Epidemiology: The Basic Science of Public Health Course Reviews

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The course covers the basic principles of study design, data collection, and analysis in epidemiology, as well as key measures of disease frequency and association.

Students will learn about the different types of epidemiological studies, such as observational and experimental studies, and how to critically evaluate their strengths and limitations. The course also covers the principles of causal inference and confounding, which are critical to understanding the relationships between risk factors and health outcomes.

Other topics covered include the epidemiology of infectious and chronic diseases, environmental health, and social determinants of health. The course concludes with an overview of current issues in epidemiology, including emerging infectious diseases and global health challenges.

Overall, the course is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in epidemiology, which is essential for anyone interested in public health research, policy, or practice. The course includes video lectures, readings, quizzes, and assignments, and is suitable for anyone with a basic understanding of biology and statistics.

Course Content:

The course Epidemiology: The Basic Science of Public Health by Dr. Karin Yeatts on Coursera consists of a total of 6 modules, each with several smaller lectures:

Module 1: Course Introduction, History of Epidemiology and Epidemiology Research (6 videos)

This module introduces the history and field of epidemiology.

• Welcome•3 minutes•Preview module
• Introduction and History of Epidemiology•6 minutes
• Pioneers of Epidemiology (History continued)•10 minutes
• Examples of Research Areas Using Epidemiology•5 minutes
• Definitions•5 minutes
• Person, Place, Time and Population Perspective•13 minutes

Module 2: Understanding Measures of Disease Frequency (6 videos + 1 reading)

This module introduces measures of disease frequency.

Module 3: Study Designs (7 videos + 1 reading)

This module introduces the following study designs: experimental, cohort, case control, cross-sectional, and ecologic.

Module 4: Measures of Association (5 videos + 1 reading)

This module introduces measures of association and confidence intervals.

Module 5: Causality (2 videos + 1 reading)

This module introduces causality.

Module 6: Course Conclusion (1 videos)

This module concludes the course.

• Conclusion•2 minutes•Preview module

Reviews:

As a former student of Epidemiology: The Basic Science of Public Health course by Dr. Karin Yeatts on Coursera, I found the course to be an excellent introduction to the field of epidemiology.

One of the strengths of the course was the instructor, Dr. Yeatts. Her expertise in epidemiology was evident in the lectures, which were well-organized and engaging. She presented the material in a clear and concise manner, making the course accessible to learners of all levels.

The course covered a wide range of topics, including study design, measures of disease frequency and association, sources of bias, confounding, and effect modification, data analysis, and interpretation of epidemiologic findings. The course materials were presented in a logical order, which helped to build a foundation of knowledge that was useful throughout the course.

The course also included interactive quizzes and case studies, which helped to reinforce the concepts covered in the lectures. The quizzes and assignments were challenging, but manageable, and they provided an opportunity to apply the concepts learned in the lectures and readings.

The course also included an online discussion forum, where students could ask questions and engage with their peers. Dr. Yeatts was very active in the forum, responding to questions and providing additional information as needed. This helped to create a sense of community among the students and provided a valuable resource for those who were struggling with the course material.

One of the strengths of the course was the emphasis on real-world applications of epidemiology. The course included examples from a variety of public health settings, which helped to demonstrate the relevance of the material to everyday life. This emphasis on practical applications helped to make the material more engaging and useful to students.

Overall, I would highly recommend Epidemiology: The Basic Science of Public Health to anyone interested in epidemiology or public health. The course was well-designed, informative, and engaging, and provided a solid foundation in epidemiologic concepts and methods. Dr. Yeatts was an excellent instructor, and her expertise and enthusiasm for the subject matter were evident throughout the course.

At the time, the course has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars based on over 4,362 ratings.

