This course introduces students to basic concepts and methods of epidemiology and population health. In this course, students learn how to measure disease incidence, prevalence, risk, relative risk, and related concepts. Students also learn how to design, analyze and interpret studies that deploy methodologies ranging from case-control, cohort and randomized control trials. Problems that plague such studies are explored including attrition, censoring, biased sampling, model misspecification, and confounding variables. We will also learn about methods of epidemiologic surveillance described along with important sources of data.  Finally, we will look at the COVID-19 pandemic and discuss how epidemiology was involved in the global public health response.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes:

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Calculate measures of disease and disease risk.
2. Explain the observational and experimental study designs used in obtaining epidemiological information from populations, relevant to health science research, community, public and global health implementation.
3. Identify key sources of epidemiological and health data.
4. Describe past and ongoing public health problems in terms of person, time and place.
5. Analyze how teams and teamwork can improve disease surveillance in epidemiology
6. Identify the potential sources of error in epidemiologic studies.

Course Schedule and Topics

This course will cover the following topics in eight learning sessions, with one Unit per week. The Final Exam will take place during Week/Unit 9 (UoPeople time).

Week 1: Unit 1 –  Introduction to Epidemiology

Week 2: Unit 2 – Measuring Disease Frequency

Week 3: Unit 3 – Surveillance

Week 4: Unit 4 – Study Designs and Measures of Association

Week 5: Unit 5 – Random Error and Bias

Week 6: Unit 6 –  Confounding Variables and Effect Modification

Week 7: Unit 7 – Screening and Diagnostic Tests

Week 8: Unit 8 – Epidemiology during COVID-19

Week 9: Unit 9 – Course Review and Final Exam

Learning Guide

The following is an outline of how this course will be conducted, with suggested best practices for students.

Unit 1: Introduction to Epidemiology

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Complete and submit an entry in the Learning Journal
• Take and submit the Self-Quiz

Unit 2: Measuring Disease Frequency

• Peer assess Unit 1 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Complete and submit an entry in the Learning Journal
• Take and submit the Self-Quiz

Unit 3: Surveillance

• Peer assess Unit 2 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit an entry in the Learning Journal
• Begin working on the Group Activity
• Take and submit the Self-Quiz
• Take and submit the Graded Quiz

Unit 4: Study Designs and Measures of Association

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit an entry in the Learning Journal
• Complete and submit the Group Activity
• Take and submit the Self-Quiz

Unit 5: Random Error and Bias

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Complete the written assignment
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit an entry in the learning journal.
• Reflection on group activity from Unit 4
• Take and submit the Self-Quiz

Unit 6: Confounding variables and effect modification

• Peer assess Unit 5 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit an entry the Learning Journal
• Take and submit the Self-Quiz
• Take and submit the Graded Quiz

Unit 7: Screening and Diagnostic Tests

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Complete and submit an entry to the Learning Journal
• Take and submit the Self-Quiz

Unit 8: Epidemiology during COVID-19

• Peer assess Unit 7 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit an entry to the Learning Journal
• Take and submit the Self-Quiz
• Complete and submit the anonymous Course Evaluation
• Read the Unit 9 Learning Guide carefully for instructions on the Final Exam
• Take and submit the Review Quiz

Unit 9: Course Review and Final Exam

• Read the Learning Guide and take the Review Quiz, if you haven’t already done so
• Prepare for, take, and submit the Final Exam
• The Final Exam will take place during the Thursday and Sunday of Week/Unit 9 (UoPeople time); exact dates, times, and other details will be provided accordingly by your instructor