Through a combination of coursework and independent research, students will gain skills to communicate scientifically, describe trends and patterns of disease incidence and prevalence, critically review scientific literature related to epidemiology; apply epidemiological and analytic methods in the design of research; collect, analyze and interpret health data; conduct a study; and write and defend a thesis.
The Master of Science in Epidemiology is 24, consecutive months in duration. The option for part-time studies can be made available to professionals who would like to continue working whilst pursuing their degree. If part-time is of interest, please contact MSc in Epidemiology Graduate Assistant for more information.
Completing Your Degree
To complete the requirements for the program, students must complete:
Fall, year 1
- Completion of Introduction to Epidemiology (EPID 801) and Essentials of Biostatistics (EPID 821)
- Completion of one elective course
- Choose a thesis supervisor
Winter, year 1
- Completion of Intermediate Epidemiology (EPID 804) and Applied Regression Analysis (EPID 822)
- Completion of one elective course
- Submit Thesis Outline (EPID 899) - last working day in February
Spring/summer, year 1
- Submit thesis proposal (EPID 899) - last working day in June
- Present Master's Thesis Proposal (EPID 899) - July
Fall/winter, year 2
- Master's Thesis research (EPID 899)
- Supplementary electives (optional)
Spring/summer, year 2
- Completion of Master's Thesis Research (EPID 899)
- Thesis Defense (EPID 899) - June/August
* Complete a Human Research Ethics (CORE) online tutorial before starting to work on their thesis. This online course is a mandatory requirement for all graduate students conducting research involving human subjects.
Courses
EPID 801: Introduction to Epidemiology
This course provides foundational knowledge on how human evidence relevant to public health is created, assessed, and used, with a focus on epidemiologic methods. Topics include measures of health status; risk factors and associations with health outcomes; study design including descriptive, analytical, and intervention approaches; validity issues; critical appraisal; assessment of causation; ethics; and application of epidemiologic evidence in public health decisions. Three term-hours. Fall. Instructor: K. Aronson
EPID 804: Intermediate Epidemiology
This course deals with advanced methods and issues in the design, conduct, analysis and interpretation of epidemiologic studies. The content focuses on observational study design and analysis, and builds on epidemiologic principles presented in EPID-801. Data analysis will emphasize the application and interpretation of statistical concepts in epidemiologic research. Three term-hours. Winter. Instructor: W. King
PREREQUISITE: EPID-801*
EPID 821: Essentials of Biostatistics
This course provides an overview of basic statistical concepts, principles, and techniques essential for public health and epidemiologic research. This course covers both descriptive and inferential statistics. Topics covered include measures of association, t-tests, regression, chi-square tests, analysis of variance, and some nonparametric methods. Emphasis is on understanding and interpreting fundamental statistical analyses from health research. Three term-hours, Fall. Instructor: Z. Lu. SAS Labs; A. Day, P. Norman
EPID 822: Applied Regression Analysis
This course deals with the commonly used regression methods proven useful in health services research and the epidemiologic analysis of the relationship between traits, exposures or treatments, and diseases or other medical outcomes. The course emphasizes the statistical modeling approach with topics including multiple regression, analysis of variance and covariance, reliability of measurements, analysis of categorical data, logistic regression, Poisson regression and survival analysis. This course includes a compulsory SAS Programming component.Three term-hours, Winter. Instructors: Z. Lu, C. O’Callaghan, P.Peng. SAS Labs: A. Day, P. Norman
PREREQUISITE: EPID-821* (or permission of instructor for Biostatistics students)
Master's Thesis Research
EPID 802: Foundations in Public Health
This course provides an overview of theoretical and conceptual foundations of public health. It examines the social determinants of health and population health approaches to promote and protect health. It instils in students an understanding of the historical achievements, core values and ethical frameworks that guide public health action. Three term-hours. Fall. Instructor: D. Hunter
