Public Health: Cancer Epidemiology

Prepares students to design and implement studies of cancer epidemiology in the U.S. and globally. After gaining an understanding of the statistics used to measure cancer incidence and prevalence, students will explore risk factors for various cancers in order to learn relevant factors for oncogenesis, focusing on vulnerable populations.

Open to all graduate level students; All other students by permission; Must submit the request at: http://go.uvm.edu/phcourses; Contact Pallas.Ziporyn@uvm.edu for question; Asynchronous online

Get ready to dive into the world of cancer epidemiology with a course that equips students to design and lead impactful studies both in the U.S. and around the globe! Students will start by mastering the key statistics used to track cancer and then move into uncovering the risk factors that drive different types of cancer. Through compelling case studies and real-world scenarios, students will examine how cancer affects vulnerable populations, including refugees and workers exposed to carcinogens, sharpening their abilities to think ethically and compassionately as researchers. Students will create their own risk-factor questionnaire for a cancer of your choice and then dive into cancer registry data to analyze and interpret results. This hands-on experience will prepare students to contribute meaningfully to cancer research and public health efforts.

This course combines engaging lectures and online discussions. Students should expect to spend 3-5 hours per week on coursework outside of class, with additional time for the semester-long project. This course will be taught exclusively online.

Grades will be based on participation, weekly assignments, a final presentation, and a commentary paper about a cancer epidemiology topic of interest. Previous students have submitted their commentaries for publication in peer-reviewed journals.