Department of Epidemiology (GRAD)

An introductory course that considers the meaning, scope, and applications of epidemiology to public health practice and the uses of vital statistics data in the scientific appraisal of community health. One lecture and two lab hours per week.

This course examines unintentional injuries from a public health perspective. The course covers core concepts in injury prevention and control, including the epidemiology of unintentional injury, prevention strategies, behavioral models, child and adolescent injury, messaging framing, the Haddon matrix, and injury surveillance.

This course covers core concepts in violence prevention and control, including the epidemiology of violence, prevention strategies for inter-personal and intra-personal violence, behavioral models that describe power structures that reinforce personal and societal factors affecting self-harm and violence towards others, and violence directed towards children and adolescents.

Permission of the instructor. A course for undergraduate students who wish to conduct research as part of an ongoing epidemiology project or as an independent activity.

A course for undergraduate students who wish to make an intensive study of some special problems in epidemiology.

An introduction to statistical analysis, programming, and data management, using the SAS programming language. Two lecture hours and two lab hours per week.

This course is intended to be the most effective and efficient way for UNC Epidemiology students to establish a foundation in the R programming language, RStudio IDE, and functional programming modalities. Special attention is given to R topics and packages relevant for epidemiological data management, analysis, and visualization.

Course gives students background in assessing and conducting systematic reviews. Focuses on 1) reading, discussing, and critiquing systematic reviews on various topics; 2) reading background and methods articles on systematic reviews; 3) developing a focused question for systematic review; and 4) developing a protocol for a systematic review over the semester.

EPID 704 aims to provide level-setting and foundational content on ethics, equity, and anti-racism, with the goal of facilitating a transition into later equity content in the other epidemiology methods courses. Designed for first-year Epidemiology PhD students, second priority to Applied Epidemiology MPH students and permission of instructor required for others to enroll.

Permission of the instructor for nonmajors. Covers properties of logical relations, truth tables and Euler diagrams, valid and fallacious arguments, cognitive heuristics and biases, interpretations of probability, the probability calculus, Bayes' theorem, binomial and normal distributions, applications of probability logic and probabilistic fallacies, all in an epidemiologic context.

An intensive introduction to epidemiological concepts and methods from a perspective of causal inference. This course is for students intending to lead, engage in, collaborate in, or interpret the results of epidemiologic studies. Some familiarity with biomedical concepts may be needed. Three lecture hours a week.

Provide a broad-based introduction to the concepts and methods of epidemiology with particular emphasis on their application in clinical research, clinical practice and health care policy.

A course applying the concepts and methods introduced in EPID 710 (required co-requisite for EPID 712) to readings in the epidemiologic, biomedical, and public health research literature.

Required preparation, competence in SAS. An in-depth treatment of basic concepts and skills in epidemiologic research, including problem conceptualization, study design, research conduct, data analysis, and interpretation. Four lecture hours per week.

Required preparation, documented SAS proficiency. This course is a combined lecture/lab format where students get hands-on experience in the analysis and interpretation of data from cohort and case-control studies. Students may take the SAS exemption exam in lieu of taking EPID 700, EPID 795 or BIOS 511.

Course covers epidemiologic analysis of time-to-event data and emphasizes weighing threats to the accuracy of inferences. Class time is spent discussing weekly readings and homeworks.

This course provides an in-depth treatment of the analysis of data from observational epidemiologic studies, including both tabular and regression modeling approaches, and with an emphasis on the importance of study design in developing and executing an analysis plan. A major focus of the course is the semester-long, independent data analysis project in which students apply and integrate the concepts covered in class to a dataset and research question of their choosing.

A discussion in journal-club format of readings in general epidemiologic methods, from problem conceptualization to application of results.

Minimum second-year standing in doctoral (with permission of the instructor) or MSCR program. A course in the design and conduct of epidemiologic research. Each student will comprehensively address the conceptual and practical aspects of developing a high-quality, detailed research proposal. EPID PhD or MSCR majors only.

Review of cardiovascular health and disease in populations and their population determinants. Topics include epidemiologic methods, risk factors, strategies for prevention, and a student research project. Three lecture hours per week

This course helps students gain experience critiquing and interpreting national and international cardiovascular disease (CVD) surveillance programs, evaluate recommendations for future CVD surveillance research and policy, and to explore CVD surveillance data sources with hands-on experience with practical aspects of study conduct.

This course helps students become familiar with physiologic and pathologic aspects of cerebrovascular diseases, provides opportunity to explore research findings regarding major risk factors for stroke and evidence for prevention strategies, and offers a guided experience in critiquing, synthesizing, and communicating stroke related research findings.

