.
Course note: BIO201, EPI201 and at least one of BIO210, BIO213 or EPI204, or signature of instructor required. Familiarity with SAS or S-PLUS/R and UNIX computing environment also highly recommended. (5.06)
Course Evaluations
EPI294 Screening
Spring 2
Dr. S. Hernandez-Diaz
2.5 credits
Lectures. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
The aim of this course is to provide an understanding of the principles of screening across a spectrum of diseases. Particular emphasis is placed on the methodological issues fundamental to the design and evaluation of screening programs. The first part of the course will address the study designs and measures used to evaluate screening tests and screening programs. Then we will discuss current approaches to screening for specific diseases, which highlight various themes in screening as well as discuss future directions in the development of new screening tests. We will explore screening for cancer cardiovascular disease, infectious diseases, childhood and prenatal screening, both in the United States and globally. The strengths, controversies and limitations of screening strategies will be discussed.
Course Activities: Active class participation, one problem set, debate of a current screening topic, a final 5-page paper.
Course Notes: One of EPI200, EPI201, EPI208 or signature of instructor required.
Course Evaluations
EPI295 Pharmacoepidemiology: Introduction
Summer 2
Dr. K. A. Chan
2.5 Credits
Lectures, small group discussions. Five 2-hour sessions each week.
This is an introductory course on pharmacoepidemiology. How the principles of modern epidemiology methods are used to evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and utilization patterns of drugs, vaccines, and medical devices will be discussed. Examples of descriptive epidemiology studies, cohort studies, case control studies, and intervention studies will be drawn from recent literature to illustrate the application of relevant methods and the challenges in drug safety assessment. Drug safety assessment from the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry perspective and the regulatory perspective will be discussed. Practical issues such as data sources, ethical principles and advanced methodologic topics, such as confounding by indication and misclassification and the analytic methods to address them will be briefly introduced.
Course Activities: Written and oral group projects, individual class presentations, class discussion.
Course Note: EPI200 or EPI208 or permission of instructor required. Recommended for students interested in a general overview of pharmacoepidemiology. Credits cannot be given for students who have taken EPI221 (or vice versa.) A minimum enrollment of 8 students is required for course to be offered.
Course Evaluations
EPI296 Bridging Psychiatric Morbidity & Reproductive Outcomes
WinterSession
Dr. B. Harlow
1.25 credits
Seminar. Five 3-hour sessions for one week.
This course will include didactic lectures followed by a seminar format to assess the current knowledge regarding the relationship between psychiatric morbidity (i.e. mood disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia, etc.) and adverse reproductive events (i.e. pregnancy complications, infertility, menstruation, menopause). Students will be expected to critically evaluate existing literature in one of the above content areas, and present the findings, lead a discussion regarding methodological limitations and the interpretation of data, and put forward recommendations regarding future research initiatives that would enhance our understanding regarding the specific psychiatric and reproductive association.
Course note: Enrollment Minimun of 7. Enrollment Max of 15.
Course Evaluations
EPI298 Case-based Seminars on Drug Safety
Spring 1
Dr. S. Hernandez-Diaz, Dr. S. Setoguchi
2.5 Credits
Not Offered 2009-2010
Case Studies. Two 2-hour lectures each week.
This course acquaints students with practical issues in pharmacoepidemiologic research. Through the critical review and thoughtful discussion of crucial drug safety debacles, the students will develop an understanding of which adverse drugs effect have shaped our discipline, how were they discovered, with what delay, which were the specific methodological challenges, what were the political implications and, most importantly, which lessons have we learnt. Students are graded on the basis of participation in class discussion and preparation of a group project. This course is intended for students whose career might involve the development, prescription, marketing, evaluation or regulation of drugs.
Course Evaluations
EPI300 Independent Study/ Tutorial
Fall 1
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.
An opportunity for independent study is offered for interested and qualified students or small groups of students. Arrangements must be made with individual faculty members and are limited by the amount of faculty time available. These programs are open to all students who wish to go beyond the content of the regular courses.
Course Note: Completed independent study contract is required at the time of registration; maximum of 5 credits per independent study topic; pass/fail only; signature of instructor required. (5.06)
Course Evaluations
EPI300 Independent Study/ Tutorial
Fall
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.
An opportunity for independent study is offered for interested and qualified students or small groups of students. Arrangements must be made with individual faculty members and are limited by the amount of faculty time available. These programs are open to all students who wish to go beyond the content of regular courses.
Course Note: Completed independent study contract is required at the time of registration; maximum of 5 credits per independent study topic; pass/ fail only; signature of instructor required. (5.06)
Course Evaluations
EPI300 Independent Study/ Tutorial
Fall 2
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.
An opportunity for independent study is offered for interested and qualified students or small groups of students. Arrangements must be made with individual faculty members and are limited by the amount of faculty time available. These programs are open to all students who wish to go beyond the content of regular courses.
Course Note: Completed independent study contract is required at the time of registration; maximum of 5 credits per independent study topic; pass/ fail only; signature of instructor required. (5.06)
Course Evaluations
EPI300 Independent Study/ Tutorial
Spring 1
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.
An opportunity for independent study is offered for interested and qualified students or small groups of students. Arrangements must be made with individual faculty members and are limited by the amount of faculty time available. These programs are open to all students who wish to go beyond the content of regular courses.
