Epidemiology and Public Health

60 College Street, 785.2844
M.S., M.Phil., Ph.D.

Chair
Michael Merson

Director of Graduate Studies
Nancy Ruddle (785.6383)

Director of Medical Studies
David Katz

Professors
Serap Askoy, Michael Bracken, Kelly Brownell, Arthur DuBois, Erol Fikrig, Durland Fish, Theodore Holford, Keith Joiner, Edward Kaplan, Stanislav Kasl, Ilona Kickbusch, Harlan Krumholz, Brian Leaderer, Robert Makuch, Lawrence Marks, Diane McMahon-Pratt, Michael Merson, I. George Miller, Alvin Novick, Curtis Patton, Harvey Risch, Nancy Ruddle, Peter Salovey, Eugene Shapiro, John Stitt, Mary Tinetti, Daniel Zelterman

Associate Professors
Elizabeth Bradley, Michael Cappello, Elizabeth Claus, Loretta DiPietro, Nora Groce, Robert Heimer, Jeannette Ickovics, Gary Mack, Susan Mayne, Mary Olson, A. David Paltiel, Holly Prigerson, Mark Schlesinger, Kathleen Sikkema, Jody Sindelar, William White, Heping Zhang, Hongyu Zhao, Liangbiao Zheng, Tongzhang Zheng

Assistant Professors
Louis Alexander, Susan Busch, Joel Dubin, Melinda Irwin, Akiko Iwasaki, Beth Jones, Kaveh Khoshnood, Douglas Leslie, Becca Levy, Judith Lichtman, Haiqun Lin, Linda Niccolai, Alexander Ortega, Melinda Pettigrew, Nina Stachenfeld, Christian Tschudi, Hong Wang, Herbert Yu

Fields of Study
Programs of study are offered in the areas of biostatistics, chronic disease epidemiology, environmental health sciences, genetic epidemiology, health policy and administration, and epidemiology of microbial diseases (infectious disease epidemiology, vector-borne diseases, immunology, parasitology, and virology). The Social and Behavioral Program (SBS), within the Chronic Disease Epidemiology division, offers students specialized instruction in the theory and methods of the social and behavioral sciences. All programs are under the faculty of the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health.

Special Admissions Requirements
Applicants should have a strong background in the biological and/or social sciences and, in the case of biostatistics, mathematics. The GRE General Test is required.

Special Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree
To be admitted to candidacy, a student must: (1) satisfactorily complete the course requirements for their division as outlined in the most current EPH Bulletin, achieving grades of Honors in at least two; (2) obtain satisfactory grades in the comprehensive examination; and (3) submit an acceptable dissertation prospectus. The comprehensive examination usually is taken at the end of the second full academic year. With the assistance of his/her faculty adviser, each student requests appropriate faculty members to join a dissertation advisory committee. The dissertation prospectus must be approved within a year of passing the comprehensive examination. Teaching experience is regarded as an integral part of the graduate training program. During the second and third years of study, students serve as Teaching Fellows (10 hours/week) each term. With the approval of the director of graduate studies, graduate research assistantship opportunities may take the place of teaching in the third year. By year four, all students are expected to be engaged in full-time research activities.

All doctoral students are required to successfully complete a minimum of ten graduate-level courses.

The special course requirements for each division are:

Biostatistics—an average of three to four courses per term plus seminars and colloquia;

Chronic Disease Epidemiology—an average of three to four courses per term plus seminars and colloquia;

Environmental Health Sciences—an average of three to four courses per term plus seminars and colloquia;

Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases—two years of course work developed with a faculty committee;

Health Policy Administration—an average of three to four courses per term plus seminars and colloquia.

Master's Degrees
M.Phil. Students who have completed all requirements for the Ph.D. except the dissertation may petition the graduate school for the Master of Philosophy degree.

