BASIC EPIDEMIOLOGY CERTIFICATE
There is a growing need to be able to read and evaluate scientific medical literature; understand basic study designs, problems, and biases associated with different designs; and do simple descriptive and analytical statistical analysis. There is also a need for professionals in other disciplines to have at least a minimal knowledge of research design and analytical reasoning. The purpose of the certificate in basic epidemiology is to enable the holder to more effectively read scientific literature, design clinical research studies, and evaluate study designs and associated data.
Learner outcomes
Upon completion of this certificate program, students will be able to:
- Critically read and interpret the medical literature.
- Conduct disease surveillance as practiced in state and county health departments.
- Design epidemiologic studies, including clinical trials.
- Create databases and perform and interpret simple statistical analysis.
Indicators of educational effectiveness
- Class project
- Oral presentation
PREREQUISITE
- U.S. baccalaureate degree or its equivalent
- At least two courses in biological science
- College algebra (calculus preferred)
- One behavioral science course (e.g., general psychology, sociology)
CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS
- EPDM 509 Principles of Epidemiology I (3)
- EPDM 510 Principles of Epidemiology II (3)
- EPDM 515 Clinical Trials (3)
- EPDM 699 Applied Research (1)
- REL_ ___ Religion (3)
- STAT 521 Biostatistics I (4)
- or
- STAT 509 General Statistics (4)
- STAT 548 Analytical Applications of SAS (2)
- or
- STAT 549 Analytical Applications of SPSS (2)
Three descriptive EPDM courses
(9 units chosen from those listed in the section below)
- EPDM 534 EPDM of MCH Epidemiology of Maternal-Child Health (3)
- EPDM 565 EPDM of Cancer Epidemiology of Cancer (3)
- EPDM 566 EPDM of CVD Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Disease (3)
- EPDM 567 EPDM of Aging Epidemiology of Aging (3)
- EPDM 588 Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology (3)
TOTAL 28
Forums
Students are required to attend a minimum of five forums in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and/or Center for Health Research during their certificate program.
