About this course: Often called “the cornerstone” of public health, epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of diseases, health conditions, or events among populations and the application of that study to control health problems. By applying the concepts learned in this course to current public health problems and issues, students will understand the practice of epidemiology as it relates to real life and makes for a better appreciation of public health programs and policies. This course explores public health issues like cardiovascular and infectious diseases – both locally and globally – through the lens of epidemiology.
Created by: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Taught by: Dr. Karin Yeatts , Clinical Associate Professor
Department of Epidemiology, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
Taught by: Dr. Lorraine Alexander , Clinical Associate Professor, Director of Distance Learning (North Carolina Institute for Public Health)
Department of Epidemiology, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
| Commitment | 5.5 hours of videos and quizzes |
| Language | English, Subtitles: Chinese (Simplified) |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Course Introduction, History of Epidemiology and Epidemiology Research
This module introduces the history and field of epidemiology.
6 videos
- Video: Welcome
- Video: Introduction and History of Epidemiology
- Video: Pioneers of Epidemiology (History continued)
- Video: Examples of Research Areas Using Epidemiology
- Video: Definitions
- Video: Person, Place, Time and Population Perspective
Graded: Module 1 Quiz
WEEK 2
Understanding Measures of Disease Frequency
This module introduces measures of disease frequency.
6 videos, 1 reading
- Video: Introduction to Measures of Disease Frequency
- Video: Prevalent vs Incident Cases
- Reading: Additional Resources
- Video: Prevalence
- Video: Risks
- Video: Rates
- Video: Odds
Graded: Module 2 Quiz
WEEK 3
Study Designs
This module introduces the following study designs: experimental, cohort, case control, cross-sectional, and ecologic.
7 videos, 1 reading
- Video: Experimental Study Design Part 1
- Video: Experimental Study Design Part 2
- Video: Experimental Study Design Part 3
- Reading: Additional Resources
- Video: Cohort Study Design
- Video: Case Control Study Design
- Video: Cross-Sectional Studies
- Video: Ecologic Studies
Graded: Module 3 Quiz
WEEK 4
Measures of Association
This module introduces measures of association and confidence intervals.
5 videos, 1 reading
- Video: Measures of Association
- Video: Odds Ratio
- Video: Interpreting Measures of Association
- Reading: Additional Resources
- Video: Confidence Intervals
- Video: Confidence Interval Example
Graded: Module 4 Quiz
WEEK 5
Causality
This module introduces causality.
2 videos, 1 reading
- Video: Introduction to Causality
- Video: Bradford Hill Criteria
- Reading: Additional Resources
Graded: Module 5 Quiz
WEEK 6
Course Conclusion
This module concludes the course.
1 video
- Video: Conclusion
FAQs
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Coursework
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Creators
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the nation’s first public university, is known around the world for innovative teaching and research. Regularly ranked as the nation’s best value for academic quality, UNC has produced the most Rhodes Scholars for the past 25 years among U.S. public research universities.
Ratings and Reviews
Lorraine Alexander
This a very interesting and enlightening course. thanks to Professor
Lorraine Alexander and Dr Karen Yeatts. the 5 weeks course is broad as expected and i have gained knowledge in Epidemiology definition, use of epidemiology in public health and how epidemiology supports improving the public. i have also learnt the history of epidemiology and how to apply the population perspective to an understanding of the global burden of health outcomes and disease.
Good overview of public health and a great refresher of the concepts I learned during my MPH courses. Thanks!
I do not hide my satisfaction from the course I finished. It was great to have taken part in this wonderful course. But I am trying to get in touch with the entity that answers questions about issuing certificates so, I unfortunately did not succeed.
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AM
Great introduction! The course provided excellent resources and lectures that were easy to follow.