Critical Perspectives on Sex, Gender, and Medical Research

2 credits · Graduate School

This course is designed to provide students with the foundation necessary to critically assess research protocols and published literature on the inclusion and omission of sex and/or gender. This course will also provide understanding of the biological mechanisms involved in sex as a biological variable and will investigate the differences and relationship between sex and gender. Topics discussed include: basic definitions and measurements of sex and gender, biological and sociological contributions to sex and gender, review of sex chromosomes, health disparities and ethical implications, and study designs and statistical assessment of sex and/or gender in research. Examples are stressed with reference to assumptions and limitations. Students should have a basic knowledge of introductory biology (what one would learn in an introductory biology course) and they should have taken, or be taking concurrently, an introductory course in epidemiology, genetics, public health, statistics or biostatistics. If unsure about pre-requisites contact course instructors and exceptions will be considered. [2]