Epidemiology

COURSE INFORMATION
Epidemiology

BEP 233d. Research Synthesis and Meta-Analysis Applications in Public Health and Clinical Medicine
Dr. G. Colditz
2.5 credits
Seminars. One 3-hour session each week.

Concerned with the use of existing data to inform clinical decision making and health care policy, the course focuses on research synthesis (meta-analysis). The principles of meta-analytic statistical methods are reviewed, and the application of these to data sets is explored. Application of methods includes considerations for clinical trials and observational studies. The use of meta-analysis to explore data and identify sources of variation among studies is emphasized, as is the use of meta-analysis to identify future research questions.
Course Activities: Students prepare a protocol to conduct a meta-analysis and use existing meta-analysis software to apply principles outlined in the course to data sets provided for this purpose.

BEP 233t. Research Synthesis and Meta-Analysis Applications in Public Health and Clinical Medicine
Dr. M. Stoto
2.5 credits
Lectures. Five 2-hour sessions each week.

Concerned with the use of existing data to inform clinical decision making and health care policy, the course focuses on research synthesis (meta-analysis). The principles of meta-analytic statistical methods are reviewed, and the application of these to data sets is explored. Application of methods includes considerations for clinical trials and observational studies. The use of meta-analysis to explore data and identify sources of variation among studies is emphasized, as is the use of meta-analysis to identify future research questions.
Course Activities: Students prepare a protocol to conduct a meta-analysis and use existing meta-analysis software to apply principles outlined in the course to data sets provided for this purpose.

EEB 271d. Advanced Regression Techniques for Environmental Epidemiology (Departments of Environmental Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
Dr. J. Schwartz, Dr. W. Huang
2.5 credits
Lectures and seminars. Two 2-hour sessions each week.

The course will cover nonlinear exposure-response relationships and repeated measure designs, including non-parametric and semi-parametric smoothing techniques, generalized additive models, robust regression and time series models. In addition to the theoretical material, students will apply these techniques using S-plus and SAS to actual datasets including modeling the effects of environmental exposures on health outcomes. These techniques also are widely applicable to problems in infectious disease, psychiatric, nutritional, occupational, and cancer epidemiology.
Course Activities: Lectures and structured workshops in the instructional computer facility.
Course Note: EPI 200a, EPI 200s, EPI 201a or EPI 208st, and BIO 233cd or BIO 211cd required; EPI 202b and EPI 204d are strongly recommended; minimum enrollment of 3 students required and limited to 15 students; signature of instructor required; lab or section time to be announced at first meeting.

EH 235ab. Epidemiologic Basis of Occupational Health Standards
Dr. E. Eisen, Dr. D. Wegman
5 credits
Seminars, case studies. One 3-hour session each week.

Provides students with the opportunity to review the scientific basis for the association of selected occupational exposures and disease. Special emphasis is placed on the evaluation of the epidemiologic literature, occupational cancer, respiratory disease, and other kinds of occupational morbidity. Attention is directed to the interface of science and regulatory policy and the role of risk analysis in setting health standards.
Course Activities: Discussions based on the process leading to setting of standards.
Course Note: EPI 200a, EPI 200s, EPI 201a and EPI 208st, and BIO 200ab or BIO 201ab or BIO201s and BIO201t, and ID 263bc required; EPE 215cd is strongly recommended; enrollment limited to 15 students; signature of instructor required.

EHE 215cd. Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology (Department of Environmental Health and the Department of Epidemiology)
Dr. D. Dockery, Dr. R. Hauser
2.5 credits
Lectures, case studies. One 2-hour session each week.

This course has three objectives: to review methods used in evaluating the health effects of physical and chemical agents in the environment, to review available evidence on the health effects of such exposures, and to consider policy questions raised by the scientific evidence. Topics include lectures on methodology, seminars on the review and criticism of current literature, and presentations by outside experts on specific environmental and occupational health issues of current interest.
Course Note: EPI 200a, EPI 200s, EPI 201a or EPI 208st and BIO 200ab, BIO 201ab, BIO 206st, BIO 219ab or BIO 200s and BIO 200t required.

EHE 215t. Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology (Department of Environmental Health and the Department of Epidemiology)
Dr. R. Hauser, Dr. D. Dockery
2.5 credits
Lectures, case studies. Five 2-hour sessions each week.

This course has three objectives: to review methods used in evaluating the health effects of physical and chemical agents in the environment, to review available evidence on the health effects of such exposures, and to consider policy questions raised by the scientific evidence. Topics include lectures on methodology, seminars on the review and criticism of current literature, and presentations by outside experts on specific environmental and occupational health issues of current interest.
Course Note: EPI 200a, EPI 200s, EPI 201a or EPI 208st required; BIO 200ab, BIO 201ab, BIO 206st, BIO 219ab or BIO 200s and BIO 200t required (concurrent enrollment permitted).

EHE 268b. Respiratory Epidemiology (Department of Environmental Health and the Department of Epidemiology)
Dr. D. Dockery, Dr. C. Carmago
1.25 credits
Lectures, case studies. One 2-hour session each week.

Reviews the epidemiology of respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, respiratory cancer, and infectious respiratory disease. Demographic distribution, time trends and risk factors of these diseases are discussed.
Course Note: EPI 200a, EPI 200s, EPI 201a or EPI 208st required.

