Epidemiology: The Basic Science of Public Health (Coursera)

Epidemiology: The Basic Science of Public Health (Coursera)

Often called “the cornerstone” of public health, epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of diseases, health conditions, or events among populations and the application of that study to control health problems. By applying the concepts learned in this course to current public health problems and issues, students will understand the practice of epidemiology as it relates to real life and makes for a better appreciation of public health programs and policies. This course explores public health issues like cardiovascular and infectious diseases – both locally and globally – through the lens of epidemiology.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Course Introduction, History of Epidemiology and Epidemiology Research
This module introduces the history and field of epidemiology.

WEEK 2
Understanding Measures of Disease Frequency
This module introduces measures of disease frequency.

WEEK 3
Study Designs
This module introduces the following study designs: experimental, cohort, case control, cross-sectional, and ecologic.

WEEK 4
Measures of Association
This module introduces measures of association and confidence intervals.

WEEK 5
Causality
This module introduces causality.

WEEK 6
Course Conclusion
This module concludes the course.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Introduction to Hearing Loss (Coursera) Coursera
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Introduction to Hearing Loss (Coursera)

Welcome to Introduction to Hearing Loss. Disorders of the ear range from simple, easily treated entities (such as wax or cerumen impaction) to the highly complex (such as permanent hearing loss). Many of these disorders manifest with similar symptoms and may be difficult to differentiate without a basic understanding of the anatomy of the ear and auditory pathway.

Oct 5th 2026
4 Weeks
Everyday Chinese Medicine 2 (Coursera) Coursera
The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Everyday Chinese Medicine 2 (Coursera)

This course, Everyday Chinese Medicine II offered by the Chinese University of Hong Kong, aims to show to the public, as well as the healthcare professionals about the basic principles of Chinese medicine. Our primary goal is to empower healthcare choices by promoting awareness and practical application on Chinese medicine diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, and to facilitate interprofessional education between Chinese and conventional clinicians.

Oct 5th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Introduction to Systems Biology (Coursera) Coursera
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Introduction to Systems Biology (Coursera)

This course will introduce the student to contemporary Systems Biology focused on mammalian cells, their constituents and their functions. Biology is moving from molecular to modular. As our knowledge of our genome and gene expression deepens and we develop lists of molecules (proteins, lipids, ions) involved in cellular processes, we need to understand how these molecules interact with each other to form modules that act as discrete functional systems.

Oct 5th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Confronting Gender Based Violence: Global Lessons for Healthcare Workers (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

Confronting Gender Based Violence: Global Lessons for Healthcare Workers (Coursera)

This course introduces participants from the healthcare sector to gender based violence (GBV), including global epidemiology of GBV; health outcomes; seminal research; and clinical best practices for GBV prevention, support, and management. A core curriculum is supplemented by lectures that contextualize the content with specific examples and programs from around the world.

Oct 12th 2026
4 Weeks
Cosmetologia em prol do envelhecimento com saúde e beleza (Coursera) Coursera
Universidade Estadual de Campinas - UNICAMP

Cosmetologia em prol do envelhecimento com saúde e beleza (Coursera)

Esse curso foi planejado com muito cuidado e dedicação visando trazer conhecimentos clássicos e atuais sobre o processo de envelhecimento, produtos cosméticos e as múltiplas vias de atuação de substancias ativas aplicadas em produtos para prevenção e atenuação dos sinais de envelhecimento da pele.

Oct 5th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Communicating During Global Emergencies (Coursera) Coursera
Emory University

Communicating During Global Emergencies (Coursera)

In collaboration with the Rollins School of Public Health and the CDC's Division of Global Health Protection, Emergency Response, and Recovery Branch, this course introduces basic concepts and principles of communicating during a global crisis or emergency. It explores why communication during an emergency is different and the importance of adapting emergency messages to the needs of affected populations.

Oct 5th 2026
3 Weeks
Acute and Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Comprehensive Review (Coursera) Coursera
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Acute and Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Comprehensive Review (Coursera)

This course is designed to inform primary care physicians and general otolaryngologists about the differences between acute and chronic rhinosinusitis and how to distinguish and treat them. It is also applicable to individuals who wish to broaden their knowledge and vernacular about this disease process, especially those who may suffer from this condition.

Oct 5th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Whole genome sequencing of bacterial genomes - tools and applications (Coursera) Coursera
Technical University of Denmark - DTU

Whole genome sequencing of bacterial genomes - tools and applications (Coursera)

This course will cover the topic of Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of bacterial genomes which is becoming more and more relevant for the medical sector. WGS technology and applications are high on international political agenda, as the classical methods are being replaced by WGS technology and therefore bioinformatic tools are extremely important for allowing the people working in this sector to be able to analyze the data and obtain results that can be interpreted and used for different purposes.

Oct 5th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Community Awareness Course: Sexuality and Disability (Coursera) Coursera
University of Minnesota

Community Awareness Course: Sexuality and Disability (Coursera)

This community awareness course from the University of Minnesota Program on Human Sexuality will provide you with a solid introduction to human sexuality for those living with disabilities. Often there are assumptions that the disabled or differently abled people are not sexual, do not have sexual needs, or cannot be involved sexually. In this professionally produced one-hour course, you'll learn about the basics of disabilities and human sexuality.

Oct 5th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Ecosystems of California (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Santa Cruz

Ecosystems of California (Coursera)

This course surveys the diversity, structure and functioning of California’s ecosystems through time and the ways they have influenced and responded to human activities and stewardship. Topics include ecosystem drivers such as climate, soils, and land use history; human and ecological prehistory of the state; comparative marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystem dynamics; and managed ecosystems such as range, fisheries and agriculture in California.

Oct 5th 2026
5-12 Weeks