Community Health and Epidemiology
Queen's University- MSc. in Epidemiology
Courses
Students must take four mandatory courses and three elective courses:
- Core Courses offered by the Department
- Elective Courses offered by the Department
- Elective Courses offered by other Departments
Core Courses Offered by the Department - students to take four
EPID-801 Introductory Epidemiology
This course deals with the design and analysis of research in epidemiology. Topics include measures of health status; risk factors and associations between them; study design including descriptive, analytical, experimental, and theoretical approaches; validity issues; critical appraisal; sources of data, and data collection and management.
Three term-hours, fall; every year. K. Aronson
EPID-821 Introductory Biostatistics
This course introduces the basis statistical concepts, principles and techniques essential for community health and epidemiologic research. Topics include descriptive statistics, probability distribution, estimation, hypothesis testing, simple linear regression, correlation and measures of association, and some non-parametric methods.
PREREQUISITE: Permission of the Instructor.
Three term hours; fall; every year. M. Lam, B. Chen, , P. Peng,
EPID 821 LAB, SAS Tutorial, Instructors: A. Day, J. Zhang-Salomons
EPID-822 Intermediate Biostatistics
This course deals with the commonly used statistical methods proven useful in health services research and the epidemiologic analysis of the relationship between traits, exposures or treatment, and diseases or other medical outcomes. The course emphasizes the statistical modeling approach with topics including multiple regression, analysis of variance and covariance, reliability of measurements, analysis of categorical data, and logistic regression.
PREREQUISITE: EPID-821 or equivalent* (*applicable to Biostats Collaborative students only)
Three term-hours; winter; every year. M. Lam, B. Chen, K. Ding, D. Tu,
*EPID 822 LAB, SAS Tutorial; Instructors: A. Day, J. Zhang-Salomons; back to top
EPID-804 Intermediate Epidemiology
This course deals with advanced methods and issues in the design, conduct, analysis, and interpretation of epidemiologic studies. The content focuses on observational study design and analysis, and builds on epidemiologic principles presented in EPID-801. Data analysis will emphasize the application and interpretation of statistical concepts in epidemiologic research.
PREREQUISITE: EPID-801
Three term-hours, winter; every year. W. King.
EPID-899 Master's Thesis Research
Under the direction of Co-supervisors, students will identify a relevant research topic, prepare and present an outline, then a more detailed research proposal. Normally, the proposal would include a statement of the study purpose, the rationale for conducting the research, the study design and data collection methods to be used, a description of the data management and analysis strategies, ethical implications of the study, and the theoretical or practical benefits of the project. Once the proposal is presented to the Department, approved, and receives ethical review and approval from Queen's University, the student will conduct the study, then write and orally defend the results. It is expected that the outline will have been submitted by June of the first year of study; the proposal written and approved by September of the second year of study; and the thesis submitted for defense by the close of the second year of study.
Elective Courses Offered by the Department
EPID-803 Issues in Health Services and Health Policy
This survey course will provide an overview of the health, health service, and policy context in which epidemiologic and health service methods are applied. Secondly, it is intended to provide a brief introduction to selected research areas available for more in depth study through elective courses. Topics include: public health and health determinants; health services and the health care system; health economics and cost evaluations; and health policy and policy analysis.
Three term-hours; fall; every year. H. Stuart
EPID-805 International Priorities in Maternal and Child Health
This course provides an overview of the major current issues in International Health. The epidemiology and prevention of the major causes of morbidity and mortality will be discussed as will the organization, management, and cost evaluation of health care resources.
(Jointly offered with RHBS-880)
Three term-hours, winter, alternate years; Not offered in 2012. H. Onyett.
EPID-807 Introduction to Health Economics
This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to economic concepts and analysis relevant to health, health care, and health care systems. Topics include: health as an economic variable; health production models; uncertainty in health and its effects; the behaviour and influence of various participants (health care providers, patients, government) on health care utilization and health status. No prior economic background is required, although students must have basic quantitative skills.
Three term-hours, Fall, every year ; Ana Johnson
EPID-810 Controlled Clinical Trials
This course will cover material relevant to the design and conduct of controlled clinical trials. Design topics will include methods used to achieve unbiased results with improved precision, such as adequate sample size, randomization, blinding, pre- and post-stratification, cross-over designs, placebos and the counting of relevant events. Attention will be given to the problems of conducting multi-centre clinical trials. Topics covered will include drafting of protocols, design of data forms, logistics of data flow, methods of follow-up, data management and quality control, periodic reporting, final data analysis, and the production of final reports. Ethical issues and the role of randomized trials in clinical investigation will be discussed.