EMH 218d. Environmental and Social Risk Factors for Psychiatric Disorders (Departments of Epidemiology, Health and Social Behavior and Maternal and Child Health)
Dr. S. Buka, Dr. L. Berkman, Dr. J. Murphy
1.25 credits
Lectures. One 2-hour session each week.

Reviews the major environmental and social risks for psychiatric disorders of children, youth and adults. Lectures will address current theories of gene-environmental interaction for psychiatric illness, and both biological and psychosocial mechanisms linking environmental risks with psychiatric disorders. Topics include prenatal complications; childhood trauma; social networks and social support; critical life events; culture, ethnicity and religion; social class; and community influences. Major epidemiologic studies of these topics are presented. This course is in the psychiatric epidemiology track.
Course Activities: Class discussion, final paper.

EPB253c. Information Management and Data Resources in Epidemiology (Department of Epidemiology and the Department of Biostatistics)
Dr. K. A. Chan, Dr. M. Testa
2.5 credits
Lectures, case studies, computer exercises. Two 1.5-hour sessions each week. One 1-hour lab each week.

This course is designed to introduce students to the theory and applications of information technology that are used in modern epidemiology. Pertinent concepts of relational database theory and structured query language will be described, followed by lectures on data forms design, database construction, and data validation for studies that involve ad hoc collection of primary data. Record linkage techniques for utilization of secondary data in epidemiology will be introduced. Existing data sources, such as Medicaid, automated insurance claims systems, and computerized medical records will be described. Students will have hands-on experience working with computer programs in the lab sessions. Examples will be drawn from studies in pharmacoepidemiology, clinical epidemiology, and intervention studies.
Course Note: EPI200, EPI201, or EPI208st, and BIO200 or BIO201 required; for students not familiar with the latest computer technology, BIO112 is recommended.

EPH 227d. Principles of Screening
Dr. G. Colditz, Dr. B. Rockhill
2.5 credits
Lectures, seminars, case studies. Two 2-hour sessions each week.

The aim of this course is to provide a basic understanding of the principles of disease screening. Particular emphasis is placed on screening from a public health perspective. The first part of the course will focus on the quantitative foundations underlying screening evaluation. We will review current approaches to screening for cancer, as well as applications in a number of other settings. Controversies and limitations of screening strategies will be discussed.
Course Activities: Class participation in seminars and formal debates, one problem set, and final 5-10 page paper.

EPH 286t. Implementing Prevention (Department of Epidemiology and Department of Health and Social Behavior)
Dr. G. Colditz, Dr. K Emmons
2.5 credits
Lectures, case studies. Five 2-hour sessions each week.

This course will cover issues ranging from the evidence underlying prevention recommendations to theory and practice of implementing prevention. First, we will examine the sources of evidence and how they are sythesized to inform recommendations for prevention. This will include a brief review of methods for research synthesis and the classification scheme used by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Strategies for prevention that address population-wide change in risk will be considered including action by health care providers, regulatory change, and individual and community changes. The theories underlying behavior change will be reviewed and examples of ongoing prevention interventions will be discussed. Risk assessment and risk communication will be addressed and examples from cancer and cardiovascular disease will be used for class assignments. Finally, students will review a prevention strategy of their own choice and outline a plan for action.
Course Note: Ordinal grading only.

EPI 200a. Principles of Epidemiology
Dr. S. Hankinson, Dr. M. Stampfer
2.5 credits
Lectures, seminars. Two 1-hour sessions and one 2-hour seminar each week.

Introduces the basic principles and methods of epidemiology. Lectures are complemented by seminars devoted to exercises or to the discussion of current examples of epidemiologic studies.
Course Activities: Class discussion, seminar participation, quiz, final examination.
Course Note: Credit is not given for more than one of EPI 200a, EPI 200s, EPI 201a or EPI 208st.

EPI 200s. Principles of Epidemiology
Dr. A. Hofman
2.5 credits
Lectures, seminars. Five 2-hour sessions each week.

This course will provide an orientation to epidemiology as a basic science for public health and clinical medicine. It will address the principles of the quantitative approach to clinical and public health problems. The course will discuss measures of frequency and association, introduce the design and validity of epidemiologic research, and give an overview of data analysis. This course is an introduction to the skills needed by public health professionals to interpret critically the epidemiologic literature. It will provide students with the principles and practical experience needed to initiate the development of these skills. Lectures are complemented by seminars devoted to case studies, exercises, or critique of current examples of epidemiologic studies.
Course Activities: Class discussion, seminar, quiz, final exam.
Course Note: This course is taught during Session I of the Summer Institute for Public Health Studies in Quantitative Methods; credit is not given for more than one of EPI 200a, EPI 200s, EPI 201a or EPI 208st.

EPI 201a. Introduction to Epidemiology
Dr. J. Robins, Dr. K. Chan
2.5 credits
Lectures, seminars. Two 1.5-hour sessions each week, one 1.5-hour seminar each week.

This course covers the principles and methods used in epidemiologic research. It is an alternative to EPI 200a and is designed for students majoring in Epidemiology or Biostatistics, or for students who desire a more detailed introduction into the main issues encountered in the design, implementation, and analysis of epidemiologic studies.
Course Note: Credit is not given for more than one of EPI 200a, EPI 200s, EPI 201a or
EPI 208st.

