MEDFL5230 – Course on clinical, epidemiological and public health research
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
This is a course in epidemiological methods for clinical and public health research. Participants learn how to plan and implement a research project. The course covers general aspects of research as well as specific knowledge needed for the application of epidemiological methods in clinical and public health research.
Learning outcome
After the course, participants will:
- Understand the main principles for the planning and carrying out of epidemiological research in clinical and public health contexts, and for the analysis of data generated in such research
- Understand how to define and justify the aim of an epidemiological study
- Have knowledge about the most central epidemiological study designs and how to select a study sample.
- Have knowledge about central concepts regarding measurements and data analysis
- Have knowledge about and understanding of the mechanisms for systematic bias in different research projects
- Have knowledge about central epidemiological measures for diseases frequency and risk
- Have knowledge of measures of association
- Have knowledge about how to critically assess research papers
Skills objectives
After the course, participants will:
- Be able to participate in the planning and carrying out of epidemiological research in clinical and public health contexts and analyse data generated in such research
- Be able to define and justify the aim of an epidemiological study
- Be able to make and justify choices of study designs, samples, measures and data analysis methods.
- Be able to assess strengths and weaknesses of different epidemiological research projects
- Be able to estimate risk and associations from epidemiological data
- Be able to read and critically evaluate epidemiological literature
Overreaching objectives
Students have gained epidemiological knowledge that renders them valuable partners in the planning and carrying out of epidemiological research in clinical and public health contexts. Students are able to read and critically evaluate epidemiological literature including assessment of research methods, results and the validity of conclusions.
Admission
The course is restricted to students at the Medical Student Research Programme at the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Dentistry, UiO.
Course registration:
- Students apply in StudentWeb.
- Enrollment to this course is automatically registered in StudentWeb.
- Applicants will upon registration immediately receive a reply in StudentWeb if the application is granted.
The courses MEDFL5230 and MF9230 have common admission
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
No obligatory prerequisites beyond the minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway.
Overlapping courses
5 credits overlap with MF9230 – Course on clinical, epidemiological and public health research
Teaching
The course entails full-day classwork for a period of 6 days (3+3 days) and includes lectures and group exercises.
It is recommended that participants read the course literature after the first course period. There will also be a home assignment between the two course periods.
You have to participate in at least 80 % of the teaching to be allowed to take the exam. Attendance will be registered.
Examination
The home assignment between the two course periods is to write a short protocol for a hypothetical research project.
A take-home exam will be given at the end of the course.
Submit assignments in Inspera
You submit your assignment in the digital examination system Inspera. Read about how to submit your assignment.
Use of sources and citation
You should familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to the use of sources and citations. If you violate the rules, you may be suspected of cheating/attempted cheating.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Withdrawal from an examination
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.