View all department course descriptions.
View current course offerings at the Office of the Registrar. Epidemiology EPID 603 EPIDEMIOLOGIC METHODS I (3)
The purpose of this course is to prepare students to function effectively as mid-level epidemiologists in public health agencies or other settings. The knowledge base and skills that are the focus of this course are fundamental to the scope of work expected of master's degree graduates in epidemiology. The course focuses on epidemiologic approaches to activities that are a routine part of public health practice. EPID 605 DEVELOPMENT OF PROTOCOLS FOR PROBLEM SOLVING (3)
Prerequisites: EPID 712 and BIOS 604.
The solution of many public health problems requires a systematic approach according to procedures specified in a protocol. Development of a protocol is a stepwise process posing a series of questions that must be answered, and identifying numerous activities that must be spelled out in detail before a study or program is activated. This course is designed to provide the student with practical experience in the phases of protocol development -- writing the proposal and preparing for the plan of action. This course may also fulfill the Capstone requirement for epidemiology students. EPID 613 DESIGN AND EVALUATION OF HIV/AIDS PROGRAMS (3)
Prerequisites: EPID 603, EPID/INHL 624. Recommended: EPID 721.
This course provides an opportunity for the student to acquire and practice the knowledge and skills required in the process of designing and evaluating responses to one of the major health problems facing both developed and developing countries today and in the future. It emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary inputs to program design and the development of methodologically sound programs. It demonstrates how evaluation planning and implementation are incorporated into programmatic responses at the design phase. EPID 621 CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY (3)
Prerequisite: EPID 603.
The first part of this course begins with a description of the distribution and magnitude of the cancer problem, which is followed by a detailed discussion on state-of-the-art theories of cancer etiology, including radiation, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, occupation, diet, and other factors. The second half of the course covers the major cancer sites in terms of distribution of disease and risk factors. Methodology and study designs used in cancer research are discussed throughout the course. EPID 622 CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGY (3)
Prerequisite: EPID 603.
This course reviews the epidemiology of cardiovascular diseases. It emphasizes the interrelationships of the biological and epidemiological aspects of the disease. Wherever possible, their application to prevention of the disease will be discussed. The course covers coronary heart disease, stroke, and end stage renal disease. Attention is focused both on established major modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease as well as putative risk factors that have potential relevance for public health. EPID 623 COMPUTER PACKAGES FOR EPIDEMIOLOGY (2)
This course will introduce the student to the SAS 9 and STATA 9 on Windows. The student will be able to get his data into SAS and STATA, manipulate the data, run basic analyses, and interpret the output. This course will prepare the student with the technical skills necessary to complete subsequent quantitative course work such as EPID 712, 713, and 722. EPID 624 MONITORING AND EVALUATION FOR HEALTH-RELATED SYSTEMS (3)
Prerequisite: EPID 603.
This course provides the student with the basic concepts and methodologies needed to undertake evaluation research. Major applications of evaluation research are covered: program planning, monitoring, and impact and efficiency assessment. Students will design an evaluation study based on intervention projects being undertaken by the school faculty, the Louisiana Office of Public Health, or projects of special interest to the students. EPID 626 SURVEY METHODOLOGY (3)
Prerequisites: EPID 603, BIOS 603.
This course is designed to prepare the student to undertake survey research addressing a wide variety of public health topics in national and international settings. Focus is on the collection of information from primary sources such as individuals or groups. Survey approaches include questionnaires for mail or group administration and personal interviews in institutional and household settings. Although attention is given to principles of overall research design, the major emphasis is on principles and techniques of data collection procedures including instrument design and preparation for analysis. EPID 633 CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES, PREVENTION, AND HEALTH PROMOTION (2)
This course will feature multidisciplinary presentations in the field of cardiovascular epidemiology, cardiovascular disease, and risk factors. The focus will be the application of epidemiologic research to the development of cardiovascular prevention and intervention programs in areas such as nutrition, physical activity, psychosocial factors, and disease risk. Students will participate in an actual risk factor screening program. EPID 641 PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY (2)
Prerequisite: EPID 603, BIOS 603.