Course Note: Completed independent study contract is required at the time of registration; maximum of 5 credits per independent study topic; pass/ fail only; signature of instructor required. (5.06)
Course Evaluations
EPI300 Independent Study/ Tutorial
Spring
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.
An opportunity for independent study is offered for interested and qualified students or small groups of students. Arrangements must be made with individual faculty members and are limited by the amount of faculty time available. These programs are open to all students who wish to go beyond the content of regular courses.
Course Note: Completed independent study contract is required at the time of registration; maximum of 5 credits per independent study topic; pass/ fail only; signature of instructor required. (5.06)
Course Evaluations
EPI300 Independent Study/ Tutorial
Spring 2
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.
An opportunity for independent study is offered for interested and qualified students or small groups of students. Arrangements must be made with individual faculty members and are limited by the amount of faculty time available. These programs are open to all students who wish to go beyond the content of regular courses.
Course Note: Completed independent study contract is required at the time of registration; maximum of 5 credits per independent study topic; pass/ fail only; signature of instructor required. (5.06)
Course Evaluations
EPI300 Independent Study/ Tutorial
WinterSession
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.
An opportunity for independent study is offered for interested and qualified students or small groups of students. Arrangements must be made with individual faculty members and are limited by the amount of faculty time available. These programs are open to all students who wish to go beyond the content of regular courses.
Course Note: Completed independent study contract is required at the time of registration; maximum of 5 credits per independent study topic; pass/ fail only; signature of instructor required. (5.06)
Course Evaluations
EPI300 Independent Study/Tutorial
Summer
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.
An opportunity for independent study is offered for interested and qualified students or small groups of students. Arrangements must be made with individual faculty members and are limited by the amount of faculty time available. These programs are open to all students who wish to go beyond the content of regular courses.
Course Note: Completed independent study contract is required at the time of registration; maximum of 5 credits per independent study topic; pass/ fail only; signature of instructor required.
Course Evaluations
EPI311 Teaching Assistant
Fall 1
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.
Course Evaluations
EPI311 Teaching Assistant
Fall
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.
Course Evaluations
EPI311 Teaching Assistant
Fall 2
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.
Course Evaluations
EPI311 Teaching Assistant
Spring 1
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.
Course Evaluations
EPI311 Teaching Assistant
Spring
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.
Course Evaluations
EPI311 Teaching Assistant
Spring 2
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.
Course Evaluations
EPI311 Teaching Assistant
WinterSession
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.
Course Evaluations
EPI315 Research: Clinical Epi
WinterSession
Dr. E.F. Cook
Time and credit to be arranged.
All students working in the Concentration of Clinical Epidemiology, who intend to complete the requirements for a Master of Science in Epidemiology based on only a summer schedule, are required to undertake and complete a clinical research project at their institution. Five to 12.5 tutorial credits will be granted for this research. Each student is required to submit a written paper summarizing his or her research project. The exact content of this research project is determined by the faculty member assigned as principal advisor to the student. An appropriate content for this project might include the development of a research proposal to address a clinical question of interest, the implementation of this proposal with the collection of patient data, the analysis of these data, and the creation of a publishable manuscript (with detailed appendices) to describe the results of the analysis. Alternatively, part of this project might pertain to the creation of a full-fledged RO1 study protocol in the National Institutes of Health format, a publishable paper based on the analysis of existing data, a decision analysis, or a cost-effectiveness analysis.
Course Activities: Supervised research. Written progress reports must be submitted each semester.
Course Note: Acceptance into the Program in Clinical Effectiveness and completion is required; pass/fail grading option only.
Course Evaluations
EPI315 Research: Clinical Epi
Spring
Dr. E.F. Cook
Time and credit to be arranged.
All students working in the Concentration of Clinical Epidemiology, who intend to complete the requirements for a Master of Science in Epidemiology based on only a summer schedule, are required to undertake and complete a clinical research project at their institution. Five to 12.5 tutorial credits will be granted for this research. Each student is required to submit a written paper summarizing his or her research project. The exact content of this research project is determined by the faculty member assigned as principal advisor to the student. An appropriate content for this project might include the development of a research proposal to address a clinical question of interest, the implementation of this proposal with the collection of patient data, the analysis of these data, and the creation of a publishable manuscript (with detailed appendices) to describe the results of the analysis. Alternatively, part of this project might pertain to the creation of a full-fledged RO1 study protocol in the National Institutes of Health format, a publishable paper based on the analysis of existing data, a decision analysis, or a cost-effectiveness analysis.
Course Activities: Supervised research. Written progress reports must be submitted each semester.
Course Note: Acceptance into the Program in Clinical Effectiveness and completion is required; pass/fail grading option only.
Course Evaluations
EPI315 Research: Clinical Epi
Summer
Dr. E.F. Cook
Time and credit to be arranged.
All students who intend to complete the requirements for a Master of Science in Epidemiology based on only a summer schedule, are required to undertake and complete a clinical research project at their institution under the supervision of a local mentor and a member of the Harvard faculty. Five to 12.5 tutorial credits will be granted for this research. Each student is required to submit a written paper summarizing his or her research project. The exact content of this research project is determined by the faculty member assigned as principal advisor to the student. An appropriate content for this project might include the development of a research proposal to address a clinical question of interest, the implementation of this proposal with the collection of patient data, the analysis of these data, and the creation of a publishable manuscript (with detailed appendices) to describe the results of the analysis. Alternatively, part of this project might pertain to the creation of a full-fledged RO1 study protocol in the National Institutes of Health format, a publishable paper based on the analysis of existing data, a decision analysis, or a cost-effectiveness analysis.
