Ateneo - UPO

Epidemiological measures; experimental and observational epidemiological studies; confounding.

Kenneth J. Rothman. Epidemiology: an introduction. Oxford University Press.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING To understand the elements in the design and conduct of the most important types of epidemiological studies. To understand the role of confounding in epidemiological studies. APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING To be able to calculate measures of frequency and association.

None

Lectures and hands-on practicals.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities
Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

Examination and assessment methods

The written examination will be a DIR-based examination worth a total of 64 points, corresponding to a maximum of 32 points in the final grade. It will assess both theoretical knowledge and the practical application of the concepts and methods covered in the course, including statistical analyses and procedures.

The 64 points will be distributed across the three modules as follows:

* Statistics: 32 points;
* Epidemiology: 16 points;
* Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis: 16 points.

Questions may include text-response questions, numerical-response questions, multiple-choice questions (single best option), true/false questions, or combinations of these formats. Questions may carry different weights depending on their difficulty and complexity.

The examination will last 120 minutes. Students may return to previously answered or unanswered questions at any time during the examination.

The examination will be graded on a 32-point scale. The minimum passing score is 18/32, while 31–32/32 corresponds to 30/30 cum laude. Unanswered questions receive zero points. Incorrect answers to questions with predefined answer options may incur a penalty equal to 1/(n−1) of the value assigned to the question, where n is the number of answer options. For example, for a question worth 4 points with five answer options, an incorrect answer would result in a 1 point deduction. No penalty applies to incorrect numerical-response questions.

Students may use a calculator and blank sheets of paper provided by the lecturers for calculations. Only the paper provided during the examination may be used for writing or calculations. Personal notes, formula sheets, textbooks, and other reference materials are not permitted. Where necessary, supporting materials, such as formulae or R code, may be provided within the examination.

Additional oral assessment

Before the grade is finalized, the lecturers may require an additional oral examination to further assess the student’s knowledge and understanding. The oral examination may only be initiated by the lecturers and cannot be requested by students to improve their grade. Its outcome may confirm or modify the written examination grade, either upward or downward, including below the minimum passing threshold.

Examination accommodations

Students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs), or Special Educational Needs (SENs) may request appropriate support according to University procedures. After contacting the relevant University service, students may contact the course instructor to arrange appropriate examination accommodations.

Examination environment and permitted devices

The examination will take place in a university computer laboratory using the DIR platform and Safe Exam Browser (SEB), which restricts access to unauthorized applications, websites, and computer functions.

The examination is an individual assessment. Communication with others and the use of unauthorized materials or devices are prohibited. Smartphones, smartwatches, earphones/headphones, and similar devices must be switched off and stored away for the entire examination. Lecturers may use appropriate means to detect unauthorized electronic devices, in accordance with University procedures and applicable regulations.

Main measures of occurrence: risk, rate, prevalence, odds. Main measures of association: relative risk, rate ratio, odds ratio, risk difference, rate difference. Main Epidemiological studies: clinical trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, cross-sectional studies, descriptive studies. The role of confounding in epidemiological studies.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING To understand the elements in the design and conduct of the most important types of epidemiological studies. To understand the role of confounding in epidemiological studies. APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING To be able to calculate measures of frequency and association.