Course syllabus for Epidemiological Methods for Studying Determinants of Health

Specific entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree or a professional degree equivalent to a Swedish Bachelor's degree of at least 180 credits in public health science, healthcare or other relevant social sciences subject area. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary school course English 6/English level 2.

Outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• explain principles of various types of common epidemiological study designs, and describe their strengths and weaknesses 
• describe theoretical models for causality and discuss principles of causal mechanisms

Competence and skills

• calculate and interpret measures of disease occurrence and relationships, and describe how a specific measure is influenced by the study design
• identify and explain sources of errors in epidemiological studies and how these impact the results
• discuss epidemiological concepts including validity and precision related to different epidemiological study designs

Judgement and approach

• critically assess epidemiological scientific articles based on study design, results, validity and precision to draw adequate conclusions from the results

Content

The course focuses on epidemiological theory and practice. It contains principles of design, analysis and interpretation of epidemiological studies. The course introduces the concept of causality, concepts related to study basis, measures on disease occurrence and measures on relationships, effect modification, common designs for epidemiological studies (cohort studies, case control studies, cross-section studies) and the importance of various types of sources of errors.

Teaching methods

The course focuses on active learning i.e. to turn knowledge into practice and critical reflection. Different strategies for learning will be used such as lectures, group assignments and an individual assignment that runs throughout the course.

An individual assignment with feedback at different time points will also be an important method for the students to apply the knowledge they have gained during the course. The task will be part of the examination of the course.

Examination

To pass the course the student should show that the expected learning outcomes have been achieved. Two examinations are used, one individual assignment and one written examination. The individual assignment shall be presented both in writing and orally by the student. The student shall also be opponent to another student's presentation. These parts are all graded with Fail (U) or Pass (G).

The written exam is graded with Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG) and consists of two parts on Pass level and one part on Pass with distinction level. In order to pass the exam, the student must pass both Pass parts. To pass with distinction the student must pass both Pass parts, and Pass with distinction on the Pass with distinction part. If a student fails both Pass part of the written exam, the student must retake the entire written exam a complete new re-exam.

If a student fails only one of the Pass parts, the student can supplement by taking the re-exam for that Pass part only. If supplementing, and passing the Pass part on the re-exam, the Pass with distinction part from the first exam will be the basis for the grading of Pass with distinction.

The student can also choose to re-take the whole written exam even if they passed only one of the Pass parts. Then the student will re-take both Pass parts as well as the Pass with distinction part.

One exam and one re-exam will be offered within each course occasion. Students who fail these exams will be offered a second reexam next time the course is given.

Group assignments are mandatory.

Compulsory participation
The course director assesses if and how absence from compulsory parts can be compensated. Before the student has participated in compulsory parts or compensated absence in accordance with the course director's instructions the student's course results will not be reported to LADOK. Absence from a compulsory part may result in the student having to wait to compensate until the next time the course is given.

Limited number of examinations
Students who have not passed the regular examination are entitled to participate in five more examinations. If the student has failed six examinations/tests, no additional examination or new admission is provided.
The number of times that the student has participated in one and the same examination is regarded as an examination session. Submission of blank exam is regarded as an examination session. An examination for which the student registered but not participated in, will not be counted as an examination.

In the event of special circumstances, or if a student with a disability is in need of certain adjustments, the examiner may decide to depart from the syllabus' regulations on examination form, number of examination opportunities, possibility of completion or exemption from compulsory educational elements, etc. Content and intended learning outcomes as well as the level of expected skills, knowledge and abilities must not be altered, removed or lowered.

Transitional provisions

Examination will be provided during a time of two years after a possible cancellation of the course. Examination can take place according to an earlier literature list during a time of one year after the date when a major renewal of the literature list has been made.

Other directives

Course evaluation is carried out according to the guidelines that are established by The Committee for Higher Education.

The course is given in English.

Literature and other teaching aids

Mandatory literature

• Celentano, D. D., Szklo, M., & Farag, Y. M. K. (2024). Gordis epidemiology (Seventh edition). Elsevier.

Scientific articles will be handed out during the course.