Course Activities: Supervised research. Written progress reports must be submitted each semester.
Course Note: Pass/fail grading option only.
Course Evaluations
EPI350 Research
Fall 1
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.
For doctoral candidates who have passed their school-wide Oral Qualifying Examination and who are undertaking advanced work along the lines of fundamental or applied research in the department.
Course Note: Pass/Fail only; maximum of 20 credits; signature of instructor required.
Course Evaluations
EPI350 Research
Fall
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.
For doctoral candidates who have passed their school-wide Oral Qualifying Examination and who are undertaking advanced work along the lines of fundamental or applied research in the department.
Course Note: Pass/fail only; maximum of 20 credits, signature of instructor required. (5.06)
Course Evaluations
EPI350 Research
Fall 2
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.
For doctoral candidates who have passed their school-wide Oral Qualifying Examination and who are undertaking advanced work along the lines of fundamental or applied research in the department.
Course Note: Pass/fail only; maximum of 20 credits, signature of instructor required. (5.06)
Course Evaluations
EPI350 Research
Spring 1
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.
For doctoral candidates who have passed their school-wide Oral Qualifying Examination and who are undertaking advanced work along the lines of fundamental or applied research in the department.
Course Note: Pass/fail only; maximum of 20 credits, signature of instructor required. (5.06)
Course Evaluations
EPI350 Research
Spring
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.
For doctoral candidates who have passed their school-wide Oral Qualifying Examination and who are undertaking advanced work along the lines of fundamental or applied research in the department.
Course Note: Pass/fail only; maximum of 20 credits, signature of instructor required. (5.06)
Course Evaluations
EPI350 Research
Spring 2
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.
For doctoral candidates who have passed their school-wide Oral Qualifying Examination and who are undertaking advanced work along the lines of fundamental or applied research in the department.
Course Note: Pass/fail only; maximum of 20 credits, signature of instructor required. (5.06)
Course Evaluations
EPI350 Research
WinterSession
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.
For doctoral candidates who have passed their school-wide Oral Qualifying Examination and who are undertaking advanced work along the lines of fundamental or applied research in the department.
Course Note: Pass/fail only; maximum of 20 credits, signature of instructor required. (5.06)
Course Evaluations
EPI350 Research
Summer
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.
For doctoral candidates who have passed their school-wide Oral Qualifying Examination and who are undertaking advanced work along the lines of fundamental or applied research in the department.
Course Note: Pass/fail only; maximum of 20 credits, signature of instructor required.
Course Evaluations
EPI400 Non-Resident Research
Fall 1
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.
For doctoral candidates who have passed their school-wide Oral Qualifying Examination and who are undertaking advanced work along the lines of fundamental or applied research in the department.
Course Note: Pass/Fail only; maximum of 20 credits; signature of instructor required.
Course Evaluations
EPI400 Non-Resident Research
Fall
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.
For doctoral candidates who have passed their school-wide Oral Qualifying Examination and who are undertaking advanced work along the lines of fundamental or applied research in the department.
Course Note: Pass/fail only; maximum of 20 credits, signature of instructor required.
Course Evaluations
EPI400 Non-Resident Research
Fall 2
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.
For doctoral candidates who have passed their school-wide Oral Qualifying Examination and who are undertaking advanced work along the lines of fundamental or applied research in the department.
Course Note: Pass/fail only; maximum of 20 credits, signature of instructor required.
Course Evaluations
EPI400 Non-Resident Research
Spring 1
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.
For doctoral candidates who have passed their school-wide Oral Qualifying Examination and who are undertaking advanced work along the lines of fundamental or applied research in the department.
Course Note: Pass/fail only; maximum of 20 credits, signature of instructor required.
Course Evaluations
EPI400 Non-Resident Research
Spring
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.
For doctoral candidates who have passed their school-wide Oral Qualifying Examination and who are undertaking advanced work along the lines of fundamental or applied research in the department.
Course Note: Pass/fail only; maximum of 20 credits, signature of instructor required.
Course Evaluations
EPI400 Non-Resident Research
Spring 2
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.
For doctoral candidates who have passed their school-wide Oral Qualifying Examination and who are undertaking advanced work along the lines of fundamental or applied research in the department.
Course Note: Pass/fail only; maximum of 20 credits, signature of instructor required.
Course Evaluations
EPI400 Non-Resident Research
WinterSession
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.
For doctoral candidates who have passed their school-wide Oral Qualifying Examination and who are undertaking advanced work along the lines of fundamental or applied research in the department.
Course Note: Pass/fail only; maximum of 20 credits, signature of instructor required.
Course Evaluations
EPI500 Fundamentals of Epidemiology
Summer 1
Dr. A. Hofman
2.5 credits
Summer 1
Lectures, seminars. Five 2-hour sessions each week.
This course will provide an orientation to epidemiology as a basic science for public health and clinical medicine. It will address the principles of the quantitative approach to clinical and public health problems. The course will discuss measure of frequency and association, introduce the design and validity of epidemiologic research, and give an overview of data analysis. This course is an introduction to the skills needed by public health professionals and clinicians to interpret critically the epidemiologic literature. It will provide students with the principles and practical experience needed to initiate the development of these skills. Lectures are complemented by seminars devoted to case studies, exercises, or critique of current examples of epidemiologic studies.
