COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Prefix/Number: HSC 5506 Spring, 2011
Course Title: Advanced Epidemiology
Course Credit Hours: 3
Professor's Name and Contact Information:
Dr. F. Stephen Bridges
Professor of Community Health Education
Office Address: Bldg 72 / rm 258 - 11000 University Parkway
Telephone Number: 850.474.2051
Fax Number: fax: 413.473.5891
Email: fbridges@uwf.edu
Webpage: http://uwf.edu/hlsd/bridges.htm
Virtual Office Hours: M & W 10:00-noon, and Tu 1-3pm, or by appt.
Friendly Tips and Suggestions:
1) To receive an email response from your Professor, please put Course
Name & Your Name in SUBJECT line of your email, e.g., Adv Epid &
Your Name).
Note: emails w/o this plus a signature file (sig file) at the end of the
message text will not be answered. I have many students and do
not always immediately recognize which class or classes you are
enrolled in ok? thanks:>)
To create a 'sig file' in MS Outlook go to TOOLS/OPTIONS/MAIL
FORMAT/SIGNATURES. Here is mine but yours does not need to be this
fancy:
Dr. F. Stephen Bridges
Professor of Community Health Education
Division of Health, Leisure & Exercise Science
The University of West Florida1
11,000 University ParkwayPensacola, Florida 32514
voice: 850.474.2051
efax: 413.473.5891
Web: http://www.uwf.edu/hlsd/bridges.htm
"A man who is right every time is not likely to do very much."
Dr. Francis Crick, 1962 Nobel Laureate in Medicine
2) Responses to students questions about quiz/exam questions will
commence 4 business days after the quiz/exam due date. This give you time
to check the answers after the due date.
3) Both parties must be logged into D2L for the pager to work
synchronously...so I do not use the PAGER tool.
4) Finally, if you have a question about the course, syllabus or a specific
assignment(s)... you may ask the question in the Q&A portion of the
Discussions.
Classroom Behavior
"University of West Florida faculty are responsible for establishing and
implementing appropriate academic standards as well as reasonable
behavior standards for each class. Disruptive classroom conduct, a violation
of the UWF Student Code of Conduct, is defined as individual or group
conduct of a nature that interrupts or interferes with educational activities,
infringes upon the rights and privileges of others, results in the destruction
of property or is otherwise prejudicial to the maintenance of order. Violations
should be reported to the Office of Student Affairs for adjudication through
the Student Conduct System." (pg. 47)
(Source: University Student Life Handbook... see pages 46-49).
Required Text: There is one textbook... The UWF bookstore has copies as
of 8-15-08 or you may go online to purchase this textbook. For UWF
Bookstore contact information Mr. Danny Worden [dworden@uwf.edu] or
bookstore@uwf.edu.
Go to the World Health Organization's Online
Bookshop (http://apps.who.int/bookorders/anglais/home1.jsp?sesslan=1 )
and use the search term epidemiology or click here to go there directly:
http://apps.who.int/bookorders/anglais/detart1.jsp?sesslan=1&codlan=1&co
dcol=15&codcch=2395 Please note both paperback and PDF versions
available.
Title
Basic Epidemiology
AuthorBonita, R., Beaglehole, R., Kjellström, T.
Year
2006 Order
Number
11502395
ISBN 9789241547079
or
Title
PDF/Ebook version of Basic Epidemiology
AuthorBonita, R., Beaglehole, R., Kjellström, T.
Year
2006 Order
Number
18000018
ISBN 9789240681835
The first 4 chapters of the BE text are linked in the weekly course
content. This is to aid you until you buy your BE textbook online or
at the UWF Bookstore. Please allow time for the files to load on your
computer as it may take several minutes!
Course Description: HSC 5506 Advanced Epidemiology will be
taught using the Desire to Learn (D2L) format that allows for a dynamic and
interactive exchange of information available on the Internet.
