Epidemiology course descriptions
| EPDM 414 | EPDM 512 | EPDM 565 | EPDM 635 | EPDM 696 |
| EPDM 509 | EPDM 515 | EPDM 566 | EPDM 685 | EPDM 698 |
| EPDM 510 | EPDM 544 | EPDM 567 | EPDM 692 | EPDM 798 |
| EPDM 511 | EPDM 555 | EPDM 588 | EPDM 694 |
Biostatistics course descriptions
EPDM 414 Introduction to Epidemiology (3)
Distribution and determinants of health events in human populations. Assessments of environmental conditions, lifestyles, and other circumstances influencing disease. Measures of disease occurrence and frequency and use of these measures in health care. Major types of epidemiological investigation. Interpretation of statistical associations. Not applicable toward a graduate degree in the School of Public Health.
Prerequisite: STAT 414.
EPDM 509 Principles of Epidemiology I (3)
Principles and methods used to investigate the distribution, determinants, and prevention strategies for disease in human populations. Major topics include: disease classification, measures of disease frequency and relative effect, comparisons and contrasts of analytic study designs, methods used to isolate effects, statistical significance testing, interpretation of results, and screening for latent disease. Laboratory included.
Prerequisite or concurrent: STAT 509, 521, or equivalent; knowledge of DOS.
EPDM 510 Principles of Epidemiology II (3)
Definitions and contrasts of cumulative incidence, incidence rates (density), and hazard rates. Contrast of confounding versus effect modification. Mantel-Haenszel relative-effect measures and significance- test results for relative effect. Risk-difference measures frequently used in case-control and cohort investigations. Statistical power, sample-size determination, least-significant, relative-effect measures for observational case control. Cohort investigations using dichotomous exposures, estimation of effect of bias and misclassification, and correction for bias and random error. Laboratory includes Epi-Info and other computer programs, and problem sets used in applied epidemiology.
Prerequisite: EPDM 509.
EPDM 511 Advanced Epidemiologic Methods (2)
Study of complex epidemiologic models found in the current epidemiology literature. Course topics include analysis of study design, bias and misclassification, building a linear model for epidemiologic inference, logistic regression analysis, and analytic strategies used in epidemiologic analysis of complex data sets. Laboratory component of course involves microcomputer analyses of epidemiologic data sets.
EPDM 512 Multivariate Modeling in Epidemiology (1, 3)
Study of complex epidemiologic models found in current literature. For 1 unit, course topics include building a linear model, analytic strategies for epidemiologic inference, logistic regression analysis, and the theory for calculation of sample size and power when using such materials. For 3 units, topics include nonparametric survival analysis, Poisson regression models, proportional hazard models, and the analysis of matched case-control studies. Laboratory includes microcomputer analysis of epidemiologic data sets. (more...)
Prerequisite: EPDM 509; STAT 522.
Theory and practice of intervention studies, including community and clinical trials. Design and analysis used in trials; includes coverage of randomization schemes, blinding, and study-design methods. Additional topics include management of complex trials and ethical considerations important in experimental studies. Laboratory includes microcomputer analysis of data, interpretation of published reports, and randomization and design of trials.
Prerequisite: EPDM 509, STAT 509 or 521.
EPDM 544 Epidemiology of Infectious Disease (3)
(crosslisted with INTH 544)
Epidemiology of major acute and chronic infectious diseases worldwide. Characteristics of host, agent, environment. Immunity of individuals and populations. Methods of control and eradication. Types of epidemics. Experimental, serological, and analytical techniques used in epidemiology of infectious disease.
Prerequisite: EPDM 509 or consent of instructor.
EPDM 555 Epidemiologic Methods in Outcomes Research and Continuous Quality Improvement (3)
Discussion of the epidemiologic methods of outcomes research and continuous quality-improvement techniques in medical-care processes. Includes discussion of medical care as a process, use of control charts in process improvement, measurement of quality of care, and patient satisfaction with medical care. Includes the use of cost-benefit and decision-tree analysis in the management of medical care. Laboratory includes demonstration of process control charts, flow charts, pareto diagrams, and data scanning.