M.S. Upon application, the faculty may recommend students in divisions other than Biostatistics for the M.S. degree if they have satisfactorily completed the first year of a program leading to the Ph.D. degree and they intend to withdraw from the Ph.D. program. The department also offers a two-year, terminal master's degree program leading to an M.S. in Biostatistics (for the requirements see Biostatistics). A Biostatistics student who is withdrawing from the Ph.D. program may apply and be recommended for the M.S. provided he or she meets the requirements of the M.S. program in Biostatistics.

Program materials are available upon request from the EPH Admissions Office, Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University, PO Box 208034, New Haven CT 06520-8034; e-mail, eph.doctoral@yale.edu.

Courses

BIS 505a, Introduction to Statistical Thinking I.  Elizabeth Claus.
This course provides an introduction to the use of statistics in the fields of epidemiology and public health. Topics include descriptive statistics, probability distributions, parameter estimation, and hypothesis testing, as well as an introduction to sampling and simple linear regression. Statistical analysis using the Statistical Analysis Systems (SAS) software on the PC is introduced. Prerequisite: algebra. 

BIS 505b, Introduction to Statistical Thinking II.  Daniel Zelterman.
This continuation of BIS 505a covers multiple regression, analysis of variance, nonparametric tests, survival analysis, and an introduction to logistic regression. The course concludes with a review of variable classification and choice of statistical analysis. As in the first term, the Statistical Analysis Systems (SAS) software package is used for statistical analysis. Prerequisite: BIS 505a.

BIS 511a, GIS Applications in Epidemiology and Public Health.  Theodore Holford.
The study of epidemiology often seeks to determine associations between exposure risk and disease that are spatially dependent. Geographic information systems (GIS) are modern computer-based tools for the capture, storage, analysis, and display of spatial information. GIS technologies are just beginning to be used for public health planning and decision making. Public health applications of GIS provide cost-effective methods for evaluation interventions and modeling future trends, and also provide a visual tool for data exploration. This class teaches the technical and design aspects of implementing a GIS project in public health and provides students with basic tools for using GIS. Examples are given to introduce a variety of applications in the field of epidemiology. Prerequisite: basic computer skills. No prior GIS experience necessary. 

BIS 525a and b, Seminar in Biostatistics.  Joel Dubin, Haiqun Lin, Robert Makuch.
Faculty and invited speakers present and discuss current research.

BIS 538b, Survey Sampling: Methods and Management.  Robert Makuch.
This course reviews the major sampling plans: simple, stratified, systematic, and cluster random sampling. The uses of weighted data and ratio estimation are discussed. The course emphasizes application of methodology, including use of SUDAAN. Prerequisite: BIS 505b or equivalent. 

BIS 540a, Fundamentals of Clinical Trials.  Faculty.
This course addresses issues related to the design, conduct, and analysis of clinical trials. Topics include protocol development, examination and selection of appropriate experimental design, methods of randomization, sample size determination, appropriate methods of data analysis including time-to-event (possibly censored) data, and interim monitoring and ethical issues. Prerequisite: BIS 505a or equivalent. Enrollment limited to second-year students.

BIS 560b, Database Management in Medicine and Epidemiology.   Prakash Nadkarni.
This course covers the theory and practice of database management as applied to clinical trials, observational studies, and other prospective research projects. Emphasis is placed on the use of user-friendly database management packages that require little programming. Difficult problems in database management are described, although students are not expected to build applications of such complexity. Recent advances in the field of data management are studied. Prerequisite: working knowledge of Macintosh or Microsoft Windows.

BIS 561b, Advanced Topics and Case Studies in Multicenter Clinical Trials.   Peter Peduzzi, Pamela Hartigan.
This course addresses advanced issues related to the design, conduct, monitoring, and analysis of multicenter randomized clinical trials. Topics include organizational, regulatory, and human rights issues; an overview of design strategies; advanced topics in sample size estimation and monitoring; data management and quality assurance procedures; cost-effectiveness and quality of life; and case studies of vaccine trials, factorial trials, primary and secondary prevention trials, large simple trials, strategy trials, and cost-effectiveness. The case studies include many of the classical and landmark clinical trials, such as the polio vaccine field trial, Physicians Health Study, and the trials of AZT for the treatment of AIDS. Prerequisites: BIS 505a and BIS 540b. Enrollment limited to second-year students.