D2L is a web-based courseware application that allows professors to post
their course-related information for students and conduct courses online in a
secure environment.
The essential role of epidemiology is to improve the health of populations.
This course provides an introduction to the basic principles and methods of
epidemiology.
About this Course: This course is delivered completely online. You must
have consistent access to the Internet. Learning at a distance may be a very
different environment for many of you. You will generally set your own
schedules, participate in class activities at your convenience, and work at
your own pace. You may spend some additional time online during the first
few weeks while you become acclimated to the online class format and you
may feel overwhelmed. You should also be prepared to spend approximately
6 - 8 hours per week online completing lessons, activities, and participating
in class discussions. Finally, you may want to incorporate these tips to help
you get started:

 Set yourself a schedule -- check the course web site early in the class
week to see what tasks you'll need to work on for the week.
 Become very familiar with the site and how to use it. It is a tool to help
you learn!
 Team up with your classmates to discuss class assignments and
questions you might have. Check the “Classlist” link ? for biography info and
email addresses.Ask questions when you need answers. If you have
problems, contact your Professor ASAP! I will help you come up with a
solution.
General Course Objectives: At the conclusion of the course the student
will be able to demonstrate a knowledge of:
1. the nature and uses of epidemiology
2. the epidemiological approach to defining and measuring the occurrence of
health-related states in populations
3. the strengths and limitations of epidemiological study designs
4. the epidemiological approach to causation
5. the contribution of epidemiology to the prevention of disease, the
promotion of health and the development of health policy
6. the contribution of epidemiology to good clinical practice
7. the role of epidemiology in evlauating the effectiveness and efficiency of
health care
In addition, at the conclusion of the course the student will be expected to
have gained a variety of skills, including an ability to:
8. describe the common causes of death, disease and disability in his or her
community
9. outline appropriate study designs to answer specific questions concerning
disease causation, natural history, prognosis, prevention, and the evaluation
of therapy and other interventions to prevent and control disease.
Generalities of Course Assignments:
This course includes weekly readings in the textbook Basic Epidemiology
(BE), threaded discussions (weekly learning review questions + participatory
feedback to responses to weekly learning review questions), eight quizzes, a
midterm, and an electronic activity portfolio. Additionally, there is one extra
credit quiz. Your participation in weekly threaded discussions, i.e., learning
review questions + feedback to responses to learning review questions, is
required and necessary to help you and your classmates develop a thorough
understanding of the course material.
There are 500 points allotted in this course, divided as follows:
Responses to weekly Learning Review Questions (LRQs)— (22%)
There are 11 learning review questions based on your BE textbook reading
assignments. Each one is worth 10 points. In general, responses will be
graded on depth, relevance to the question(s) asked, completeness,
evidence of having read and understood the course materials, timeliness,
spelling, grammar, and overall quality. More specific grading criteria follows.
Participation— (22%)
Participation is gauged by your responses to the weekly learning review
questions which are posted to the discussion areas as feedback provided
directly to another person.
Quizzes, midterm exam, electronic activity portfolio— (56%)
There are 8 quizzes, one midterm in week 8, and an electronic activity
portfolio due in week 17 (final's week).
 See details in Course Schedule & Assignments section under
Important Course Information heading.
Specifics of Course Assignments:
1. Responses to Weekly Learning Review Questions (110 points—10
points per week for 11 weeks—out of 500 course points) When completing
the Responses to Weekly Learning Review Questions using the Discussion
forum please use the following convention to name your posting: last name
+ first name + week #. For example: bridges francis WK2.
For most weeks of the semester students will be asked to respond
to questions about the assigned readings in the weekly Discussion forum.
More specifically, these question(s) will correspond to the assigned chapters
to be read for that week from the BE textbook.
1) What concept, principle, or skill addressed in this week’s reading
assignment do you think is most important for you to apply as a community
health educator, health promotion specialist, or public health professional?
Name and describe that concept, principle, or skill.