Prerequisite: EPDM 509.
EPDM 565 Epidemiology of Cancer (3)
Critical review of the epidemiology of the major causes of cancer death in developed nations, including anatomic (ICD-10) and morphologic/pathogenic (ICD-0) classifications. Emphasis on research and health-promotion issues that relate to control and prevention of cancer. Topics include: cancer vocabulary; multistage model of carcinogenesis; sources of cancer data; validity and value of population measures of cancer; magnitude of the cancer problem; trends in cancer frequency, incidence, burden, mortality, and survival; surveillance objectives and methods; consistent risk and protective factors for major cancer types; the role of infectious diseases in cancer etiology and progression; nutrition and cancer; screening objectives, recommendations, and controversies; interactions between genetic and environmental exposures in the etiology of cancer, and other selected etiologic hypotheses.
Prerequisite: EPDM 509.
EPDM 566 Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Disease (3)
Descriptive epidemiology of the major cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction, sudden death, angina pectoris, hypertension, and stroke. Acquaintance with experimental designs and analytic techniques commonly used in cardiovascular epidemiology. Experimental and epidemiological evidence relating risk factors such as diet, smoking, blood lipids, blood pressure, and exercise to cardiovascular diseases. Acquaintance with the design and results of the major intervention studies.
Prerequisite: EPDM 509.
EPDM 567 Epidemiologic Methods of Aging (3)
Epidemiologic evidence relating risk factors such as diet, smoking, and physical activity to aging and age-related chronic degenerative diseases (i.e., obesity, osteoporosis, and dementia). Interaction between genetics and environmental factors emphasized. Laboratory includes critical evaluation of current controversial literature reports.
Prerequisite: EPDM 509; STAT 509 or521.
EPDM 588 Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology (3)
Includes the evaluation of epidemiologic principles and methodologic approaches used in the assessment of environmental exposure, selection of applicable study designs, and determination of analytic methods used in the investigation of environmental health problems within populations. Areas covered include the epidemiologic analysis of selected and controversial environmental exposures which impact significantly upon public health practice, disease morbidity and mortality outcomes, and health policy.
Prerequisite: EPDM 510; STAT 509 or 521.
EPDM 635 Epidemiological Studies of Adventists (1-2)
Introduction to the background, objectives, methodologies, results, and public health implications of most epidemiological studies conducted on Adventists world wide, but especially in California. Data on the health behaviors and health/disease experience of this low-risk population presented. Discussion of the healthy volunteer effect, self-selection versus lifestyle hypothesis, and other relevant epidemiological issues encouraged. Major term paper required for second unit.
Prerequisite: EPDM 509.
EPDM 685 Preliminary Research Experience (2)
Experience gained in various aspects of research under the guidance of a faculty member and by participation in an ongoing project. Must be completed prior to beginning dissertation research project. Limited to doctoral degree students.
EPDM 692 Research Consultation (1-4)
Individual advice on project design, data collection, analysis, and evaluation. Restricted to SPH students and staff.
Independent research on problems currently receiving study in the department. Research program arranged with faculty member(s) involved. Minimum of thirty hours required for each unit of credit. Written report and oral presentation required. Limited to doctoral degree candidates and qualified master's degree students.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor responsible for supervision and of program adviser.
EPDM 696 Directed Study Special Project (1-4)
Individual arrangements for advanced students to study under the guidance of a program faculty member. May include readings, literature reviews, or other special projects. Minimum of thirty hours required for each unit of credit. A maximum of 4 units applicable to any master's degree program.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor responsible for supervision and of program adviser.
Preparation of manuscript presenting results of doctoral research study. Limited to doctoral degree candidates.
EPDM 798 Field Practicum (200-400 clock hours)
Assignment to private, government, international, or voluntary health agency or other School-approved organization where practical application of the materials studied on campus is made under the guidance of the department faculty and the organization involved. Research project which includes substantial analysis of data and discussion of results. May be repeated for additional credit. Written report and oral presentation required.