Course Note: No Auditors
Course Evaluations
EPI501 Dynamics of Infectious Diseases
Spring 2
Dr. M. Murray, Dr. T. Cohen
2.5 Credits
Lectures. Two 2-hour class sessions each week.
This course covers the basic concepts of infectious disease dynamics within human populations. Focus will be on transmission of infectious agents and the effect of biological, ecological, social, political, economic forces on the spread of infections. We will emphasize the impact of vaccination programs and other interventions. The dynamics of host-parasite interaction are illustrated using basic mathematical modeling techniques.
Course activities: Written homework assignments and final exam. Previous coursework in epidemiology helpful.
Course Evaluations
EPI504 Epi of Disorders and Diseases of Childhood and Young Adulthood
Spring 1
Dr. A. Field
2.5 Credits
Course offered 2008-2009; offered alternate years.
Lectures, seminars, case studies. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
This course reviews current evidence on the burden, causes, and consequences of the major disorders, diseases, and injuries during childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood. Topics include autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, asthma, allergies, trauma, orthopedic injuries and condition, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, obesity, sexually, transmitted infections, reproductive disorders, and early life determinations of adult disease. The course also reviews the impact of cognitive and physical development on epidemiologic methods and provides students with skills to critically analyze studies in pediatric epidemiology.
Course Note: EPI200, EPI201, or EPI208 required.
Course Evaluations
EPI505 Epidemiologic Methods for Global Health:
Summer 1
Burden, Causes, Implementation, and
Dr. J. Ware, Dr. M.C. Smith Fawzi, Dr. E.F. Cook
2.5 credits
Lectures. Case Studies. Five 2-hour sessions each week.
The course will cover introductory level epidemiology and a biostatistics primer introducing basic principles of statistics, with a specific focus on problems related to global health. Students who take this course will fulfill the introductory level course requirement in epidemiology; however, it will not fulfill a course requirement for biostatistics. A key difference in this course compared with other introductory level courses in epidemiology is that it offers examples from global health to illustrate epidemiologic methods and describe statistical approaches used. At the conclusion of the course, students will have gained an understanding of how to apply basic epidemiologic methods to evaluate global health programs and to critically analyze literature focused on global health problems for the purpose of advancing program design and service provision that is evidence-based.
Course Evaluations
EPI506 Translational Reseach Methods
WinterSession
Dr. P. Muti
1.25 Credits
Lectures. 2 two-session each week.
The course will explain translational studies and their scientific meaning in cancer models, by critically analyzing translational studies in oncology. Through class participation and discussion, students will learn methods used to collect and analyze data, synthesize data from translational studies, within cancer topics and be able to concisely present this information both orally and written. Topics such as the definition of translational studies, clinical setting, study designs, patient stratification, study limitations and pitfalls, the epidemiological view and the P53 model will be covered. Students will be given homework assignments and will be asked to work in small groups on the development and application of a translational study, which will include a class presentation. No previous experience is required to attend the course.
Course Evaluations
EPI507 Genetic Epidemiology
Fall 2
Dr. D. Hunter, Dr. J. Han
2.5 credits
Lectures. One 2-hour lecture each week.
Introduces the basic principles and methods of genetic epidemiology. After a brief review of the history of genetic epidemiology, methods for the study of both high penetrance and low penetrance alleles will be described and discussed. Methods of analysis of genome-wide association studies are a particular focus. Examples of the contribution of genetic analysis to major diseases will be reviewed.
Course Actives: Lectures, final examination
Course Note: EPI249 or equivalent required.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
EPI509 Evidence Based Epidemiology
WinterSession
Dr. J. Ioannidis, Dr. P. Boffetta
2.5 Credits
Running all day for 5 consecutive days in January
The course will have sessions in three formats: lectures, interactive presentations and discussion of examples, and building research-ideas.
A. The following topics will be covered in 5 circles of lectures:
1. Introduction to evidence-based epidemiology
2. Significance and credibility
3. Biases and errors
4. Integration of similar types of evidence (meta-analyses and individual-level analyses)
5. Integration of different types of evidence (epidemiology and biology)
6. Principles for collaborative research and collaborative structures (multi-center studies, networks, consortia)
7. Translation: principles, efficiency and pitfalls
8. Personalized medicine: expectations and pitfalls
B. There will be a series of short presentations where students will present/discuss with guidance from the tutors specific examples from recent cutting-edge applications of epidemiology, with emphasis on molecular/ translations applications, large-scale evidence, and collaborative efforts.
C. Brainstorming sessions for ideas for empirical research projects emerging during the lecturers and shorter presentation. Participants are encourages to take the lead in at least one project and probe its initial feasibility. Feasible projects may then continue after the course by interested students.
Course Evaluations
EPI510 Global Cancer Epidemiology
WinterSession
Dr. P. Boffetta
1.25 Credits
Lectures. Five 4-hour sessions each week.
This course provides student an introduction to the global epidemiology of cancer as a tool to understand the worldwide pattern of cancer, the main risk factors operating in different regions, and the main approaches for cancer prevention and control. Emphasis is given to cancer in low- and medium-resource countries, including cancers of the liver, esophagus, cervix, and stomach. The course will address epidemiological research conducted in low- and medium-resource countries and strategies for cancer prevention, screening and downstaging. Students will be required to develop a concept of an original research project.
