Epidemiological & Biostatistical Methods for Public Health & Clinical Research
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-Diane Francisco
The MPH concentration in Epidemiological and Biostatistical Methods for Public Health and Clinical Research is designed for students with quantitative backgrounds who wish to pursue a rigorous curriculum in epidemiologic study design and statistical data analysis.
The goal of this concentration is to help students to participate in the design, conduct and analysis of research studies in public health and put concepts into practice. This concentration is best suited for students who have already worked in a particular substantive area and have identified specific research questions.
The objectives of this concentration are to outline the necessary didactic course work, group meetings and seminars, and opportunities to present the specification of a hypothesis of interest, statistical analysis of an appropriate data set and a written manuscript that might be suitable for publication. There are two tracks within this concentration: the Epidemiology track and the Biostatistics track, which are distinguished by the specific coursework required (see below).
Competencies Gained
- Articulating an appropriate question/hypothesis
- Identifying an appropriate study design and data set for answering the question
- Obtaining IRB approval
- Gaining familiarity with aspects of data management
- Identifying and applying appropriate statistical methods and correctly interpreting results
- Gaining familiarity with tracking and recording steps in the analysis of a data set
- Writing up the results of a data analysis for a professional publication
- Oral presentation of the results
Course of Study
Students are required to complete and obtain a passing grade (minimum of C) in a four-term sequence in both epidemiology and biostatistics.
| For the Epidemiology track, students take: | |||
| 140.621 | Statistical Methods in Public Health I* | 4 units | 1st term |
| 140.622 | Statistical Methods in Public Health II* | 4 units | 2nd term |
| 140.623 | Statistical Methods in Public Health III* | 4 units | 3rd term |
| 140.624 | Statistical Methods in Public Health IV | 4 units | 4th term |
| For the Biostatistics track, students take: | |||
| 140.651 | Methods in Biostatistics I* | 4 units | 1st term |
| 140.652 | Methods in Biostatistics II* | 4 units | 2nd term |
| 140.653 | Methods in Biostatistics III* | 4 units | 3rd term |
| 140.654 | Methods in Biostatistics IV* | 4 units | 4th term |
| All students complete each of the four epidemiology courses below: | |||
| 340.601 | Principles of Epidemiology* | 5 units | Summer term |
| 340.751 | Epidemiologic Methods I | 5 units | 1st term |
| 340.752 | Epidemiologic Methods II | 5 units | 2nd term |
| 340.753 | Epidemiologic Methods III | 5 units | 3rd term |
*Also fulfills MPH core requirement.
In consultation with their advisors, students may take other courses of Interest (Optional):
Several other courses are recommended depending upon the students' interests and research needs in specific areas such as meta-analysis, health survey methods, clinical trials, study design and grant proposal development, survival analysis, data management, and other special topics.
| 330.603 | Psychiatric Epidemiology | 3 units | 2nd term |
| 340.620 | Principles of Clinical Epidemiology | 2 units | 2nd term |
| 340.645 | Introduction to Clinical Trials | 3 units | 2nd term |
| 340.717 | Health Survey Research Methods | 4 units | 2nd term |
| 380.603 | Demographic Methods for Public Health | 4 units | 2nd term [Internet - 3rd term] |
| 340.606 | Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis | 5 units | 3rd term |
| 140.641 | Survival Analysis I | 3 units | 1st term |
| 340.607 | Introduction to Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology | 4 units | 3rd term |
| 380.650 | Fundamentals of Life Tables | 4 units | 3rd term |
| 340.616 | Epidemiology of Aging | 3 units | 4th term |
| 340.715 | Problems in the Design of Epidemiologic Studies | 4 units | 4th term |
| 223.672 | Data Management Methods in Health Research Studies | 5 units | [Internet Only – 1st and 4th terms] |
| 340.680 | Environmental & Occupational Epidemiology | 4 units | 4th term |
| 340.754 | Methodologic Challenges in Epidemiologic Research | 5 units | 4th term |
| 380.651 | Methods and Measures in Population Studies | 4 units | 4th term |
Capstone Experience
The MPH capstone experience in Epidemiologic and Biostatistical Methods involves the application of skills and competencies acquired to problems in epidemiology and data analysis. Preparation for the capstone experience will start during the 1st term and be integrated throughout the year. A total of 3 units of research special studies (XXX.840 - one each in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd terms) will be allotted to this activity under the direction of the student’s capstone advisor or other concentration-affiliated faculty.
There will be required small group seminars or sessions for informal discussion of issues relevant to public health research. The final product will be a written paper that might be suitable for publication based on a student's research question of interest and corresponding data analysis. The student’s advisor will approve the written paper. In addition, each student will register for the required two unit MPH Capstone Course (XXX.800) in the 4th term and prepare and present the work in a short oral presentation in a special MPH symposium in May.
Concentration Seminar
The 3 units of research special studies are for attending the required small group seminars. These seminars will meet weekly on Thursdays from 12:15-1:20 p.m. during the academic year. Topics will include: getting started on a research project, how to identify data sets, managing data, writing a scientific paper and oral presentation skills. Most of these seminars will also be used as research in progress meetings where students are expected to formally report on the progress to date of their capstone projects. These seminars typically begin in August; no more than two excused absences are allowed.
Expectations
Students are expected:
- During the first term, to identify a research question, hypotheses and data set to be used (November 1).
- During the second term, to submit and obtain IRB approval (December 1).
- To attend and participate in small group seminars (no more than 2 excused absences).
- To complete at least two research in progress presentations.
- To complete a formal presentation of the final report of their project using a format typical of a scientific meeting presentation.
- To write a formal paper of publishable quality summarizing the data analyses and findings from their capstone project, using the guidelines of a relevant journal.
Faculty Concentration Directors
Rosa Crum, MD, Professor, Epidemiology, 410-614-2411, rcrum@jhsph.edu
Marie Diener-West, PhD, Professor, Biostatistics, 410-502-6894, mdiener@jhsph.edu