Prerequisite: EPDM 512 and consent of department adviser and of instructors responsible for supervision.
BIOSTATISTICS COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
STAT 414 Introduction to Biostatistics (3)
Fundamental procedures in collecting, summarizing, presenting, analyzing, and interpreting data. Measures of central tendency and variation. Investigation of binomial and normal probability distributions. Topics include probability, confidence intervals, and hypothesis testing using t-tests, chi-square, correlation, and regression. Brief introduction to ANOVA, nonparametric tests, and multivariate analysis. Emphasis on practical application. Laboratory use of the personal computer in statistical problem solving. Not applicable toward a graduate degree in the School of Public Health.
Prerequisite: Competency in algebra.
STAT 415 Computer Applications in Biostatistics (1)
Laboratory use of the personal computer in statistical problem solving. Not applicable toward a graduate degree in the School of Public Health.
Prerequisite or concurrent: STAT 414 or equivalent. Designed to be taken concurrently with STAT 414
STAT 439 Fundamentals of Microcomputer Usage (1)
Fundamental principles of microcomputer use and introduction to DOS and Macintosh commands and features. Lectures and in-class demonstrations emphasizing how to create, organize, manage, and protect files on diskettes and hard disks. Laboratory homework required. Not applicable toward a graduate degree in the School of Public Health.
STAT 441 Word Processing Fundamentals (1)
Word processing principles and practice featuring current version of WORDPERFECT. Laboratory homework required. Not applicable toward a graduate degree in the School of Public Health.
Prerequisite: STAT 439 or consent of instructor.
STAT 443 Database Fundamentals (1)
Database principles and practice featuring current version of FoxPRO. Laboratory homework required.
Prerequisite: College algebra.
STAT 509 General Statistics (4)
Fundamental procedures of collecting, summarizing, presenting, analyzing, and interpreting data. Sampling, measures of central tendency and variation, probability, normal distribution, sampling distribution and standard error, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, t-test, chi-square, and correlation. Interpretation of computer output for solution of statistical problems. Use and application of the computer to conduct analyses using a statistical package.
Prerequisite: Competency examination in mathematics.
STAT 514 Intermediate Statistics for Health-Science Data (3)
Selected topics in ANOVA, multiple regression, and other multivariate statistical procedures. Emphasis on understanding selection and application of statistical procedures to health-science data. Interpretation of computer output.
Prerequisite:STAT 414, 509, 521, or equivalent; computer literacy.
STAT 515 Grant and Contract Proposal Writing (2)
Basic grantsmanship skills, sources of funding information, use of a prospectus, and preparation of a competitive proposal for grants and contracts. Aspects of research design, objectives and methodology, data management, evaluation, budget development, and peer review procedures applied to the preparation of an actual proposal.
Fundamental procedures of collecting, tabulating, and presenting data. Measures of central tendency and variation, normal distribution, sampling, t-test, confidence intervals, chi-square, correlation, and regression. Emphasis on statistical inference.
Prerequisite: Competency examination in mathematics, previous completion of or concurrent enrollment in STAT 548 or STAT 549, or consent of instructor.
Analysis of variance (fixed-effects model S) with multiple comparisons, including orthogonal contrasts, factorial designs, analysis of covariance, multiple and partial correlation, log transformations, and polynomial regression. Power analysis and sample-size determination for these models.
Prerequisite: STAT 521.
STAT 523 Biostatistics III (4)
Application of the general linear model to a number of analysis of variance, regression, and multivariate procedures, including repeated measures and mixed models. Power and sample-size determination of these models. Research-design issues. Computer implementation.
Prerequisite: STAT 522.
STAT 525 Applied Multivariate Analysis (2)
Multivariate normal distribution, discriminant analysis, principal-components analysis, factor analysis, and canonical correlation. Emphasis on application of these analyses and interpretation of results.
Prerequisite: STAT 522.
