HS 370—Epidemiology
MWF 7:45-8:45—Clarke 135
OR T H—9:45- 11:15 Clarke 135
Brother Tyler Watson
watsont@byui.edu
Office Hours --- M, W, 10-12 noon or by appointment
Office – 145 K Clarke
Phone – x 4657
Required Text: Gordis, L. (2009). Epidemiology, 4th Edition, Elsevier
Sanders, Philadelphia, Pa. ISBN: 978-1-4160-4002-6
Heymann, D. L. (2008). Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, 19th
Edition, American Public Health Association, Washington, DC. ISBN:
087553189X or 978-0875531892
Introduction to the course
Epidemiology is “the study of how disease is distributed in populations and the
factors that influence or determine this distribution” (Gordis, 2004). It is much more
than a definition though… Epi is one of the basic underlying sciences in public
health and health care in general. It is how we measure the likelihood that someone
who is inactive will develop diabetes… it is how we predict how well a treatment
protocol will work for brain cancer patients… it is how we figure out if the potato
salad or the honey glazed ham made 300 people sick at the stake picnic.
Epidemiology is an exciting field of study and practice that informs the public and
health care practitioners about disease and disease risks. I will do my best to make
it exciting and relevant, but you will need to read the book, complete practice
exercises, and stay engaged in learning this interesting and practical subject.
We will be doing applied statistics in this course in order to solve health care
problems. A basic understanding of statistics and algebra (manipulating equations,
adding, subtracting, multiplication, division, and decimal place movement) will be
VERY valuable in this class, and is assumed.
We will work on a number of case studies in class. The purpose of case studies is to
help you apply the information that you learn in class and from your text. There are
times when the case will ask you to make a decision, or do something that WE HAVE
NOT COVERED IN CLASS. That is intended. These are exercises that should make
you stretch and grow and try to understand and apply the principles and concepts of
epidemiology. Do not be afraid to try… Push and stretch and you will master this
subject.
Course Objectives:
1. Understand the basic principles of epidemiology
2. Be able to extract numerator and denominator data and use them in
epidemiological analysis
3. Demonstrate the ability to calculate incidence, prevalence, attack rates, and
determine outbreak occurrence
4. Be capable of conducting an epidemiological investigation using appropriate
study design
5. Critically analyze epidemiological data and case reports
6. Develop team follower-ship and leadership skills
This class also shares the following objectives of the National Commission on Health
Education Credentialing, Inc.
RESPONSIBILITY 1--ASSESS INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY NEEDS FOR HEALTH EDUCATION
Competency A – Assess existing health related data
3. Conduct health–related needs assessments
4. Implement appropriate measures to assess capacity for improving health status
Competency C-- Distinguish between behaviors that foster and hinder well–being
1. Identify diverse factors that influence health behaviors
2. Identify behaviors that tend to promote or comprise health
Competency F-- Infer needs for health education from obtained data
1. Analyze needs assessment data
Learning Model:
Preparation: The preparation for this course includes reading the chapter before
class and writing down questions to ask in class. Sometimes the reading is
difficult or confusing. However, you can learn the information with dedication and
seeking wisdom through the spirit. You should also attempt some of the practice
problems prior to class time.
Preparation will be very important for you in this class. Especially for quizzes. If you
do not bring your book (for the open book quiz) or a CALCULATOR (no the one on
your cell phone is not OK) you can “rent” one from me for ½ of the possible points
on your quiz.
Teach One Another: I use a method called “See one, Do one, Teach one” in this
class. For the math problems I will show you an example on the board. You will
then complete an additional problem on your own. Finally, you will teach one
another. I will do this either through small groups, or by inviting a person to come to
the front to teach the example. Do not worry. You do not have to get it right the first
time when teaching. I will not let you fail at the board!
Ponder and Prove: I will assign a number of case studies at the end of some sections
to reinforce the material you learned. They will usually be done in groups. This will
allow you the practical application of the material.
Class Policies:
Mutual respect: Public health/medical issues can, at times, be controversial.
Discussion of the pros and cons, ethics, and policy proposals may be discussed in
this class. Purposeful and respectful debate help stimulate critical thinking and I
encourage you to help me create an exceptional learning environment. It is also
important to remember that academic debate does not necessarily reflect an
individual’s personally held opinion of a particular topic.
Attendance: I will not be counting heads or taking attendance in class. You
are all professionals and are expected to attend class. Furthermore, there will be inclass quizzes or assignments that will require your attendance for points. Finally, I
promise that you will have considerable difficulty on the exams if you are not in class
most of the time.
Cell Phones: Please turn them off or place them on silence for class.
University Policies: My goal is to help you become the best professionals
possible. I will therefore diligently work with you to uphold the standards you
have committed to.
Services for Students with Disabilities: The BYU-Idaho catalog (page 55)
addresses the needs for services for students with physical and academic
disabilities. If you have any specific needs that relate to this policy please
discuss them with me either in my office or through e-mail.
Academic Honesty: BYU-Idaho students should seek to be totally honest in
all their dealings. They should complete their own work and be evaluated for
that work. They should avoid academic dishonesty and misconduct in all its
forms, including but not limited to plagiarism, fabrication or falsification,
cheating, and other academic misconduct. (BYU-Idaho Student Catalog, pg 45,
BYU-I Honor Code)
Dress Code: The dress and grooming of both men and women should always
be modest, neat and clean, and consistent with the values and principles of
Brigham Young University–Idaho and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. Please know that I will ask you to abide by the dress and honor code.
