FDNS(EPID) 7040: Nutritional Epidemiology

Course Goals and Objectives:
The objective of the course is to provide the student with familiarity with the design,
conduct, analyses, and interpretation of epidemiologic studies related to nutrition. At the
end of this course students will be able to:
a) Use basic terms and concept of epidemiology such frequency, prevalence,
incidence, proportions, and measures of effect and association (odds ratio,
relative risk etc).
b) Select the appropriate screening tool for screening nutrition emergencies and
human health outbreak investigations including exposure and outcome
measurements (diet and disease).
c) Select the most appropriate epidemiologic study design and study population
for research evaluating the relationship between nutrition and health.
d) Identify the strengths and limitations of each study design currently available
for various nutrition-related research questions, and understand the
implications of the limitations of each method on study results in relation to
specific nutrition research questions.
e) Describe the data analysis and interpretation issues of special importance in
nutritional epidemiology studies
Intended Audience
This course is intended for graduate students with an interest in gaining an understanding
of how epidemiologic studies of diet and chronic disease are conducted. Thus, it may be
most appealing to students who foresee themselves involved in epidemiologic research as
focus a focus of activity such as community, international and public health nutrition
research. Although students are not required to have a strong nutrition background, it
would be helpful to have a strong interest in these areas.
Method of Instruction
The primary method of instruction is through lectures and discussions including student
presentations on selected areas of interest. Active participation in the classroom
discussion is important and encouraged.
Assessments and Grading:
There will be a total of 3 written examinations for credit, 2 interim exams and one final
exam. The 2 written interim examinations will be completed during scheduled class
times. The interim exams will not be cumulative. The final exam will be cumulative.
There will also be 3 take-home assignments for credit (including one critique). Students
will also be required to take the CDC online investigation training on “Botulism in
Argentina.” This case study investigation can be found at the following website:
http://www2a.cdc.gov/phtnonline/ Please go to the website and locate the Botulism in
Argentina case study. Follow the instructions and directions to download the case study.
The case study has to be done online, which means you should have internet access to
complete this case study. During the registration to take the case study please remember
to register for CME credits this will enable you to print a certificate to be submitted to me