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Course Catalog



Department: Epidemiology
Term: 1st term
Credits: 4 credits
Academic Year: 2014 - 2015
Course Instructor:

Presents fundamental concepts and methods in genetic epidemiology. Reviews terminology of genetics, introduces principles of population genetics, and provides an overview of various genetic epidemiology study designs, covering fundamental analyses, inferences, plus their strengths and limitations. Presents methods for assessing familial aggregation/correlation and genetic linkage and association analyses will be presented with an emphasis on how these are used in genetic epidemiology. Covers statistical techniques for modeling inheritance of complex phenotypes in family data. Explains various study designs commonly used in genetic epidemiology to identify the genetic basis of Mendelian as well as common, complex diseases. Discusses the role of high throughput genomics technologies within the context of genetic epidemiology studies.

Learning Objective(s):
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
Present fundamental concepts and methods in genetic epidemiology
Review basic terminology in genetics and introduce various genetic epidemiology study designs, covering basic analysis, inferences, plus their strengths and limitations
Understand various exposures, or markers, used in genetic epidemiology studies
Understand principles of Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium and be able to estimate allele and genotype frequencies
Understand and calculate simple statistics, such as odds ratios and LOD scores
Understand the difference between linkage and association studies; understand the difference between family-based and population-based studies
Understand the difference between direct and indirect association studies
Interpret results of a linkage study
Interpret results of an association study
Select an appropriate study design for addressing a particular question
Understand the inferences drawn from the different genetic epidemiology studies

Methods of Assessment: Student evaluation based on homework and exams.
Location: Internet
Enrollment Minimum: 10
Instructor Consent: No consent required

Introduction to Online Learning is required prior to participating in any of the School's Internet-based courses. and College-level biology or genetics.

Auditors Allowed: Yes, with instructor consent
Grading Restriction: Letter Grade or Pass/Fail