Appendix 2.6.c. Epidemiology MPH Program Competency Statement

The major in Epidemiology provides learning opportunities in the scientific basis of public health through description, quantification and analysis of patterns of health and disease in populations and includes the study of biological, environmental, behavioral and social factors underlying disease and health patterns. The epidemiology program strongly emphasizes methods and measurement, and incorporates the competencies established by the American College of Epidemiology and Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) workshop on doctoral education in epidemiology December 9-11, 2002; and the 2006 ASPH “Master's Degree in Public Health Core Competency Development Project Version 2.2” core competencies for epidemiology in the development of curricula for the MPH in Epidemiology.

Competency Area
Specific Competencies	Learning Opportunities	Evaluation Opportunities
Descriptive Epidemiology
Produce descriptive epidemiology of a given condition Calculate measures of incidence, morbidity and mortality Calculate measures of excess risk Make appropriate comparison by person, place and time List strengths and limitations Identify data from existing national and international sources	Epidemologic Methods I (Pub H 6341) Epidemiologic Methods II (PubH 6342) Field experience	Examinations Assignments (exercises and papers) Field experience preceptor assessment
Biology
Describe models of disease etiology and control Complete coursework or equivalent in human physiology and pathophysiology	Epi Methods I (PubH 6341) Epi Methods II (PubH 6342) Pathophysiology of Human Disease (PubH 6355)	Examinations Assignments (exercises and papers)
History of the discipline
Describe general history of development of epidemiology Recognize major epidemiologic studies of selected diseases Identify major chronic and infectious diseases, leading causes of death Recognize importance of epidemiology for informing scientific, ethical, economic and political discussion of health issues	Epidemiologic Methods I (PubH 6341) Epidemiologic Methods II (PubH 6342) Cancer Epidemiology (PubH 6387) Epidemiology and Control of Infectious Disease (PubH 6385) Public Health Aspects of Cardiovascular disease (PubH 6386)	Examinations Assignments (exercises and papers)
Principles of screening and surveillance
Describe conditions suitable for population screening Evaluate validity and reliability of screening tests Recognize types of bias that affect validity of screening evaluations Describe study designs for evaluation of effectiveness of screening List types of surveillance systems and approaches used in disease surveillance	Epidemiologic Methods I (PubH 6341) Epidemiologic Methods II (PubH 6342) Epidemiologic Methods III (PubH 6343) Field experience	Examinations Assignments (exercises and papers) Field experience preceptor assessment
Problem conceptualization
Search the literature Review and critically evaluate the literature Synthesize available information Make appropriate causal inference	Epidemiologic Methods I (PubH 6341) Epidemiologic Methods II (PubH 6342) Other courses that require literature reviews Field experience Master’s project	Examinations Assignments (exercises and papers) Field experience preceptor assessment Master’s project
Study design
Describe each study design Understand the advantages and limitations of each study design, including practical aspects of their use and trade-offs Select the most appropriate and efficient design for a specific problem Calculate sample size Identify and minimize sources of bias Describe the direction and magnitude of bias and effect on measures of association	Epidemiologic Methods I (PubH 6341) Epidemiologic Methods II (PubH 6342) Epidemiologic Methods III (PubH 6343) Field experience Master’s project	Examinations Assignments (exercises and papers) Field experience preceptor assessment Master’s project
Data collection and monitoring
Identify instruments appropriate for the research question Identify presence and magnitude of measurement error Monitor the conduct of data collection Assess quality control measures	Epidemiologic Methods II (PubH 6342) Field Experience Master’s project	Examinations Assignments (exercises and papers) Field experience preceptor assessment Master’s project
Data analysis
Use statistical computer packages to calculate and display descriptive statistics Analyze categorical data Perform multivariate regression, survival analysis and longitudinal analysis Examine data for confounding and effect modification, and handle appropriately	Epidemiologic Methods III (PubH 6343) Epidemiologic Methods IV (PubH 6344) Biostats I (PubH 6450) Biostats II (PubH 6451) Field experience Master’s project	Examinations Assignments (exercises and papers) Field experience preceptor assessment Master’s project
Interpretation
Interpret research results Make appropriate inferences based on results	Epidemiologic Methods I (PubH 6341) Epidemiologic Methods II (PubH 6342) Epidemiologic Methods III (PubH 6343) Epidemiologic Methods IV (PubH 6344) Biostats I (PubH 6450) Biostats II (PubH 6451) Field experience Master’s project	Examinations Assignments (exercises and papers) Field experience preceptor assessment Master’s project
Communication
Communicate research results orally and in writing to scientists and non-scientists Present data in tabular and figure formats	Epidemiologic Methods III (PubH 6343) Epidemiologic Methods IV (PubH 6344)Field experience Master’s project	Examinations Assignments (exercises and papers) Field experience preceptor assessment Master’s project
Ethics
Understand concepts of human subjects protections and confidentiality Apply this understanding as evidenced in design and conduct of research	Ethics in Public Health (PubH 6742) Field experience Master’s project	Examinations Assignments (exercises and papers) Field experience preceptor assessment Master’s project

Appendix 2.6.c. Epidemiology MPH Program Competency Statement

Competency Area