This course provides a one-week, intensive introduction to the concepts and methods of pharmacoepidemiology. It begins with an overview of how epidemiology is applied to study the safety and effectiveness of drugs, medical devices, and vaccines in academia, industry, and regulatory agencies. Epidemiologic study designs, methodologies, and techniques for pharmacoepidemiologic research, including commonly used data sources, are discussed. Finally, methodological challenges encountered in pharmacoepidemiology and approaches for addressing these issues, are illustrated through case studies and computer laboratories. EPID 642 CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY (3)
Prerequisites: EPID 603, BIOS 603.
This course will help students learn or refine the skills of clinical epidemiology, defined as the study and management of illness in individuals as well as populations using methods. Individual and group sessions will develop techniques of constructive critical appraisal of the medical literature, illustrated by examples from general health, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Students will learn how to assess studies of prognosis or outcomes of illness, treatments, diagnostic tests, and screening programs, as well as the basic requirements for randomized clinical trials. EPID 643 TOPICS IN CLINICAL RESEARCH (2)
Prerequisites: BIOS 603 AND EPID 603. Concurrent enrollment with EPID 644.
This course is specifically designed for students in the MPH clinical research program. However, a small number of additional students from other programs may be accepted. The course will consist of the following four sections: ethics, regulations, and business aspects; introduction to clinical pathology, clinical epidemiology; and an overview of biomedical engineering. Each will be lead by an expert in the field. EPID 644 MENTORED CLINICAL RESEARCH PROJECT I (2)
EPID 645 MENTORED CLINICAL RESEARCH PROJECT II (2)
Prerequisites: BIOS 603, EPID 603.
The mentored clinical research project is part of the curriculum for the MPH in clinical research. The project stretches over two semesters for a total of four credits. Each student will have a mentor from the Clinical Research Curriculum Award (CRCA) program and another from the student's area of research. The student will develop a research question, design an appropriate study, implement the study, and document the results for publication. Students will interact with their mentors and with each other on a regular basis. EPID 648 REPRODUCTIVE EPIDEMIOLOGY (3)
Prerequisites: BIOS603, EPID603.
This course provides students analytical skills necessary to conduct epidemiological studies in reproductive health in human populations. Reproductive Epidemiology covers broad reproductive health issues from the pre-conception, prenatal, delivery and post-natal periods, and emphasizes health issues affecting both women and infants. Relevant methodological, clinical, policy and programmatic issues will be presented with practical illustrations from domestic and international settings. Students will be able to design a reproductive epidemiology study, discuss relevant methodological issues in reproductive health epidemiology studies, and apply reproductive/perinatal health data to improve reproductive programs and policy. EPID 656 INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL GENETICS (4)
This course will present the basic principles of molecular genetics as well as the techniques used to understand the role of genetics in human health and disease. The lectures will cover concepts and techniques in genomics and gene expression that are most relevant to clinical researchers including: gene identification, cancer genetics, gene therapy, and pharmacogenomics. EPID 675 OUTBREAK EPIDEMIOLOGY(3)
This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills required for the investigation, control and prevention of disease outbreaks in a variety of settings and due to a variety of infectious agents. Students will explore and practice the approaches used to investigate disease outbreaks, and examine local and global efforts to monitor, control and mitigate the effects of infectious disease outbreaks. EPID 695 EXPERIMENTAL CLINICAL RESEARCH (3)
Prerequisites: EPID 603, BIOS 603.
This course addresses the principles of experimental (as distinct from observational) clinical (as distinct from basic) research from the point of view of the clinical investigator rather than the statistician. The syllabus is closely coordinated with that of BIOS 740 and emphasizes the qualitative issues in the conception, design, conduct and analysis of clinical experiments. Both courses are recommended for clinicians, epidemiologists and statisticians who are likely to be extensively involved in any aspect of randomized clinical trials. EPID 700 EPIDEMIOLOGY SEMINAR (0-1) EPID 709 EPIDEMIOLOGY OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES (3)
Prerequisites: EPID 603, BIOS 603.
This course provides students with the knowledge and skills required for the investigation, control, and prevention of a variety of infectious diseases. Students will explore the characteristics of a range of specific disease agents, compare their impact on populations, practice approaches used to investigate disease outbreaks, and examine local and global efforts to monitor, control, and/or eradicate selected infectious diseases. Zoonotic diseases are included in the course. EPID 712 EPIDEMIOLOGIC METHODS II (3)
Prerequisite: EPID 603, BIOS 603.
