Chronic Disease Epidemiology, 7.5 Credits

Contents

This course is designed to provide graduate students with knowledge on major chronic diseases and skill on applying various epidemiologic methods to design and conduct epidemiological studies on chronic diseases. This course covers an overview of chronic diseases burden, and various researches and surveillance activities to prevent and control their burden. The concept of risk factors and chronic diseases outcome will be introduced and studies to measure risk factors burden will be discussed. Different methodological issues in measuring risk factors across cultures and settings will be introduced. Students will have a chance to learn about life course perspective in chronic disease epidemiology. Several common chronic diseases will be presented during the course, and the discussion will cover their cause and risk factors, both genetic and environmental, as well as their prevention and control strategies. The role of heritable causes in chronic disease burden and future possible preventive strategies using genetic techniques will be introduced. Students will have the chance to learn about the use of methods such as verbal autopsy and capture-recapture methods in studying chronic disease epidemiology. Research activities related to chronic disease, both in developed and developing countries, will be used as case study.

Expected learning outcomes

After completion of the course the student should be able to: • Understand the development of chronic disease burden and the prevention and control activities • Describe, understand and able to design, conduct, analysis and evaluate methods to ascertain the association between risk factors and chronic diseases • Appraise evidence for chronic diseases and their risk factors intervention

Required Knowledge

For non-programme students applying as single-course students, the requirements are 120 ECTS, of which a minimum of 30 ECTS are within one of the following: health sciences, environmental health or social sciences. The applicant must also have passed the course 3FH023 Epidemiology, part 1 and course 3FH024 Epidemiology, part 2 or have gained the equivalent knowledge otherwise. English proficiency equivalent to IELTS Academic Training – minimum score 5.0 with no individual score below (4.5) (Tests taken before January 2005 not admissible) or TOEFL – minimum score 500 on paper based test and not below 4.0 on the TWE, Alternatively 173 on computer based test with iBT 61 is also required. Language test scores are not required if you have completed a minimum of two years of studies at an accredited university or college with English as the medium of instruction or you have had one year of graduate studies and have written your thesis in English. For more information please see: http://www8.umu.se/phmed/epidemi/utbildning/mph-requirements.htm

Form of instruction

Teaching on the course is concentrated to two weeks during the course period. Teaching is conducted through lectures (80%) and group exercises (20%) During group exercises, students will learn to appraise chronic disease epidemiologic articles critically. Both the lectures and group exercises are compulsory.

Examination modes

The written examination is done at the end of the course. The grading scale is fail, pass, and pass with distinction. For students who do not receive a passing grade at the first written exam on the course, a re-sit exam is arranged. A student who fails two examinations has the right to a change of examiners according to the University’s set of rules. A request to change examiner should be sent to the Board of the Faculty of Medicine.

Other regulations

Start-of-study respite A respite for the start of studies may be granted under special circumstances. Examples of such circumstances are illness, military service, pregnancy, care of children or other nursing responsibilities etc. A negative decision about start-of-study respite may be appealed to Överklagandenämnden för högskolan. Course roll call Attendance is compulsory for the course roll call. A student may be relieved from this obligation only through a decision by the course coordinator and only under special circumstances. Non-attendance without a valid reason may lead to the seat being given to another applicant. A decision about this is made by the course coordinator.

Academic credit transfers are always reviewed individually according to the University’s set of rules and academic credit transfer regulations.