EPI 202b. Elements of Epidemiologic Research
Dr. D. Spiegelman, Dr. M. Mittleman
2.5 credits
Lectures, seminars. Two 2-hour sessions and one 2-hour seminar each week.

Introduces elements of study design, data analysis and inference in epidemiologic research. Principles and methods are illustrated with examples, and reviewed through homework and in-class exercises. May serve as an introduction to more advanced study or as a concluding course for those desiring a working knowledge of epidemiologic methods.
Course Note: EPI 200a, EPI 200s, EPI 201a or EPI208st required - concurrent enrollment permitted; BIO 200ab, BIO 200s and BIO 200t , BIO 201ab, or BIO219ab required - concurrent enrollment permitted.

EPI 202t. Elements of Epidemiologic Research
Dr. M. Mittleman
2.5 credits
Lectures, seminars. Five 2-hour sessions each week.

See course description for EPI 202b.
Course Note: EPI 200a, EPI 200s, EPI 201a or EPI 208st required - concurrent enrollment permitted; BIO 200ab, BIO 200s and BIO 200t or BIO 201ab required - concurrent enrollment permitted.

EPI 203c. Design of Case-Control and Cohort Studies
Dr. A. Walker, Dr. A. Ascherio
2.5 credits
Lectures. Two 2-hour sessions each week.

Beginning with the randomized clinical trial as a paradigm, this course examines common problems in the design, analysis, and interpretation of observational studies. Cohort and case-control studies are the focus of the discussion, but not to the exclusion of other designs. Problems of exposure and disease definitions, time-dependent effects, confounding, and misclassification are considered in the light of data sources typically available. Relevant statistical methods are introduced but not developed in detail.
Course Activities: Review of published studies, written group projects, class discussion.
Course Note: EPI 202b or EPI 202t and BIO 200ab, BIO 201ab, or BIO 200s and BIO 200t or signature of instructor required.

EPI 204d. Analysis of Case-Control and Cohort Studies
Dr. K. Joshipura, Dr. C. Hsieh
2.5 credits
Lectures, laboratories (optional). Two 2-hour sessions each week.

Develops the material presented in EPI 203c into the rationale and methodology for mathematical modeling of study parameters. Emphasizes Poisson and logistic regression.
Course Activities: Written group projects, class discussion, short quiz, homework.
Course Note: EPI 203c required.

EPI 205ab. Practice of Epidemiology
Dr. E. Rimm, Dr. M. Stampfer
2.5 credits
Seminars, tutorials. One 2-hour tutorial each week during "a" period and one 2-hour seminar each week during "b" period.

The seminars consist of student presentations of plans for collection and analysis of epidemiological data, with discussion by students and faculty. Preparatory work is done under tutorial arrangements with members of the faculty. The emphasis is on conceptual issues necessary for the development of a fundable epidemiological study.
Course Activities: Individual student paper and presentation, student and faculty critiques.
Course Note: This course is aimed at epidemiology doctoral students; background in epidemiology is required; signature of instructor required.

EPI 207a. Advanced Epidemiologic Methods
Dr. J. Robins, Dr. M. Hernan
2.5 credits
Lectures. Two 2-hour sessions and one 2-hour lab each week.

Provides an in-depth investigation of statistical methods for drawing causal inferences from observational studies. Informal epidemiologic concepts such as confounding, selection bias, overall effects, direct effects, and intermediate variables will be formally defined within the context of a counterfactual causal model and with the help of causal diagrams. Methods for the analysis of the causal effects of time-varying exposures in the presence of time dependent covariates that are simultaneously confounders and intermediate variables will be emphasized. These methods include g-computation algorithm estimators, inverse probability weighted estimators of marginal structural models, g-estimation of structural nested models. As a practicum, students will reanalyze data sets using the above methods.
Course Activities: Class discussion, homework, practicum and final examination.
Course Note: EPI204d and BIO210cd, or BIO233cd, or signature of instructor required; familiarity with logistic regression and survival analysis is expected; lab time will be announced at first meeting.

EPI 208st. Introduction to Clinical Epidemiology
Dr. D. Singer, Dr. E. F. Cook
5 credits
Lectures, seminars, case studies. Five 2-hour sessions each week.

This course is an introductory-level course and covers the principles and methods used in traditional and clinical epidemiologic research through a series of lectures, exercises, seminars, workshops and presentations. This course is targeted at individuals planning to conduct clinical research.
Course Activities: Written assignments, computer exercises, seminar discussion; each student is required to develop a study design that addresses a specific clinical problem and to present this proposal to the class. Seminars are held during scheduled class time.
Course Note: For participants in the Summer Program in Clinical Effectiveness only; no auditors; signature of instructor required.

EPI 212a. Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Diseases
Dr. E. Rimm, Guest Lecturers
1.25 credits
Lectures. One 2-hour session each week.

Reviews the epidemiology of the chronic cardiovascular diseases. Demographic distribution and time trends of these diseases are presented, and known risk factors are discussed. The course is open to all students. Course Activities: Grades are based on short papers or student presentations.

EPI 213c. Epidemiology of Cancer
Dr. S. Hankinson, Dr. E. Giovannucci
2.5 credits
Lectures. Two 2-hour sessions each week.

