EPIDEMIOLOGY DEPARTMENT
PRIMARY FACULTY
DEPARTMENTAL CHAIR
Fred Kadlubar,
PhD, Pharmacogenomics and molecular
epidemiology; toxicology research
Michelle Whitworth, Executive
Assistant to the Office of Epidemiology (501-526-6685)
PROFESSORS
Joseph H. Bates,
MD, MS, Infectious diseases;
tuberculosis
Fred
Kadlubar, PhD, Pharmacogenomics and
molecular epidemiology; toxicology research
Richard R. Owen,
Jr., MD, Schizophrenia; depression;
mental health services research; implementation research
ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS
Mario A. Cleves,
PhD, Statistical genetics; congenital
birth defects; survival analysis
Geoffrey A.
Curran, PhD, Substance use disorders;
mental health services research
Ellen P. Fischer,
PhD, Schizophrenia; mental health
services research
Charlotte A.
Hobbs, MD, PhD, Genetic and clinical
epidemiology; congenital birth defects
Jeffrey M. Pyne,
MD, Health-related quality of life;
mental health services research; cost-effectiveness analysis; medication
adherence
Namvar Zohoori,
MD, PhD, MPH, chronic diseases; aging;
nutrition
ASSISTANT PROFESSORS
Appathurai
Balamurugan, Chronic diseases,
(primary interest in diabetes); health disparities and health services in
rural and under-served areas
Marsha L.
Eigenbrodt, MD, MPH, Cardiovascular
diseases; atherosclerosis measures; alcohol effects in disease;
methodological issues in epidemiologic studies; obesity effects
Dirk T. Haselow,
PhD, MS, Infectious diseases
Camille A. Jones,
MD, MPH, Hypertension and
cardiovascular disease; kidney disease; minority health
Leonard N. Mukasa,
MBChB, PhD, Epidemiology of
tuberculosis; longitudinal data analysis
Martha M.
Phillips, PhD, EDS, MBA, MPH,
Depression; childhood obesity; social determinants of health
Sandra K. Pope,
PhD, MPH, Dietary and genetic risk
factors for Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss; complementary and
alternative therapies; the Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Program
Luke D.
Ratnasinghe, PhD, MPH, Cancer;
molecular epidemiology
Purushottam Thapa,
MD, MPH, Pharmacoepidemiology; mental
health services research
Frank J. Wilson, Jr., MD, Tuberculosis;
infectious disease surveillance
Jianjun Zhang,
MD, PhD, Nutritional and molecular
epidemiology of cancer
INSTRUCTORS
Cheryl J. LeDoux,
MPH, Bioterrorism; infectious diseases
Bridget S.
Mosley, MPH, Congenital birth defects;
methodology
Dana M. Perry,
MA, Quantitative and qualitative
research methods; program evaluation
Rupa Sharma, MSPH, HIV/AIDS; disease prevention
Catherine G. Tapp,
MPH, Cancer and chronic disease
EPIDEMIOLOGY
SPECIALTY TRACK
The mission of the
UAMS COPH Department of Epidemiology is to contribute to improving the
health and promoting the well-being of Arkansans, by applying the principles
and practices of epidemiology in education, research, and service.
Students who
successfully complete an MPH with a concentration in epidemiology must
demonstrate proficiency in the following areas:
(1) Technical Skills
-
Identify, describe, and discuss
the advantages and disadvantages of common research study designs.
-
Calculate, interpret, and know
when to employ common epidemiologic measures of risk and of association.
-
Describe and differentiate among
common types of bias, explain their effect(s) on study data and
interpretation of study results, and discuss standard approaches for
minimizing bias in the design, implementation, and analytic phases of
research.
-
Design and develop procedures
and materials for implementing an epidemiologic study in the field
-
Demonstrate an understanding of
current issues in human subjects protection as well as procedures to assure
adherence to ethical and legal principles in epidemiologic research and
practice.
-
Determine sample size and power
for standard research designs
-
Select and interpret the results
of standard univariate and multivariate statistical techniques
-
Carry out statistical analyses
using common statistical techniques
-
Draw appropriate inferences from
epidemiologic data.
