Epidemiology and Population Health
Knowledge about the subject of epidemiology forms an important scientific basis for work involving disease prevention and health promotion. This course provides students with a broad and in-depth introduction to epidemiological methods and study design. The course deals with how to study the state of health and causes of disease in a population. Different measurements of relationships and disease prevalence are thoroughly reviewed. Key topics also include the assessment of causality, as well as validity and accuracy in statistical research results. The course places particular emphasis on the assessment of systematic errors that may arise from confounding and bias related to selection and information errors, and how this may affect the validity of the results. This course will highlight the branch of epidemiology called social epidemiology. The topic of social inequality in health is studied, and students will be challenged on how the social health gradient can be explained and understood based on the current platform of knowledge. Students will also be given an introduction to statistical analysis methods that are suitable for epidemiological data.
Introduction to the course
The course is very relevant for all students who wish to learn more about how to assess and estimate prevalence and potential causalities regarding population health, as well as updated research on the significance of differences between groups in a population. Students taking this course will acquire socially beneficial knowledge about how to interpret and critically evaluate available information on population health.
Knowledge:
- Has in-depth knowledge about epidemiological study designs and methods, particularly in observational study design, as well as about causality
- Has in-depth knowledge about the use and interpretation of statistical calculations
- Has in-depth knowledge about how different measurements of disease prevalence are calculated and interpreted
- Has in-depth knowledge about random and systematic sources of error in epidemiological studies, as well as how strength and precision can be estimated regarding statistical findings
- Has in-depth knowledge about relative and absolute measurements of relationships
- Has in-depth knowledge about social inequality in health and knowledge about key theories on how the social health gradient can be explained
Skills
- Can apply basic epidemiological methods and analyses that are relevant to work involving disease prevention and health promotion
- Can critically assess the use of data material and methodology, research findings and conclusions from epidemiological studies
- Can apply knowledge from epidemiological research and health information mapped through population surveys for public health work
- Can apply knowledge from social epidemiology to account for relevant mechanisms behind health differences between different social strata in a society
- Can apply knowledge about epidemiology to the field of practice in health promotion and preventive work, planning work, the health services, and the treatment of diseases in a population
General competence:
- Can apply their knowledge and skills in epidemiology and understanding of statistical uncertainties to critical reflection on the flow of information in their own workplace and field of study
- Can apply their knowledge and skills in suitable areas of application for epidemiology, as well as have knowledge about the challenges and limitations within the field of study
- Can apply their knowledge in epidemiology in interdisciplinary discussions on population-based research and development work
- Can critically reflect on ethical issues in epidemiological research
Elective course
Session-based. Two session-weeks are conducted that include lectures, group work and presentations with feedback from fellow students and teachers.
Self-study and coursework are expected both before and after the sessions.
The course is based on pedagogical principles that will contribute to developing the students’ knowledge and ability to assess, as well as stimulating critical thinking. A flexible form of learning is supported by the administrative learning system called Canvas. A common digital space has been developed for all students in Canvas.
Compulsory coursework:
This course includes a piece of coursework that is a group assignment where the assessment of a scientific article is involved. The coursework must be approved before the final course grade can be given. Grading: approved/ not approved.
Final assessment:
Home examination
Individual, 2 weeks, Grading A-F.
Two examiners (one internal examiner from Nord University and one external examiner)
Examination support materials
All examination support materials are allowed
Course literature
Link to Leganto