Good taste, common sense, discretion, consideration, and high moral
standards are the watchwords for dress and grooming. Flagrant behavior or
extreme dress and grooming at any time or in any place may result in a
review of the individual’s understanding of the expected behavior or
grooming. Clothing is to be modest in fabric, fit, length, style, and
appropriate for the occasion. Men’s and women’s dress should be reflective
of their gender, while excessive or extreme styles should be avoided. For
women, wardrobe selection should reflect modesty and femininity becoming
a Latter-day Saint woman. For men, clothing should reflect good taste and
masculinity becoming a priesthood bearer.
Please make sure you have read and understand the policies in the undergraduate
catalog
Grading: Students will be graded on a linear scale (not curved). An “A” is a grade
of merit and will take dedication to coursework and mastery of subject matter. Just
completing the minimum expectations does not denote “A” effort. You will need to
take the time to study, apply, and understand these topics (such that you could teach
a section of this course on your own) in order to get an A. The grading system for
this class is below.
A = 93-100
A- = 90-92
B+ = 87-89
B = 83-86
B- = 80-82
C+ = 77-79
C = 73-76
C- = 70-72
D+ = 67-69
D = 63-66
D- = 60-62
Failing = < 60
Assignments:
Communicable disease quizzes – 10 * 20 points = 200
Chapter quizzes – 8 * 20 points = 160
Assignments – 100 points
Test 1 - 100
Test 2 – 100
Test 3 – 100
TOTAL 760 pts
TESTS
There will be 3 tests in this class. They will be given in the testing center. I will
open the test at the beginning of the day on the day discussed. It will close on the
day given as well. I do not leave the test in the testing center for a week or more
(most likely 2-3 days). Exceptions must be made WELL in ADVANCE. If you miss a
test because you forgot the date (or other similar excuse) you are not likely to be
given the chance to make up the test, so plan ahead, come to class, and don’t wait
until the last minute.
QUIZES (communicable disease)
The little communicable disease book is extremely useful for people in our
profession. It is a quick reference guide to understand infectious diseases, their
incubation period, how they are transmitted, what to do when you have a patient
with the condition, and how to prevent outbreaks. You will be given a quiz EVERY
Monday or Tuesday at the beginning of class. After 2 or 3 quizzes I will post them
online and you will need to complete them prior to class and bring them with you.
These are open book quizzes and are intended to help you become familiar with the
book, and how to use the information that it contains. You will become more
proficient as the semester goes on. Some diseases are quite similar, with similar
symptoms, incubation periods, (some are even just different variants of the same
infection) and so forth, so read the information carefully, or you may end up with the
wrong answer.
Assignments
I will assign some case studies and worksheets that will help you solidify the material
we have covered in class. These may be difficult because they may not use the same
wording in the word problems. However, solving problems is what epidemiology is
all about and you will learn more and be better by struggling through these
exercises. I will assign some of these activities in groups.
CHAPTER QUIZZES
You will be quizzed at the end of most chapters to help you practice and integrate
the material we are working on in class. The quizzes will cover:
1. Chapter 1 and 2—Intro and disease transmission
2. Chapter 3 and 4—Morbidity and Mortality
3. Chapter 5—Sensitivity and Specificity
4. Chapter 6—Survival
5. Chapter 7 and 8—Efficacy, # needing treatment, randomized trials
6. Chapter 9 and 10—Case control and cohort studies
7. Chapter 11 and 12—Risk (odds ratio, relative risk)
8. Chapter 14-15 – Causation
Book Review—Extra Credit—(20 pts)
If you feel like you need additional points to accurately reflect how well you know
epidemiology, you may complete a review of a book relating to epidemiological
principles. You may select from any of the 5 books below. You do not have to
purchase the book, you can check it out from the library. I will post a book review
template on ILearn. The intent of this review is to make epidemiology practical.
The Hot Zone – Richard Preston
Germs – Judith Miller, William Broad, Stephen Engelberg
The American Plague; The untold story of yellow fever—Molly Caldwell Crosby
The Great Influenza—The story of the deadliest pandemic in history – John Barry
Betrayal of Trust: The collapse of Global Public Health—Laurie Garrett
An example of the book review AND THE GRADING CRITERIA are available on Brain
honey
Supplemental Instruction Opportunities
There will be additional out of class opportunities to practice and learn the material.
If you feel like you need more practice, additional explanation or some one on one
time for the subject, you may come to these instructional time periods. A teaching
assistant and/or I will be available for this time. Specifics will be forthcoming.
Class Schedule: **Schedule subject to change** See Schedule on
Brainhoney for dates
Module Material covered
1
Intro… Why epidemiology
Intro to epidemiology principles
Disease transmission
2
Measuring Disease
Graphical/mapping methods
Visalia Case study
Test 1
3
Sensitivity and Specificity
HIV case study
4
How long do I have doc? (survivability)
5
Treatment 1 v. Treatment 2 (Randomized trials)
Test 2
6
Case Control and Cohort Studies
7
Risk
8
Risk catch up -- Case control and cohort and Risk
case study
Causation
Test 3
Chapter
Chap 1-2
Chap 3-4
Chap 5
Chap 6
Chap 7-8
Chap 910,13
Chap 1112
Chap 1415
Practice problems:
Chapter in Gordis Practice
problems
Chap 2
Gordis
review (GR)
Chap 2:1-5
Chap 3-4
GR
Chap3:
2,5,6,7
Chap 4: 1-4,
6, 8-10
Chap 5
Handout
Chap 6
Chap 8
Chap 10
GR Chap 6:2
GR
Chap 8: 1-3,
6-7
GR Chap 10:
1-7
Chap 9
Chap 14, 15
GR Chap 9:
2-5
GR Chap 14:
1-6
Chap 15: 1-2