Reviews basic concepts and issues central to cancer epidemiology. Considers the descriptive epidemiology of cancer and discusses the implications of the biology of cancer for identification of risk factors. Examines the role of smoking, radiation, nutrition, and other exposures. Selected malignancies are discussed.
Course Activities: Each student prepares a review of the epidemiology of a specific cancer site.
Course Note: EPI 250b or signature of instructor required.

EPI 214d. Epidemiologic Analysis of Outbreaks and Infectious Diseases
Dr. R. Platt
2.5 credits
Seminars, case studies. Two 2-hour session each week.

Discusses the use of epidemiologic methods in analyzing outbreaks and investigating infectious diseases. Different types of problems and various methods of analysis are illustrated. Stresses literature review and practical methodology.
Course Activities: Weekly written homework problems.

EPI 216d. Epidemiology in Public Health Practice
Dr. R. Dicker
2.5 credits
Case studies. One 3-hour session each week.

The course uses case studies to teach the principles and practice of field epidemiology, ranging from surveillance to descriptive epidemiology to outbreak investigation to analytic methods to Epi Info software. The course focuses on the use of sound epidemiologic judgment, particularly when epidemiologic theory and practical considerations conflict. Following this course, the student will be familiar with the principles of epidemiology relevant to public health professionals, and should be able to apply those principles to address public health problems in the community.
Course Note: EPI 200a, EPI 200s, EPI 201a, or EPI 208st required; minimum enrollment of 10 students required; enrollment limited to 20 students.

EPI 217a. The Epidemiology of Adult Psychiatric Disorders
Dr. P. Wang, Dr. M. Tsuang
2.5 credits
Lectures. One 3-hour session each week.

Covers a range of studies from early classics to recent work on the occurrence and distribution of psychiatric illness. Describes the application of basic epidemiologic research designs to the study of psychiatric conditions. Clinical aspects of psychopathology will also be introduced. The course is an introductory course in the psychiatric epidemiology track. It is intended for master's degree and doctoral students interested in mental health research and those who desire a general introduction to the field of psychiatric epidemiology.
Course Activities: Class discussion, final examination, homework assignment.
Course Note: Background in introductory statistics and understanding of basic epidemiologic research methods recommended; EPI 200a, EPI 200s, EPI 201a or EPI 208st and BIO 200ab, BIO 201ab or BIO 200s and BIO 200t recommended (concurrent enrollment permitted) or permission of instructor.

EPI 219b. Assessment Concepts and Methods in Psychiatric Epidemiology
Dr. D. Blacker
2.5 credits
Lectures, laboratory/practice sessions. One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour laboratory/practice session each week.

Presents the application of basic epidemiologic and psychometric concepts and methods in psychiatric research. Topics include: measurement theory, reliability, validity, screening, and diagnostic classification procedures, as they specifically relate to psychiatric research. The course is in the psychiatric epidemiology track and is intended primarily for students interested in conducting mental health research.
Course Activities: Class discussion, brief homeworks, class project with oral presentation and final paper.
Course Note: Students should be familiar with the major forms of psychopathology, basic epidemiologic research methods, and introductory statistics; EPI 200a, EPI 200s, EPI 201a or EPI 208st and BIO 200ab or BIO 201ab or BIO 200s and BIO 200t required or consent of instructor; lab or section time to be announced at first meeting.

EPI 221b. Pharmacoepidemiology
Dr. A. Walker
2.5 credits
Lectures. Two 2-hour sessions each week.

Within the framework of formal epidemiologic analysis, this course covers inference about the effects of pharmaceuticals from case reports, case series, vital statistics and other registration schemes, cohort studies, and case-control studies. Decision-making with inadequate data is examined from the perspectives of manufacturers and of regulators. Students are graded on the basis of group projects. This course is intended primarily for students wishing to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry or in national regulatory bodies, but may have more general interest as an applied mid-level course with a heavy methodological emphasis.
Course Activities: Written and oral group projects, individual class presentations, class discussion.
Course Note: Knowledge of epidemiology at the level of EPI 202b (which may be taken concurrently) and a basic understanding of drug use and nomenclature are assumed; enrollment limited to 25 students; signature of instructor required.

EPI 222d. Genetic Epidemiology of Diabetes and its Complications
Dr. A. Krolewski, Dr. J. Warram
2.5 credits
To be given 2000-2001; offered alternate years.
Seminar, case studies, laboratories. One 2-hour session and one 2-hour laboratory session each week.

The genetics of diabetes and its complications, together with the descriptive epidemiology of these conditions, will be used to illustrate the process of generating etiologic hypotheses that can be studied by the methods of genetic epidemiology. Techniques of molecular genetics relevant to epidemiologic studies will be reviewed and demonstrated. Data sets that include genotype information will be analyzed with an emphasis placed on the examination of various gene/environment interaction.
Course Note: EPI 202b required; lab or section time to be announced at first meeting.

EPI 224a. Cancer Prevention
Dr. G. Colditz
2.5 credits
Lectures, case studies, laboratories. Two 2-hour sessions each week.