BIS 623a, Applied Regression Analysis.  Faculty.
This course covers linear regression, testing hypotheses in multivariate regression, regression diagnostics, analysis of variance, and adjusting for covariates. Emphasis is on the application of methods. Prerequisite: BIS 505b or equivalent.

BIS 625a, Categorical Data Analysis.  Daniel Zelterman.
This course presents methods for analyzing categorical data in public health, epidemiology, and medicine. Topics include discrete distributions, log-linear models, and logistic regression. Emphasis is placed on the application of the methods and the interpretation of results by applying the techniques of a variety of data sets. Prerequisite: BIS 505b.

BIS 628b, Longitudinal Data Analysis.  Joel Dubin.
This course covers methods for analyzing data in which repeated measures have been obtained for individuals over time. Different methods are discussed to handle both continuous and discrete longitudinal response data. Both subject-specific and population averaged approaches are covered (with particular reference to capturing the heterogeneity between different individuals). Some of the approaches covered include linear, nonlinear, and generalized mixed effects models, as well as generalized estimating equations. The course also covers exploratory methods, approaches for handling missing data, and possibly transition models and advanced topics such as multivariate longitudinal responses, nonparametric longitudinal responses, the joint consideration of longitudinal and survival data, and the joint consideration of longitudinal and spatial data. Emphasis is placed on applying the methods, understanding underlying assumptions, and interpreting results. Both SAS and S-Plus are used throughout the course. Prerequisites: BIS 623a and BIS 625a.

[BIS 631b, Topics in Genetic Epidemiology.]

BIS 635b, Topics in Statistical Epidemiology.  Theodore Holford.
This course considers methods for analyzing the association of one or more factors with disease. Topics include the analysis of cohort studies, case-control studies, and vital rates. The analysis of matched data is also discussed. Emphasis is placed on the application and interpretation of the techniques. Prerequisites: BIS 505a and BIS 505b, BIS 623a or BIS 625a.

[BIS 637b, Stochastic Processes in Biology and Medicine.]

[BIS 640a, Quantitative and Computational Methods in Bioinformatics.]  

BIS 643b, Theory of Survival Analysis and Its Applications.  Haiqun Lin.
This course presents the statistical theory underlying survival analysis. It covers different models of censoring and the three major approaches to analyzing this type of data: parametric, nonparametric, and semi-parametric methods. The application of this theory through some exemplary data sets is also presented. Prerequisite: STAT 610a. 

BIS 645b, Statistical Methods in Human Genetics.  Hongyu Zhao.
Probability modeling and statistical methodology for the analysis of human family data are presented. Topics include single locus and polygenic inheritance, segregation analysis using the transmission probability model and the mixed model, linkage analysis using lode scores, genetic risk prediction models, disease-marker associations, and DNA fingerprinting. Prerequisites: genetics; BIS 505a and b, or equivalent; and permission of the instructor.

[BIS 646a, Nonparametric Statistical Methods and Their Applications.]  

BIS 691a, Theory of Generalized Linear Models.  Haiqun Lin.
This course considers a class of statistical models which generalize the linear model through the link functions of response mean. Major varieties of GLMs including models for Gaussian, Gamma, binomial, un/ordered polynominal and Poisson responses are discussed. Goodness of fit of the models and overdispersion is considered. Extensions to correlated responses are examined through the approaches of quasi-likelihood and generalized estimating equation. The course covers both theoretical and applied aspects of data analytic issues arising from practice. Prerequisites: STAT 542b, BIS 623a, and some knowledge of matrix calculation.