Course Note: Pass/Fail grading option only. Class Max of 20. Instructor's signature required.
Course Evaluations
ID206 Scientific Writing in Nutrition and Epidemiology
Spring
Department of Nutrition, Department of Epidemiology
Dr. F. Sacks
2.5 Credits
Seminars. One 2-hour session each week.
This course is designed for nutrition/epidemiology doctoral degree students. Others may be admitted after discussion with the instructor. The course will cover organization of scientific papers, presentation of data in graphical and tabular forms, and style. The course is designed for advanced students who are beginning to work on a paper for publication. Each section of a paper will be discussed extensively. The goal is for each student to have a manuscript ready for submission to a peer review journal at the end of the course.
Course Activities: Principles of scientific writing will be taught. Students will work on their papers independently, under the overall supervision of their own faculty advisors. Each student will critique the papers of classmates. The instructor will guide the discussion and use the paper to make additional points of constructive criticism, which will serve to illustrate the principles enunciated at the beginning of the class. Guidelines for journals and co-author criteria will be discussed. Approach to revisions based on reviewers' comments will be covered.
Course Note: Enrollment limited to 6 students; signature of instructor required. (5.06)
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
ID214 Nutritional Epidemiology
Spring
Department of Nutrition and the Department of Epidemiology
Dr. R. Van Dam, Dr. W. Willett
2.5 credits
Lectures. One 2-hour session each week.
Reviews methods for assessing the dietary intake of populations and individuals. Students gain experience in the actual collection, analysis and interpretation of dietary intake. The course also reviews several specific diet/disease relationships, integrating information from international studies, secular trends, clinical trials, analytical epidemiology, and animal experiments.
Course Note: BIO 200, BIO 201 or BIO 200s and BIO 200t, and EPI 200, EPI 201 or EPI 208 required; familiarity with regression/ANOVA recommended; signature of instructor required for students who have not taken a course in nutrition. (6.06)
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
ID215 Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology
Spring
Department of Environmental Health and the Department of Epidemiology
Dr. F. Laden, Dr. M. Weisskopf
2.5 credits
Lectures, case studies. Five 2-hour sessions each week.
This course examines application of epidemiologic methods to environmental and occupational health problems. Objectives are to review methods used in evaluating the health effects of physical and chemical agents in the environment, to review available evidence on the health effects of such exposures, and to consider policy questions raised by the scientific evidence. Topics include lectures on methodology, seminars on the review and criticism of current literature, and presentations by outside experts on specific environmental and occupational health issues of current interest.
Course Note: EPI 200, 201, 208 or 500 AND BIO 200, 201, 202 or 206 are required (concurrent enrollment permitted).
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
ID215 Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology
Summer 1
Department of Environmental Health and the Department of Epidemiology
Dr. F. Laden
2.5 credits
Lectures, case studies. Five 2-hour sessions each week.
This course examines application of epidemiologic methods to environmental and occupational health problems. Objectives are to review methods used in evaluating the health effects of physical and chemical agents in the environment, to review available evidence on the health effects of such exposures, and to consider policy questions raised by the scientific evidence. Topics include lectures on methodology, seminars on the review and criticism of current literature, and presentations by outside experts on specific environmental and occupational health issues of current interest.
Course Note: EPI200, EPI 201 or EPI208 and BIO200, BIO201or BIO205 are required (concurrent enrollment permitted).
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
ID221 Nutritional Epidemiology II
Fall
Department of Nutrition and the Department of Epidemiology
Dr. A. Ascherio, Department Members
2.5 credits
Course not offered 2006-2007. Offered alternate years.
Lectures, case studies. One two-hour session each week.
This course addresses methodological aspects of research in nutritional epidemiology. Topics include validation studies, adjustment for energy intake, and correction of measurement error. Theoretical as well as practical aspects will be covered. This course is intended primarily for students interested in doing epidemiologic research.
Course Activities: Review of original articles, data analyses, computer simulations.
Course Note: BIO 210 or equivalent required; ID214 required. (5.06)
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
ID236 Social Epidemiology
Spring 1
Departments of Society, Human Development, and Health and the Department of Epidemiology
Dr. D. Williams
2.5 credits
Course offered 2007-2008; offered alternate years.
Lectures, seminars. One 3-hour session each week.
The course will focus on understanding the social determinants of health. Readings and discussion center on understanding the theories, measurement and empirical evidence related to specific social conditions and experiences such as socioeconomic position, discrimination, social networks and support, work conditions, ecological level neighborhood and community social conditions, and social and economic policies. Biological and psychological mechanisms by which social conditions influence health will be discussed. The course builds on a basic understanding of society and health and of epidemiology. Students will be required to present in class and evaluate methods and measures.
Course Activities: Assigned readings; class presentations and discussions; term paper.
Course Note: Enrollment limited to 20 students; SHH 201, EPI 200 or EPI 201 and EPI 202 required; no auditors. (5.06)
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
ID269 Respiratory Epidemiology
Fall 2
Department of Environmental Health and the Department of Epidemiology
Dr. D. Dockery, Dr. D. Gold
1.25 credits
Lectures, case studies. One 2-hour session each week.
Reviews the epidemiology of respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, respiratory cancer, and infectious respiratory disease. Demographic distribution, time trends and risk factors of these diseases are discussed.
