FHV320 Epidemiology and Geographical Information Systems

Credits (ECTS):15

Course responsible:Suleman Atique

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Norsk

Course frequency:Annually.

Nominal workload:375 hours.

Teaching and exam period:This course starts in the January block and the teaching and evaluation continues throughout the spring parallel.

About this course

Basic principles in epidemiology, Study designs in epidemiology, Evaluation/assessment of epidemiological information, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) as a general working tool in geographical analyses, GIS as a tool in spatial epidemiology, GIS as a planning tool in public health, Case studies with use of statistical software(s) and GIS, Ethical considerations in epidemiological studies.

Learning outcome

After the course, the student should

- have a basic knowledge in epidemiology as a field, its study designs and demographics

- be able to perform simple epidemiological studies with different design

- know the sources and validity of the most commonly used databases and know how to connect it to information on demographics, exposure and health outcomes

- know theories, limitations and practical use of GIS, spatial data anlysis and how to use the tool in practical work

- know different areas where GIS is applied

- be able to perform spatial epidemiological analysis, visualize the findings on maps and graphs

- be able to read and evaluate the contents in epidemiological reports

- be able to discuss ethics within epidemiology

  • Block teaching. Five gatherings (sessions) where each session lasts 2 1/2 - 3 days. About half of the first session 1 and 3, 4 and 5 are designated epidemiology, while half the gatherings 1 and 2 are designated GIS.

    For the epidemiology part of the course: Traditional lectures and flipped classroom. The students will get access to videos and they are expected to view these prior to the sessions. During the sessions, the students will work with relevant projects.

    For GIS part of the course: Lectures and exercises. GIS Computer lab.

  • Teachers will be at hand at lectures and exercises. Other times by appointment. Canvas will be the communication platform.
  • FHV315
  • Written exam (3 hours) which counts 100 % of the grade. A-F.
  • The external examiner shall evaluate and approve the curriculum, the teaching and the evaluation arrangements of the course.
  • Compulsory assignments in both GIS and epidemiology.
  • A practical introduction to GIS (Geographical Information Systems) is included in this course. The GIS part is estimated to 150 hours of work (5 credits), and starts with three days of lectures and supervised computer exercises. The rest of the computer exercises will be done in groups of two students each.
  • The course consists of 5 gatherings. 2 1/2 - 3 days per gathering. The second gathering is GIS.
  • M-FOL / M-FOL-DEL
  • 5 ECTS reduction based on Basic GIS course (LAD102/GMGI101).
  • Letter grades
  • Minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway (generell studiekompetanse).