Biostatistical Methods for Observational Studies

Graduate Prerequisites: (SPHBS 723 OR SPHBS 730) or consent of instructor. It is not recommended that SPHBS 805 and SPHBS 852 be taken concurrently, unless with the approval of the instructors of both courses. Students cannot take both SPHBS 852 and SPHBS 835 for credit. - This course covers study design and intermediate-level data analysis techniques for handling confounding in epidemiologic studies. Confounding is carefully defined and distinguished from interaction. Course content covers stratification and multivariable techniques for controlling confounding in both matched and independent sample study designs, including logistic regression and proportional hazards models. Model fit and prediction are discussed. Students are required to apply these methods with the aid of computerized statistical packages. Students can use statistical software R or SAS.