Course Note: EPI 200, EPI 201 or EPI 208 required. (5.06)
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
ID271 Advanced Regression for Environmental Epidemiology
Spring 1
Departments of Environmental Health and Epidemiology
Dr. J. Schwartz
2.5 credits
Lectures and seminars. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
This course covers applied advanced regression analysis. Its focus is on relaxing classical assumptions in regression analysis to better match what epidemiological data really looks like. Specifically, the course will cover nonlinear exposure-response relationships and repeated measure designs, including non-parametric and semi-parametric smoothing techniques, generalized additive models, and time series models. In addition to the theoretical material, students will apply these techniques using R to actual datasets including modeling the effects of environmental exposures on health outcomes. These techniques also are widely applicable to problems in infectious disease, psychiatric, nutritional, occupational, and cancer epidemiology.
Course Activities: Lectures and structured workshops in the instructional computer facility.
Course Note: Basic biostatistics and a course in regression analysis recommended; Minimum enrollment of 10 students. (5.06)
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
ID274 Oral Health Policy Research Seminar
Fall/Spring
Cross-listed at HSDM as OE732
Department of Epidemiology and the Department of Health Policy and Management
Dr. T. Zavras
2.5 credits, given at end of last semester
Lectures, seminars. One 1-hour session each week.
The fall term concentrates on the research methods and current major studies of the epidemiology of oral and dental diseases, and the need, supply, demand, and cost of dental care. Policy documents of the NCHS, NIH, ADA, IOM, and ADEA are studied. Research designs and data collection methods of health policy and epidemiology studies are reviewed. The spring term emphasizes the research work of faculty and students on relevant oral epidemiology and dental care policy subjects. Grade is based upon participation and the defense of a current epidemiology or policy analysis proposal or research project. (6.06)
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
ID283 Epi Investigation of Soc & Env. Risks for Psychiatric Disorders
Spring 2
Department of Epidemiology and Department of Society, Human Development, and Health
Dr. S. Gilman
2.5 Credits
Lectures, seminars, case studies. Two 2-hour sessions each week
Reviews the major social and environmental risks for psychiatric disorders of children, youth, and adults. Lectures will address current theories of social risks for and prevention of psychiatric illness, and the mechanisms linking social risks with psychiatric disorders across settings and over the life course. Topics include prenatal complications, childhood trauma, social networks, culture, social class, and community influences. Major epidemiologic studies of these topics are presented. Students will have the opportunity to design and conduct an original investigation of a social risk factor for psychiatric illness through a secondary data analysis of several psychiatric community studies. This course is in the psychiatric epidemiology track.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
ID298 Inference in Infectious Disease Epidemiology
WinterSession
Department of Epidemiology and Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases
Dr. M. Lipsitch, Dr. C. Mills
1.25 credits
Course Offered 2008-2009; Offered Alternate Years.
Seminar. Eight 2-hour sessions.
This course will cover advanced issues in the design and interpretation of studies of infectious disease epidemiology. The course will consist of readings and student presentations on topics such as: interpretations of molecular typing data for infectious agents, assessment of incomplete and temporary immunity, immune correlates of protection, spatial effects in disease transmission, and inference about the carrier state. Each session will be led by a student whose responsibility will be to synthesize knowledge on the topic, describe open research areas, and stimulate discussion of the topic based on course readings. This course is intended for advanced students in infectious disease epidemiology.
Course note: Interested students should contact the instructor by the end of Fall 1 to choose a topic for presentation and to discuss possible readings. EPI225,EPI285, EPI501 or permission of the instructor required; Minimum enrollment of 7 required. Course dates TBA, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
ID320 The Summer MPH Practicum for CLE
Summer 2
Dr. E. Cook
Summer 2
Credits: 2.5-7.5
Seminars. Four to five 1 hour sessions each week.
Summer- Only CLE Master of Public Health Program students develop an off-site practicum at their home institution under the supervision of a local mental and member of faculty at HSPH. This practicum may include aspects of epidemiology, biostatics, decision sciences, or other quantitative aspects of public health. Students should apply the competencies learned in core courses to an actual investigation. Following the first summer course work, students must submit a written proposal for the practicum along with a letter of support from an investigator from the student's home site, indicating an agreement to act as the local mentor for the project. This proposal is reviewed and an HSPH faculty supervisor is identified. Students ordinarily would write a paper suitable for publication, a grant proposal or technical report. This excise will culminate with a presentation in the final summer of the student's program.
Course Note: Student must attend the sessions of this course during the second and third summer and they are encouraged to attend their first summer. Regular contact between students and mentors and amoung students is expected via e-mail during the year to seek advice, provide activity updates and to discuss approaches to the solution of methodological issues; pass/fail only.
Course Evaluations
ID320 The Summer MPH Practicum for CLE
WinterSession
Dr. E. Cook
Summer 2
Credits: 2.5-12.5
Seminars. Four to five 1 hour sessions each week.
Summer- Only CLE Master of Public Health Program students develop an off-site practicum at their home institution under the supervision of a local mental and member of faculty at HSPH. This practicum may include aspects of epidemiology, biostatics, decision sciences, or other quantitative aspects of public health. Students should apply the competencies learned in core courses to an actual investigation. Following the first summer course work, students must submit a written proposal for the practicum along with a letter of support from an investigator from the student's home site, indicating an agreement to act as the local mentor for the project. This proposal is reviewed and an HSPH faculty supervisor is identified. Students ordinarily would write a paper suitable for publication, a grant proposal or technical report. This excise will culminate with a presentation in the final summer of the student's program.