CDE 505a, Social and Behavioral Influences on Health.  Jeannette Ickovics.
This course provides students with an introduction to social and behavioral science issues that influence patterns of health and health care delivery. The focus is on the integration of biomedical, social, psychological, and behavioral factors that must be taken into consideration when public health initiatives are developed and implemented. This course emphasizes the integration of research from the social and behavioral sciences with epidemiology and biomedical sciences.

CDE 508a, Principles of Epidemiology I.  Robert Dubrow.
This course presents an introduction to epidemiologic concepts and methods. Topics include causation, measurement of disease rates, epidemic investigation, cohort studies, clinical trials, case-control studies, ecological studies, bias and confounding, effect modification, random variation and statistical significance, and screening. The course utilizes a wide variety of case studies from both chronic and infectious disease epidemiology. Also EMD 508a.

[CDE 511a, Health Psychology: Clinical and Social Foundations.]

CDE 516b, Principles of Epidemiology II.  Tongzhang Zheng.
This course provides students with an overview of the principles of epidemiology. The first part of the course emphasizes fundamental epidemiologic principles including measures of disease frequency and association, bias, confounding, precision, and interaction. The second part of the course emphasizes the design and conduct of various epidemiological studies. The final part of the course emphasizes causal inference and disease prevention and control. Prerequisites: CDE/EMD 508a and BIS 505a. Also EHS 516b.

CDE 517a, Developing a Research Protocol.  Melinda Irwin.
The objective of this course is to develop a research protocol from hypothesis formation to appropriate study design. Review of relevant background literature, consideration of appropriate statistical techniques, provision of adequate personnel and environment, and understanding of strengths and weaknesses of the proposed study are included. Students are divided into groups with each group responsible for developing a research protocol suitable for submission as a grant proposal to NIH. Special attention is given to writing techniques and style. Prerequisites: CDE 516b, second-year M.P.H. or doctoral status.

CDE 518b, Introduction to Pharmacoepidemiology.  Michael Bracken.
The course provides a basic orientation to the study of safety, efficacy, and utilization of ethical pharmaceuticals. The application of epidemiologic methods to the field is emphasized. Among the subjects considered are the usefulness of databases from HMOs, governmental, international, and other sources; current pharmacoepidemiology research within Yale School of Medicine; the role of the Food and Drug Administration; the assessment of drug safety; and assessment of quality of life and the role of pharmacoepidemiology in a managed care environment. Prerequisites: CDE/EMD 508a, BIS 505a, and BIS 505b.

CDE 521b, The Epidemiology of Selected Chronic Diseases.  Beth Jones.
This survey course covers some of the major chronic diseases, including coronary artery disease, cancer, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, major depression, and Alzheimer’s. Invited lecturers who are experts in the field cover the basic pathophysiology, etiology, epidemiology, risk factors, and public health importance of each. Approximately half of the scheduled classes are devoted to discussions of major research articles on these diseases. The course emphasizes developing a working knowledge of chronic diseases, the application of epidemiologic methods, and the capacity to read the literature critically. Prerequisite: CDE/EMD 508a.

CDE 523b, Measurement Issues in Chronic Disease Epidemiology.  Susan Mayne.
This course addresses the measurement issues in chronic disease epidemiology from a practical perspective. The first part of the course covers the use and limitations of currently available techniques for measuring exposure to a number of etiologic factors such as diet, alcohol, tobacco, physical activity, psychological stress, and environmental/occupational exposures. The latter part of the course focuses on the measurement of outcome for some of the major chronic diseases, along with some practical considerations involved in conducting chronic disease epidemiology research. Prerequisite: CDE/EMD 508a.

[CDE 525a and b, Seminar in Chronic Disease Epidemiology.]  

