Summer 2025 - HSCI 230 D100
Evaluating Epidemiological Research (3)
Class Number: 1731
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Fri, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Judy Wu
jtwu@sfu.ca
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Prerequisites:
30 units, including HSCI 130 with a minimum grade of C-, or permission of the instructor.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Prepares students at a foundational level to evaluate and critique conclusions drawn from epidemiological research. Students will also experience the value and limitations of epidemiology as a tool for researching health and disease in populations. Students with credit for HSCI 330 may not take this course for further credit.
COURSE DETAILS:
Instructional techniques will include:
- Pre-class videos
- Lectures
- In-class small group discussions/activities
- Written assignments
- Exams
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
By the end of this course, students who participate should be able to:
- Define foundational concepts in epidemiology used to make inferences from research results .
- Identify, categorize, predict, and describe biases due to participant selection, confounding, or misclassification of exposure or outcome in realistic research scenarios.
- Critique epidemiological research using basic concepts of study design and bias.
Grading
- Exams 40%
- Case study cumulative assignment 50%
- Pre-class work/reflection statements 5%
- Participation 5%
Materials
MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:
Optional course textbook (available online for free for SFU students):
Essential Epidemiology: An Introduction for Students and Health Professionals, Fourth Edition (Nov. 29 2019), by Penelope Webb, Chris Bain, Andrew Page.
REQUIRED READING:
Lecture notes and additional materials will be provided by the instructor.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Lecture notes and additional materials will be provided by the instructor.
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.
To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit:
- SFU’s Academic Integrity Policy: S10-01 Policy
- SFU’s Academic Integrity website, which includes helpful videos and tips in plain language: Academic Integrity at SFU
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.