Course Note: Student must attend the sessions of this course during the second and third summer and they are encouraged to attend their first summer. Regular contact between students and mentors and amoung students is expected via e-mail during the year to seek advice, provide activity updates and to discuss approaches to the solution of methodological issues; pass/fail only. (rev. 10.07)
Course Evaluations
ID510 Nutritional Epidemiology of Cancer
Fall 2
Department of Epidemiology and Department of Nutrition
Dr. S. Smith-Warner, Dr. E Giovannucci
2.50 Credits
Course Offered 2009-2010
Lectures and Seminars. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
This course will examine several current nutrition and cancer research areas with a focus on critical evaluation of recent publications, discussion of methodologic issues, and mechanistic studies. The different components of putting together a research grant will also be discussed.
Course Activities: class participation, oral presentation, final project that is a grant proposal on a specific nutritional factor and cancer association.
Course Note: ID214 or signature of instructor required. (8.06)
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
ID520 Advanced Topics in Nutrition and Cancer
Fall 2
Dr. S. Smith-Warner, E. Cho
1.25 credits
Course Not Offered 2008-2009
Lectures and seminars. One 2-hour session each week.
This course will discuss in detail a variety of associations between food and nutrient intakes and the risk of cancer (as chosen by the students enrolled in the course) to provide a wide scope of current findings on nutrition and cancer. For each class a student will be responsible for selecting a current nutrition and cancer topic for the class to discuss, providing a brief overview of the topic prior to the class discussion, and leading the class discussion on that topic.
Course Activities: be a discussion leader; give a brief seminar on a nutrition and cancer association, write critical reviews of research articles, participate in class discussion
Course Note: ID214 or signature of instructor required (5.06)
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
ID521 Developmental Epidemiology of Adult Psychiatric Disorders
Fall 1
Dr. K. Koenen
2.5 credits
Course Not Offered 2009-2010
Lectures, seminars. One 3-hour session each week.
The goal of this course is to provide students with a working knowledge of the epidemiologic and clinical aspects of adult psychiatric disorders. A range of studies from early classics to recent work on the prevalence, risk factors and distribution of major mental disorders will be covered. Emphasis will be on evidence for the developmental origins of adult disorders and on how a developmental perspective informs research on etiology, treatment and prevention. Special attention is paid to the unique methodological and analytic issues highlighted in psychiatric epidemiologic research. Students will consider implications for public health programs and interventions.
The course was formerly EPI217, Epidemiology of Adult Psychiatric Disorders. It is an introductory course in the psychiatric epidemiology track and is appropriate for all students interested in mental health research.
Course activities: Class discussion, class presentations, short written assignments including short grant proposal.
Course note: Background in introductory statistics and understanding of basic epidemiologic research methods recommended; EPI200 or EPI201 and BIO200, BIO201 or BIO205 recommended (concurrent enrollment permitted) or permission of the instructor. (5.06)
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
ID537 Obesity Epidemiology
Fall
Department of Epidemiology, Department of Nutrition
Dr. F. Hu, Dr. J. Chavarro
2.5 Credits
Lectures. One 2-hour session each week.
This course reviews current evidence on the burden, causes, consequences, and prevention of obesity from an epidemiological perspective. The course also reviews common epidemiologic methods to conduct obesity research and provides students with skills to critically analyze studies in obesity epidemiology. The policy and public health implications of recent findings in obesity research are discussed through case-studies.
Course Note: BIO200, BIO201 or BIO200s and BIO200t, and EPI 200, EPI201 or EPI208 required.
Course Evaluations
ID538 Foundations in Public Health
Fall
Dr. N. Kane, A Cohen, Dr. M. Decker, Dr. R. Hauser, Dr. M. Roberts, Dr. J. Paulus, Dr. M. Perry, Dr. J. Silverman, Dr. M. Pagano
10 credits
Case study method, lectures: two 4-hour sessions per week
At the completion of this course, students will have developed a professional identity and leadership capabilities for public health practice. They will practice the ability to work collaboratively in groups. In addition, students will demonstrate a basic knowledge of the concepts in the five core disciplines in public health, as well as the skills to analyze, think critically, make and effectively execute decisions. The course will include public health cases that offer students the opportunity to apply skills from several disciplines to real public health issues. The course offers a combination of case study method, lecture, and discussion.
Course note: By invitation only in 2008, students must have taken the prescreening quantitative test and have permission of the instructor to register for this course.
Course Evaluations
ID540 Life Course Epidemiology
Spring 1
Dr. S. Gilman, Dr. K. Koenen
2.5 Credits
Lectures, Seminars, Case Study. Two 2-hour sessions each week.
The field of life course epidemiology approaches disease etiology and prevention from the perspective of dynamic risk and protective factors that impact health throughout the human lifespan. Research in the area of life course epidemiology ranges from investigating the fetal and early childhood origins of adult health and disease to understanding how risk and protective processes influence health within specific developmental periods and between them. There are two major themes that will be covered in this course. The first theme, Applications in Life Course Epidemiology (e.g., The Life Course Epidemiology of . . .), introduces students to the application of life course theories and methods to specific public health problems (e.g., chronic disease, mental health, health disparities). The second theme, Methods in Life Course Epidemiology, introduces the major concepts and methodological challenges in investigating disease risks longitudinally, covering topics such as exposure assessment, analytic methods, and causal inference.
