AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL of Medicine

Course Outline
Course Title: Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine

Course Code: Med 202

Department:

Credits: 4

Contact Hours: 60

Pre-requisites: None

Co-Requisites: None

Course Coordinator:

Faculty & Contact Information: Dr. Aisha Cox, Aishaharrissmith@gmail.com

Course Time-Table:
The Course Schedule is appended

Course Description: This course will provide medical students with a basic understanding of
epidemiology and preventative medicine. It will introduce students to basic principles, methods
and uses of epidemiology. It will also introduce students to the application of statistical tests
commonly used in epidemiologic research.
Course General Objectives: At the end of the course students will be able to:
1. Define and explain common terms in epidemiologic research.
2. Define and compare the major study designs used in epidemiologic research and explain
the types of bias that may occur.
3. Define the common methods used in biostatistical analyses and explain why these
methods should be used.
4. Define and interpret the common terms and measures used in population statistics and
public health.
5. Apply the finding of research studies to prevention and treatment of disease in medical
practice.
6. Communicate effectively with physicians.
Course Content:
Introduction to epidemiology
Definition of epidemiology
How epidemiologic evidence can be used to improve population health
Measuring disease frequency
Ratio, proportion and Rates
Standardization of rates
Prevalence
o Point and period prevalence
Incidence
o Cumulative incidence
o Incidence rate
o Attack rate
o Rate ratio

Measures of Association and Effect
Relative risk
Attributable risk
Introduction to evidence based Medicine
Define evidence based medicine
Define terms of research, study design,
Understand types of research questions and how to develop an answerable
question

Role of quantitative methods in public health
Types of epidemiologic studies
o Experimental/Interventional studies- Clinical trial: Features,
advantages and disadvantages, randomization, blinding, confounding,
placebo effect, ethical considerations in conducting experimental
studies
Observational Studies
o Case-control Study
o Cohort Study
Descriptive Studies
o Case control, case series, ecological study, cross-sectional study

Basic Biostatistics Concepts and Tools
Summarizing data- normal distribution
Summary of Numbers- mean, median, mode
Basic Concepts of Statistical Inference
o Confidence intervals
o Hypothesis testing
o P-value
o Statistical power
Basic Methods
o T- tests
o Chi-square tests
o Correlation
o ANOVA

Preventative Medicine and Public Health
Define Public Health and Preventative Medicine
Causation
o The concept of cause and establishing the cause of a disease
Prevention of Chronic non-communicable disease
o Risk factors for particular chronic diseases
o Understanding the common applications of basic epidemiologic
processes of screening and Disease prevention- primary, secondary,
tertiary
Prevention of Infectious Disease and Surveillance
o Burden of communicable disease
o Epidemic and endemic disease
o Chain of infection
o Investigation and control- investigation, management and surveillance
Clinical Epidemiology
o Definitions of normality and abnormality
o Diagnostic tests
o Natural history and prognosis
o Effectiveness of treatment
o Use of evidence based guidelines
o Prevention in clinical practice

Learning Resources:
Prescribed Textbooks:
1. Kestenbaum, B. Epidemiology and Biostatistics: An introduction to Clinical Research.
Springer
2. Katz, D. (2013). Jeckel's: Epidemiology, biostatistics, preventative medicine and public
health. (4th ed.). Saunders.
Recommended Textbooks:
Bonita et al. Basic Epidemiology 2
nd
Edition. Published by WHO.

Teaching & Learning Activities / Instructional Format:

Instructional Format Scheduled Hours
Lecture
41 hours
Laboratory
0 hours
Reading Assignments
4 hours
Self Directed Learning
4 hours
Patient contact or Clinical skills development
0 hours
Computer-based learning
2 hours
Small-group discussion
3 hours
Examination/Student evaluation
6 hours


Total
60 hours

Assessment / Evaluating Student Performance

x Multiple-choice, true/false, matching
questions
Laboratory practical

Fill-in, short answer questions Problem-solving exercises x
Essay questions Papers or oral presentations x
Oral exams Other (describe)
Course Grading:
Exam I 15%
Exam II 15%
Class Assignments 20%
Attendance 5%
Final Exam 45%
Total 100%
Grading Guidelines:

Course Policies & Guidelines:

1. Exam policy: There are THREE mandatory computerized exams, TWO during the
semester and ONE final. Exams will be multiple choice; USMLE style with 50 questions,
non-cumulative, except for final exam (100 questions). Questions will be based on
textbook and lectures and be given via Exam Master. Students are advised that there will
be no makeup exams for an in course exam. Students missing an exam will be given a
makeup exam or an assessment within 2 weeks of providing appropriate documentation
according to the Student Handbook. Practical Examinations are also mandatory and will
follow each computerized exam.
2. Grading: Passing = 70% above,
Failing = Below or 70%
Examination will be scored numerically and the score will be expressed as a percent
correct figure this should be accessed by the student before leaving the exam room. It is
the students responsibility to keep track of all grades attained in the course. The student
will be expected to assess his/ her ongoing progress and take initiative to optimize his/
her success.
3. Attendance Policies: There is an expected 90% attendance. Attendance to classes is
expected to enhance academic performance. Attendance in all classes will be monitored
by the faculty. Students who will be missing the class due to unavoidable circumstances
should contact the lecturer via email or verbally.
4. Course Materials: Students are expected to obtain and access all required resources
needed for the course including textbooks, stethoscopes, and lecture slides and
handout.
5. Class Participation: The students are encouraged and welcomed to ask questions during
lecture and practical sessions.
6. Assignments: Students are expected have assignments completed on submission and
submit on or before the due date. Students can expect to have their lowest grade dropped
from the six MANDATORY assignments which will be given during the semester. Late
submission can expect a deduction of 5% for every day that it is late without a valid
excuse. Students can expect to have feedback on all assignments and exams within 7 days
of submittal. All Quizzes and Assignments will be given through Exam Master.
7. Academic Honesty: Please refer to the Academic Bulletin. Cheating and Plaguerism
will not be tolerated
Availability of the Course Outline: The Course outline will be reviewed the first day of
class and emailed to each student.
Office of the Vice President Academics; September 2013



LECTURE & ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE

COURSE: PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE: SEMESTER: FALL YEAR: 2013

**Date Hours Topic References
Week 1 4 Introduction to Epidemiology
Week 2
and 3
8 Measuring Health and Disease- Ratio
and rates, Incidence and Prevalence

Week 4 4 Measures of Association and Effect,
Introduction to Evidence Based
Medicine

Week 5 4 EXAM 1 week
Week 6 4 Observational Studies and Descriptive
studies

Week 7 4 Experimental Epidemiologic Studies,
Error and Confounding

Week 8 4 Basic Biostatistics- Summary of
numbers, confidence interval,
hypothesis tests and Probability

Week 9 4 Basic Statistical Methods: T-Tests,
correlation, chisquared, ANOVA,
Preventative Medicine- Introduction
and terminology

Week 10 4 EXAM 2 week
Week 11-
12
8 Preventative Medicine: Communicable
Diseases AND Project

Week 13 4 Preventative Medicine: Chronic non
communicable diseases

Week 14 4 Clinical Epidemiology
Week 15 4 Review
Week 16 4 FINAL EXAM WEEK