BIO 3000 - EPIDEMIOLOGY

credits: 3.0
A study of the nature of epidemics and the biological, chemical, and physical factors contributing to the initiation of epidemics. Emphasis is placed on the integration of biological and statistical elements in the sequence of epidemiologic reasoning that seeks to determine the causes of diseases, both infectious and non-infectious. Objectives: A) Understand the historical background and conceptual basis of epidemiology; B) Utilize mortality and morbidity data and apply such data to epidemiologic problems; C) Design and evaluate retrospective and prospective studies; D) Evaluate the validity of epidemiologic studies by applying statistical methods and reasoning processes; E) Be familiar with a variety of epidemiologic studies that have been conducted in recent times; F) Be aware of the multitude of factors that affect the process of disease; G) Be aware of the different ways in which disease manifests itself. Method of Instruction: One three-hour lecture and discussion per week. Students will design and conduct an epidemiologic study and each student will prepare an individual study report using collected data, OR, students will prepare and present a paper on a selected topic. Method of Evaluation: Class participation (5%), quizzes (20%), assigned problems (10%), midterm exam (25%), final exam (25%), and study report (15%).

Prerequisite(s): BIO 3050 - MICROBIOLOGY and BIO 2300 - BIOSTATISTICS (or) BIO 3050 - MICROBIOLOGY and MAT 2090 - STATISTICAL METHODS (or) BIO 1110 - INTRODUCTION TO MICROBIOLOGY and MAT 2090 - STATISTICAL METHODS (or) BIO 1110 - INTRODUCTION TO MICROBIOLOGY and BIO 2300 - BIOSTATISTICS