CRES 750 Epidemiology

This course covers the fundamental skills to interpret and critically evaluate epidemiological literature relevant for clinical research (observational, non-experimental study methods). Topics include measures of disease (health state) frequency and association, epidemiologic (observational) study designs, sources of confounding, bias, and error. The course will compare experimental and observational approaches in the evaluation of causation and causal claims utilizing causal models as a foundation.

Credits

3

Student Learning Outcomes

1. 1. Explain the role of epidemiology in clinical research.
2. 2. Apply the basic terminology and definitions of epidemiology.
3. 3. Compare and contrast experimental and observational (epidemiological) research.
4. 4. Describe the range of epidemiological study designs and evaluate their strengths and limitations.
5. 5. Identify causal claims and evaluate causal inferences from epidemiological research.
6. 6. Identify and describe the impact of bias and confounding in epidemiological studies.
7. 7. Evaluate epidemiological studies in the clinical research and public health literature.