Apr 19, 2024  
2017-2018 Course Catalog 
    
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2017-2018 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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HSCI 2020 - Introduction to Epidemiology

Credits: 3
Hours/Week: Lecture 3Lab None
Course Description: This course introduces epidemiology and epidemiological concepts. The student will study the history and evolution of the epidemiology discipline, common epidemiological terminology, review related health policy and cover ethical considerations. Topics also include specific infectious and non-infectious diseases as well as epidemiological prevention, mitigation, surveillance, and research techniques. Lab-like simulations based on case studies, which students will critically evaluate complex problems from a scientific perspective, are included as a component of the course. This course is intended for anyone interested in regional and global science perspectives in relation to the prevention of disease in human populations.
MnTC Goals
None

Prerequisite(s): Assessment score placement in RDNG 1000  or completion of RDNG 0900  or RDNG 0950  with a grade of C or higher. Arithmetic assessment score of 64 or higher or elementary algebra assessment score of 76 or higher OR assessment score/ACT score placement into MATH 0070  or above OR completion MATH 0030  or MATH 0060  with a grade of C or higher. We strongly encourage students who score below 64 to meet with an advisor or counselor to discuss their review and course options PRIOR to Math assessment retesting or registering for a MATH course.
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: Entry - level computer skills.

Major Content
  1. Infectious Disease Category of organism (agent) Host Environment Reservoirs Modes of transmission Incubation period Period of communicability Methods of control Surveillance Screening Prevention strategies Outbreak investigation
  2. Introduction Origin and history of epidemiology Evolution of epidemiology up to current times Noteworthy contributors to the discipline Ethical considerations Common epidemiological terms
  3. Measurements Frequency-incidence and prevalence Assessment of risk-crude, specific, and adjusted rates Relative measures of disease occurrence-relative risk, odds ratio
  4. Non-Infectious Disease Leading causes of death Years of potential life lost (YPLL) Non-infectious etiological agents Environmental health Occupational health Surveillance Screening Prevention strategies Investigation of non-infectious disease clusters
  5. Health Policy Risk-benefit analysis Legislation
  6. Research Quantitative versus qualitative Research design Sampling methods Sampling size Significance testing Statistical methods Reading research
  7. Review of select policies

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course students will be able to:

  1. Describe the relevance of the history of epidemiology to community health.
  2. Discuss ethical considerations in epidemiology when establishing programs in the community.
  3. Define terminology pertinent to epidemiology.
  4. Describe community disease prevention, health promotion and mitigation strategies.
  5. Explain the interaction of host, agent, and environment.
  6. Contrast communicable versus chronic diseases.
  7. Cite examples of communicable diseases that are bacterial, viral, fungal, protozoal, rikettsial, or parasitic.
  8. Access Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) data.
  9. Apply Kochs Postulates to epidemiological case studies.
  10. Apply Mills methods of hypothesis formulation to epidemiological case studies.
  11. Compute some basic statistics for an epidemiological analysis.
  12. Contrast incubation versus latency period.
  13. Critique select health policy and legislation.
  14. Describe the levels of prevention as applied to infectious an non-infectious disease.
  15. Differentiate association versus causation.
  16. Differentiate between research study designs and methods.
  17. Discuss factors that influence the emergence of disease.
  18. Distinguish between incidence and prevalence.
  19. Distinguish between life span and life expectancy.
  20. Explain the concepts of confounding and effect modification.
  21. Explain the role of epidemiology in health policy.
  22. List the leading causes of work-related diseases and injuries.
  23. Outline the basic steps in planning and implementing a research project.
  24. Outline the process of investigation during a infectious disease outbreak or non-infectious disease cluster.
  25. Perform a critical analysis of epidemiological research.
  26. State the purpose of disease surveillance.


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