CDE 530a, Molecular Epidemiology of Chronic Disease.  Herbert Yu.
The course provides an in-depth overview of issues addressed in molecular epidemiology and its application in cancer research. Subjects covered in the course include basic biochemistry and molecular biology, biological mechanisms related to molecular epidemiology research, principles of molecular and biochemical analysis, biotechnologies and laboratory methods used in molecular epidemiology, and interpretation of study results. The course emphasizes the development of abilities to design and conduct molecular epidemiology research and to critically evaluate findings in the literature. Prerequisite: CDE/EMD 508a or permission of the instructor (biochemistry, cell and molecular biology are helpful, but not required).

CDE 531a, Health and Aging.  Becca Levy.
Since 1900, the number of individuals 65 years and older has tripled and life expectancy has increased by about thirty years. In seminar we examine some of the health issues related to this growing segment of the population. The class dicussions address such questions as (1) How does the aging process differ between cultures? (2) What kind of interventions can best reduce morbidity in old age? and (3) How can health policy adapt to the aging population? This course integrates psychosocial and biomedical approaches to the study of aging.

CDE 532b, Epidemiology of Cancer.  Brenda Cartmel.
This course applies epidemiologic methods to the study of cancer etiology and prevention. Introductory sessions cover cancer biology, carcinogenesis, cancer incidence and mortality rates in the United States, and international variation in cancer rates. The course then focuses on risk factors for cancer (including tobacco, alcohol, diet, radiation, and occupation) and on major cancer sites (including colon, breast, and prostate). Emphasis is placed on critical reading of the literature. Prerequisites: CDE/EMD 508a, CDE 516b, or permission of the instructor. 

CDE 533b, Topics in Perinatal Epidemiology.  Kathleen Belanger.
Pregnancy, delivery, and reproduction provide the course’s organizing focus. The current perinatal epidemiologic literature is critically reviewed from a methodological perspective. Subjects studied include infertility, miscarriage, fetal growth retardation, preterm labor and delivery, aspects of prenatal care, perinatal risks for cancer and other chronic diseases, SIDS, and infant mortality. Students develop an understanding of what evidence is needed to establish causal relationships in this specialty. Implications of research findings for public health policy, individual decision making, and future studies are considered. 

CDE 534b, Approaches to Data Management and Analysis of Epidemiologic Data.   Elizabeth Triche.
This course provides students with basic skills of data management and data analysis. The SAS statistical program is used. Main topics include using SAS data sets, data manipulation, bivariate and multivariable analyses. Using existing data sets, students test their own hypotheses and develop a research project. Emphasis is placed on the practical application of the skills learned. The course is a useful preparation for the summer internship and for thesis data analysis. Prerequisites: BIS 505a, CDE/emd 508a, and CDE major or doctoral status (permission of the instructors for non-CDE majors required); students must have taken or must be currently taking BIS 505b and CDE 516b. 

CDE 535b, Vascular Epidemiology.  Judith Lichtman.
Vascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability among industrialized nations. This course introduces students to the major categories of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease. Students are challenged to think about how individual diseases contribute to the epidemic of vascular disease in the United States. In this course, students learn basic principles about the rates of disease, risk factors, clinical trial results, and outcomes of vascular dieases. Through the analysis of actual studies, students apply basic epidemiology to critically evaluate current literature and topics in the field of vascular epidemiology. Sessions include a clinical overview of a specific disease or risk factor, as well as highly interactive discussion of a specific epidemiologic topic or principle. Students are encouraged to develop their own solutions to current gaps in the epidemiologic literature.

[CDE 545b, Health Disparities by Race and Sex: Epidemiology and Intervention.]  

CDE 550a, Introduction to Evidence-Based Health Care.  Michael Bracken.
Evidence-based health care uses best current evidence in addressing clinical or public health questions. This course introduces principles of evidence-based health care in formulating clinical or public health questions, systematically searching for evidence, and applying it to the question. Types of questions considered include treatment/prevention of disease, etiology, diagnostic testing, and prognosis. Particular consideration is given to the methodology of synthesizing evidence in a systematic review. Also addressed is the role of evidence in informing economic analysis of health care programs, clinical decision analysis, and clinical practice guidelines. Using a problem-based approach, students contribute actively to the classes and small-group sessions. Students complete a systematic review in their own field of interest using Cochrane Collaboration methodology. Prerequisites: students must have passed or be concurrently taking CDE 516b, or obtain permission of instructor.