Approaches to cancer prevention will be reviewed with the principal emphasis on primary prevention. After a brief discussion of issues in the application of screening and the contribution that screening for each cancer, one by one, can make through early diagnosis, we will focus on the social and behavioral changes that can achieve the same or greater reduction in cancer incidences. This course will review models for prevention, and emphasize the timing of prevention in the context of the natural history of disease etiology (examples discussed in detail will include breast and colon cancer). The importance of population-wide strategies rather than high risk approaches will be emphasized. Levels of intervention from action by health care providers (e.g., counseling and screening), regulatory policy, social structural changes to individual behavior changes will be emphasized. Key components necessary for prevention policy include an adequate knowledge base, social strategies, and political will. These must be in balance. Students will review and contrast breast and colon cancer with regard to the balance of these three major components of prevention policy.
Course Note: Requirement for students in the Cancer Education Program.

EPI 225c. Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases
Dr. M. Lipsitch
2.5 credits
Lectures, seminars, case studies. Two 2-hour sessions each week.

Covers basic concepts and issues central to the epidemiology of infectious diseases and disease transmission. Introductory topics will include epidemiologic properties of infectious agents and the nature of host defenses; the dynamics of occurrence of communicable diseases, their reservoirs; and the interactions of human behavior and the actions of governments and international agencies. Direct and indirect transmission of infectious agents in various settings, and the implication for successful intervention and control will be summarized. Genetic, behavioral, ecological, technical and political origins of what are termed emerging infections will be considered. The dynamics of host parasite interactions are illustrated with mathematical models, although only a little algebra is used in the course.
Course Activities: Weekly written homework problems.
Course Note: A prior course in basic microbiology helpful, but not required.

EPI 228ab. Oral Epidemiology
Dr. C. Douglass, Dr. K. Joshipura
2.5 credits
To be given 2000-2001; offered alternate years.
Lectures, seminars, case studies. One 2-hour session each week.

This course will first discuss the principal measures and methods of epidemiology as they apply to oral conditions; then the distribution, etiology and risk factors for dental caries, periodontal diseases, cleft lip and palate, oral cancer, soft tissue lesions and malocclusions will be studied. The third part of the course links oral epidemiology data to health policy issues in other areas: community preventive dentistry programs, national health care policy, e.g., infection control, and health services research.
Course Activities: Class discussion, reading homework, written assignments, midterm and final examinations.
Course Note: EPI 200a, EPI 200s, EPI 201a or EPI 208st required (concurrent enrollment permitted).

EPI 235d. Health Services Epidemiology
Dr. A. Chan, Dr. S. Schneeweiss, Dr. M. Maclure and guest lecturers
2.5 credits
Lectures, case studies. Two 1.5 hour lectures each week.

This course is designed to introduce Epidemiology students to the application of standard epidemiologic methods to Health Services Research. The course helps students to recognize the principles of Epidemiology in Health Services Research, and understand the terminology and methods specific to the field. Threats to validity including selection bias, confounding, information bias, and methods for their control will be discussed in a variety of settings emphasizing practical considerations. Lectures include recent or ongoing case studies and examples from the literature. Topics include strategic planning, quality management, risk-adjustment, benchmarking, outcomes and effectiveness research, and program evaluation.
Course Note: EPI202 and BIO 200 or BIO201 required or signature of instructor.

EPI 236s. Analytical Aspects of Clinical Epidemiology
Dr. E. F. Cook
5 credits
Lectures, seminars. Ten 2-hour sessions each week.

This course examines some features of study design, but is primarily focused on analytic issues encountered in clinical research. These include techniques for stratified analysis, regression modeling, matching and recursive partitioning. Emphasis is placed on the use of these techniques for the control of confounding and the development of clinical rules. The focus of this course is on applications and interpretations of results with limited introduction to theory that underlies these techniques.
Course Activities: Seminars are scheduled during regular class time. Students must develop a written summary of the analysis of a clinical data set based on the results of daily computer exercises.
Course Note: EPI 208st and BIO 206s (or similar courses) required; signature of instructor required.

EPI 241ab. Design Issues Involved in Measuring Health Status
Dr. E. F. Cook
2.5 credits
Lectures. One 2-hour session each week.

Examines methodologic issues related to measures of health status encountered in clinical research. Topics to be covered include instrument development; scaling; assessment of reliability, validity and responsiveness to change; principal component analysis and factor analysis.
Course Activities: Working in groups students must design an instrument to measure a construct of choice, distribute that instrument to a population, analyze the performance of the instrument from that data and present their results in class.
Course Note: Minimum enrollment of 10 students required; enrollment limited to 50 students; signature of instructor required.

EPI 242ab,cd. Seminar on Applied Research into Clinical Effectiveness
Dr. D. Singer, Dr. E. F. Cook, Dr. E. J. Orav
1.25 credits for "ab" semester; 1.25 credits for "cd" semester
Seminars. One 1.5-hour session each week.

This seminar serves as a forum for students' clinical epidemiologic research. In the process, students are exposed to a variety of research designs, analytic strategies, and content areas There is active class discussion. Faculty emphasize methodologic issues pertinent to that presentation.
Course Activities: Student presentation or written assignment.
Course Note: Must register in each appropriate semester; separate grade given at the end of each semester; signature of instructor required.

[EPI 244c.] Genetic Epidemiologic Methods for Psychiatric and other Complex Disorders
Dr. S.L. Santangelo, Dr. P. Van Eerdewegh, Dr. M. Tsuang
2.5 credits
Not to be given 2001-2002; offered alternate years.
Lectures, Labs. One 3-hour session and one lab.

