Epidemiology & Biostatistics Online Course

This course provides an introduction to various epidemiological and biostatistical methods used in public health practice and research, with an emphasis on application of appropriate methods and interpretation of results.    

REGISTER NOW

About the Epidemiology & Biostatistics Course

This is a three credit hour course designed to provide students with an introduction to various epidemiological and biostatistical methods used in public health practice and research, with an emphasis on application of appropriate methods and interpretation of results.  Examples and problems from public health settings will be included.  Topics covered include methods of summarizing data and estimation and hypothesis testing techniques, including the t-test, the chi-square test, the analysis of variance, correlation analysis, and linear regression. 

After successfully completing this course, students should be able to:

• Identify the main types of measurement scales, including quantitative, ordinal and categorical scales
• Describe the shape, location, and spread of sample distribution
• Compute measures of central tendency (mean, median, and mode) and variability (variance, standard deviation)
• Distinguish between discrete and continuous random variables
• Determine approximate probabilities for normal random variables
• Characterize the sampling distribution of a sample mean from a normal population
• Construct and interpret confidence intervals around means
• Perform and interpret one-sample, two-sample, and paired t-hypothesis tests on means
• Interpret the components of an analysis of variance and perform an F test to compare means
• Perform and interpret z-tests and chi-square tests of independence and homogeneity

Students have 3-9 months to complete 38 lessons. Although it is estimated that a quarter of students attending four-year colleges experience moderate of high levels of math anxiety, by following a sequential order that lets us build knowledge and skills, you'll create avenues for success in the course. The course content is organized sequentially, with content, and recordings, building as lessons continue.  Each lesson contains links to video presentations, ancillary readings, and other instructional resources selected to enhance your learning experience and support the various topics. Assignments will be used to assess your comprehension and application of those materials. This course has 3 proctored exams. Lesson topics include:

• An Introduction to Biostatistics
• An Introduction to Epidemiological Study Designs
• Observational Studies: Case Report and Case Series Research
• Observational Studies: Cohort and Case-Control Study Design
• Cross-Sectional Research Study Design
• Defining Risk
• Experimental Studies: Randomized Control Trials
• Quantifying Disease: Prevalence
• Quantifying Disease: Incidence
• Comparing the Extent of Disease Between Groups
• Applied Biostatistics and Measurement Variables
• Measuring Dichotomous and Categorical Variables
• Measuring Ordinal Variables
• Measuring Continuous Variables: Mean, Variance, and Standard Deviation
• Measures of Central Tendency
• Sampling Techniques
• Basic and Conditional Probability
• Sensitivity, Specificity, and Independence
• Binomial Distribution
• Normal Distribution
• Normal Distribution and Z-Scores
• Percentiles of the Normal Distribution
• An Introduction to Confidence Intervals
• Calculating a Confidence Interval for a Mean
• Calculating a Confidence Interval for a Proportion
• Calculating a Confidence Interval for the Difference Between Two Means
• Calculating a Confidence Interval for Mean Differences and Crossover Trials
• Calculating a Confidence Interval for the Difference Between Proportions
• Introduction to Hypothesis Testing Procedures
• Applied Hypothesis Testing Procedures
• Hypothesis Testing for a Mean
• Hypothesis Testing for a Proportion
• Hypothesis Testing for Categorical and Ordinal Outcomes
• Hypothesis Testing for Differences Between Means
• Hypothesis Testing for Matched Samples
• Hypothesis Testing for Differences Between Proportions
• Hypothesis Testing for More than Two Means: Analysis of Variance

Required Textbook and Materials

Sullivan, L.M. (2018). Essentials of Biostatistics in Public Health (3^rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Inc.  ISBN: 9781284108194

How will the course appear on my transcript?

You may enroll at any time and have up to 9 months to complete this online course. The credits earned will be recorded on your UND transcript based on the date you registered for the course. It will appear on your transcript in the same way as a course taken during a regular semester. There is no indication that the course was taken online or that you completed it at your own pace. 

Why Take Online Classes at UND?

Here are a few reasons why you should take an online enroll anytime course at UND:

• Great customer service – Our registration team is ready to answer questions quickly so you can focus on your coursework.
• Affordable – UND's enroll anytime courses are priced at North Dakota's affordable, in-state tuition rate.
• Accredited – UND is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
• Easily transfer credits – Transferring credits is always at the discretion of the institution to which the credits are being transferred. In general, credits from schools/universities that are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission transfer to other regionally accredited institutions. UND's online courses appear on your UND transcript in the same way as other courses.

Flexible 100% Online Course

You'll take this online course at your own pace. Some students thrive in this environment, while other students may struggle with setting their own deadlines. If you have successfully taken an independent study or correspondence course previously, UND’s enroll anytime courses may be right for you. Still not sure? Take our online quiz to help determine if online enroll anytime courses are right for you.

Course information including tuition, technology requirements, textbooks, lessons and exams is subject to change without notice.