Three term-hours, winter; every year. R. Meyer, D. Tu
EPID-812: Program Evaluation
This course provides an introduction to public health program evaluation methods. The intent is to familiarize the student with the major issues, methods and challenges faced by program evaluators working in the public health field. The emphasis will be on conceptual approaches and design issues, as well as the interpretation and applicatin of evaluation findings.
Three term hours, winter; every year. D. Hunter
EPID-813 Survey Methods
This course provides a practical understanding of how to plan, conduct and manage a sample survey. Topics covered will include: developing survey objectives, stratification, sampling frames, drawing the sample, questionnaire design, pilot testing, sampling and non-sampling errors, interviewing skills. Each student will prepare a survey proposal.
PREREQUISITE: EPID-801, EPID-821, or equivalent.
Six hours per week for six weeks, Spring, H. Ouellette-Kuntz or Duncan Hunter. Not offered in 2011-12.
EPID-815 Independent Study
Designed for individual students with special interests that are not covered by existing courses offered in the Department. Normally, this will take the form of a closely supervised reading course in the area of a graduate instructor's expertise but may also include practical field experience. The proposed study must be approved by the appropriate instructor, the Coordinator of Graduate Studies and the Head of the Department.
EPID 817 - Foundations of Cancer Control
This course is intended for graduate students, clinical fellows and postdoctoral fellows who are engaged or interested in cancer research. It will provide students with training in the fundamentals of epidemiologic methods in cancer research and with knowledge of how epidemiology could contribute to better understanding of cancer etiology and control in human populations.
The course will focus on concepts and methodological issues central to the conduct of epidemiologic studies of cancer etiology and control. Topics will include: an introduction to basic epidemiologic concepts; biologic concepts central to the investigation of cancer; study design; clinical epidemiology; molecular epidemiology; and cancer control and prevention.
Three term hours; winter; every year; B. Mackillop.
EPID 823 - Advanced Biostatistics
An advanced course in the theoretical issues and analytic practices in epidemiology and biostatistics. Major topics include the life-table method, demography and confounding and its solutions. Detailed design and analysis of cohort, care-referent and experimental studies shall be performed. Multifactor techniques including log-linear logistic and Cox's proportional hazard models will be discussed in detail.
PREREQUISITE: EPID 822
Three term hours; M. Lam, P. Peng, D. Tu, fall, every year
EPID-825: Foundations of Public Health Practice
This is in introductory course in public health. The course will introduce students to health promotion and health protection strategies at various levels, including the individual, community, region and nation. Examples will be drawn from chronic disease and injury prevention, reproductive and child health, infectious disease prevention and control, and environmental health. Students will also be introduced to the role of surveillance in determining public health priorities.
Three term hours, fall; every year. K. O'Connor
EPID-826: Determinants of Health
This half term course is required for students enrolled in the Master's of Public Health program in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology. This course examines the determinants of health from a population health perspective, including social, cultural and economic factors; physical environmental factors; personal health practices; individual coping skills; and health services.
PREREQUISITES: EPID 801 or EPID 821
Three term hours; fall; every year. B. Alvarado
EPID-827: Public Health Leadership and Administration
This course provides an introduction to public health leadership and administration. The intent is to familiarize with the main components of the organization, financing, and delivery of public health services in Canada. Students will also learn principles of strategic planning, public health marketing, the legal and ethical basis for public health interventions, and systems thinking for resolving community health and organizational problems. Finally, the course will build competencies in critical thinking and communication skills necessary for public health practice.
PREREQUISITE: EPID 825
Three term hours; fall, every year. D. Hunter.
EPID-828: Infectious Diseases
This course provides an introduction to the principles of infectious disease prevention and control relevant to public health practice. The course focuses on the etiology, history, societal impacts and determinants of infectious diseases of major public health importance. There is an emphasis on modern prevention and control efforts that can be applied at the local, national and international levels.
PREREQUISITE: EPID 801 and EPID 821
Three term hours; winter, every year.B. Alvarado, A. Jolly. back to top
EPID 829 - Foundations in Global Health
Students will be exposed to various global health concepts and be trained to work through potential solutions in a public health context. The course will be taught through formal lecture, seminar and small group learning, and
online modules. Topics may include: health, public health and development; Aboriginal health; health systems and
policies; Canada's role in global health and social justice; and special populations.
Three term hours; K. Yeates, J. Carpenter, Winter, every year.