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Advanced Course in Epidemiological Analysis

Overview
Coronavirus notice - Advanced Course in Epidemiological Analysis
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Course dates: 9 - 20 September 2024

The course will have a hybrid format and students can choose to attend in person in London or online.  Offer holders will be required to confirm before the course start date whether they are planning to attend online or in person.

LSHTM understands this is an uncertain time and rules around international travel could change at very short notice. We strongly advise candidates that choose to attend the course in person in London to only book refundable tickets and accommodation, and to ensure you have checked and comply with all UK entry requirements.

Overview - Advanced Course in Epidemiological Analysis
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The course will have a hybrid format and students can choose to attend in person in London or online.

The course

Statistical methodology for the design and analysis of epidemiological studies is a fast-changing field.

Participants will be given a thorough grounding both in classical methods of analysis and in the more advanced regression techniques. They will gain practical experience in data analysis using the computer package Stata. Various aspects of the study design will also be considered.

Who should attend?

Applicants should have a good command of English and a working knowledge of basic epidemiology and statistics, equivalent to a familiarity with the contents of introductory textbooks such as:

  • "Epidemiology in Medicine" by C H Hennekens and J E Buring (Little Brown & Company, 1987)
  • "Essential Medical Statistics" by B Kirkwood & J Sterne (2nd Edition, Blackwell Science Ltd, 2003)

The course is taught in Stata and we require students to have experience in statistical analysis using Stata (for example, linear regression). The course is designed primarily for those working, or planning to work, on epidemiological research projects.

The emphasis of this course will be on developing an understanding of the underlying assumptions and principles, on the practical application of the techniques and on the correct interpretation of the results, rather than on the mathematical derivation of the methods. The methods will be illustrated through studies of the epidemiology of both infectious and non-infectious diseases, conducted in both developed and in developing countries.

Teaching Methods

This hybrid short course may be studied online or in-person for two weeks. Participants should expect to spend approximately 5-6 hours a day on the course. In addition to recorded lectures and private study, there will be live lectures for 1-2 hours each day and a 2-hour computer practical with tutor support. Live aspects of the course will be usually 11 am-3 pm BST. 

Course fee

The fee for 2024 is £2,358 and includes a Certificate of Attendance. 

Course objectives
Course objectives - Advanced Course in Epidemiological Analysis
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Course Content

The course makes use of the Stata package throughout. The topics to be covered will include:

  • Measures of disease frequency and exposure effects
  • Confounding and interaction
  • Classical methods of analysis for cohort studies
  • Classical methods of analysis for case-control studies
  • Unconditional logistic regression
  • Poisson regression for cohort studies
  • Survival analysis and proportional hazards regression
  • Practical issues in study design and analysis
  • Conditional logistic regression for case-control studies
  • Clustering of data in epidemiological studies
  • Strategies of analysis

Comprehensive course notes will be given to participants at the beginning of the course. The following books will also be available for purchase during the course, if in print:

"Statistical Models in Epidemiology" by D Clayton & M Hills

"Survival Analysis: A Practical Approach" by D. Machin, Y. B. Cheung, M. Parmar

"Essential Medical Statistics" by B Kirkwood & J Sterne

" Statistical Methods in Cancer Research" by N E Breslow & N E Day
Volume 1: Analysis of case-control studies
Volume 2: The design and analysis of cohort studies

There is no formal assessment but at the conclusion of the course, a Certificate of Attendance will be provided. Approximately 45 participants will be accepted. 

Testimonials
Testimonials - ACEA short course
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"Excellent course, well-structured and paced, teachers were clearly enthusiastic and very knowledgeable. A great balance of theory and practical. Would highly recommend."

"Overall the audience for this course was known to a tee. It’s like you guys are psychic and know more or less exactly our knowledge base and what we need to know in addition. Strong focus on practical skills excellent."

"The course was well structured and I really enjoyed the good balance between lecture and practical’s. The material provided was fabulous. "

"The teaching has been really excellent along with the course notes and materials which are extremely clear."

"Best course I have been on by a country mile. Such an impressive, stellar, collection of lecturers!"

"Good, broad coverage of epidemiological analysis topics and issues. Good quality of speakers."

"Enthusiastic teachers who were able to explain difficult concepts very clearly. Every lecturer really understood the whole course and where the class were up to; the faculty didn't assume too much understanding yet avoided unnecessary duplication."

"The tutors have been excellent, very good at answering questions and ensuring everyone could keep up. Something I really struggle with is speaking up when I'm confused/have a question but the tutors created a friendly environment in which I felt comfortable doing so. I think the practical’s were very helpful, especially working in randomised breakout rooms."

"I found the course to be VERY helpful and enjoyable. All of the faculty I met were patient, willing to help, and clearly experts of their domain. For a first time remote, I feel it was quite an exceptional execution."

"Overall I think this was an excellent course and the online format worked well. I found having the lectures recorded was much better as with some of the trickier concepts I could rewind and watch again, and could also watch at a time of day that I was better able to concentrate/free from distractions. The opportunity to ask questions before and after the practical’s was also good, in order to consolidate each of the topics. The way in which each concept was taught and then built on was really helpful and made it easier to understand the more complex methods and then practicing them in the practical’s made sure we had actually understood. All the tutors were very knowledgeable, friendly and answered questions clearly and thoroughly. Overall a really great course."

How to apply
How to apply - Advanced Course in Epidemiological Analysis
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Applying for this course

Applications for 2024 are now open and can be made via our online application form.

Please read LSHTM's Admissions policies prior to submitting your application.

Short courses - visas, accommodation, disclaimer
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Visas

The student is responsible for obtaining any visa or other permissions to attend the course, and is encouraged to start the application process as early as possible as obtaining a visa for the UK can sometimes take a long time. The Short Courses team can provide supporting documentation if requested.

Accommodation

A list of hotels located in the vicinity of LSHTM, along with further resources for short term accommodation, can be found on our accommodation pages

Important information

Please note:

  • Students will be required to bring their own laptops. The Stata package will be available for the duration of the course.
  • If you have been offered a place on the course you will not be able to register without bringing a formal ID (Passport) and without having obtained the correct visa if required.
  • It is essential that you read the current visa requirements for short course students.
  • LSHTM may cancel courses two weeks before the first day of the course if numbers prove insufficient.  In those circumstances, course fees will be refunded.
  • LSHTM cannot accept responsibility for accommodation, travel and other losses incurred as a result of the course being cancelled.