8714.23 - Epidemiology

8714.23

Epidemiology

7.5

Health science degree at bachelor level. Other relevant bachelor’s degrees.

The purpose of the course is for students to acquire knowledge about key concepts in epidemiology and the ability to analyse phenomena based in epidemiology, as well as to read critically and assess scientific epidemiological texts; as well as to apply epidemiology as a method in a research project.

On the course the following main concepts of epidemiology will be discussed: Measures of occurrence; measures of association; study design (ecological, cross-sectional, cohort, case-control, and intervention/experimental studies); screening; precision and validity; selection bias; information bias; confounding; effect modification; and causality.

Learning and teaching is organised as alternating lectures, group assignments/exercises, presentations, and self-study. Feedback on this course will be both oral and in writing, and both from teachers and peer to peer.

Upon completion of the course the student must demonstrate ability to: - provide a standard definition of epidemiology, explain what epidemiology is about, and that epidemiological data can have descriptive purposes and analytical/etiological purposes - explain key concepts in epidemiology: o measures of occurrence o measures of association o study design (ecological, cross-sectional, cohort, case-control, and intervention/experimental studies) screening o precision and validity o selection bias o information bias o confounding o effect modification o causality - apply epidemiological characteristics to categorise study designs and their advantages and disadvantages. - analyse and assess research findings from health science studies that apply epidemiological and statistical methods

Written examination, described in detail in the Examination Requirements. Active participation and passing 2 homework assignments are the conditions for progressing to the final examination.

Internal

P-

Svend Juul, Bodil Hammer Bech, Christina C. Dahm & Dorte Rytter. Epidemiologi og evidens, 3. udgave 2017. Munksgaard. Selected chapters from (can be distributed by the lecturer): J L Rasmussen & M K Pedersen (red.). Folkesundhedsvidenskab og epidemiologi. 2.udgave 2020. Gads Forlag. Further bibliography can be found in the course plan.

Marin Strøm