-
Read, interpret, and critically
evaluate scientific literature
-
Demonstrate facility in the use
of common statistical software supported through departmental courses
-
Describe the purpose, history,
and use of epidemiology and epidemiologic methods
-
Describe the current
state-of-the-art and gaps in knowledge related to the student’s area of
epidemiologic interest
-
Identify the principles and
limitations of public health screening programs.
(2) Communications Skills
-
Review and synthesize relevant scientific
literature
-
Prepare, present, and communicate
epidemiologic and other scientific information effectively to lay and
professional audiences, orally and in writing.
(3) Organizational, Management, and
Leadership Skills
-
Collaborate in planning, developing, and
submitting a research (including evaluation) proposal for external
funding.
-
Collaborate in implementation of
epidemiologic research.
-
Collaborate in implementation of public
health activities and interventions
-
Interpret and use epidemiologic data
The Department of Epidemiology currently
includes 24 faculty members actively involved in research, teaching, and
public health practice. While faculty activities in research and practice
address a broad range of public health issues, the Department has particular
depth in the areas of chronic disease, infectious disease, mental health,
and congenital birth defects.
COURSE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MPH WITH A SPECIALTY IN EPIDEMIOLOGY
A. Required Courses
In addition to the six core courses, preceptorship
and integration project courses, students pursuing a MPH with a specialty in
Epidemiology must complete the following four required courses (totaling ten
(10) semester credit hours) plus electives (totaling eight (8) semester credit
hours) as described below.
PBHL 5023: Biostatistics II (Advanced Linear Models)
Nonparametric analysis of variance, multiple regression, linear models,
experimental designs, introduction to logistic regression, and survival
analysis. Prerequisite: PBHL 5013: Biostatistics I.
PBHL 5373: Epidemiology II
Extends consideration of concepts, methods, and
strategies introduced in Epidemiology I. The course focuses on methodologic
tools and skills needed to conduct or evaluate epidemiologic research and
emphasizes tools and skills related to study design and data collection.
Prerequisites: PBHL 5173: Epidemiology I and PBHL 5013: Biostatistics I or
equivalents; PBHL 5023: Biostatistics II is strongly recommended and may be
taken concurrently with PBHL 5373: Epidemiology II; this prerequisite may only
be waived with the instructor’s permission.
PBHL 5671: Epidemiology III Laboratory (1
semester credit practicum)
Analysis of existing dataset. Must be enrolled
in PBHL 5673: Epidemiology III concurrently.
PBHL 5673: Epidemiology III
Extends consideration of concepts, methods, and
strategies introduced in Epidemiology I and II. The course focuses on
methodologic tools and skills needed to conduct or evaluate epidemiologic
research and emphasizes tools and skills related to data analysis and
interpretation. Prerequisites: PBHL 5173: Epidemiology I and PBHL 5373:
Epidemiology II; PBHL 5013: Biostatistics I and PBHL 5023: Biostatistics II.
B. Elective Courses
Students may select, with approval from their
faculty advisor and the department chair, courses from the following list to
total eight (8) semester credit hours. Other Fay W. Boozman College of Public
Health courses with an appropriate Epidemiology emphasis may be used with the
approval of both the student’s faculty advisor and the Epidemiology Department
Chair.
PBHL 5223: Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases
The purpose of this course is to provide an
overview of the epidemiology of a variety of chronic diseases, including
cardiovascular disease, diabetes, pulmonary diseases such as asthma, and others.
Presentations for each disease will address classification, measures of
frequency, risk factors, etiology, approaches to control (detection,
prevention), and current issues. The objectives of the course are to acquaint
students with epidemiological issues and controversies involved in the chronic
diseases, to provide students with a framework with which to approach the
epidemiology of a chronic disease and its control, and to show how basic
epidemiologic methods apply to chronic disease. Prerequisites: PBHL: 5173
Epidemiology I and PBHL 5373: Epidemiology II; PBHL 5013: Biostatistics I and
PBHL 5023: Biostatistics II; or permission of instructor.