EPID 803: The Canadian Health System
The aim of this introductory course is to describe how health services are organized and delivered in Canada. Students who take this course will:1)understand the inputs, delivery and outputs of the Canadian health system; 2) recognize and explain the factors that influence change in this system;and 3) consider current health policy issues in Canada. Three term-hours, Winter. Instructor S. Buttemer
EPID 806: Applied Research Methods for Program Planning and Evaluation
This course provides an overview of social research methods and tools to assist students to complete the "evidence to action" program planning and evaluation cycle. Topics covered include: defining the issue,using surveillance data, engaging the community, conducting a stakeholder analysis, survey methods, handling qualitative data, building logic models, choosing indicators, communicating the results, taking action. Three term-hours, Winter. Instructor TBD
EPID 807: Health Economics
This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to economic concepts and analysis relevant to health, health care and health care systems. Topics include: health as an economic variable; health production models; uncertainty in health and its effects; the behaviour and influence of various participants (health care providers, patients, government) on health care utilization and health status. No prior economics background is required, although students must have basic quantitative skills. Three term-hours, Fall. Instructor: A. Johnson
EPID 810: Controlled Clinical Trials
This course will cover material relevant to the design and conduct of controlled clinical trials. Design topics will include methods used to achieve unbiased results with improved precision, such as adequate sample size, randomization, blinding, pre- and post-stratification, cross-over designs, placebos and the counting of relevant events. Attention will be given to the problems of conducting multi-centre clinical trials. Topics covered will include drafting of protocols, design of data forms, logistics of data flow, methods of follow-up, data management and quality control, periodic reporting, final data analysis and the production of final reports. Ethical issues and the role of randomized trials in clinical investigation will be discussed. Three term-hours, Fall. Instructor: H. Richardson
EPID 817: Foundations of Cancer Control
This course is intended for graduate students, clinical fellows and postdoctoral fellows who are engaged or interested in cancer research. The course will focus on concepts and methodological issues central to the conduct of epidemiologic studies of cancer etiology and control. Topics will include: an introduction to basic epidemiologic concepts; biologic and clinical concepts central to the investigation of cancer; study design; clinical epidemiology; molecular epidemiology; and cancer control and prevention. Not offered 2021-22.
EPID 819: Clinical Epidemiology
This course will demonstrate the way in which epidemiological principles guide the practice of medicine and the design of clinical research. Topics include how to select and apply the correct design for a study addressing a clinical question, how to evaluate the quality of clinical publications and research proposals, how to prepare a clinical research proposal, and how to synthesize clinical evidence.
Three term-hours, Winter 2022. Instructor TBD
PREREQUISITE: EPID-*801 and EPID 821* or permission of instructor.
EPID 823: Advanced Methods in Biostatistics
An advanced course in the theoretical issues and analytical practices in epidemiology, and biostatistics. Topics may vary but major topics include analysis of longitudinal and survival data using various regression models; Techniques and strategies for regression modeling; Novel analytic approaches in epidemiology; multivariate analysis methods including discriminant analysis, principal components and factor analysis. Three term-hours, Winter. Instructors: D. Tu, K. Ding, W. Tu
PREREQUISITE: EPID- 821* + knowledge of basic statistical modeling techniques deemed adequate by the Instructors.
EPID 828: Infectious Diseases
This course provides a foundation in infectious disease epidemiology. Principles and methods related to infectious disease biology, outbreak detection and investigation, and the methodological, analytical, and diagnostic tools are covered. Specific infectious diseases that pose contemporary challenges in public health and/or have national or global public health impact are discussed. Three term-hours, Winter. Instructor: S. Brogly.
