MPH Epidemiology Track I Medical Epidemiology
The program leading to an MPH degree in epidemiology provides theoretical and practical training applicable to a variety of public health problems. Seven tracks (each with a different focus) are offered by the program. Each track is designed to meet a particular professional need.
Learner outcomes
Graduates from the Epidemiology Program will have the skills and experience necessary to:
- Conduct high-quality epidemiologic research—including appropriate design, statistical analysis of data, and interpretation and reporting of results.
- Conduct and evaluate clinical trials.
- Conduct disease surveillance as practiced in state and county health departments.
- Critically review the literature and identify strengths and weaknesses of design, analyses, and conclusions.
- Evaluate the effects of potential confounding and interaction in a research design.
- Apply knowledge of disease mechanisms and information from the biological disciplines to interpretation of statistical findings in biomedical research.
- Collaborate with or serve as a research consultant to health professionals by providing technical expertise with regard to literature review, study design, data analysis, and interpretation and reporting of results.
Program Educational Effectiveness Indicators
| NAME | DESCRIPTION | LOCATION |
| Culminating activity | Oral exam | LLU campus |
| Culminating activity | Oral presentation of applied research using PowerPoint | LLU campus |
| Culminating activity | Written report of applied research | LLU campus |
| Term papers | Evaluation of writing skills | LLU campus |
| Final exams | Integration and application of skills learned in courses | LLU campus |
| Course evaluation forms | Suggestions by the students to improve delivery of course material and the design of the course itself | LLU campus |
This track is designed for persons with a health-professions background who wish to conduct or participate in research related to their health profession. An adequate background in biological science is assumed, with courses concentrating on epidemiology and statistics. One variant within this track provides a greater emphasis on research and may allow students to complete a moderately sized project with publication potential.
Learner outcomes
Upon completion of this degree, the graduate should be able to:
- Evaluate and conduct clinical trials.
- Extend existing clinical skills with the addition of epidemiologic training in the interpretation of statistical findings in biomedical research.
- Conduct high-quality epidemiologic research—including appropriate design, statistical analyses, and interpretation and reporting of results.
- Conduct disease surveillance as practiced in state, county, and national health agencies/departments.
- Critically review the health literature and identify strengths and weaknesses of design, analyses, and conclusions.
PREREQUISITE
- License to practice a health profession in the United States or the country of usual residence
- College algebra or equivalent (calculus preferred)
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Public health core courses (28 units)
- ENVH 509 Principles of Environmental Health (3)
- EPDM 509 Principles of Epidemiology I (3)
- HADM 509 Principles of Health Policy and Management (3)
- HPRO 509 Principles of Health Behavior (3)
- ±RELE 534 Ethical Issues in Public Health (3)
- PHCJ 605 Overview of Public Health (1)
- STAT 521 Biostatistics I (4)
- HPRO 536 Program Planning & Evaluation (2)
- GLBH 524 Issues in Health Disparities and Cultural Competencies (2)
- NUTR 505 Public Health Biology (2)
- PHCJ 675 Integrated Public Health/Capstone (2)
Epidemiology core courses
Track I: 22 units
- EPDM 510 Principles of Epidemiology II (3)
- *EPDM 512 Multivariate Modeling in Epidemiology (1,#3)
- STAT 522 Biostatistics II (4)
- STAT 548 Analytical Applications of SAS (2)
- STAT 564 Survey and Advanced Research Methods (3)
- +1EPDM 515 Clinical Trials (3)
- 1EPDM 555 Epidemiologic Methods in Outcomes Research and Continuous Quality Control (3)
- 2EPDM 565 Epidemiology of Cancer (3)
- 2EPDM 566 Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Disease (3)
- +EPDM 635 Epidemiological Studies of Seventh-day Adventists (1)
General electives (Track I: 5 units)
- Electives must be chosen in consultation with the academic adviser.
Research project
- EPDM 699 Applied Research (+2, #4)
MINIMUM UNITS REQUIRED
Track I: 57
+required for Track I
1, 2 one course of each number required
* If EPDM 512 is taken for 3 units EPDM 699 will be required for 2 units, If EPDM 512 taken for 1 unit only, 4 units of EPDM 699 are required.
± refer to section V of this CATALOG for other religion courses descriptions
Research and forums
Students are required to attend a minimum of twenty (20) forums in the School of Public Health’s Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and/or Center for Health Research during their program. Attendance at these forums will be in addition to attendance at the public health seminars.
Culminating activity
In order to obtain a degree, the student is required to successfully complete the culminating activity as required by the School of Public Health’s Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
The culminating activity consists of: research including a written report and oral presentation, professional portfolio (upon completion of the research), and an exit interview with the department chair (at the conclusion of the program).
Contact Information - Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Web site: www.llu.edu/llu/sph/epibio
E-mail: epibio@llu.edu
Phone: (909) 558-4590
