Time Schedule:
Shirley A. Beresford
NUTR 538
Seattle Campus
Application of epidemiological methods to current studies of diet, nutrition, and chronic disease. A discussion of current issues and controversies enables students to plan studies in nutritional epidemiology and disease prevention. Prerequisite: EPI 511 or EPI 512 and BIOST 511 or permission of instructors. Offered: jointly with EPI 538; A.
Class description
The course reviews current methods of measurement of dietary intake, presents the application of epidemiological methods to current studies of nutrition and disease, and discusses dissemination of findings in the context of public health recommendations. Students work in groups to lead three discussions of topical issues and controversies related to different diet and disease associations. These are spread over the course, and participation in the discussion is also considered an essential part of the class. The first part of the course is devoted to a detailed study of some special methodological problems of importance in nutritional epidemiology studies. In the second part, practicing epidemiologists will discuss their own research and the nutritional epidemiological principles involved. The emphasis will be on study design and interpretation of results.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Combined lecture plus discussion
Recommended preparation
Introductory level epidemiology course Some biostatistics
Class assignments and grading
Readings in advance Preparation for mid-term Preparatiopn and participation indiscussions Short research proposal and presentation to class
Student participation,including discussions 25% Mid-term exam 25% Research proposal, including presentation 50%
