Description: Students will learn the structure, conventions, and styles associated with selected communication formats, appropriate for scientific discourse in public health. During the course, students will produce a scientific poster with a "conference-style" abstract, develop and present an oral presentation and explore one practice-oriented writing format in depth.
Description: Application of epidemiological methods and concepts to analysis of data from epidemiological, clinical or laboratory studies. Introduction to independent research and scientific writing under faculty guidance.
Prerequisites: Enrolled in Epidemiology MS programs
Description: This capstone research project course is designed for Epidemiology MS students (30-credit or 48-credit CESM programs). Working with their mentor, students are expected to develop an original research project to address public health problems using epidemiologic methods.
Students will have the opportunity to apply what they learned in their coursework to important public health questions. Students will work with a faculty mentor to conduct a literature review, develop a research project, develop and implement an analysis plan, write up the results and discuss the implications of the findings, and present their work in the annual Epidemiology Poster Day.
Students are expected to begin their capstone project in their first term and complete it in the second term of their final year (or only, for one-year programs) of training (three credits per term, for a total of six credits). The Epidemiology Master’s committee will help students find an appropriate mentor. Details regarding the structure of capstone writing products and evaluation guidelines will be provided in the MS Student Handbook.
Learning Objectives: The learning objectives of and skills employed in this course are determined by the specific research project. The list below (which is not exhaustive) provides examples of learning objectives for this course:
1. Assess knowledge gaps in the scientific literature;
2. Develop a scientific research question designed to address a gap in the scientific literature
3. Identify appropriate data sources to address a research question;
4. Better understand the role of data in understanding public health problems;
5. Create a data collection instrument and/or collect data;
6. Analyze data (quantitative or mixed data – including both quantitative and qualitative) to test research hypotheses relevant to public health in a manner that reflects principles of epidemiology (e.g., study design, measurement, confounding, etc);
7. Generate appropriate data visualizations and/or presentations;
8. Communicate the significance, approach, and implications of epidemiological research in a written format appropriate for the target audience;
9. Complete research ethics training through the Program for the Education and Evaluation of Responsible Research and Scholarship (PEERRS). Two modules are required: Human Subjects Research Protections and Responsible Conduct of Research and Scholarship (RCRS).
Undergraduates are allowed to enroll in this course.
Description: This interactive course provides practical guidance on developing a successful NIH grant proposal, focusing on three core areas. First, you will gain an insider’s overview of the NIH funding landscape, including how to navigate Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs), the grant review process, scoring metrics, and strategies for success. Second, the course breaks down each key section of the NIH grant application, offering clear explanations of each section’s purpose, essential components, and common pitfalls to avoid. Third, through concrete examples, you will learn to craft persuasive text tailored to relevant study section reviewers.
The course specifically addresses the R, F, and K grant mechanisms. Please note that budget preparation, human subjects sections, and administrative forms will not be covered.
You are encouraged to bring your own draft grant application for workshopping. Sample materials will be provided to those without a draft.
Learning Objectives: This course will help you learn to:
- Locate and apply for an appropriate funding opportunity that aligns with your grant proposal.
- Strategically present your research and professional background to engage and persuade grant reviewers.
- Communicate your scientific narrative with clarity, precision, and persuasive impact.