[CDE 562a, Nutrition and Chronic Disease.]  

[CDE 570a, Epidemiology of Psychiatric Disorders.]

CDE 571b, Psychosocial and Behavioral Epidemiology.  Stanislav Kasl.
This course provides a systematic overview of psychosocial and behavioral influences on health, illness, and recovery. The factors of interest that influence health include: individual stable characteristics (e.g., traits), characteristics of the primary social environment (e.g., family, friends), settings defined by social roles (e.g., work), and broader contextual factors reflecting social structural variables (e.g., social class). The interplay of the foregoing factors of interest with biomedical and clinical variables constitutes a central theme. Prerequisite: CDE 505a. 

CDE 572b, Strategies of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.   Melinda Irwin.
The course provides an overview of methods for evaluating strategies for changing health behaviors, such as physical activity, diet, and tobacco use. Clinic-based (individual level) and community-based strategies (e.g., theories of behavior change, targeting, tailoring, and delivery of the intervention) are evaluated. Issues in maintenance of behavioral and life-style changes are also examined. Prerequisite: CDE 505a.

[CDE 573a, Measurement Issues in Psychosocial and Behavioral Epidemiology.]

[CDE 574b, Preventive Interventions: Theory, Methods, and Evaluation.]

CDE 575a, Religion, Health, and Society.  Peter Van Ness.
The course examines the impact of various dimensions of religiousness on mortality and health status, giving special attention to the relation between religion and other social factors such as age, gender, race, and class. Discussion focuses on the public health implications of the epidemiological findings including the nature and significance of faith-based programs serving health needs. Special attention is given to studies drawn from religiously diverse populations. 

CDE 619a, Advanced Epidemiologic Research Methods.  Harvey Risch.
This advanced course focuses on quantitative issues and techniques relevant to the design and analysis of observational epidemiologic studies. Starting with formal definitions of the commonly used epidemiologic parameters, and assuming a working knowledge of ANOVA and linear regression, the course covers analyses based on various related types of regression, e.g., logistic, Poisson, Cox, etc. The GLIM and PECAN computer programs are described and used throughout. Students analyze and discuss data sets of generally increasing complexity. Prerequisites: BIS 505a, 505b, Ph.D. student status, or permission of the instructor. 

[CDE 638a, HIV/AIDS Prevention Research Seminar.]

[CDE 669a, Research Seminar in Psychosocial Epidemiology.]

EHS 502a, Physiology for Environmental Health Sciences.  Gary Mack.
The purpose of this course is to describe the basic physical properties associated with exposure to environmental stress and the physiological strategies used to maintain homeostasis in the human body. Prerequisites: biology, chemistry.

EHS 503b, Introduction to Toxicology.  Jonathan Borak.
This course examines factors that affect the toxicity of foreign substances. The absorption, distribution, excretion, and metabolism of foreign compounds are discussed. Introductory lectures in cell biology, teratology, chemical carcinogenesis, dose-response relationship, and behavioral toxicology are included. 

EHS 505b, Introduction to Industrial Hygiene.  Judith Sparer.
Students are introduced to the practice of industrial hygiene: the recognition, evaluation, and control of health hazards in the workplace. A systematic approach to identifying hazards in the workplace is presented, and students are asked to exercise these techniques in at least one industrial worksite. Topics include regulation of health and safety in the workplace, air sampling and interpretation of sampling results, and approaches to reducing place exposures. 

EHS 507a, Environmental Epidemiology.  Tongzhang Zheng.
Environmental epidemiology can provide insight about the association between environmental exposures of a population and adverse health outcomes. The potentials and the limitations of environmental epidemiology are explored as they are inherent in the design of suitable studies and as they manifest themselves in actual studies that have been conducted. The analysis and interpretation of such studies, as well as the consequences for the design and conduct of proposed studies, are examined. Prerequisite: CDE/EMD 508a or permission of the instructor. 

