Skip to Content

This introductory course explores the principles and methods of epidemiology, the study of the distribution and determinants of health and disease in populations. Examine how epidemiology is used to identify and control disease outbreaks, track disease trends, and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. Learn the principles and methods of epidemiology, including study designs, measures of disease frequency, and sources of bias and confounding. Through engaging lectures, case studies, and hands-on exercises, you will gain a deep understanding of how epidemiological research is conducted and its role in public health. With a focus on real-world applications, explore the use of surveillance systems, outbreak investigations, and screening programs to track and prevent the spread of diseases. Participants examine the epidemiology of infectious and chronic diseases, as well as environmental and occupational health hazards.

This course is designed for individuals interested in pursuing a career in public health, healthcare, or biomedical research.
 

Learning Objectives
 
  • Differentiate between association and causation in epidemiological studies
  • Apply outbreak investigation principles to real-world case studies
  • Interpret surveillance data to identify disease patterns and trends
  • Evaluate the strengths and limitations of epidemiological study designs.
  • Understand the ethical considerations in intervention studies
  • Identify common sources of bias and confounding in epidemiological studies
  • Evaluate the performance of screening tests
 
Format
 

This course is offered in an online asynchronous format. There are no set meeting times, however, students follow a weekly schedule and there will be deadlines to meet in terms of course requirements. This course cannot be completed at an accelerated rate.


Contact Information:

Fiona O'Donnell-Lawson
unexbio@ucsd.edu

 

Course Number: BIOL-40377
Credit: 3.00 unit(s)

+ Expand All