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Fundamentals of Genetic Epidemiology

Course Number
CHL5430H
Series
5400 (Epidemiology)
Format
Presentation
Course Instructor(s)
France Gagnon

Course Description

This introductory course provides an overview of central concepts and topical issues in genetic epidemiology, providing an overall framework for investigating the role of genetic factors in the etiology of common complex disorders. This course integrates human genetics, biostatistics and epidemiology. The main course objective is to provide the common terminology and fundamental concepts underlying the design and conduct of genetic epidemiologic studies. Advanced and novel genetic epidemiology study designs and methods will not generally be discussed in depth as this goes beyond the scope of the course.

Course Objectives

  1. Students will have basic understanding of the fundamental principles and concepts underlying the main study designs and methods used in genetic epidemiologic research, and their specific objectives.
  2. The students will have some level of critical appraisal skills for the interpretation of scientific articles in the field of genetic epidemiology.
  3. The students will develop transferable skills, including oral presentation and scientific article appraisal.

Target Audience & Prerequisites

Students with a strong interest in learning basic elements of genetic epidemiologic studies but with minimal or no formal training in the field. This is a required course for trainees of the CIHR STAGE (Strategic Training for Advanced Genetic Epidemiology) program. Aiming for a group size of 8 students. Prerequisites: Introduction to Epidemiology (CHL 5401), Biostatistics (CHL 5201), or equivalent. Students who have not taken these courses must discuss their eligibility with the course coordinator.