Principles of Epidemiology

Instructor Information

• Instructor: Dr. Alan Berg (Associate Professor of Public Health)
• Email: aberg@university.alkimi.ai
• Office: Calder Health Sciences Building 310
• Office Hours:
  • Monday & Friday: 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (In person, Calder Health Sciences Building 310)
  • Thursday: 10:00–11:00 a.m. (Virtual via Zoom; link posted in Canvas)
  • Also available by appointment.

Course Description

Measures of disease frequency and association, study designs, bias and confounding, screening, outbreak investigation, and causal inference. PUBH 201 introduces the fundamental quantitative science of public health and preventive medicine. Students learn to quantify disease frequency and distribution across populations, calculate and interpret measures of association, and evaluate the methodological strengths and limitations of experimental and observational study designs. The course provides rigorous training in identifying selection bias, information bias, and confounding, while teaching students how to execute field outbreak investigations, assess diagnostic screening tests, and establish causal inference.

Prerequisites

PUBH 101 and STAT 205.

Measurable Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of PUBH 201, students will be able to:

1. Compute Measures of Disease Frequency and Association: Calculate and interpret incidence proportion, incidence rate, point and period prevalence, risk ratios, rate ratios, odds ratios, and attributable risk measures.
2. Differentiate and Critique Epidemiological Study Designs: Compare the architecture, strengths, limitations, and ethical considerations of randomized clinical trials, prospective/retrospective cohort studies, case-control studies, and cross-sectional surveys.
3. Evaluate Threats to Validity: Bias, Confounding, and Interaction: Identify sources of selection bias, information bias, and misclassification; apply stratification and multivariable techniques to detect and control for confounding and effect measure modification.
4. Conduct Outbreak Investigations and Surveillance Analysis: Apply the standardized steps of an outbreak investigation, construct and interpret epidemic curves, calculate attack rates, and identify likely sources of contagion.
5. Appraise Screening Programs and Apply Causal Criteria: Calculate sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for screening tests; apply Bradford Hill's viewpoints to evaluate causality.

Required Course Materials & Approximate Costs

1. Gordis, Leon, David D. Celentano, and Moyses Szklo. Gordis Epidemiology. 6th ed., Elsevier, 2018. Approx. $75 print, $45 digital rental.
2. Aschengrau, Ann, and George R. Seage III. Essentials of Epidemiology in Public Health. 4th ed., Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2020. Approx. $85 print or digital.
3. Total estimated cost: $85 to $125.

Generative AI Policy (AI Level 2: AI Permitted with Disclosure for Specified Tasks)

In accordance with Alkimi University Academic Policies (Student Handbook §5.8), PUBH 201 operates under AI Level 2.

• What is permitted: You may use generative AI tools to generate practice 2x2 contingency tables, verify formulas for epidemiological calculations (such as attributable risk or screening metrics), and check draft narrative text of your outbreak report for clarity.
• What is prohibited: You may not use generative AI to compute epidemiological measures on graded problem sets, draft critical appraisals of published peer-reviewed studies, complete weekly quizzes, or answer examination questions. All data analyses must be performed by you.
• Disclosure: All submitted problem set solutions and written critiques must include an AI disclosure statement detailing any tools used and the specific nature of their assistance. If no tools were used, state: 'No generative AI tools were used in preparing this work.'

Grading Components and Weights

• Midterm Examination 1: 15% (In class, Thursday, October 1)
• Midterm Examination 2: 15% (In class, Thursday, November 12)
• Outbreak Investigation Simulation Report: 20% (Due Friday, October 23 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Epidemiological Study Critique Paper: 15% (Due Friday, November 20 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Weekly Problem Sets & Canvas Quizzes: 15% (Due Mondays at 11:59 p.m. in Canvas; lowest quiz score dropped)
• Final Comprehensive Examination: 20% (Thursday, December 17, 2026, 1:00–3:00 p.m.)

Grading Scale (Alkimi University Standard)

• A: 93–100% | A-: 90–92%
• B+: 87–89% | B: 83–86% | B-: 80–82%
• C+: 77–79% | C: 73–76% | C-: 70–72%
• D+: 67–69% | D: 60–66% | F: Below 60%
• Extra credit: No individual extra credit assignments are offered in this course.

Course Schedule (Fall 2026)

Course Policies

Attendance Policy

Class attendance is required for every lecture. Quantitative problem-solving workshops and case discussions will be conducted during class meetings, and missing lectures directly impairs your mastery of statistical epidemiology calculations. If you miss class due to illness or an emergency, email Dr. Berg promptly to obtain missed exercises. Students who miss the first two class meetings without notifying the instructor may be dropped. Students may miss class for religious observance without penalty if they notify the instructor in writing within the first two weeks of the semester (by Wednesday, September 9, 2026). Absences for university-sponsored activities (athletics, performances, conferences) are excused with a letter from the sponsoring office at least one week in advance.

Late Work Policy

Homework problem sets and papers submitted late will incur a 10% penalty per calendar day for up to three days. Submissions beyond 72 hours will receive zero credit. Weekly Canvas quizzes must be completed before the posted Monday deadline.

Major Progression and Prerequisite Requirements

Students majoring in Public Health must achieve a minimum grade of C in PUBH 201 to advance to PUBH 340 Public Health Research Methods. A grade of C- or below does not satisfy major requirements.

Final Exam Policy

The final examination (Thursday, December 17, 2026, 1:00–3:00 p.m.) is scheduled by the University Registrar and can't be moved without the Dean's written approval (Faculty Handbook §5.5). A student with three or more final exams on the same calendar day may reschedule one of them. Requests go to the instructor of the middle exam by the last day of classes. For this term, send the request by Wednesday, December 9, 2026 (Student Handbook §6.4).