EPID 829: Foundations in Global Health
Students will be exposed to various global health concepts and be trained to work through potential solutions in a public health context. The course will be taught through formal lecture, seminar and small group learning, and online modules. Topics may include: health, public health, and development; Aboriginal health; health systems and policies; Canada’s role in global health and social justice; and special populations. Three term-hours, Fall. Instructor TBD
EPID 831: Chronic Disease Epidemiology
This course will provide an overview of the epidemiology of some of the leading non-infectious causes of morbidity and mortality in Canada and will highlight the key methodological considerations for the study of each disease or health problem. Three term-hours, Winter. Instructor: K. Aronson
PREREQUISITES: EPID-801* & EPID-821* or equivalents with permission of course coordinator.
EPID 832: Mental Health/ Critical Inquiry
This course will provide students with in-depth substantive knowledge about the evolution of health issues that have shaped policy and mental health services. Three term-hours, Winter. Instructor: H. Stuart
PREREQUISITES: EPID-801* or permission of course instructor.
Issues in Military and Veteran Health Research
Students are exposed to health issues associated with military experience which includes both veterans and military families. As a weekly webinar, the course will include presentations from Canadian subject matter experts who will contextualize military mental and physical health needs and introduce theoretical and methodological approaches to conducting applied health research among this population. Three term hours, Fall. S. Belanger Note: Course now offered through the Royal Military College. Contact Graduate Assistant for more information
EPID 835: Environmental Public Health
This course provides students with a foundation for understanding, assessing and mediating environmental exposures. Methods for assessing and communicating about exposures, risks and standards in air, water, soil and food are introduced. Case studies of managing hazardous exposures are reviewed. Environmental health policy implications of global climate, energy use and disaster planning are explored. Three term-hours, Fall. Instructor: H. Richardson.
PREREQUISITE: EPID-801, EPID-821 or equivalent, or permission of instructor.
EPID 836: Qualitative Health Research Methods
This course provides foundational instruction in qualitative research methodology for students in the public health sciences, including theoretical basis, study design, research ethics, sampling and recruitment, data collection, data analysis, and disseminating research findings. Topical areas may include ethnography, grounded theory, phenomenology, participatory research, and other areas. Three term-hours, Winter. Instructor: B. Stoner
EPID 837: Health Services Research
This course introduces health services research methods as they are applied to routinely collected health data. It covers methodologic approaches for assessing healthcare effectiveness, quality, and access. The course also provides an introduction to the Ontario ICES data holdings and the conduct of health services research using those data. Three term hours, Fall. Instructor TBD
EPID 851: Medically Relevant Microbiology in Infection Prevention and Control
This course provides foundational and applied information to support learners' development of infection prevention and control (IPAC) practices within various healthcare and public health settings. Students will gain an understanding of the basics of medical microbiology and how they relate to core competencies for IPAC.
Three term hours. Winter. Instructor: P. Sheth
EPID 852: Fundamentals of Infection Prevention and Control and Environments of Care
This course provides foundational and applied information to support learners' development of infection prevention and control (IPAC) practices within various healthcare and public health settings. Students will gain an understanding of the core competencies for IPAC. Diverse principles and practices associated with routine practices, additional precautions, program evaluation, surveillance and outbreak management, occupational health, emergency management, disinfection concepts, preprocessing, construction/renovation and principles of adult learning will be explored as the foundational concepts of an IPAC program. Students will be able to apply these IPAC skills and concepts to a broad environment of care and its overall impact on public health.
Three term hours. Winter. Instructors: H. Candon and K. Allain
EPID 853: Healthcare Quality, Safety and Risk
This course provides foundational and applied information and activities to support learners’ development of quality, risk and safety principles and practices within Public Health settings. Learners will gain an understanding of the integration of improvement science within the public health setting with a particular focus on the area of infection prevention and control (IPAC). Principles and practices associated with policy, change management, leadership, communication, collaboration, and safety culture will be examined to explore ways to provide optimal health outcomes for individuals and communities while adhering to the principles of IPAC.
Summer. Instructor TBD
Selected graduate courses from other Departments can be taken as electives upon permission of the Instructor, Program Director, Department, and School of Graduate Studies.