Syllabus Template
Syllabus NeuroepidemiologyFeatureConsiderations
Instructor & TA Information
(for each Faculty and TA) Myriam Fornage, PhD (Primary) Jan
Bressler, PhD
[email protected] [email protected]
Tel(MF): 713-500-2463 (assistant: Sonia Davies, 713-500-2402)
Tel(JB): 713-500-9919
Institute of Molecular Medicine; Sarofim Research Building Room
530.G (MF)
SPH RAS E503 (JB)
Instructors available by appointment. Please contact Dr. Fornage
or Dr. Bressler by e-mail or by phone
Course Description Neuroepidemiology PH2998
Fall
2 credit hrs
Format:___ITV___Online_X__Face-to-face___Hybrid
The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the risk
factors for a variety of neurologic and neuropsychiatric diseases,
including stroke, Alzheimers disease and other dementias,
Parkinsons Disease, mental retardation, autism, and affective
disorders. Areas covered in this course include a description of
the prevalence, incidence, mortality, risk factors, and etiologic
mechanisms.
Students will gain an understanding of the impact of these
diseases on public health; of the unique methodological issues
associated with epidemiologic and genetic studies of these
diseases; and of the basic pathobiology and clinical aspects of
these disorders.
The course aims to aid students comprehension of published
literature in neuroepidemiology and neurogenetics.
The course will cover the specific area of epidemiology of
common brain diseases.
Textbook
and Materials Neuroepidemiology : From Principles to Practice
(Nelson et al, eds; ISBN 0-19-513379-X) will be on reserve in the
library as reference material
A copy of lectures slides will be provided at session and/or
will be made available on Blackboard
Reading material will be provided prior to lecture on
Blackboard
Course Expectations
Students are expected to complete an oral presentation
describing a specific research paper (journal club format). They
will critically evaluate study rationale/ hypothesis, design,
analysis, and interpretation. Students are expected to complete a
final essay paper describing the pathophysiology, epidemiology,
genetics, prevention and treatment of a selected neurological
disease and to discuss examples of research challenges and gap in
knowledge pertaining to the disease.
Course Learning Objectives
Identify the unique methodological problems associated with the
study of the epidemiology and genetic epidemiology of these
diseases.
Describe the prevalence, incidence, mortality, risk factors, and
etiologic mechanisms.
Describe the impact of neurologic diseases on public health
Describe the methodologies to identify genes influencing
neurological diseases
Describe basic pathophysiology and clinical aspects
(symptomatology, diagnosis, and treatment) of major neurologic
diseases
List of Topics
The class will address the epidemiology and genetics of major
neurological diseases. General topics will include: Primer of brain
biology; epidemiologic methods in neurology; clinical trials in
neurology; genetic epidemiology of neurological disease. Specific
disease topics will include: stroke, brain aging, Alzheimer's
disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, schizophrenia and affective
disorders, brain aneurysms, autism
Learning Activities
Student will learn to critically appraise published literature
in neuroepidemiology and neurogenetics by presenting selected
papers for issues related to study rationale/ hypothesis, design,
analysis, and interpretation
Student Assessment
And Grading Criteria Letter grade (A,B,C,F or I) based on class
attendance (20(20%); reading assignments with short quizzes (20%);
a student's presentation (30%); and a final take-home examination
(30%). Final grades will be assigned as follow: A(90); B(80);
C(70); F( 10 min.) are not permitted.
Academic Dishonesty
Current school policy applies. See
http://www.sph.uth.tmc.edu/uploadedfiles/catalog.pdf Evidence of
academic dishonesty will result in grade F
It is assumed that, for group activities, all students will
contribute to the assignment and will not take credit for work
accomplished by others.
E-mail Procedures and online etiquette:
Include course number in subject line for all e-mail
correspondence Use of online material in presentations and papers
must be appropriately referenced.
Course Calendar
SEPARATE DOCUMENT DO NOT SUBMIT COURSE CALENDAR TO STUDENT
AFFAIRS.
Separate document
Create a separate document for the course calendar, which will
allow students to print it.
For help with learning objectives, see
http://www.sph.uth.tmc.edu/oid/default.aspx?id=9224Revised
February, 2011