2) Explain how the concept, principle, or skill you described in response to
Question 1 could be applicable to enhancing specific work you do or may do
in the future with any community-based organization/agency or public
health department, organization or program. (Identify the organization or
program.)
3) Evaluate the potential for problems or obstacles in applying the concept,
principle, or skill (discussed in your previous responses) to the communitybased organization or public health department/program you identified in
Question 2. You may include a discussion of any concerns or uncertainties
you have about applying the concept, principle, or skill. (The most common
trite responses to this question have been lack of funding, lack of expertise,
and resistance to change. The challenge is to look beyond the trite for max
pts.)
4) What point made in the assigned reading seemed most reasonable,
feasible, or realistic to you? Explain.
5) What point made in the assigned reading seemed least reasonable,
feasible, or realistic to you? Explain.
2. Participation--Feedback to Responses to Learning Review
Questions(110 points—10 points per week for 11 weeks—out
of 500 course points)
Note that the basis of the participation grade is for feedback to another
person about their posting, not for responses to questions or comments
about your own posting. However, you may lose participation points if you
do not respond to questions regarding your posting in a timely fashion.
Please try to respond to questions within 36 hours.
Two in-depth feedback postings (directly to classmates' postings) each week
is required for minimum participation/feedback credit. You can earn up to 10
participation/feedback points for each of 11 weeks, depending on the quality
of your feedback postings. Be aware that more is not always better.
Feedback that praises, agrees or simply restates the original posting are not
adequate for full credit.
(click open link--- Guidelines for Giving & Receiving Feedback)
3. Quizzes & midterm exam (90 points for 9 quizzes + 40 pts for
midterm exam)
There are 9 required quizzes, one midterm exam in week 8, and
an electronic activity portfolio due over the course of the semester. There
is one optional extra credit quiz opportunity in Week 4. The 9 required
quizzes vary in the number of questions and in point value but total up to 90
possible points. The quiz questions may be both objective (MC, T-F,
Matching) and subjective (short answer or problems) in nature. Each
quiz must be taken by the due day for credit. Once you login, you can take
as much time as you need (within reason:>) to complete each quiz but you
will only be able to login once.
Not all (if any) quiz questions will be taken verbatim from the Study
Questions at the end of each chapter in your BE textbook. Instead quiz
questions are likely to be modified from as they appear in your BE textbook.
This will require you to be able to apply some of Benjamin Bloom's higher
order skills such as analysis, synthesize and evaluation in order to answer
the quiz questions correctly.
The midterm exam is worth 40 points and is a timed test. Once you login
you will be expected to complete it then. Its questions may be both objective
(MC, T-F, Matching) and subjective (short answer or problems) in nature.
The questions are taken verbatim from the Study Questions at the end of
each chapter in your BE textbook. They will not be modified in any way.
While there are 40 points available for the midterm exam, there may not be
40 questions. Doing all the study questions at the end of the
chapter before the end of each week will be the best preparation for
successfully completing the midterm exam.
 See details in Course Schedule & Assignments section under
Important Course Information heading.
4. Electronic Activity Portfolio (worth 150pts – Cover page + activities 12 are due Day 7 of Week 13, activities 3-4 are due Day 7 of Week 14,
activities 5-6 are due Day 7 of Week 15, and activity 7 is due day 3 of Week
17. Each activity is worth 20pts and the cover page is worth 10pts. Any late
submission of an activity will receive no credit!
See details in the course sections Resources-MERLOT’s Content Builder
and Resources-Electronic Activity Portfolio under the Important
Course Information heading.
Grading criteria for Reponses to Learning Review Questions
(LRQs)
When completing the Responses to Weekly Learning Review Questions using
the Discussion forum please use the following convention to name your
posting: last name + first name + week #. For example: bridges francis
WK2.
For each weekly reading assignment, you will receive one point for each of
these 10 criteria that your Professor concludes you have achieved with your
responses:
1. Response to the first question is relevant (responsive) to the question and
the assigned reading. It includes no irrelevant content or minimal irrelevant
content. It is substantive and sufficiently detailed to be instructive.
