This introductory course in epidemiology provides an analysis of the epidemiologic approach to problems of health and disease. The basic principles and methods of epidemiology are presented in each unit of this course. The units are designed to provide the student with a basic understanding of epidemiologic methods and study design and the place of epidemiology in preventive and clinical medicine. This course is designed for students from a wide variety of backgrounds: health services, administrators, policymakers, practitioners, and clinicians.
Outline
HADM 379 is structured for independent study with interactive tutoring. The course comprises the following 10 units:
Unit 1: Introduction to Epidemiology and Dynamics of Disease Transmission
Unit 2: Measuring Disease Occurrence
Unit 3: Study Design
Unit 4: Biostatistical Concepts
Unit 5: The Epidemiological Approach to Causation
Unit 6: Prevention of Chronic Disease
Unit 7: Communicable Disease and Dynamics of Disease Transmission
Unit 8: Clinical Epidemiology
Unit 9: Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology
Unit 10: Health Policy and Planning
Evaluation
To receive credit for HADM 379, you must achieve a course composite grade of at least D (50 percent)and a grade of at least 50 percent on the Final Examinations. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
Activity
Weight
Assignment 1
20%
Assignment 2
20%
Midterm Online Exam
25%
Final Online Exam
35%
Total
100%
The midterm and final examinations for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Bonita, R., Beaglehole, R., & Kjellstrom, T. (2007). Basic epidemiology (2nd ed.). Geneva, CH: World Health Organization Press. (Print)
Last, J. M. (Ed.). (2014). A dictionary of epidemiology (6th ed.). Toronto, ON: Oxford University Press. (Print)
Other Materials
All other course materials will be accessed online.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the HADM 379 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least C- (60 percent)on the examination.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.