PBHL 5233: Statistical Methods for Clinical Trials
Principles underlying the planning, management, and implementation of modern
clinical trials, the application of statistical methods used in the analysis of
data from clinical trials, and the interpretation of results. Basic statistical
techniques used in design and analysis of Phase I-III single- and multicenter
trials. Recommended prerequisites include knowledge of basic statistics,
familiarity with SAS software, and knowledge of a clinical area.
PBHL 5473: Methods in Health Services Research
Introduces the multidisciplinary theoretical basis
and methodological tools for studying the provision, organization and financing
of services to promote the health status of individuals and the community.
Theoretical models of help-seeking and service utilization; critical review of
the literature; review of design issues in qualitative, survey, experimental and
quasi-experimental research; overview of selected statistical issues including
path analysis, random effects models, cost-effectiveness analysis, and case-mix
adjustment. Emphasis is on, but not limited to, mental health services research.
Prerequisites: PBHL 5173: Epidemiology I and PBHL 5013: Biostatistics I or
equivalents; and permission of instructor.
PBHL 5483: Epidemiology of Infectious Disease
This course will provide an overview of the
history, epidemiology, and control of various infectious diseases. A selective
overview of immunology and molecular diagnostic methods will be provided as a
foundation for later lectures. Major human pathogens will be addressed within
the conceptual framework of foodborne, waterborne, and vectorborne diseases,
sexually transmitted diseases, respiratory diseases, parasitic diseases, and
vaccine preventable diseases. Prerequisites: PBHL 5173: Epidemiology I and
PBHL 5373: Epidemiology II; PBHL 5013: Biostatistics I and PBHL 5023:
Biostatistics II; or permission of the instructor.
PBHL 5513 (NUSC 6233): Qualitative Methodology
in Nursing Research
Examines the philosophical foundation for and
methodological issues in using qualitative approaches for scientific inquiry and
knowledge development. Strategies for enhancing scientific and methodological
rigor are explored.
PBHL 5523 (NUSC 6003): Qualitative Data
Analysis Theory and Practicum
Examines approaches to collecting, reducing,
managing, and analyzing qualitative data. Explores qualitative software packages
used in data management. The practicum portion of the course includes practice
sessions for interviewing, coding data, establishing inter-rater agreement, and
developing themes. Prerequisite: PBHL 5513: Qualitative Methodology in
Nursing Research.
PBHL 5553: Cancer Epidemiology
This course is designed to provide an overview of the epidemiology of common
cancers as well as methodologic issues in etiologic research and cancer
screening. Emphasis will be placed on risk factors that can be modified for
cancer control and prevention. The course will address: geographic variation and
temporal trends in cancer, cancer burden, biology of normal and cancer cells,
biomarkers, selected risk factors (e.g., occupation, tobacco, alcohol,
radiation, viruses, immunity, hormones, and genetic factors), and screening
objectives, recommendations, and controversies. Prerequisites: PBHL 5173:
Epidemiology I and PBHL 5373: Epidemiology II; PBHL 5013: Biostatistics I and
PBHL 5023: Biostatistics II; or permission of the instructor.
PBHL 5683: Social Epidemiology
This course is designed to examine the scientific
basis for associations between social factors, both contextual (e.g., poverty,
housing, education) and interpersonal (e.g., racism, social support, stigma),
and health. In addition, students will be challenged to consider social factors
in understanding the epidemiology of diseases, the design and implementation of
health protection/promotion programs, and the implementation of health policy.
Prerequisites: PBHL 5173: Epidemiology I; PBHL 5133: Introduction to Health
Behavior and Health Education; or permission of the instructor.
PBHL 5773: Survey Research Methods
This course will provide students with a practical overview of survey research
methods. Topics to be covered include questionnaire and interview design;
tailoring instruments for specific settings, populations, and methods of
administration; reliability and validity; construction of scales and indices;
sampling methods, assessing sampling bias, and maximizing response rates.
PBHL 596V: Directed Studies in Epidemiology
(1-3): Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
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4301 West Markham, #820, Little Rock, Arkansas,
72205 
