Program: Epidemiology (PhD)
Degree: Doctorate
Date: Fri Sep 30, 2011 - 3:03:27 pm
1) Below are your program student learning outcomes (SLOs). Please update 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) Your program's SLOs are 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(s) to your program's curriculum map(s). If we do not have your curriculum map, please upload it as a PDF.
4) For your program, the percentage of courses that have course SLOs explicitly stated on the syllabus, a website, or other publicly available document is as follows. Please update as needed.
0% 1-50%
51-80% 81-99% 100%5) For the period June 1, 2010 to September 30, 2011: State the assessment question(s) and/or assessment goals. Include the SLOs that were targeted, if applicable.
All learning objectives listed above in #1.
6) State the type(s) of evidence gathered to answer the assessment question and/or meet the assessment goals that were given in Question #5.
Student learning objectives are linked to specific courses. An "A" grade in the course assures that the objectives linked to that course have been met.
The program requires teaching and research practica during which students are mentored and assessed by faculty members.
7) State how many persons submitted evidence that was evaluated. If applicable, please include the sampling technique used.
Syllabi and student achievement from required courses taught by primary epidemiology faculty members were evaluated.
As the program is new, the teaching and research practica have not been offered to date.
8) Who interpreted or analyzed the evidence that was collected? (Check all that apply.)
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: 9) How did they evaluate, analyze, or interpret the evidence? (Check all that apply.)
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: 10) For the assessment question(s) and/or assessment goal(s) stated in Question #5:
Summarize the actual results.
The PhD in Epidemiology program is only in its second year. We are currently collecting data for future evaluation.
11) State how the program used the results or plans to use the results. Please be specific.
The Epidemiology PhD faculty meet once or twice a semester to plan data collection efforts, revise syllabi, develop or modify courses, discuss students' progress, and draft qualifying exam questions. In the future, these meetings will be used to discuss assessment plans and results.
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.
We will need to develop a more comprehensive assessment approach that includes an annual review (as with the DrPH program) and curriculum map.
13) Other important information.
Please note: If the program did not engage in assessment, please explain. If the program created an assessment plan for next year, please give an overview.
The PhD program will develop a curriculum map and assessment plan for submission with next year's report.