CPH 309 Introduction to Epidemiology - Mel and Enid Zuckerman ...

EPID/CPH 309: Introduction to EpidemiologyFall 2012TIME:DAYS:LOCATION:FACULTY:4:00-5:15 pmMonday & WednesdayDrachman, A114Robin Harris, Ph.D., M.P.H.Office: Drachman, A-234Telephone: 626-5357E-mail: rharris@azcc.arizona.eduOffice hours: By appointmentTeaching Assistants & PreceptorsGroup Teaching Assistant PreceptorAPaul Kangpaulk@email.arizona.eduLaura Stussielstussie@email.arizona.eduBCate Marshallcmarshall@email.arizona.eduMega Patelmspatel@email.arizona.eduCLaura Tippittippit@email.arizona.eduDStephanie Kochsmkoch@email.arizona.eduCOURSE DESCRIPTIONThis course will introduce students to basic principles and methods used in epidemiology. Thecourse will include basic research designs, estimating outcome measures, and establishing causeand effect and effectiveness of interventions to prevent and cure diseaseCOURSE PREREQUISITES: Math 112 or equivalentCOURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVESUpon completion of the course, students should be able to:1) Describe the historical roots of epidemiologic thinking and their contribution to the evolution of thescientific method.2) Explain how ethical principles affect epidemiologic research.3) Calculate rates and proportions to express numerically the amount and distribution of health andnon-health related outcomes4) Use the distribution of a health-related outcome to generate hypotheses that might provide anexplanation.5) Explain basic statistical and epidemiologic concepts of estimation, inference, and adjustment toestablish association.6) Explain how to use evidence of an association to make a judgment about whether an associationis causal.Syllabus-CPH309-8/20/2012

ProjectsThere are two projects to be completed throughout the semester: 1) review of a survey questionnaire,and 2) data hunt. Specific instructions for the format and grading criteria of these projects will beprovided. Check the online website for further details. Due dates for the projects are listed on thecourse schedule.An extra credit project is available for students to complete if so interested. The assignment is worth 5extra points to the overall points of the course. Instructions are available on the website. Thisassignment can be completed at any time, but must be submitted before last day of class.ExaminationsThe midterm and final examination will be closed book, in-class exams unless otherwise specified.The final can potentially be an online exam. Students will be allowed to bring in 1 page of notes andcalculators to an in-class exam.STUDENT EVALUATIONEvaluation will be based upon the student's ability to demonstrate a basic understanding of theconcepts, principles, and methods of epidemiology through:GRADING SCHEMEMidterm 20 %Homework 25%Class Participation 5%Project 1: Questionnaire review 10%Project 2: Data Hunt 15%Final Exam 25%Total 100%The final grades are based on the following point system, although the instructor reserves the right torevise this scale if necessary.A - 91-100%D - 61-70%B - 81-90%E -

Academic Integrity: All UA students are responsible for upholding the University of Arizona Code ofAcademic Integrity, available through the office of the Dean of Students and online: The official policyfound at:http://dos.web.arizona.edu/uapolicies/scc5308abcd.html andhttp://dos.web.arizona.edu/uapolicies/cai1.html.Plagiarism: What counts as plagiarism?• Copying and pasting information from a web site or another source, and then revising it so thatit sounds like your original idea.• Doing an assignment/essay/take home test with a friend and then handing in separateassignments that contain the same ideas, language, phrases, etc.• Quoting a passage without quotation marks or citations, so that it looks like your own.• Paraphrasing a passage without citing it, so that it looks like your own.• Hiring another person to do your work for you, or purchasing a paper through any of the on- oroff-line sources.Classroom Behavior: Participation is an important component of this class. Feel free to ask plenty ofquestions, and contribute your own ideas and knowledge to the class. It is important to read thematerial in advance and give it some careful thought, so that you come to class prepared to discussinformation and opinions. Engaging and instructive class discussion can come from this if we are bothprepared beforehand and mutually respectful during our interactions with each other. Talking, usingelectronic devices such as cell phones, laptops, or ipods, and any other unruly behavior thatdisrupts the class will not be tolerated. The instructor reserves the right (and obligation to theclass) to administratively drop from the course any student who does not maintain appropriatebehavior. Turn off your cell phones.Students are expected to be familiar with the UA Policy on Disruptive Behavior in an InstructionalSetting found at http://web.arizona.edu/~policy/disruptive.pdf and the Policy on Threatening Behaviorby Students found at http://web.arizona.edu/~policy/threatening.pdfGrievance Policy: Should a student feel he or she has been treated unfairly, there are a number ofresources available. With few exceptions, students should first attempt to resolve difficulties informallyby bringing those concerns directly to the person responsible for the action, or with the student'sgraduate advisor, Assistant Dean for Student and Alumni Affairs, department head, or the immediatesupervisor of the person responsible for the action. If the problem cannot be resolved informally, thestudent may file a formal grievance using the Graduate College Grievance Policy found athttp://grad.arizona.edu/catalog/policies/academic-policies/grievance-policyGrade Appeal Policy: http://catalog.arizona.edu/2008%2D09/policies/gradappeal.htmSyllabus Changes: Information contained in the course syllabus, other than the grade and absencepolicies, may be subject to change with reasonable advance notice, as deemed appropriate.Please Note: URLs change frequently. You will need to test the URLs in the syllabus youproduce each semester, to ensure the links are correct.Syllabus-CPH309-8/20/2012

MondayNovember 5WednesdayNovember 7MondayNovember 12WednesdayNovember 14MondayNovember 19WednesdayNovember 21MondayNovember 26WednesdayNovember 28MondayDecember 3WednesdayDecember 5MondayDecember 10Threats to Validity: ConfoundingEpi & Policy – Screening for Disease Chapter 7Homework #7dueVeterans’ Day – no classInfectious Diseases & OutbreaksKristen Pogreba-Brown, MPHID Epi – Outbreaks continuedIn class/discussionUsing epi methods to understand whyvaccine rates are low?Steve Haenchen, MPHAsthma & Respiratory EpidemiologyJanet Rothers, PhDSpecial Topics: Injury EpidemiologyJerry Poplin, MSDiscussion and ReviewFinalChapter 8Homework #8 dueHomework #9 dueProject #2 dueChapter 10*Chapter numbers refer to required text – Epidemiology 101.Syllabus-CPH309-8/20/2012