This is the second of the two-course sequence following EPID 603. It is designed for epidemiology majors and other students requiring a more thorough knowledge of the concepts and methods used in epidemiological research. This course stresses etiologic study designs and analytic methods. The sources, assessment, and control of error, confounding, and bias in etiologic research are discussed. EPID 713 OBSERVATIONAL EPIDEMIOLOGY (3)
Prequisites: EPID 603, EPID 712, BIOS 603, BIOS 604 and either BIOS 623 SAS or BIOS 627 STATA
The goal of this course is to present the conceptual basis for the design, conduct, and analysis of cohort and case-control studies. The course will review the application of case-control and cohort studies in the context of epidemiological research and public health. Students will gain hands-on experience in designing an analyzing observational studies through classroom sessions and homework assignments. By the completion of the course, each student will have the skills to designing and develop data collection methods for cohort and case-control studies. Students will also have the fundamental skills to analyze data from case-control and cohort studies in preparation for publication. EPID 721 EPIDEMIOLOGY OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS/HIV (3)
This course is designed for students concentrating in epidemiology or biostatistics who are interested in methodologic issues of the epidemiology of AIDS. It encompasses clinical, behavioral, political, ethical, and methodological issues that are relevant to other diseases as well. EPID 722 ANALYTIC EPIDEMIOLOGY (3)
This course is designed to provide students with data analysis, interpretation, and presentation skills. During this course, the students will analyze data from several different studies with guidance from the professor. Students will then team up and analyze a dataset on their own, write a paper describing the findings, and present these findings in scientific format. The studies will examine different methodologic issues relevant to epidemiology and will serve as a Capstone course for epidemiology students. EPID 730 ADVANCED EPIDEMIOLOGIC METHODS (3)
Prerequisites: EPID 603, EPID 712.
This course is designed for doctoral and advanced master's degree students. The course focuses on the nature of causality in biological systems and the methods by which it may be determined. Both observational and experimental study designs are considered. The methods are illustrated by landmark studies from the epidemiologic literature. Most sessions involve student presentations of papers followed by general discussion. EPID 731 META-ANALYSIS (3)
Prerequisites: EPID 603, BIOS 603, EPID 712 (can be concurrent).
Meta-analysis has been widely used in clinical medicine and public health in recent years. This course is designed to provide students with qualitative and quantitative skills to conduct meta-analysis. The course covers the formulation of study hypothesis, literature search, evaluation of study quality, and statistical methods for meta-analysis. In addition, the potential problems and biases in meta-analysis will be addressed. Students will be required to work as a group to conduct a meta-analysis project. This course may also fulfill the Capstone requirement for epidemiology students.* EPID 781 HUMAN MOLECULAR GENETICS (3)
Prerequisites: EPID 603, BIOS 603, MCBP 607 or TRMD 601 or ENHS 786, or background in molecular biology, molecular genetics or genetic epidemiology.
This course will begin with a basic understanding of DNA and RNA and their relation to protein production. This information will then be put into the perspective of chromosome structure, function and evolution. Methods for molecular analysis of genetic information and for identification of disease loci will be covered. This will then be put into a population perspective, relating genetic instability to genetic variation and the influence of this genetic variation to disease risk. Cancer will be used as the dominant example of disease-related questions, but others will also be incorporated. Finally, our understanding of the human genome and gene function will be used to understand the latest technologies for studying human molecular genetics and for developing novel therapeutic strategies. EPID 796 PREVENTIVE MEDICINE RESIDENCY (0)
Third-year/practicum. EPID 798 PRACTICUM (0-3) EPID 799 INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-5) EPID 997 DISSERTATION (0) EPID 999 DISSERTATION RESEARCH (2) SPHL 688 EPIDEMIOLOGIC PERSPECTIVES ON NUTRITION AND CHRONIC DISEASE
This course will provide students the opportunity to explore the complex relationships between diet, obesity, and chronic disease outcomes, particularly cardiovascular disease and cancer. The emphasis of the course will be through case studies and through the shared experience of experts in various areas. The course will focus on the causal pathway from diet and inactivity to obesity to negative chronic outcomes with overnutrition being the pivotal mechanism to disease. | 