STAT 534 Demographic Methods (1)
Life tables, standardized rates, adjustment methods, adjustment for census and vital statistics errors, health statistics, and population projections.
STAT 535 Introduction to Nonparametric Statistics (3)
Application and theory of nonparametric methods for analysis of nominal and ordinal data and distribution-free tests, including rank tests for matched and independent samples, chi-square and goodness-of-fit tests, McNemar's test, rank correlation, k-sample tests, randomizations tests, Komogorov-Smirnov statistics.
Prerequisite: STAT 509 or 521; or consent of instructor.
STAT 548 Analytical Applications of SAS (2)
Familiarization with the features of SAS computer package for analysis of statistical data. Includes decisions regarding choice of statistical procedures and interpretation of computer output to answer specific research questions.
Prerequisite: Passing score on the computer competency examination or successful completion of STAT 439 and a previous/concurrent statistical course.
STAT 549 Analytical Applications of SPSS (2)
Familiarization with the features of SPSS computer package for analysis of statistical data. Includes decisions regarding choice of statistical procedures and interpretation of computer output to answer specific research questions.
Prerequisite: Passing score on the computer competency examination or successful completion of STAT 439 and a previous/concurrent statistical course.
STAT 557 Research-Data Management (3)
Data entry and practical programming skills for database management using personal computers. Practice in managing and manipulating data with a statistical package and in an xBASE environment. Topics include data entry and verification, file transfer between packages and platforms, variable types, missing values, variable transformations, and elementary structured programming. General computer skills expected, but no prior computer programming experience necessary.
Prerequisite: STAT 509 (or equivalent) and 549.
STAT 558 Advanced Statistical Packages (3)
Computer applications to advanced statistical procedures using SAS, SPSS, and other statistical software. Advanced techniques facilitating statistical analysis useful to biostatisticians, epidemiologists, health planners, and others transferring data files between software packages, combining and matching files, modifying data, and creating graphical presentations of the data.
Prerequisite: STAT 548 or549; 521 (or equivalent), and 522 (or equivalent); or consent of instructor.
STAT 564 Survey and Advanced Research Methods (2-3)
Principles and procedures of surveys as applied to the health sciences. Survey and research designs, questionnaire construction, interviewing techniques, sampling techniques, sample-size determination, nonresponse problems. Data collection, coding, processing, evaluation, and presentation of results. Practical experience gained by completing a survey project. One lecture and laboratory per week for 2 units credit. Third unit includes advanced survey design topics, such as survey measurements errors and questionnaire scaling techniques.
Prerequisite:STAT 509 or equivalent.
Concepts and applications of the most common data-analysis methods: correlation and regression, contingency tables, t-tests, analysis of variance, nonparametric methods, and multivariate analyses. Emphasizes selection of appropriate method of analysis and reporting results. Opportunity for additional practice of SPSS skills.
Prerequisite: STAT 509 (or equivalent); 548 or 549 (or equivalent).
STAT 594 Statistical Consulting (2-4)
Opportunity for advanced students to participate in statistical consultation with senior staff members. Statement of the problem, design of the experiment, definition of response variables, appropriate analysis of data, statistical inferences, and interpretation of data.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
STAT 605 Seminar in Biostatistics (1)
Presentation and discussion of area of interest. Individual research and report.
STAT 692 Research Consultation (1-8)
Individual advice on project design, data collection, analysis, and evaluation.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Independent research on problems currently receiving study in the department. Research program arranged with faculty member(s) involved. Minimum of thirty hours required for each unit of credit. Written report required. Limited to doctoral degree candidates and qualified master's degree students.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor responsible for supervision and of program adviser.
STAT 696 Directed Study / Special Project (1-4)
Individual arrangements for advanced students to study under the guidance of a program faculty member. May include readings, literature reviews, or other special projects. Minimum of thirty hours required for each unit of credit. A maximum of 4 units applicable to any master's degree program.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor responsible for supervision and of program adviser.
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Last Revised: Thu, Mar 01, 2007