Time Schedule:
Stephen Marc Schwartz
EPI 590
Seattle Campus
Tutorials are arranged for a small number of students for in-depth examination of an area of epidemiology or international health, usually of current nature. Seminar format. Prerequisite: EPI 511. Also a special summer format presenting introductory material. May be offered with ENV H 590 and/or HSERV 590. For more information and permission, consult the department program adviser. Offered: AWSpS.
Class description
Cutting-edge studies of disease etiology, prevention, early detection, and treatment involve the measurement of biological features, numbering in dozens to millions, in human tissue. The purpose of this course is to introduce students and trainees in population health sciences to the laboratory methods used in these studies.
Student learning goals
be able to identify the principal laboratory techniques used or being developed for human studies of disease etiology, prevention, early detection, and treatment
be able to explain, for each laboratory technique, the following characteristics: 1) biological basis(es) for the technique, 2) terminology, 3) technological basis(es) of the technique), 4) implementation (including necessary sample collection and preparation, output, and interpretation), 5) strengths and weaknesses, and 6) examples of applications to disease etiology and prevention studies
have developed and applied skills for critiquing scientific reports involving laboratory methods
General method of instruction
here are 19 in-class sessions, each lasting 80 minutes. For each technique, the lectures will include the purpose of the method, its biological and technological underpinnings, requirements for sample collection and processing, implementation, output and interpretation, and strengths and weaknesses. For selected laboratory techniques we will have in class discussions of scientific papers that have applied these methods to disease prevention and etiology studies. Articles from the scientific literature and book chapters also will be assigned for background reading.
Recommended preparation
Basic epidemiology and biostatistics coursework.
Basic knowledge of molecular and cellular biology is helpful.
Class assignments and grading
The course must be taken for a grade. However, students can choose to have their grade classified as “Satisfactory” or “Not Satisfactory.”
The grade for the in-class sessions will be based on a quantitative evaluation of 4 assignments (contributing 20% each), plus participation (20%).
The assignments will be distributed throughout the quarter, and may involve brief reviews and critiques of laboratory methods in published disease etiology and prevention papers, interpretation of assay output, design of hypothetical study using a particular technique, or other activities that assess student comprehension and skills. We will discuss each assignment in class.
The grade will be based on a quantitative evaluation of 4 assignments (contributing 20% each), plus participation (20%).
