Epidemiology

Education facts

Code: 3FH073

Epidemiology is a scientific discipline that can function as valuable tool to reach deeper insight in for example patterns of disease and their causes in the population, and also for prioritizations and decisions about medical and social conditions. In this manner, epidemiology can also be seen as a methodological approach in the service of public health. The focus of the course is on understanding of basic concepts of epidemiology, and on methods within epidemiology. The course begins with an overview of basic epidemiological theory and concepts, such as causality, bias and third variables. Methods and measures for calculation of frequencies of disease and measures of effect are brought up and applied in practical exercises, and epidemiological study designs are introduced and discussed. Thereafter, the fundamentals of epidemiological data analysis is presented as well as practiced in computer exercises using statistical software. In the end of the course various examples of epidemiology within research and public health practice are presented, and critical reading and academic writing of epidemiological papers are discussed.

Entry requirements

\- For non-programme students applying as single-course students, the requiremants are 120 ECTS, of which a minimum of 30 ECTS are within one of the following: health sciences, environmental health or social sciences. \- Eng 6/level 2 from Swedish gymnasium or equivalent

Education offerings

Each offering has its own dates and conditions. Closed offerings are retained as history and do not mean that a new application is open.

• Epidemiology

  Umeå University

  Start date: 2 November 2026

  End date: 2 December 2026

  Pace of study: 100 %