Epidemiology & Basis Statistics - Level 2

About the course

This module follows on from the module ‘Basics of Epidemiology’. It explores certain concepts in epidemiology in greater depth and introduces some basic statistical concepts.
This module is a prerequisite in Statistics for the FETCH training course for epidemiologists and may be offered as additional material for other training courses run by Epicentre.
The module is for internal use by MSF only.
It is also available in French under the name ‘Epidemiologie & Statistiques de Base - niveau 2’.

Target audience

This course is intended for epidemiologists and individuals who have completed the course ‘Basics of Epidemiology’ and wish to acquire knowledge in basic statistics.

OC Validation

Epicentre

Duration

The course lasts between 3.5 and 4 hours in total, but the chapters are independent and can be completed at your own pace.

Learning objectives

  • Understand the reproduction number and performance parameters of a laboratory test
  • Know how to interpret an epidemic curve
  • Understand basic descriptive statistics
  • Know the concepts surrounding sampling and parameter estimation
  • Understand the theory of statistical testing

List of contents

This course consists of four chapters that you can take in any order. The course begins with a quiz testing your knowledge from the ‘Basics of Epidemiology’ module, as we will not be covering these concepts again.

It is then composed of 4 chapters. We recommend that you follow them in the order presented. The course offers texts to read, audio recordings and resources that provide additional explanations on the topic covered.

  • Course introduction: presents the course content and explains how to navigate through it. A pre-test will be given to you to assess your knowledge before you begin.
  • Chapter 1: Additional epidemiological indicators useful in investigating an epidemic
  • Chapter 2: Basic statistical parameters used in descriptive epidemiology
  • Chapter 3: Estimating a parameter
  • Chapter 4: The principle of statistical testing

Methodology

A self-paced course

Certification

A badge if offered on completion of this course, however there is no certificate is offered.

Requirements/Prerequisites (optional)

The course ‘Basics of Epidemiology’

Enrolment

self-enrolment courses

Release and update

March 2025

Technical considerations (optional field)

The course is available on the web and on the online application only (no offline access).