Program: Epidemiology (PhD)
Degree: Doctorate
Date: Tue Oct 12, 2010 - 9:10:34 am
1) Below are the program student learning outcomes submitted last year. Please add/delete/modify as needed.
1. General Skills and Knowledge
1.1 Descriptive Epidemiology
1.1.1 Produce the descriptive epidemiology of a given condition, including case definition, calculation of the primary measures of disease morbidity and mortality, and appropriate comparisons by person, place and time.
1.1.2 List the strengths and limitations of descriptive studies.
1.1.3 Identify data from existing national and international sources.
1.2 Biology
1.2.1 Complete course work or equivalent in human physiology and pathophysiology, with special competence in the disease addressed in the student’s dissertation.
1.3 Basic knowledge of the leading public health problems and the history of the discipline
1.3.1 Identify major chronic and infectious diseases, their general pathophysiology, descriptive epidemiology and risk factors.
1.3.2 Identify leading causes of death.
1.3.3 Understand the general history of the development of epidemiology, including the major epidemiological studies of selected diseases.
1.3.4 Know the principles of screening and of surveillance systems, including understand the concepts of validity and reliability of screening tests and be able to calculate associated measures and know the types of surveillance systems and approaches used in disease surveillance.
1.3.5 Understand the global, cultural, and social context of health problems and how these influence the conduct, interpretation, and dissemination of research and intervention studies.
2. Research
2.1 Problem Conceptualization
2.1.1 Search the literature.
2.1.2 Review and critically evaluate the literature (be familiar with different approaches to reviewing and synthesizing the literature).
2.1.3 Synthesize available information.
2.1.4 Identify meaningful gaps in knowledge.
2.1.5 Formulate an original and key hypothesis or statement of the research problem.
2.2 Study Design
2.2.1 Design a study using any of the main study designs (including clinical trials and community trials).
2.2.2 Understand the advantages and limitations of each design for addressing specific problems, as well as the practical aspects of their uses, including trade-offs. This understanding will be reflected in selecting the most appropriate and efficient design for a designated problem.
2.2.3 Calculate the requisite sample size.
2.2.4 Identify and minimize sources of bias; describe both the direction and magnitude of the bias and the effect of potential biases on the measures of association.
2.2.5 Use basic population sampling methods.
2.3 Data Collection and Monitoring
2.3.1 Use methods of measurement – design data collection forms assessing both exposures and outcomes; determine the validity of the instrument; identify the presence and magnitude of measurement error; adjust for measurement error when appropriate data are available.
2.3.2 Monitor the conduct and progress of data collection; develop, implement and assess quality control measures.
2.4 Data Management
2.4.1 Create data files appropriate for analysis; carry out the steps needed to create new variables, clean the data sets, etc.
2.5 Data Analysis
2.5.1 Use statistical computer packages to calculate and display descriptive statistics, analyze categorical data, and perform multivariable regression, survival analysis, and longitudinal analysis.
2.5.2 Examine data for the presence of confounding and interaction (effect modification), identify their presence, and manage them appropriately.
2.6 Interpretation
2.6.1 Interpret the research results, make appropriate inferences based on results, and recognize the implications of the research results; (also see 2.2.4 above – Study design).
2.7 Communication
2.7.1 Communicate research results orally and in writing to both scientists and non-scientists (includes preparation of a manuscript suitable for publication in a scientific journal and presentation of research proposals).
2.7.2 Present research data in both tabular and figure forms.
2.8 Ethics
2.8.1 Understand the concepts of human subjects protections and confidentiality, and awareness of particular issues relevant to the study of specific populations.
2.8.2 Apply this understanding as evidenced in the design and conduct of their research.
2.9 Substantive area
2.9.1 Demonstrate mastery of a substantive area, including knowledge and application of that knowledge in conducting original research related to a specific topic.
2) As of last year, your program's SLOs were published as follows. Please update as needed.
Department Website URL: http://www.hawaii.edu/publichealth/ Student Handbook. URL, if available online: http://www.hawaii.edu/publichealth/download/students/1011_Handbook.pdf Information Sheet, Flyer, or Brochure URL, if available online: NA
UHM Catalog. Page Number: Course Syllabi. URL, if available online: Other: Other: 3) Below is the link to your program's curriculum map (if submitted in 2009). If it has changed or if we do not have your program's curriculum map, please upload it as a PDF.
4) The percentage of courses in 2009 that had course SLOs explicitly stated on the syllabus, a website, or other publicly available document is indicated below. Please update as needed.
0%
1-50% 51-80% 81-99% 100%5) State the assessment question(s) and/or goals of the assessment activity. Include the SLOs that were targeted, if applicable.
Not applicable (the PhD program did not begin enrolling students until fall 2010).
6) State the type(s) of evidence gathered.
Not applicable (the PhD program did not begin enrolling students until fall 2010).
7) Who interpreted or analyzed the evidence that was collected?
Course instructor(s) Faculty committee Ad hoc faculty group Department chairperson Persons or organization outside the university Faculty advisor Advisors (in student support services) Students (graduate or undergraduate) Dean/Director Other: 8) How did they evaluate, analyze, or interpret the evidence?
Used a rubric or scoring guide Scored exams/tests/quizzes Used professional judgment (no rubric or scoring guide used) Compiled survey results Used qualitative methods on interview, focus group, open-ended response data External organization/person analyzed data (e.g., external organization administered and scored the nursing licensing exam) Other: 9) State how many persons submitted evidence that was evaluated.
If applicable, please include the sampling technique used.
Not applicable
10) Summarize the actual results.
Not applicable
11) How did your program use the results? --or-- Explain planned use of results.
Please be specific.
Not applicable
12) Beyond the results, were there additional conclusions or discoveries? This can include insights about assessment procedures, teaching and learning, program aspects and so on.
Not applicable
13) Other important information:
The PhD program did not begin enrolling students until fall 2010. We have developed student learning objectives (competencies) and will develop a curriculum map over the next year.