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Only one application needs to be completed for all courses desired during the quarter.
Deadline:
09/11/2026
Format:
In-person
Term Offered:
Fall
Overview
This course will provide an introduction to the theory and methods of epidemiology, including an overview of the measures of disease occurrence in populations, measures of association between exposures and outcomes, major study designs used in epidemiology, and major sources of bias in epidemiologic studies. The 4-unit version of the course also aims to develop participants’ skills in the critical evaluation of epidemiologic studies. This course will provide the foundation for more advanced methods in study design, causal inference, and biostatistics.
Course Details
At the end of the course, students will:
- Understand the contribution of epidemiology to identifying and addressing public health issues
- Know and apply key epidemiologic terminology and definitions
- Calculate and interpret measures of disease occurrence
- Calculate and interpret measures of association
- Distinguish descriptive, associational, and causal epidemiologic questions and recognize the assumptions required for causal interpretation of an observed association
- Compare the strengths and limitations of common epidemiologic study designs and select an appropriate design for a research question
- Distinguish random error from systematic error
- Identify major sources of confounding, selection bias, and measurement error and discuss their potential effects on study results
- Describe basic design and analytic approaches for preventing or addressing confounding, selection bias, and measurement error
- Define, identify, and interpret effect modification using appropriate stratified measures
- (4-unit only) Critically evaluate epidemiologic research publications, including describing strengths and limitations
Designing Clinical Research (EPI 202), or equivalent experience, and Introduction to Statistical Computing in Clinical Research (BIOSTAT 212) are recommended.
Each week, new material is introduced via a live and/or pre-recorded lecture and recommended readings. All lectures will be recorded and posted on Canvas. Homework, in the form of a problem set, is assigned each week. Students will have one week to complete each homework assignment. The homeworks are discussed in detail with course EAs in small group discussion sections each week. A take-home final exam concludes the course.
The philosophy of the course is to steadily build a knowledge base over the course of the academic quarter. Participation is critical for learning, so attendance at live lectures and small group discussion sessions is highly encouraged.
Lecture
Small Group Discussion: Overview and discussion of lectures and review of homework assignments.
Office hours: There will be two 1-hour online, office hour sessions each week.
All course materials and handouts will be posted on the course's online syllabus.
- Essentials of Epidemiology in Public Health, 5th edition, by Aschengrau and Seage
- Assorted articles that are made available from the course's online syllabus.
Books may be accessed through the UCSF library or purchased through the publisher or other commercial venues (e.g., Amazon.com).
- Homework assignments (70%; lowest score is dropped)
- Assignments will be posted on Tuesdays and due the following Tuesday at 1:00 p.m.
- Take-home Final Exam (30%)
Students not in full-year DEB Education Programs who satisfactorily pass all course requirements will, upon request, receive a Certificate of Course Completion.
Only UCSF students (defined as individuals enrolled in UCSF degree or certificate programs) will receive academic credit for courses. Official transcripts are available to UCSF students only. A Certificate of Course Completion will be available upon request to individuals who are not UCSF students and satisfactorily pass all course requirements.
For UC-Affiliated learners, the course fee for the 3-unit course is $3,200; for the 4-unit course is $3,800
For Non-UC-Affiliated learners, the course fee for the 3-unit course is $4,200; for the 4-unit course is $4,800
UC-Affiliation: Concurrent enrollment in a University of California-sponsored residency or post-doctoral fellowship program that is recognized by the Office of Graduate Medical Education; or a registered student in one of the professional schools or graduate programs at the University of California (in a program other than the TICR program); or individuals who hold full-time salaried University of California faculty, academic or staff positions. Please note: Individuals will be asked to provide proof of UC status.
At the end of the course, students will:
- Understand the contribution of epidemiology to identifying and addressing public health issues
- Know and apply key epidemiologic terminology and definitions
- Calculate and interpret measures of disease occurrence
- Calculate and interpret measures of association
- Distinguish descriptive, associational, and causal epidemiologic questions and recognize the assumptions required for causal interpretation of an observed association
- Compare the strengths and limitations of common epidemiologic study designs and select an appropriate design for a research question
- Distinguish random error from systematic error
- Identify major sources of confounding, selection bias, and measurement error and discuss their potential effects on study results
- Describe basic design and analytic approaches for preventing or addressing confounding, selection bias, and measurement error
- Define, identify, and interpret effect modification using appropriate stratified measures
- (4-unit only) Critically evaluate epidemiologic research publications, including describing strengths and limitations
Designing Clinical Research (EPI 202), or equivalent experience, and Introduction to Statistical Computing in Clinical Research (BIOSTAT 212) are recommended.
Each week, new material is introduced via a live and/or pre-recorded lecture and recommended readings. All lectures will be recorded and posted on Canvas. Homework, in the form of a problem set, is assigned each week. Students will have one week to complete each homework assignment. The homeworks are discussed in detail with course EAs in small group discussion sections each week. A take-home final exam concludes the course.
The philosophy of the course is to steadily build a knowledge base over the course of the academic quarter. Participation is critical for learning, so attendance at live lectures and small group discussion sessions is highly encouraged.
Lecture
Small Group Discussion: Overview and discussion of lectures and review of homework assignments.
Office hours: There will be two 1-hour online, office hour sessions each week.
All course materials and handouts will be posted on the course's online syllabus.
- Essentials of Epidemiology in Public Health, 5th edition, by Aschengrau and Seage
- Assorted articles that are made available from the course's online syllabus.
Books may be accessed through the UCSF library or purchased through the publisher or other commercial venues (e.g., Amazon.com).
- Homework assignments (70%; lowest score is dropped)
- Assignments will be posted on Tuesdays and due the following Tuesday at 1:00 p.m.
- Take-home Final Exam (30%)
Students not in full-year DEB Education Programs who satisfactorily pass all course requirements will, upon request, receive a Certificate of Course Completion.
Only UCSF students (defined as individuals enrolled in UCSF degree or certificate programs) will receive academic credit for courses. Official transcripts are available to UCSF students only. A Certificate of Course Completion will be available upon request to individuals who are not UCSF students and satisfactorily pass all course requirements.
For UC-Affiliated learners, the course fee for the 3-unit course is $3,200; for the 4-unit course is $3,800
For Non-UC-Affiliated learners, the course fee for the 3-unit course is $4,200; for the 4-unit course is $4,800
UC-Affiliation: Concurrent enrollment in a University of California-sponsored residency or post-doctoral fellowship program that is recognized by the Office of Graduate Medical Education; or a registered student in one of the professional schools or graduate programs at the University of California (in a program other than the TICR program); or individuals who hold full-time salaried University of California faculty, academic or staff positions. Please note: Individuals will be asked to provide proof of UC status.
Meet the Faculty
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Jennifer Smith, PhD, MSc
Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics
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Erin Van Blarigan, ScD
Professor, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics
Email
How to Enroll
Whether you're exploring the field, enhancing your skills, or working toward a larger academic goal, most individual courses are open to everyone. Current learners enrolled in DEB Education programs have priority in enrollment for this course. Any extra spaces are available to non-DEB Education learners (i.e., those from the Institute for Global Health Sciences, School of Nursing, external groups, etc).
You’ll find details on course fees, how to apply and pay, and the full course schedule on the Course Enrollment & Payment page. Be sure you understand the enrollment policies and payment process before completing the enrollment form.
And remember: you only need to submit one form for all the new courses you want to take.