Course Description

This advanced graduate course provides an in-depth exploration of epidemiologic methods and their application to complex public health problems. Students build advanced competencies in study design, causal inference, surveillance, outbreak investigation, data analysis, bias assessment, and the integration of epidemiology with other public health domains such as environmental health, health behavior, and leadership. Emphasis is placed on critical evaluation of epidemiologic evidence, addressing health disparities, ethical considerations in research, and translating findings into policy and practice at local, national, and global levels.Through intensive readings, data exercises, critical appraisals of literature, case studies, and applied projects, students develop skills to design rigorous epidemiologic investigations, interpret advanced measures of association, and contribute to evidence-based public health decision-making. The course prepares doctoral-level students and advanced practitioners for roles in research, surveillance, program evaluation, and leadership in public health agencies, academia, and international organizations.Credit Hours: 5

Prerequisites: Graduate standing; prior coursework in applied epidemiology (e.g., PUBH 6320), biostatistics, and public health foundations strongly recommended.
Format: Accelerated online/hybrid (8 weeks); rigorous pace with weekly modules, asynchronous discussions, advanced data interpretation, and substantial independent and applied work.Course Objectives / Learning OutcomesUpon successful completion, students will be able to:Critically analyze advanced epidemiologic study designs and select appropriate methods for complex research questions.
Calculate, interpret, and apply advanced measures of disease frequency, association, and impact while addressing bias, confounding, and effect modification.
Evaluate causal inference frameworks and apply them to epidemiologic data and public health problems.
Design and critique surveillance systems, outbreak investigations, and intervention evaluations.
Integrate epidemiologic methods with environmental, behavioral, and leadership perspectives to address health inequities.
Critically appraise published epidemiologic literature and communicate findings effectively to scientific and non-scientific audiences.
Develop ethical, feasible epidemiologic research or applied projects that contribute to public health practice or policy.

Required ResourcesPrimary Textbook: Gordis, L. Epidemiology (latest edition) or Aschengrau, A. & Seage, G.R. Essentials of Epidemiology in Public Health (advanced focus).
Additional: Rothman, K.J. Modern Epidemiology (selected chapters); CDC Principles of Epidemiology (advanced modules); peer-reviewed articles from American Journal of Epidemiology, Epidemiology, MMWR, and global health journals (via LMS).
Supplemental: Public datasets (e.g., CDC Wonder, NHANES), free/online epidemiologic calculators, and literature appraisal tools.

Weekly StructureEach week includes extensive readings (textbook + multiple articles), multimedia (e.g., outbreak videos, method tutorials), one Weekly Discussion (initial post + 2–3 substantive replies with literature integration), and one intensive Assignment/Activity. The 5-credit accelerated format includes higher expectations for critical analysis and synthesis.

Week 1: Advanced Epidemiologic Foundations – Measures, Causality, and Study Design Overview

Discussion: Introduce yourself and your background in epidemiology. Discuss a current public health issue where advanced epidemiologic methods are essential. Respond to at least two peers.
Assignment: Reflection + calculations (2–3 pages): Review key measures of association and apply them to provided datasets or published studies; identify initial learning goals.

Week 2: Observational Study Designs – Strengths, Limitations, and Applications

Discussion: Critically compare cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional designs in the context of chronic vs. infectious disease research. When is each most appropriate for addressing disparities?
Assignment: Design critique: Select and rigorously evaluate a published observational study, focusing on validity and applicability.

Week 3: Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs, Bias, and Confounding

Discussion: Discuss randomization, blinding, and advanced techniques for controlling bias and confounding (e.g., matching, stratification, multivariable adjustment, DAGs). Share examples from recent literature.
Assignment: Bias/confounding analysis: Analyze a provided dataset or case for threats to validity and propose mitigation strategies.

Week 4: Causal Inference Frameworks and Advanced Analytic Approaches
Discussion: Explain key causal inference concepts (e.g., Hill’s criteria, potential outcomes framework) and their role in modern epidemiology. How do they help move beyond association to actionable insights?
Assignment: Causal inference exercise: Apply a framework to evaluate causality in a real-world epidemiologic example.

Week 5: Surveillance, Outbreak Investigation, and Screening (Mid-Term Focus)
Discussion: Evaluate the strengths and limitations of different surveillance systems. How can advanced epidemiology improve outbreak detection and response in local-to-global contexts?
Assignment: Mid-term project component (4–5 pages): Design or critique a surveillance/outbreak investigation plan for a chosen scenario, incorporating equity considerations.

Week 6: Epidemiology of Infectious and Chronic Diseases – Integration with Environmental and Behavioral Factors

Discussion: Compare epidemiologic approaches to infectious vs. chronic disease. How do environmental health (from PUBH 8034/6100) and health behavior theory intersect with epidemiologic investigation?
Assignment: Integrated analysis: Examine a disease or condition using multi-level epidemiologic perspectives (include environmental or behavioral links).

Week 7: Health Disparities, Ethics, and Critical Appraisal of Literature

Discussion: How does advanced epidemiology address (or sometimes exacerbate) health inequities? Discuss ethical issues in study design, data use, and dissemination.
Assignment: Critical literature appraisal: Conduct a detailed review of 2–3 recent epidemiologic studies on a disparity-related topic, using structured tools.

Week 8: Course Synthesis, Translation to Practice/Policy, and Culminating Project
Discussion: Reflect on your development in advanced epidemiology. How will these methods inform your future public health leadership or research? Connect to concepts from prior courses (e.g., applied epi, environmental health, leadership). Respond thoughtfully to peers.
Assignment: Culminating Project – Advanced Epidemiologic Research Proposal or Analysis (12–15 slides or 10–12 pages): Develop a complete epidemiologic proposal or in-depth analysis for a significant public health problem. Include research question, study design justification, measures, bias/confounding plan, ethical considerations, integration with other public health domains, and policy/practice recommendations with visuals and references. (Major project, weighted heavily.)

Grading Breakdown (Example)Weekly Discussions: 20%
Weekly Assignments & Critical Analyses: 45%
Culminating Project: 35%

Total: 100%This 8-week accelerated format delivers a rigorous, doctoral-appropriate exploration of epidemiology, with strong emphasis on advanced methods, critical thinking, integration across your program courses, and translation to real-world impact.

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