Designed to introduce students to classical and current research methodology for genetic epidemiologic studies of complex (non-Mendelian) disorders using examples drawn from the psychiatric genetics literature. Topics include issues in phenotype definition, design and analysis of family, twin, and adoption studies, segregation analysis, linkage analysis methods, and association studies. Students will gain direct experience in carrying out linkage analyses using different approaches and analytic packages. Laboratory sessions will be devoted to discussion of the technical details of executing the relevant computer programs and interpretation of results. This is one of the courses on the psychiatric epidemiology track, but it may also be of interest to students wanting to learn methods for studying any disorders with complex genetic inheritance.
Course Activities: Lectures, class discussion, homework assignments, labs devoted to computer analyses of data, interpretation, oral or written presentation of results of data analyses; enrollment limited to 25 students, instructor's signature required.

Course Note: Students should have an understanding of basic epidemiologic research methods, introductory biostatistics and probability; EHB 281a and/or signature of instructor required.

EPI 247b. Epidemiologic Methods Development - Past and Present
Dr. M. Mittleman
2.5 credits
Lectures. Two 2-hour sessions each week.

This course aims to provide students with a strong foundation in understanding the theoretical basis of currently used epidemiologic methods and also to help students acquire an understanding of the process of developing new approaches. The course will review the theoretical basis of modern epidemiology by reviewing landmark papers in the development of epidemiologic methods. Students will review classic papers that introduced important theoretical and methodological advances in the field. The course will begin with older papers, and trace the evolution of epidemiologic ideas, culminating in important recent areas of methods development.
Course Note: EPI 204d or signature of instructor required.

EPI 249a. Molecular Biology for Epidemiologists
Dr. I. DeVivo
2.5 credits
Lectures. Two 2-hour sessions each week.

This course offers an overview of molecular biology and presents molecular biological concepted and techniques commonly used in the laboratory and in epidemiological research. Topics include the structure of DNA and genes, DNA replication, transcription and RNA translation.
Course notes: Enrollment limited to 30 students; signature of instructor required; no auditors.

EPI 250b. Molecular Epidemiology of Cancer
Dr. F. Li
1.25 credits
Lectures, seminars, case studies. One 2-hour session each week.

This course is an introductory overview of the molecular genetics and epidemiology of cancer, with emphasis on use of new laboratory techniques in epidemiologic studies. Also discussed will be the application of epidemiologic methods to the generation of new etiologic hypotheses.
Course Note: EPI 200a, EPI 200s, EPI 201a or EPI 208st or signature of instructor required.

EPI 251c. Studies in Molecular Epidemiology
Dr. D. Hunter
1.25 credits
Seminars, case studies. One 2-hour session each week.

The aim of this course is to acquaint students with recent developments in molecular epidemiology, including molecular markers of environmental exposures, applications to risk assessment, and genetic markers of susceptibility. Students will present key papers in the literature for discussion. Applications will cover cancer, cardiovascular disease, and infectious diseases.
Course Activities: Student presentations and written evaluations of key papers.
Course Note: Enrollment limited to 16 students; signature of instructor required.

EPI 252d. Infections and Cancer
Dr. N. Mueller, Dr. S. Stuver
2.50 credits
To be given 2000-2001; offered alternate years.
Lectures, seminars, case studies. Two 2-hour session each week.

This course reviews the epidemiology and public health impact of viral and other infectious agents associated with malignancy. The role of host response and the use of serology and viral probes as risk markers are discussed. A related disease or unknown agent is discussed as a case study.
Course Note: EPI 213c required.

EPI 254d. The Epidemiology of Aging
Dr. F. Grodstein
1.25 credits
Lectures. One 2-hour session each week.

This course will cover epidemiologic concepts and methods related to diseases of aging as well as general health issues in the elderly. Topics will include the epidemiology of Alzheimer's Disease; pharmacoepidemiology in the elderly; quality of life in aging populations; methodologic dilemmas in such research; as well as others

EPI 255a. The Epidemiology of HIV Infection, Part I: Etiology, Natural History and Transmission
Dr. G. Seage
2.5 credits
Lectures. One 3-hour session each week.

This course is designed to introduce students to the epidemiology of HIV infection. It is designed for those students with a keen interest in both HIV/AIDS and epidemiologic methods. This course will survey state-of-the-art knowledge of the epidemiology of HIV infection and will emphasize epidemiologic principles and methods; including studies of the etiology of AIDS, estimation of the incidence and prevalence of HIV and AIDS, natural history and survival. The use of appropriate study designs and potential sources of bias will be discussed, with a focus on observational designs. This course will provide the student with experience in the critical review of epidemiologic studies in this area.
Course Activities: Homework assignments will consist of study questions or study critiques. These assignments constitute 100% of the grade and are due on the day of the discussions.
Course Note: EPI200a, EPI200s, EPI201a, or EPI208st required, concurrent enrollment permitted. Ordinal grading only.

EPI 256b. The Epidemiology of HIV Infection, Part II: Design and Conduct of Therapeutic and Prevention Interventions
Dr. G. Seage
2.5 credits
Lectures. One 3-hour session each week.

