Applied Epidemiology Courses

AEPI 530D: Applied Epidemiology I (3 credit hours)

Prerequisite: PRS 500D or by special permission. This class will provide an introduction to the principles of epidemiology, including 1) the use of descriptive measures to describe the health of populations or groups of people, 2) approaches to assessing potential associations between personal characteristics, behaviors, or exposures and the occurrence of disease or other adverse health outcomes, 3) the basics of study design, including case-control studies and cohort studies and attendant approaches to defining case or exposure status. [Applied Public Health Informatics and Prevention Science students take EPI504D instead of AEPI530D.]

AEPI 534D: Applied Epidemiology II (3 credit hours)

Prerequisites: BIOS 516D and AEPI 530D or by special permission. Continuing from Applied Epidemiology I, further insight into confounding is explored as well as effect modification. Methods of hypothesis formulation and analysis of 2x2 tables (point estimation and confidence levels) are described in detail as well as sample size calculations. Different approaches to control for extraneous variables in the design of studies are presented, such as randomization, matching, and restriction. The use of stratification for assessing effect modification and confounding is provided followed by an introduction to mathematical modeling. Different issues in the use of matching in case- control studies are presented. Statistical packages such as SAS, Epi Info, and OpenEpi are used.

AEPI 536D: Epidemiological Modeling (3 credit hours)

Prerequisites: BIOS 516D, BIOS 517D, AEPI 530D and AEPI 534D or by special permission. Methods for analyzing multivariable data in order to evaluate epidemiological research relationships between exposure and disease variables. Includes logistic regression (conditional and unconditional), risk ratio regression, risk difference regression, and survival analysis.

AEPI 537D: SAS Programming (2 credit hours)

Prerequisites: BIOS 516D, AEPI 530D or by special permission. Provides in-depth instruction on use of SAS programming for applied epidemiology.

AEPI 538D: Applied Data Analysis (2 credit hours)

Prerequisites: BIOS 516D, BIOS 517D, BIOS 518D, AEPI 530D, AEPI 534D and AEPI 536D or by special permission. The purpose of this course is to prepare the student for actual analysis of survey data. Students will design and implement a survey and then analyze data by applying the methods taught in the epidemiology methods sequence.

AEPI 550D: Topics in Applied Epidemiology (2 credit hours)

Prerequisites: BIOS 516D, BIOS 517D, AEPI 530D, and AEPI 534D or by special permission. Provides case-study based training around a variety of topics in applied epidemiology. 

AEPI 565D: Advanced Modeling (3 credit hours)

Prerequisites: AEPI 530D, AEPI 534D, AEPI 536D, AEPI 538D, BIOS 516D, BIOS 517D, and BIOS 518D or by special permission. Advanced Modeling will cover multivariate methods for analyzing epidemiologic data that involve examining associations between exposures and outcomes for which the outcome data are the time to an event, event rates, or a count of events. The course covers survival analysis and Poisson regression.

AEPI 599R: Thesis (4 credit hours)

Prerequisites: AEPI 530D, AEPI 534D, AEPI 536D, AEPI 538D, BIOS 516D, BIOS 517D, BIOS 518D, PRS 502D or by special permission. Provides an opportunity to integrate the content and skills learned in the academic setting through the participation in scholarly research or other culminating project. 

BIOS 517D: Applied Biostatistics II (2 credit hours)

Prerequisite: BIOS 516D or by special permission. BIOS 517D is the follow-up course to BIOS 516D. BIOS 516D ended with procedures for two independent samples (two sample t-test and chi-square test). This course starts with procedures for paired samples (paired t-test and McNemar test), nonparametric tests and power and sample size calculations. Students then begin their study of linear regression, starting with one-predictor models and then moving on to multiple-predictor models. Interaction, confounding, multicollinearity, dummy variables and log transformation are also discussed. Like the previous course, BIOS 517D is focused on application of the statistical methods, and students are expected to show competence in evaluating a regression solution to address a particular research question. Students continue to use SAS to perform the data analysis. Requirements include weekly homework, weekly quizzes, Midterm and Final Exams, and a data analysis project.

BIOS 518D: Applied Biostatistics III (2 credit hours)

Prerequisites: BIOS 516D and BIOS 517D or by special permission.  This course starts with ANOVA and ANACOVA and post-ANOVA multiple comparison procedures for cross-sectional data. Students are then introduced to longitudinal data analysis. As in previous courses, students first learn to create descriptive and graphical summaries appropriate to longitudinal data prior to conducting formal inference. Students study multilevel models and extend the statistical methods to more complex analytic situations that involve curvilinear and discontinuous growth trajectories and complex risk profiles, the inclusion of time-varying covariates, and the testing of complex interactions among time-invariant and time-varying predictors. Students use SAS to perform all statistical analyses. Requirements include weekly homework, weekly quizzes, midterm and final exams, and data analysis project.

PRS 502D: EMPH Thesis Advising Seminar (0 credit hours)

Prerequisites: Vary by track.  This self-paced seminar is intended to provide an overview and expectations of the thesis process for Executive MPH students at Emory. This course is required for all AEPI students and PRS students who select the thesis option for the integrative learning experience. The seminar will include an introduction to thesis concepts including identifying a topic, literature review, IRB, identifying and managing a committee (chair and field advisor), and developing a timeline. Upon completion of the 6-week self-paced version of the course, students will be expected to participate remotely in two 90-minute boot camp sessions focused on thesis topic development and completion of their draft Thesis Proposal Form.

PRS 595R: Applied Practice Experience (2 credit hours)

Prerequisite: Completion of 9 EMPH credit hours or by special permission.  Enables students to apply skills and knowledge in an applied setting through a supervised field training experience in a public health setting that complements the students' interests and career goals.

PUBH 502D: EMPH PH Professional Development (0 credit hours)

Prerequisite: PRS 500D. The ever-evolving field of public health requires a new type of public health professional and leader – one who is not only skilled in a specific discipline, but also has the ability to work effectively in different leadership contexts. This course will use a self-paced educational module to introduce public health students to concepts of emotional intelligence and different leadership styles and types, including collaborative leadership and its application to negotiation and mediation. Additionally, the course will present basic principles of budget and resource management. Students will have the opportunity to apply these concepts during a required, remote session.

*3 credit hour classes may have an additional lab meeting during on-campus sessions.