What you'll learn:

After completing the Epidemiology: The Basic Science of Public Health course by Dr. Karin Yeatts on Coursera, students will have gained the following skills:

1. Understanding of basic epidemiological concepts: Students will gain a thorough understanding of key epidemiological measures such as incidence, prevalence, and mortality, and how they are used to describe patterns of disease in populations. They will also learn about key study designs, including cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies, and how to interpret epidemiological data.

2. Critical thinking: Students will learn to evaluate the strengths and limitations of epidemiological studies, including how to identify sources of bias and confounding. They will also learn how to assess the quality of evidence and draw conclusions based on the available data.

3. Causal inference: Students will learn about the principles of causal inference and how to identify and control for confounding factors in epidemiological studies. They will also learn how to interpret the results of studies and make causal inferences about the relationships between risk factors and health outcomes.

4. Knowledge of infectious and chronic disease epidemiology: Students will learn about the epidemiology of infectious diseases, including how outbreaks are investigated and controlled, and the importance of vaccines in preventing disease. They will also gain an understanding of the epidemiology of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, including risk factors and prevention strategies.

5. Environmental and social epidemiology: Students will learn about the impact of environmental factors on health, including how to assess exposure and identify environmental health hazards. They will also gain an understanding of the social determinants of health and how they contribute to health disparities.

Overall, students who complete this course will be equipped with a solid foundation in epidemiology and will have developed the critical thinking skills necessary to evaluate epidemiological data and draw evidence-based conclusions. They will be well-prepared to pursue further study or work in the field of public health research, policy, or practice.

Author:

Dr. Karin Yeatts is an epidemiologist and Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Prevention at the Wake Forest School of Medicine in North Carolina, USA. She received her PhD in Epidemiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has been involved in public health research and teaching for over 15 years.

Dr. Yeatts' research interests include environmental epidemiology, particularly the health effects of air pollution, as well as the epidemiology of respiratory diseases and allergic conditions. She has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals on these and other topics and has received funding from several national and international organizations to support her research.

In addition to her research work, Dr. Yeatts is also an experienced educator and has taught epidemiology and biostatistics courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. She is passionate about making epidemiology accessible to a wider audience and has developed several online courses, including "Epidemiology: The Basic Science of Public Health" on Coursera.

Overall, Dr. Karin Yeatts is a highly respected epidemiologist with extensive experience in research, teaching, and public health practice. Her contributions to the field of environmental epidemiology, in particular, have been widely recognized, and her online courses have helped to educate and inspire a new generation of public health professionals.

Requirements:

The requirements for Epidemiology: The Basic Science of Public Health course by Dr. Karin Yeatts on Coursera:

1. Math and Statistics Skills: Students should have a good understanding of basic math and statistics concepts such as arithmetic, algebra, probability, descriptive statistics, and hypothesis testing. Familiarity with statistical software such as R or SAS is recommended but not required.

2. English Proficiency: The course is taught in English, so students should have strong reading, writing, and speaking skills in English. All course materials, including videos, readings, and discussions, are in English.

3. Computer and Internet Access: Students should have access to a computer with a reliable internet connection. They should also be comfortable using web browsers (such as Chrome or Firefox), email, and other online tools. All course materials and assignments are hosted on the Coursera platform.

4. Time Commitment: The course consists of six weeks of instruction, with an estimated time commitment of 2-3 hours per week. Students should plan to devote sufficient time to complete the readings, watch the videos, participate in the discussion forums, and complete the assignments.

5. Commitment to Learning: Students should be committed to learning and engaging with the course materials. They should be willing to actively participate in the discussion forums, ask questions, and seek help when needed.

6. Prerequisites: There are no formal prerequisites for the course, but a background in public health or a related field is helpful. Students should have an interest in epidemiology and public health, and a willingness to engage with the course materials and learn new concepts.

Overall, the requirements for the course are designed to be accessible to a wide range of students, regardless of their background or previous experience in epidemiology or public health. The course provides a solid foundation in basic epidemiology concepts and methods, and is a valuable resource for anyone interested in pursuing a career in public health or related fields.