This course is designed to introduce students to the design and conduct of HIV therapeutic and prevention interventions. It is designed for those students with a keen interest in both HIV/AIDS and epidemiologic methods. This course will survey state-of-the-art knowledge of the epidemiology of HIV infection and will emphasize epidemiologic principles and methods including the design and conduct of ethical HIV intervention trials. The us of appropriate study designs and potential sources of bias will be discussed. This course will provide the student with experience in the development of a research proposal.
Course Activities: Grades will be based on a research proposal describing a therapeutic or prevention trial.
Course Note: EPI 200a, EPI200s, EPI201a, EPI208st or signature of instructor required. Enrollment in EPI255a strongly recommended. Ordinal grading option only.

EPI 260d. Mathematical Modeling of Infectious Diseases
Dr. M. Lipsitch
2.5 credits
Lectures, seminars. Two 1.5-hour sessions each week.

This course will cover selected topics and techniques in the use of dynamical models to study the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases. Class sessions will include critical student presentations of important papers, presentation (lecture and demonstration) of modeling techniques and their application, and guest presentations by researchers in the field. Techniques will include design and construction of appropriate differential equation models, methods of equilibrium and stability analysis, parameter estimation from epidemiological data, techniques for sensitivity analysis, and critique of model assumptions. Specific topics will include the use of age-seroprevalence data, the effects of population heterogeneity on transmission, and the use of models for pathogens with multiple strains. This course is designed for students with a basic understanding of mathematical modeling concepts who want to develop models for their own work.
Course Note: EPI225c or permission of instructor required.

EPI 269cd. Epidemiologic Research in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Dr. B. Harlow, Dr. D. Cramer, Dr. K. Michels
2.5 credits
Lectures. One 2-hour session each week.

This course will provide an overview of the methods and results from epidemiological research in the areas of contraception, infertility, pregnancy, menopause, and both benign and malignant gynecological conditions. Several lectures will feature an Ob/Gyn specialist who provides an overview of the clinical and physiological underpinnings of a particular topical area. These unique lectures compliment the discussion of pertinent epidemiological methods and topical literature.

Course Note: EPI 200a, EPI 200s, EPI 201a or EPI 208st or signature of instructor required.

EPI 284c. Epidemiology of Neurologic Diseases
Dr. A. Hofman, Dr. A. Ascherio,
2.5 credits
Lectures, seminars. Two 2-hour sessions each week.

This course is designed to introduce students to the epidemiology of major neurologic diseases. The emphasis will be both on research methods and on substantive issues. The course is meant for those with research interests in neurologic diseases and in epidemiological and clinical aspects of aging. The course will stress etiologic and prognostic research from an epidemiologic and clinical viewpoint. The following topics and diseases will be addressed: the epidemiologic approach to clinical neurology; public health implications of neurologic diseases; aging and neurologic diseases; co-morbidity and neurologic diseases; genetic epidemiologic approaches to neurologic diseases. Neurological diseases that will be discussed include stroke, cerebrovascular diseases, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, Parkinson's disease, cancers of the nervous system and epilepsy. Course Note: EPI200a, EPI201a, or EPI208st required; and BIO200ab, BIO201ab, or BIO200s and BIO200t required.

EPI 300a,b,c,d,e,s. Independent Study
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.

An opportunity for independent study is offered for interested and qualified students or small groups of students. Arrangements must be made with individual faculty members and are limited by the amount of faculty time available. These programs are open to all students who wish to go beyond the content of the regular courses.
Course Note: Completed independent study contract is required at the time of registration; maximum of 5 credits per independent study topic; pass/fail only; signature of instructor required.

EPI301 a,b,c,d,s Tutorial
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.

Course Note: Completed tutorial contract is required at the time of registration; maximum of 5 credits per independent study topic; pass/fail only; signature of instructor required.

EPI 310a,b,c,d,e,f. Research in Clinical Epidemiology
Dr. E.F. Cook
Time and credit to be arranged.

All students working in the Concentration of Clinical Epidemiology, who intend to complete the requirements for a Master of Science in Epidemiology based on only a summer schedule, are required to undertake and complete a clinical research project at their institution. Ten tutorial credits will be granted for this research. Each student is required to submit a written paper summarizing his or her research project. The exact content of this research project is determined by the faculty member assigned as principal advisor to the student. An appropriate content for this project might include the development of a research proposal to address a clinical question of interest, the implementation of this proposal with the collection of patient data, the analysis of these data, and the creation of a publishable manuscript (with detailed appendices) to describe the results of the analysis. Alternatively, part of this project might pertain to the creation of a full-fledged RO1 study protocol in the National Institutes of Health format, a publishable paper based on the analysis of existing data, a decision analysis, or a cost-effectiveness analysis.
Course Activities: Supervised research. Written progress reports must be submitted each semester.
Course Note: Acceptance into the Program in Clinical Effectiveness and completion is required; pass/fail grading option only.

EPI 311a,b,c,d,s. Teaching Assistant
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.

EPI 350a,b,c,d,s. Research
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.

For doctoral candidates who have passed their school-wide Oral Qualifying Examination and who are undertaking advanced work along the lines of fundamental or applied research in the department.
Course Note: Pass/Fail only; maximum of 20 credits; signature of instructor required.

EPI355d. Advanced Seminar in Breast Cancer Epidemiology
Dr. G. Colditz, Dr. S. Hankinson, Dr. B. Rockhill
2.5 credits
Lectures, seminars. One 2-hour session each week.