In this seminar, we examine several contemporary issues related to hypertension research, particularly pertaining to measurement of blood pressure. Each session will begin with an overview, likely didactic, followed by more in-depth discussion of the topics.

This course surveys the major issues relevant to the application of biomarkers in epidemiological research, including the logistical hurdles in biospecimen collection and storage, assessments of biomarker quality, analytic issues, and the interpretation of quantitative estimates.

Concepts and methods of genetic epidemiology relevant to the study of complex human diseases, including segregation analysis, linkage analysis, and gene-environment interaction. Includes whole genome approaches, as well as nonhuman systems. Three lecture hours a week.

This course provides the conceptual foundations and practical skills for designing and implementing surveillance systems, for using surveillance data for the conduct and evaluation of public health programs and research.

This course covers theories, concepts, study designs, and analytical methods of particular importance in studying infectious outcomes. Teaching methods include lectures, hands-on computer practicals, article discussions, and written assignments.

Permission required for non-majors. This course will cover concepts, theory, study designs, and analytical methods of particular importance in infectious disease epidemiology. Most topics will be introduced with a didactic lecture and readings, followed by an in-class exercise, discussion, or computer practical applying relevant theories, concepts, and methods to specific questions in infectious disease epidemiology.

In this seminar, we will explore how a combination of the biological understanding of disease processes and advanced methods in infectious disease analytics are essential to understanding critical problems in infectious disease, including the interpretation of surveillance data, the design of control measures and projecting the course of epidemics. We will take a ''problem based'' approach to learning about these issues, with a focus on a rotating set of disease systems. Restricted to Epidemiology PhD students, though others may be admitted with permission of the instructors.

This course will cover the interaction between an infectious agent, host, and environment; modes and dynamics of transmission; the role of immunity in infectious disease epidemiology; and disease elimination strategies. Three lecture hours per week.

Course will focus on epidemiological methods required to investigate urgent public health problems. Course covers the skills and tools needed to conduct outbreak investigations and communicate findings to the public. Three lecture hours per week.

An overview of vaccinology principles, mechanisms of action, and herd protection, and statistical considerations. Students will obtain understanding of how vaccines are produced by industry, undergo preclinical evaluation, and evaluated for efficacy in clinical trials.

Comprehensive seminar in hospital infection control. Topics include issues in employee health, surveillance, outbreak investigation, environmental sampling, and policy formation. May be repeated for credit. Two to four seminar hours.

Required preparation, introductory-level epidemiology and biostatistics. Application of the epidemiologic knowledge, methodology, and reasoning to the study of the effects (beneficial and adverse) and uses of drugs in human populations.

Required preparation, competency in data management with SAS (BIOS 511, EPID 700, or equivalent). Learn how healthcare utilization data are generated and use databases to identify study populations and conduct epidemiologic analysis of the utilization and comparative effectiveness/safety of prescription drugs and healthcare services.

Equivalent experience for students lacking EPID 710. Undergraduate major or strong preparation in the biological sciences required. Permission of the instructor for nonmajors. Emphasis on integration of epidemiologic data with laboratory and clinical research findings. Issues in epidemiologic research design, analysis, and interpretation are presented within the context of substantive epidemiology. Three lecture hours a week.

Students will evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of data sources common to cancer survivorship and outcomes studies, focusing on epidemiologic study designs. The course addresses cancer detection, treatment strategies, medical surveillance, and personal behaviors as determinants for prognosis, late effects, and the long-term health of cancer survivors.

An interdisciplinary overview of cancer prevention and control. Emphasis on projects and activities from perspectives of epidemiology, health behavior and education, and health policy and management. Appropriate research design and methodologies are covered.

Readings and discussions on classic and contemporary controversies in cancer. Two seminar hours per week.

Required preparation, introductory epidemiology and biostatistics. This course provides a background in the epidemiology of work-related illness and injury and the application of epidemiologic concepts and methods in protecting workers' health and safety.

Epidemiologic ideas and methods applied to evaluation and control of human health consequences of environmental hazards. Pollution of environmental media and global change are considered from a human-ecological perspective, with local and international examples. Three lecture hours per week.

Discussion of the epidemiology of environmentally-related disease and the application of epidemiologic concepts/methods to protecting public health from environmental hazards. Examples illustrate discussions regarding exposure assessment, dynamic nature of environments, regulation/assessment of environmental hazards, and methods used for environmental hazard identification and risk assessments.

