Cancer Clinical Epidemiology Training Program
Curriculum (Pathway I)
For the first training program pathway, trainees take a required core of courses during the first year and the summer of the second year of training. (This is a sample plan for a typical fellow. Deviations may occur for some individuals.)
| Course Number and Title | Abbreviated Course Description |
|---|---|
| Summer Term | |
| EP 510: Intro Epidemiology | Lectures and workshops to teach basic principles of epidemiologic research design |
| EP 522: Biostatistics I | An introductory course covering probability and estimation |
| EP 610: Tutorial in Epidemiologic Research | Weekly meetings between trainee and methodologic preceptor, designed to assist in developing and completing a research project; meetings are ongoing throughout the year |
| Fall Semester | |
| EP 523: Biostatistics II (first 8 weeks) | An introductory course covering hypothesis testing, regression, and ANOVA; a lab provides instruction in the use of statistical analysis software |
| EP 524: Biostatistics II (second 8 weeks) | An advanced course covering categorical data analysis and sample size calculations; a lab provides instruction in the use of statistical analysis software |
| EP 542: Health Measurement | Lectures and discussion sessions to introduce trainees to the concepts of health measurement as applied to epidemiology |
| Spring Semester | |
| EP 525: Biostatistics III (first 8 weeks) | An advanced course covering multivariate models in epidemiology; a lab provides instruction in the use of statistical analysis software |
| EP 532: Database Management | Practical issues of database management, supporting trainees' research projects |
| EP 560: Protocol Development | Major issues in research protocol development, including methodologic, development of research questions, and plans for analysis; trainee protocols are presented and critiqued |
| EP 570: Critical Appraisal of the Medical Literature | Techniques for critical appraisal; trainees critically appraise a journal article and lead the discussion concerning that article |
| Summer Term (second year) | |
EP 645: Research Methods in Cancer Etiology, Prevention, Treatment, and Control |
Course explores the specific research methods required in cancer research; reviews study designs applied to cancer etiology, prevention, treatment, and control; includes randomized controlled trials and multiple types of observational studies; other topics include ethical dilemmas, causal inference, bias, and effect modification |
Trainees also are required to take elective courses, usually in their second year, specifically designed for those focusing on cancer research. These could include courses in genetics, genetic epidemiology, and oncology, depending on prior training. Trainees also attend the weekly CCEB Seminar, and attend one or more conferences sponsored by the Abramson Cancer Center, as relevant to their interests. In addition, trainees participate in a professional development series during their first year of training, consisting of a series of seminars and workshops designed to prepare trainees for careers in academic medicine focusing on clinical research. Topic-specific seminars prepare trainees to give effective research presentations, teach effectively, conduct a job search, prepare and submit grant proposals, and work with institutional review boards. A final series of activities include web-based instruction in bioethics, ethical conduct of research, and protection of human subjects.