Course Activities: Assigned readings, lectures, seminars, class presentations, and short papers.
Course Note: Epi 200 or Epi 201 and Bio 200 or 201, or ID538 required; no auditors.
Course Evaluations
WGH200 Women, Gender and Health
Spring 1
Departments of Society, Human Development and Health, Global Health and Population, Epidemiology, and Environmental Health
Dr. S. Gruskin, Dr. N. Krieger
2.5 credits
Seminars. One 3-hour session each week.
This course will focus on constructions of gender and sex and their implications for understanding determinants of population health and creating healthy public policy. It will consider how different frameworks of addressing gender and biological sex shape questions asked and explanations and interventions offered for societal patterns of health, disease, and well-being. The course will demonstrate ways of conceptualizing gender in relation to biology and health using case examples pertaining to breast cancer, smoking, cumulative trauma disorders of hands and wrists, HIV/AIDS, violence, access to health services, sexual health, reproductive health, and population policy. In all these cases, issues of gender will be related to other social determinants of health, including social class, racism, and other forms of inequality. Implications of diverse approaches will be debated, as part of developing useful strategies for improving physical, mental, and social well-being of women and men.
Course Note: Enrollment limited to 25 students; signature of instructor required; no auditors.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
WGH207 Advanced Topics in Women, Gender and Health
Spring 2
Department of Epidemiology, Society, Human Development and Health and Population and International Health
Dr. H. Corliss, Dr. S. Austin
1.25 credits
Seminars. One 2-hour sessions each week.
This interdepartmental, interdisciplinary seminar will offer the chance to analyze ways by which diverse constructs of gender influence public health research and practice. Using different examples each week, the core WGH faculty and students will focus on how gender contributes to classifying, surveying, understanding and intervening on population distributions of health, disease, and well-being. Discussion of these examples will draw on different disciplines, conceptual frameworks, and methodological approaches (both quantitative and qualitative). For example, traditional epidemiological and biostatistical methods, along with multilevel, ecosocial, and health and human rights frameworks will be applied, as appropriate, in the assessment of gender-based health related disorders. The format will include formal presentations and informal discussions.
Course Note: Minimum enrollment of 5; maximum enrollment of 20; instructor's signature required. Pass/fail only. (10.06)
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
WGH211 Women, Gender and Health: Introductory Perspectives
Fall 1
Department of Epidemiology, Department of Society, Human Development and Health and Department of Population and International Health
Dr. S. Missmer (P), Invited guest lecturers
2.5 credits
Lectures, case studies. One 3-hour session each week.
This course will introduce students to gender as a theoretical concept and a category of analysis in public health-that is, the way gender has contributed to differentially structuring women and men's experiences of health. The course aims to answer such questions as: How has gender influenced the construction of public health in diverse societies? How do our social frameworks and structures, such as gender, affect people's experiences and expectations of health?
This course is designed for students who wish to enhance their understanding of, and skills to address, the social and cultural factors that have influenced the development of individual's and societal health. The interfaces among gender, class, race/ethnicity and sexuality will also be emphasized.
The course will cover a broad range of health issues for which gender has been of special importance. Topics to be covered include: reproductive health, sexual health and sexuality; violence; occupational health and work; chronic and communicable disease. Issues relating to the distribution of health, disease and well-being, including policy, will be addressed across sessions. Additionally, sessions will include international, domestic, and historical perspectives, with attention paid to both epidemiologic research and policy dimensions.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
WGH220 Sexuality and Public Health
Fall 2
Dr. S. Austin
2.5 Credits
Lectures. Case studies. One 3-hour sessions each week.
This course provides an introduction to the breadth of research and research methods in the study of sexuality and sexual health promotion in diverse contexts and populations. Students will develop skills needed to carry out epidemiologic research and community-based interventions related to sexual health promotion. Students will be introduced to ways to integrate conceptual models, methodologies, and perspectives from a variety of fields to inform a unique transdisciplinary, holistic approach to public health promotion of sexual health. Class session format includes lectures, discussions, case studies, individual and group presentations, and in-class writing assignments.
Course Note: Enrollment limited. No auditors.
Course evaluations are an important method for feedback on the quality of course offerings. The submission of a course evaluation is a requirement for this course. Your grade for the course will be made available only after you have submitted responses to at least the first three questions of the on-line evaluation for this course.
Course Evaluations
WGH304 Issues in Mental Health: Independent Study
Fall 2
Department of Society, Human Development and Health, Department of Epidemiology and Department of Population and International Healh
Dr. B. Gottlieb
1.25
Not Offered 2008-2009
Field placement. Two sessions with mentor.
This independent study course is offered to students who are enrolled in WGH 210 Fall 2. The course will supplement the themes and topics of WGH 210, including illness constructs, trauma, embodiment, pain and eating disorders with a mentored field and service learning experience. Students will be required to provide 20 hours of service to one of several local sites selected for their relevance to course themes (for example, a shelter, an psychiatric in-patient unit, a school-based clinic), maintain a structured portfolio of reflections and commentary based on field experiences and readings, and attend 2 mentoring sessions.
Course activities: Field placement, preparation of final portfolio.
Course note: Students must be concurrently enrolled in WGH 210 Fall 2. Minimum enrollment 1 student; maximum enrollment 5 students. Pass/fail only
Course Evaluations
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