Epidemiologic methods for evaluating interventions, primarily in infectious disease epidemiology and injury epidemiology. Covers randomized designs, such as community trials, and evaluation of non-randomized interventions, such as policies and laws.

This course provides students with an overview of public health informatics and includes in-depth discussions on informatics approaches used in developing the public health information systems in use today.

Experimental course to be offered by faculty to determine the need and demand for the subject. Topics will be chosen by faculty based on current public health issues. One credit option.

Experimental course to be offered by faculty to determine the need and demand for the subject. Topics will be chosen by faculty based on current public health issues. Two credits option.

Experimental course to be offered by faculty to determine the need and demand for the subject. Topics will be chosen by faculty based on current public health issues. Three credits option.

Required preparation, basic knowledge of SAS. Permission of the instructor. Data analysis project in oral epidemiology: data cleanup, file construction, analysis. For three credit hours, student also completes multivariate analysis with linear, logistic regression. Project to result in publishable paper. Two to three seminar hours a week.

Permission required for nonmajors. Clinical research majors only. The goals of this course are to develop a strong fundamental understanding of the design of clinical research studies; to understand selection of study populations, exposure and outcome measurement, and choice of appropriate measures; to understand ethical oversight, project management and quality control.

This course provides an overview of major issues in physical activity measurements, population distribution, correlates, impacts (physically and economically), and public health recommendations. Interventions, including relevant theories, will be reviewed. Three lecture hours per week.

Examines epidemiology research on the causes, consequences, and prevention of obesity. Emphasis on methodological issues pertinent to obesity research.

Skills and techniques to study how dietary exposures, physical activity, and anthropometric status relate to disease outcomes. Focus is hands-on data analysis using STATA, and interpretation of results from statistical analysis.

Student will learn key theories and methodological approaches for how social processes, socio-spatial organization, and social inequality are associated with health patterns, changes, and disparities; theories/approaches for studying human health from a biological perspective; and strategies using integrated social and biological research perspectives and address advantages and challenges.

This course provides an overview of key concepts, methods and findings in research on social determinants of population health. Classes will consist of a didactic presentation followed by in-class group work modules and large group summary discussion.

Approaches to social epidemiologic research, with a focus on study design and interpretation of analytic techniques common in social epidemiology. Topics include causal inference for socially patterned exposures, racial equity research, and place effects on health.

Epidemiology of reproductive and perinatal health outcomes, including infertility, fetal loss, preterm birth, birthweight, congenital malformations, and infant mortality. Includes current knowledge regarding epidemiology of these outcomes and discussion of methodologic issues. Three lecture hours per week.

Critical review of current topics in, and methods for, perinatal and pediatric epidemiology.

Open to EPID majors, second-year or above. Provides epidemiology majors with supervised experience in teaching and course preparation. Students act as assistants in departmental courses. Two to eight seminar hours a week.

Permission of the instructor required. Independent reading and tutorial guidance in special areas of epidemiology.

EPID majors only. Topics are chosen to reflect emerging issues in the field, as well as those that meet the interests of the students and faculty in the department.

Exposes students to issues and debates in the philosophy of science, the object of knowledge in epidemiology, and the place of epidemiology in public health.

This course builds students' self-efficacy in using frameworks for equity assessment of programs and policies, articulating one's position on health inequity issues as well as in engaging opposing viewpoints. The course will also provide exposure to professionals who are advancing health equity in public health practice and research settings. Students will synthesize knowledge across their equity coursework and use that as a basis to define and build their health equity research or practice work. MPH Health Equity and Social Justice Students only

This is a weekly seminar to explore current problems in pharmacoepidemiology. It supplements the introductory course, EPID 765. Required preparation, basic knowledge of epidemiology and biostatistics. May be repeated. One seminar hour a week.

Required preparation, introductory epidemiology and biostatistics. Detailed review of selected topics in infectious disease epidemiology. May be repeated for credit.

Explores conceptual and methods issues in conducting epidemiologic investigations of oral conditions, specifically caries, periodontal disease, and oral cancer (topics rotate semesters).

Permission of the instructor. Review of substantive and methodological research in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. May be repeated for credit. Two to six seminar hours a week.

Designed to give epidemiology majors a supervised field experience in population health research.

Permission of the instructor. Students work individually with a faculty member on supervised laboratory research and skills development. May be repeated for credit. Two to 18 laboratory hours a week.

Permission of the instructor. Independent investigation in consultation with an instructor who must assign or approve the subject of research. Credits vary according to the effort and rigor of the research.