EHS 508a, Assessing Exposures to Environmental Stressors.  Brian Leaderer.
This course examines human exposure to environmental stressors as it applies to environmental epidemiology and risk assessment. Indirect and direct methods of assessing exposures are reviewed and case studies are presented.

[EHS 509a, Environmental Toxicology.]

EHS 510b, Fundamentals of Environmental Health and Risk Assessment.   Loretta DiPietro.
This course is an overview of environmental health. Students are introduced to the fundamentals of environmental health from the perspective of using risk analysis to reduce environmentally induced disease. The principles used to apply toxicologic, statistical, and pharmacokinetics factors in the assessment of health risk from chemicals are emphasized. Quantitative risk assessment, exposure assessment, and risk characterization are emphasized. 

EHS 511a, Applied Risk Assessment I.  Jonathan Borak.
Applied environmental risk assessment consists of the effective integration in a specific situation of what is known about pollution sources and their characteristics, about human exposures, about the entry and absorption of pollutants, and about the adverse health effects associated with dosage exposure. In any actual situation there are uncertainties in all of the elements to be integrated. This course emphasizes methodologies in use and the limitations that inevitably constrain the process. A number of applied risk assessments are analyzed.

EHS 514a, Environmental Chemistry.  Meredith Stowe.
The basic chemical principles underlying environmental pollutants in water, soil, air, and specialized media are introduced. Various categories of federally regulated compounds and elements are examined with respect to group characteristics, analytical measurement techniques of choice, sampling methods, and data interpretation. Selected chemical agents are studied with regard to their fate (possible transformations/decomposition) in the environment. Students develop insight into some current problems faced in applying pollutant measurements to public health, e.g., analytical precision, uncertainty, detection limits, chemical speciation, and toxicological properties. 

EHS 516b, Principles of Epidemiology II.  Tongzhang Zheng.
This course provides students with an overview of the principles of epidemiology. The first part of the course emphasizes fundamental epidemiologic principles including measures of disease frequency and association, bias, confounding, precision, and interaction. The second part of the course emphasizes the design and conduct of various epidemiological studies. The final part of the course emphasizes causal inference and disease prevention and control. Prerequisites: CDE/EMD 508a and BIS 505a. Also CDE 516b.

EHS 518a, Environmental Measurement.  Elan Gandsman, Tom Ouimet, Robert Klein.
Human activities affect natural phenomena, and the resulting changes affect humans. Environmental monitoring refers to repeated observations for the study of these relations. The objective of environmental monitoring is to guide the formulation and aid the implementation of environmental management policies designed to protect human health and well-being, which includes ecological well-being. This course investigates the basic scientific principles and technologies of environmental measurements and monitoring, including boundaries on the collection, interpretation, and use of environmental data.

EHS 532b, Indoor Climate.  Faculty.
The impact of environmental factors in the indoor environment on human health and well-being is examined. Emphasis is placed on assessing the nature of and exposures to indoor air contaminants and different thermal micro-environments and their influence on health and comfort. 

EHS 551a and b, Seminar in Environmental Health.  Nina Stachenfeld.
Students are introduced to a wide variety of research topics, policy topics, and applications in environmental health. Faculty members, public health professionals, and students make brief oral presentations and engage in related dialogues. The course is designed to help students develop topics for their M.P.H. theses. Second-year students have the opportunity to receive feedback on their developing research. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. 

EHS 553a, Epidemiological Methods in Injury Control.  Linda Degutis.
This course addresses the application of epidemiological methods to injury surveillance, etiology of injuries, and the evaluation of the effects of injury control programs. Major topics include methods of scoring injury severity; distribution of injury types and severity in segments of the U.S. population; exemplar epidemiological studies of etiology; strategies to reduce incidence and severity; evaluation of attempts to change environments and behavior by standards, laws, persuasion, and economic incentives; and the use of cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit, and cost-savings analysis. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor or completion of epidemiologic methods course work. 

