Principles of Epidemiology

Description

Basic methods involved in researching the distribution and determinants of health/disease in populations. Core principles of epidemiology are examined, as are the various epidemiological approaches to study design. The latter include descriptive (cross-sectional and ecological), observational (case-control and cohort), and experimental (randomized controlled trials) approaches. Learning Hours: 117 (13.5L, 13.5T, 6 Group Learning, 12 Online Activity, 72 Private Study) Requirements: Prerequisite BIOL 243 or CHEE 209 or COMM 162 or ECON 250 or GPHY 247 or KNPE 251 or NURS 323 or POLS 285 (formerly POLS 385/3.0) or PSYC 202 or SOCY 211 or STAM 200 or STAT 263 or STAT 267 or STAT 269 or STAT 367. Exclusion HSCI 270 (formerly BMED 270/3.0); HLTH 323 . Course Learning Outcomes: - Define and explain the main terms used in epidemiology (concepts, measures). - Recognize and distinguish the main study designs (cross-sectional and correlational, case control, cohort, randomized controlled trial and systematic reviews) used to identify causes of disease and to evaluate the effectiveness of clinical and public health interventions. - Calculate and interpret the main measures used in descriptive and analytic studies (rates, estimates of association). - Identify and evaluate the main sources of error related to interpreting the epidemiological findings (chance, bias, confounding). - Recognize and explain the practical applications of epidemiology (outbreaks, surveillance, prevention, screening). Assessment/Exam Context: Course assessment and examinations vary by course; Queen's notes that eligible exchange students whose first language is not English may receive extra final-exam time. Exchange Registration Note: Arts and Science courses are open to exchange students subject to prerequisites and space. Most courses should be in Arts and Science; other faculties may be limited. Education, Medicine, and Nursing are not open to incoming exchange enrolment.