2. Response to the second question is relevant (responsive) to the question
and the assigned reading. It includes no irrelevant content or minimal
irrelevant content. It is substantive and sufficiently detailed to be instructive.
3. Response to the third question is relevant (responsive) to the question
and the assigned reading. It includes no irrelevant content or minimal
irrelevant content. It is substantive and sufficiently detailed to be instructive.
Response is not limited to trite concerns.
4. Response to the fourth question is relevant (responsive) to the question
and the assigned reading. It includes no irrelevant content or minimal
irrelevant content. It is substantive and sufficiently detailed to be instructive.
5. Response to the fifth question is relevant (responsive) to the question and
the assigned reading. It includes no irrelevant content or minimal irrelevant
content. It is substantive and sufficiently detailed to be instructive.
6. Response is consistently lucid, coherent, and reasonable. In short, it is
well written.
7. Response includes no assertions that lack appropriate support. In other
words, appropriate support—such as properly citing an appropriate source—
is provided when needed to back up assertions.
8. Response is original and it creatively or insightfully applies relevant
components of assigned readings to a substantive issue of epidemiology in a
specific setting of public or community health service. It does not include an
excess of quotations or paraphrased content. Consider needs assessment,
i.e., burden of suffering, causation, research design, epidemiologic
surveillance, clinical, environmental, or occupational epidemiology, or health
policy and planning as examples of some substantive issues.
9. Response includes illuminating examples, perspectives, and/or questions
that could lead to fruitful discussion about applying lessons in reading
assignments to the real world of community / public health.
10. Response does not misrepresent any concepts, basic principles,
methods, or facts about epidemiology. It does not include any misuses of
terminology relevant to the basic principles and methods of epidemiology.
Grading Criteria for Feedback (click open link--- Guidelines for
Giving & Receiving Feedback)
For each weekly reading assignment, you will receive one point for each of
these 10 criteria that your Professor concludes you have achieved with your
feedback to another student:
1. Feedback is in full compliance with the “Guidelines for Giving &
Receiving Feedback” provided in a folder under “Course Information.”
2. Feedback is relevant (responsive) to the response to which it is directed.
It includes no content that is irrelevant to the response or minimal content
that is irrelevant to the response.
3. Feedback focuses on epidemiologic principles and methodologic issues
that are relevant to assigned readings for the week. It includes no content
that is irrelevant to epidemiology or minimal content that is irrelevant to
epidemiologic principles and methods.
4. Feedback is substantive.
5. Feedback is not trite.
6. Feedback includes illuminating examples, perspectives, and/or questions
that could lead to fruitful discussion about applying relevant concepts about
program design or evaluation to the real world of public health.
7. Feedback is clear, coherent, and reasonable. In short, it is well written.
8. Feedback includes no assertions that lack appropriate support. In other
words, feedback includes appropriate support—such as properly citing an
appropriate source—when needed to back up assertions.
9. Feedback makes sense and does not misrepresent or misuse any
concepts, basic principles, methods, or facts about epidemiology. It does not
include any misuses of terminology relevant to the basic principles and
methods of epidemiology.
10. Feedback is original. It does not include an excess of quotations or
paraphrased content.
Feedback Schedule:
Your Professor will log on 3-4 days per week to check for new email and
"Discussion Forum" postings. You can expect your Professor to:
· · Respond to e-mail messages about course-related questions and
comments within 48 hours of receiving them.
· · Read every discussion posting with the expectation that all students will
read them as well.
· · Occasionally offer comments and raise questions on the forums.
· · Grade work no later than ten business days after the due date.
Students are responsible for routinely checking the “Announcements” for any
unanticipated changes to the aforementioned feedback schedule.
You can expect your weekly assignments grades to be posted within 7-10
business days of a due date.