EHS 570a, Public Health Management of Disasters.  David Cone, Linda Degutis.
This course addresses the role of public health in disaster preparedness and management. It includes discussion of concepts in basic science, human responses to injury and illness, public health systems, and policy. Major topics include types of disasters and their consequences; the role of public health systems in disasters; hazard assessment and community vulnerability management; and mental health and environmental health issues in disasters. Practical applications of the concepts developed are emphasized, as are both the similarities and differences between domestic and foreign disaster management. Prerequisite: CDE/EMD 508a.

EHS 573b, Occupational Epidemiology.  Mark Cullen.
This course considers various approaches to the epidemiologic evaluation of health hazards in the workplace. The work includes consideration of specific substances. Critical review of the literature is stressed. Intermediate to advanced techniques in study design and analysis of occupational epidemiologic studies are included. Prerequisites: BIS 505a and CDE/EMD 508a. 

EHS 575a and b, Introduction to Occupational and Environmental Medicine.   Mark Cullen [F], Mark Russi [Sp].
This yearlong course presents a broad overview of the principles of occupational and environmental medicine. In the fall term the major diseases of environmental origin are presented. In the spring term the major hazards—chemical, physical, and biologic—and the settings in which they occur are examined. Prerequisite: M.D. degree or permission of the instructor.

EHS 621b, Seminar in Environmental Health Risk Assessment.  Jonathan Borak.
Case studies on various topics and problems in the area of risk assessment in relation to environmental health are presented. Topics include modeling, victim compensation, perception, cost-benefit, ethics, comparable risk, validity, data and assumptions, historical aspects, animal versus human data, and federal risk assessment procedures. Prerequisites: BIS 505a; doctoral status. 

EHS 655, Readings in Environmental Health.  Faculty.
By arrangement with instructor, students study environmental topics through the current literature, often to develop a research or thesis protocol. Prerequisite: EHS major. 

EMD 508a, Principles of Epidemiology I.  Robert Dubrow.
This course presents an introduction to epidemiologic concepts and methods. Topics include causation, measurement of disease rates, epidemic investigation, cohort studies, clinical trials, case-control studies, ecological studies, bias and confounding, effect modification, random variation and statistical significance, and screening. The course utilizes a wide variety of case studies from both chronic and infectious disease epidemiology. Also CDE 508a.

EMD 512b, Immunology for Epidemiologists.  Nancy Ruddle.
This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of immunology including antigens, antibodies, methods for detecting antibodies, cells of the immune system, products of such cells, and immune mechanisms. Prerequisite: two terms of college biology. 

EMD 516a, Biology of Viruses of Humans.  Louis Alexander.
This course consists of a systematic review of the spectrum of viruses and their modes of replication, dissemination, pathogenesis, and immunogenicity. Special problems representative of the characteristics of individual families of viruses are discussed. Prerequisites: biology and EMD 519a. 

EMD 534a, Molecular Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens.  Ravi Durvasula.
This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of the molecular epidemiology of bacterial pathogens. The scientific basis for molecular epidemiological tools and their application toward addressing contemporary problems in public health are evaluated through a combination of lectures and case studies. Topics include the emergence of new bacterial pathogens, antibiotic resistance, vaccine design, and bioterrorism. Prerequisite: EMD 519a or permission of the instructor. 

EMD 541b, Infectious Diseases: Epidemiology, Prevention, and Control.   Kaveh Khoshnood.
Students learn epidemiologic methods and concepts in infectious diseases, specific viral and bacterial infections, and problems illustrative of the methods and/or disease. Methods include surveillance, seroepidemiology, case/control and cohort studies, vaccine trials, epidemic investigation, principles of causation, immunization policies a

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