BMB833: Epidemiological methods in biomedicine
Study Board of Science
Teaching language: Danish, but English if international students are enrolled
EKA: N210039102
Assessment: Second examiner: None
Grading: Pass/Fail
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Spring
Level: Master
STADS ID (UVA): N210039101
ECTS value: 5
Date of Approval: 02-10-2019
Duration: 1 semester
Version: Archive
Comment
Entry requirements
Academic preconditions
Students taking the course are expected to:
- Have knowledge of mathematics, basic statistics and genetics, and be able to take part in group work and discussions.
Course introduction
The purpose of this course is to give an introduction to
epidemiology, which is part of the quantitative research method that is
used in research within biomedicine and health science.
epidemiology, which is part of the quantitative research method that is
used in research within biomedicine and health science.
Epidemiology
is about the occurrence of diseases and health conditions in
populations of humans and the study of associations. Thus, epidemiology
includes, among other things, subjects like study designs including
population-based and clinical studies, collection of data (for instance,
register-based data, questionnaire data, and biological material),
statistical analysis, and interpretation of results. For example, the
association between biological parameters (like genetic variations) and
diseases/health conditions is often investigated in epidemiological
studies where biological material is included.
is about the occurrence of diseases and health conditions in
populations of humans and the study of associations. Thus, epidemiology
includes, among other things, subjects like study designs including
population-based and clinical studies, collection of data (for instance,
register-based data, questionnaire data, and biological material),
statistical analysis, and interpretation of results. For example, the
association between biological parameters (like genetic variations) and
diseases/health conditions is often investigated in epidemiological
studies where biological material is included.
Through
this course the student should gain insight into basic epidemiological
terms and know the principles of formation and testing of scientific
hypotheses. The student must be able to evaluate the use of these terms
and methods both in the literature and in practice and to assess the
results with the purpose of being able to understand clinical and health
science articles and relate to these in a constructively critical
manner.
this course the student should gain insight into basic epidemiological
terms and know the principles of formation and testing of scientific
hypotheses. The student must be able to evaluate the use of these terms
and methods both in the literature and in practice and to assess the
results with the purpose of being able to understand clinical and health
science articles and relate to these in a constructively critical
manner.
The course is a basic course in
epidemiology, and gives an academic basis for studying epidemiological problems in individual projects or in the master thesis, that are part of the
degree.
epidemiology, and gives an academic basis for studying epidemiological problems in individual projects or in the master thesis, that are part of the
degree.
In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to:
- Give knowledge on basic epidemiological terms
- Give skills to be able to critically evaluate studies within biomedicine and health science
- Give knowledge on fundamental principles for statistical tests used
within epidemiology, including data types and the principles for
formation and testing of scientific hypotheses and understanding of test
results - Give knowledge on potential sources of error
(bias and confounding) and effect modification and skills to be able to
evaluate the importance of these in biomedical and health science
studies - Give skills in interpreting and evaluating the above points (a.-d.) within the framework of genetic epidemiology.
Expected learning outcome
The learning objectives of the course is that the student demonstrates the ability to:
- Account
for study designs, measures of frequency, measures of association and sources of error, within epidemiology. - Choose and calculate relevant epidemiological measures
- Interpret
measures of frequency and association, and the results of associated statistical tests, and evaluate and discuss the
importance of sources of error in biomedical and health science studies. - Perform
critical evaluation of hypotheses, study designs and approaches with
regards to aim and results in studies within biomedicine and health
science. - Account for, interpret and critically evaluate the above points (a.-d.) within the framework of genetic epidemiology.
- Give written and oral presentations.
Content
The following main topics are contained in the course:
- Epidemiological study designs and hierarchy of evidence.
- Epidemiological measures: measures of frequency and association.
- Sources of error in epidemiological studies: validity and bias, including confounding and effect modification.
- Basic statistic within epidemiology.
- Terms of relevance for clinical epidemiology, including sensitivity and specificity.
- Terms of relevance for genetic epidemiology, including power calculations and multiple testing.
Literature
Examination regulations
Exam element a)
Timing
June
Tests
Written exam
EKA
N210039102
Assessment
Second examiner: None
Grading
Pass/Fail
Identification
Student Identification Card
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Duration
3 hours
Examination aids
Allowed, a closer description of the exam rules will be posted under 'Course Information' on Blackboard.
ECTS value
5
Additional information
The examination form for re-examination may be different from the exam form at the regular exam.
Indicative number of lessons
Teaching Method
At the faculty of science, teaching is organized after the three-phase model ie. intro, training and study phase.
The tutorials will consist of assignment work and discussion in relation
to the subjects of the course. Additionally, the tutorials will include
group and project work on specific assignments/cases and/or scientific articles. It
is expected that the students participate actively in these activities.
Also, oral presentations are expected to be part of the tutorials.
Activities during the study phase:
- Read assigned literature prior to the tutorials.
- Solve assignments prior to the tutorials.
- Subsequent follow-up on subjects and assignments covered during the tutorials.
- Repetition of the course content prior to exam.
Teacher responsible
| Name | Department | |
|---|---|---|
| Marianne Nygaard | mnygaard@health.sdu.dk | |
| Mette Sørensen | msoerensen@health.sdu.dk |