Depending on the nature of the feedback, your Professor's responses may be
posted to the discussion area, included in the grade book comments area, or
sent privately as an email message. The goal here is for your Professor to
act as a discussion and learning facilitator rather than as a lecturer.
The Professor will not respond to every posting by every individual even if
points are lost, so please feel free to ask your Professor if you would like
some personal feedback on a particular assignment posting, or any time you
have any questions regarding your assignments or your grade. Allow 48
hours during the business week for your Professor to respond.
Students are responsible for routinely checking the “Announcements” for any
unanticipated changes to the aforementioned feedback schedule. Check
your email daily please:>)
Course Procedures:
It’s a good idea to print a copy of this syllabus to provide a convenient guide
to the course but wait until week 2 in case there are any typos to fixed.
Keep in mind that the major assignment of the course is to develop a
detailed plan for a social marketing campaign. The exercises in the course
encompass each of the computer application areas that comprise the basic
skills necessary to integrate information technology into an educational or
community-based organizational setting or a medical/health care
environment.
You can accomplish the objectives set out for in this course by:
•Following the 'Course Schedule & Assignments' after carefully reading the
syllabus and reading the BE textbook.
•Interacting with your classmates and the Professor for this course;
•Completing the graded assignments as called for in the weekly assignment
areas for the various topics, e.g., posting responses to weekly learning
review questions in Discussion forum and completing the 9 quizzes
•Reviewing the course materials and textbook to ensure the quality of your
final activity portfolio
Please post your assignments only during the appropriate week of the course
unless you have prior approval from the Professor to post early or late. As
you proceed through each required week, you may encounter technical
problems. If that's the case then please contact the ITS Helpdesk at
850.474.2075 or by email at helpdesk@uwf.edu. If you do not completely
understand what is expected of you, then feel free to contact your Professor
by email at fbridges@uwf.edu or 850.474.2051 (do not use the course pager
please as I will not respond).
Preferred Methods for Delivering Assignments:
Complete each of the following assignments by posting messages in the
appropriate discussion area:
1.Responses to Weekly Learning Review Questions (Discusssion forum)
2.Feedback to Responses to Weekly Learning Review Questions (Discusssion
forum)
3.Responses to cover page and completed activities in Electronic Activity
Portfolio (MERLOT).
When completing the Responses to Weekly Learning Review Questions using
the Discussion forum please use the following convention to name your
posting: last name + first name + week #. For example: bridges francis
WK2. Please use MS Word if you have it, otherwise Rich Text format is
acceptable. Do not send files in Corel Word Perfect or in any other format. If
you have Word Perfect, save your document in Rich Text format, an option
in your “save as” menu. Do not use attachments for posting regular exercise
or feedback assignments as they slow down the ability to read the postings.
Method of Evaluation/Grading:
Responses to weekly learning review questions— (22%) includes your
response (10pts each for a total of 110 pts) to each question. Subtotal of
110 total points.
Participation— (22%) includes your direct feedback (10pts each for a
total of 110 pts) to 2 or more classmates' responses in a threaded discussion
manner. Subtotal of 110 points.
Quizzes, midterm exam, electronic activity portfolio— (56%)
There are 9 quizzes (worth variable points but totaling 90pts), one 40 pt
midterm exam in week 8, and an electronic activity portfolio which is worth
150 points. Subtotal of 280 points.
TOTAL POINTS in the course possible - 500 points (100%)
Grading Scale:
A 94 - 100% (470-500)
A- 90 - 93.9% (450-469.9)
B+ 87 - 89.9% (435-449.9)
B 83 - 86.9% (415-434.9)
B- 80 - 82.9% (400-414.9)
C+ 77 - 79.9% (385-399.9)
C 73 - 76.9% (365-384.9)
C- 70 - 72.9% (350-364.9)
D+ 67 - 69.9% (335-349.9)
D 60 - 66.9% (300-334.9)
F 0 - 59.9% (0-299.9)
Policies on Late Assignments:
For the first two discussion assignments of each type submitted up to seven
days late, the instructor will deduct no points for lateness. The two types of
discussion assignments are: (1) Response to Weekly Learning Review
Questions Study Questions based on BE reading assignment, and
(2) Feedback to Response to Weekly Learning Review Questions.
