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Epidemiologic Methods
EPI 203 Fall 2009 (3 units)
Course Director: Jeffrey N. Martin, MD, MPH
Professor of Epidemiology & Biostatistics
| OBJECTIVES |
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All clinical research regardless if classified as patient-oriented,
translational, epidemiologic, behavioral, outcomes, or health services
research has individual human beings or groups of human beings as its
unit of observation. As such, principles of epidemiology serve as the
basic scientific methodology of all clinical research.
The objectives of this course are to provide a detailed
understanding of the basic principles of epidemiology including:
- diverse array of study designs available in clinical research;
- importance of measurement;
- different types of measures of disease occurrence;
- methods to measure risk factor - disease association;
- approaches to identify and minimize selection, measurement and confounding
bias; and
- conceptual motivation for multivariable regression analysis, a common
tool in epidemiologic analyses.
| PREREQUISITES |
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Designing Clinical Research
(Epi 202) is required and Introduction to Statistical Computing in
Clinical Research (Biostat 212) is strongly recommended. Exceptions
may be made with the consent of the Course Director, space permitting.
| FACULTY |
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FORMAT
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- Lectures: Tuesdays: 8:45 to 10:15 AM, Sept. 22 through Dec.
8.
- Small Group Sections: Tuesdays 1:30 to 3:00 pm. Begin September
29. Content: Overview and discussion of lectures, and review of assignments.
- Journal Clubs: Several sessions througout the course. Apply methodologic topics from the course in the critical
dissection of the contemporary biomedical literature.
All course materials and handouts will be posted on the course's on-line syllabus.
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TEXTBOOKS
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Epidemiology: Beyond the Basics by M. Szklo
and F. Nieto (S & N). Jones and Bartlett Publishers. 2nd edition. 2007.
Multivariable Analysis: A Practical Guide for Clinicians
by M. Katz. Cambridge University Press. 2nd edition. 2006.
Stata Statistical Software (Stata Corporation, College
Station, TX) version 11 will also be used. The TICR Program has arranged
for a sizeable discount for UCSF-affiliated personnel. Directions for
ordering can be found here.
| GRADING |
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Grades will be based on total points achieved on homework
(~75%) and the final exam (~25%). Weekly problem sets are due at the start
of the Small Group Section. Please note that late assignments are not
accepted. Scholars unable to attend Small Group Sections are expected
to email their assignments to their section leaders by the beginning of the session. Answer keys
to problem sets will be posted following the Small Group Section.
| ENROLLMENT |
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This course is open to a limited number of individuals outside
of the ATCR and Master's programs. Preference is given to UCSF-affiliated personnel.
We regret that auditing is not permitted. To apply for this course please fill
out and submit the application below. Cost and submission information are in
the application.
Application (Word doc, 20KB) |