This course is an advanced seminar in current breast cancer research. It is intended for graduate students who have passed their doctoral qualifying exam and who have a research focus in, or a strong interest in, cancer epidemiology and cancer prevention. Topics to be covered include mathematical models of breast carcinogenesis, associations between endogenous and exogenous hormones and breast cancer, histopathology of benign and malignant breast conditions, estrogen receptivity of tumors, breast morphology (mammographic density), mechanisms of chemoprevention and public health implications of such a strategy, lifestyle factors (diet and physical activity) and breast cancer, mammographic screening and risk communication. Meetings will be led by expert scientists in the research area, but the meetings are expected to be participatory discussions about future directions for research in the particular area.
Course Note: Enrollment limited; lab or section time to be announced at first meeting; pass/fail only.

EPI 400a,b,c,d,s. Non-Resident Research
Department Members
Time and credit to be arranged.

For doctoral candidates who have passed their school-wide Oral Qualifying Examination and who are undertaking advanced work along the lines of fundamental or applied research in the department. Course Note: Pass/Fail only; maximum of 20 credits; signature of instructor required.

HPE 285d. Environmental Health Risk: Concept and Cases (Department of Health Policy and Management and the Department of Environmental Health)
Dr. K. Thompson
2.5 credits
Seminars. Two 2-hour sessions each week.

Challenges students to evaluate the risk analysis framework as an approach to managing environmental health and safety, and other hazards. Addresses contemporary issues in risk assessment, evaluation, management, and communications using a case-method approach.

ID 267ab. Infectious Disease Epidemiology (Department of Epidemiology)
Dr. J. Maguire, M. Lipsitch, G. Seage
2.5 credits
Seminars. One 2-hour seminar each week.

Seminars consist of presentations of student and faculty research in progress and discussion of recent publications in the field of infectious disease epidemiology. The emphasis is on conceptual issues related to the epidemiology of infectious diseases.
Course Activities: Individual student papers and presentations, student and faculty critiques.
Course Note: Must be taken for credit by students in the Program on the Epidemiology of Infectious Disease. Signature of instructor required. This course in intended for doctoral students currently involved in thesis work and for others with active research projects.

ID 268cd. Infectious Disease Epidemiology II (Departments of Epidemiology and Immunology and Infectious Disease)
Dr. J. Maguire, M. Lipsitch, G. Seage
2.5 credits
Seminars. One 2-hour seminar each week.

Seminars consist of presentations of epidemiologic aspects of work in progress on infectious disease research by guest speakers and students, with discussion by students and faculty. Preparatory work for presentations by students is done under tutorial arrangements with members of the faculty. The emphasis is on conceptual issues related to the epidemiology of infectious diseases.
Course Activities: Individual student papers and presentations, student and faculty critiques.
Course Note: Must be taken for credit by students in the Program on the Epidemiology of Infectious Disease. Signature of instructor required. This course in intended for doctoral students currently involved in thesis work and for others with active research projects.

MCE 223c. Child and Adolescent Mental Disorders: Public Health Perspectives (Department of Maternal and Child Health and the Department of Epidemiology)
Dr. S. Buka, Dr. D. Kindlon
1.25 credits
Lectures, seminars. One 2-hour session each week.

Examines the occurrence and known risk factors of selected mental disorders of childhood and adolescence, including drug abuse, depression, conduct disorder, and suicide. Emphasizes the methodological issues of case definition, disorder classification, current diagnostic and screening instruments, and the advantages/disadvantages of available data sources. Readings include studies selected to illustrate methodological options and usefulness for public health research.

NUE 207cd. Scientific Writing in Nutrition and Epidemiology

Dr. M. Stampfer

2.5 credits

Seminars. One 2-hour session each week.

This course is designed to improve writing skills for nutrition/epidemiology researchers. The course will cover such areas as organization of scientific papers, presentation of data in graphical and tabular forms, and style. The course is designed for advanced students who are beginning to work on a paper for publication.

Course Activities: After two initial meetings in the "c" period to discuss principles of scientific writing, show specific examples, and suggest readings, students will work on their papers independently, under the overall supervision of their own faculty advisors. In the "d" period, class sessions will be scheduled weekly. Each student will be assigned one primary and one secondary reviewer who will critique the paper in detail and lead the class discussion of the individual student's paper. The instructor will guide the discussion and use the paper to make additional points of constructive criticism, which will serve to illustrate the principles enunciated at the beginning of the class.

Course Note: Enrollment limited to 8 students; signature of instructor required.

NUE 216cd. Nutritional Epidemiology (Department of Nutrition and the Department of Epidemiology)
Dr. W. Willett, Dr. F. Hu
2.5 credits
Lectures. One 2-hour session each week.

Reviews methods for assessing the dietary intake of populations and individuals. Students gain experience in the actual collection, analysis and interpretation of dietary intake. The course also reviews several specific diet/disease relationships, integrating information from international studies, secular trends, clinical trials, analytical epidemiology, and animal experiments.
Course Note: BIO 200ab, BIO 201ab or BIO 200s and BIO 200t, and EPI 200a, EPI 200s, EPI 201a or EPI 208st required; familiarity with regression/ANOVA recommended; signature of instructor required for students who have not taken a course in nutrition.

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