After that late assignments will not be accepted (or after the seven-day
grace period for first two assignments). The instructor will assess this
penalty unless prior approval is given.
The Central (U.S.) time zone will be the time zone used for this course.
CLASS ATTENDANCE
The attendance/participation policy for this class is based on the information
found on page 69 in the 2007/2008 University Catalog (see directly below)
or go to http://uwf.edu/catalog/acadattendance.htm.
The University expects students to take full responsibility for their academic
work and academic progress. To progress satisfactorily, students must meet
the requirements of each course for which they are registered. Successful
work depends to a large extent on regular class attendance [or in this case
regular online participation in the course].
Class attendance is regarded as an academic matter. Each faculty member
will provide a written attendance policy to each class within the first week of
classes. The use of attendance records in grading and handling of any
excuses for absences is left to the discretion of the faculty member
responsible for the course, subject to the guidelines given below:
A. Students will be excused from class to observe religious holidays of
their faith. No major test, major class event, or major University
activity will be scheduled on a major religious holiday.
B. Absences for imposed legal responsibilities (e.g., jury duty, court
appearance) will be recognized as excused absences.
C. Absences resulting from participation in extracurricular activities in
which students are official representatives of the University will be
recognized as excused absences.
D. Absences for serious illness, death or serious illness within the
student’s immediate family, military obligations, or other sound
reasons offered by the student may be accepted as excused absences.
It is the responsibility of students to know the attendance policy of each
course they are taking. Students must inform their instructor(s) of absences
from classes prior to or as soon as possible after the absence [Dr. B: 3
business day limit-- fax me at 850.474.2106 with documentation
before the 3 days are up; however, this does not guarantee I will
accept the documentation]. Instructors have the right to request
verification for all excused absences. Students are held accountable for
all assignments in each course, whether or not the assignments were
announced during an absence. Faculty are encouraged to provide
opportunities for students to make up examinations and other work missed
because of an excused absence.
Reserve/National Guard Duty
To fulfill a reservist or National Guard military obligation of no more than two
weeks concurrent with a normal academic semester at UWF, students must
receive written permission for such absences from the instructors and
departmental chairpersons for each course in which they are enrolled. The
approval is not automatic but is discretionary with the instructors and
departmental chairpersons.
Special Technology Utilized by Students: This course is totally
online. All instructional content and interaction takes place over the WWW.
In addition to baseline word processing skills and sending/receiving email
with attachments, students will be expected to search the internet and
upload / download files. In addition, students may need one or more of the
following plug-ins:






Adobe Acrobat Reader:
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
PowerPoint Viewer:
http://microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=D1649C22B51F-4910-93FC-4CF2832D3342&displaylang=en
Windows Media Player:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/
Quicktime Player: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
Real Player:
http://forms.real.com/netzip/getrde601.html?h=207.188.7.150&f=win
dows/RealOnePlayerV2GOLD.exe&p=RealOne+Player&oem=dl&tagtyp
e=ie&type=dl
Macromedia Flash Player:
http://macromedia.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Versi
on=ShockwaveFlash
Expectations for Academic Conduct/Plagiarism Policy:
Academic Conduct Policy: (Web Format) | (PDF Format) | (RTF
Format)Plagiarism Policy: (Word Format) | (PDF Format) | (RTF Format)
Student Handbook: (PDF Format)
ASSISTANCE: Students with special needs who require specific
examination-related or other course-related accommodations should contact
Barbara Fitzpatrick, Director of Disabled Student Services (DSS),
dss@uwf.edu, (850) 474-2387. DSS will provide the student with a letter for
the instructor that will specify any recommended accommodations.