Course Overview
NURS 8310 is a core doctoral-level course in Walden University’s DNP program (typically 5 quarter credits, 11 weeks). It provides an advanced overview of epidemiologic methods for studying disease distribution, determinants, and etiology in human populations, with emphasis on population health improvement, health equity, and application to nursing practice and policy.Official Course Description (from Walden Catalog)
Students are provided with an overview of epidemiologic methodology in the study of the distribution and etiology of disease and health-related conditions in human populations. Students examine important study designs and discuss the strengths and weaknesses inherent in each. They explore and discuss select global problems, such as infectious diseases, bioterrorism attacks, and effects of disasters and emergencies, and they apply epidemiologic and biostatistical methods to study factors related to aggregate, population, and individual health. Additionally, students work toward gaining cultural sensitivity and an interprofessional approach to caring for diverse populations at risk to ensure access to care.Course Format Online, asynchronous with weekly discussions and assignments.
Heavy emphasis on critical analysis, application of epidemiologic principles, and evidence-based population health strategies.
No practicum hours; focus is scholarly and analytical.
Primary Textbook & Resources Gordis, L. Epidemiology (latest edition, e.g., 6th). Elsevier.
Additional: Friis & Sellers Epidemiology for Public Health Practice; CDC resources; Healthy People 2030; PubMed/CINAHL articles.
Biostatistics review (descriptive/inferential stats, measures of association, confidence intervals, p-values).
Learning Outcomes / Competencies
By the end of the course, students will be able to: Apply epidemiologic principles to describe patterns of disease occurrence (person, place, time).
Evaluate strengths/limitations of epidemiologic study designs (descriptive, analytic: cohort, case-control, cross-sectional, RCT).
Calculate and interpret key epidemiologic measures (incidence, prevalence, relative risk, odds ratio, attributable risk).
Analyze social determinants, health disparities, and cultural factors in population health.
Apply epidemiology to program design, policy, chronic disease prevention, and emergency preparedness.
Use systematic reviews/meta-analyses and evidence synthesis in population health decision-making.
Weekly Topics, Discussion Questions, and AssignmentsThe course is structured over 11 weeks with progressive topics building from foundational concepts to advanced application and synthesis. Discussions are typically initial post by Day 3, 2+ substantive responses by Day 6. Assignments are usually due Day 7.Week 1: Foundations of Epidemiology & Population Health Topics: Definition/history of epidemiology; core functions (surveillance, investigation, research); population health vs. public health; measures of morbidity/mortality (incidence, prevalence, crude/specific rates); person-place-time framework.
Discussion: Reflect on your nursing practice—if you could eliminate one illness/disease, which would it be and why? How would epidemiology help address it?
Assignment: None major (introductory readings; some sections have a short reflection or data source identification post).
Week 2: Data Sources, Collection Methods & Descriptive Epidemiology Topics: Surveillance systems (passive/active); vital statistics; national/international data sources (CDC Wonder, WHO, BRFSS, NHANES); descriptive epidemiology (patterns by person/place/time); age-adjustment; standardization.
Discussion: Compare/contrast two data sources (e.g., CDC vs. state health dept.) for studying a health problem. What are strengths/limitations?
Assignment: Short paper or discussion extension analyzing descriptive patterns of a chosen health issue using public data.
Week 3: Measures of Association & Analytic Study Designs Topics: Risk measures (RR, OR, attributable risk); bias/confounding; analytic designs (cohort, case-control, cross-sectional); strengths/weaknesses; causality criteria (Hill’s criteria).
Discussion: Select a study design for investigating a health problem (e.g., lung cancer and smoking). Justify choice and discuss potential biases.
Assignment: Worksheet or brief analysis calculating/interpretating RR/OR from provided data or published study.
Week 4: Experimental & Quasi-Experimental Designs Topics: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs); quasi-experimental designs; blinding; intention-to-treat; ethical considerations in trials; evidence hierarchies.
Discussion: Critique an RCT or quasi-experimental study related to population health (e.g., vaccine trial, lifestyle intervention). What are threats to validity?
Assignment: Critical appraisal of a published experimental study (using CASP or similar tool).
Week 5: Chronic Disease Epidemiology & Social Determinants Topics: Leading chronic diseases (CVD, cancer, diabetes, obesity); risk factors; social determinants of health (SDOH); health disparities/equity; multilevel interventions.
Discussion: Analyze how SDOH contribute to disparities in a chronic condition (e.g., diabetes in underserved populations). Propose one epidemiologic approach to reduce it.
Assignment: Population health problem summary using person-place-time (often precursor to major paper).
Week 6: Infectious Disease & Emerging Threats Topics: Chain of infection; outbreak investigation; vaccine epidemiology; emerging/re-emerging diseases; bioterrorism; pandemics; contact tracing.
Discussion: Describe an outbreak (e.g., COVID-19 variant or mpox) using epidemiologic triad (agent-host-environment). Discuss control measures.
Assignment: Case study analysis of an infectious disease outbreak (data interpretation, prevention strategies).
Week 7: Psychosocial Factors, Behavior & Environmental Epidemiology Topics: Psychosocial determinants (stress, social support); health behaviors (smoking, diet, physical activity); environmental exposures (air/water pollution, occupational hazards); workplace health.
Discussion: How do psychosocial factors influence health outcomes in a specific population? Propose an epidemiologic study to examine this.
Assignment: Midterm synthesis or annotated bibliography on psychosocial/environmental factors in population health.
Week 8: Systematic Reviews, Meta-Analyses & Evidence Synthesis Topics: Systematic review process; meta-analysis basics (forest plots, heterogeneity); PRISMA guidelines; application to population health policy/programming.
Discussion: Critique a systematic review/meta-analysis on a population health topic (e.g., effectiveness of lifestyle interventions). What are implications for practice?
Assignment: Critical appraisal of a systematic review (using AMSTAR or similar).
Week 9: Epidemiology in Program Design & Policy Topics: Logic models; program planning/evaluation; policy analysis; evidence-based public health; translating epidemiology to policy (e.g., tobacco control, obesity prevention).
Discussion: How can epidemiologic data inform health policy? Provide an example of successful translation (e.g., seatbelt laws, fluoridation).
Assignment: Draft sections of final project (problem statement, epidemiologic rationale).
Week 10: Applying Epidemiology to Chronic Disease Program Design Topics: Chronic disease prevention frameworks; multilevel interventions; cultural sensitivity; interprofessional collaboration; evaluation metrics.
Discussion: Propose one epidemiologic strategy for a chronic disease program (e.g., diabetes prevention in a high-risk community).
Assignment: Major Assignment – Applying Epidemiology to Program Design for Chronic Disease (5–8 page paper + logic model): Select a chronic condition/population; describe epidemiology (person/place/time, risk factors); propose evidence-based program; include evaluation plan.
Week 11: Course Synthesis, Global Health & Future Directions Topics: Global burden of disease; epidemiology in disasters/emergencies; health equity; DNP role in population health leadership; future trends (precision public health, big data).
Discussion: Final reflections: How has this course changed your approach to population health? What is one key takeaway for your DNP practice?
Assignment: Final revisions/submission of chronic disease program design paper; self-reflection on competencies.
Key Course Assignments SummaryWeekly Discussions (most weeks; initial + responses)
Critical appraisals/worksheets (Weeks 3–8)
Major Paper: Applying Epidemiology to Chronic Disease Program Design (Week 10–11; comprehensive synthesis)
Possible minor assignments: Data analysis exercises, annotated bibliographies, logic models.
Grading & TipsDiscussions: 20–30%
Assignments/Appraisals: 30–40%
Final Program Design Project: 30–40%
Mastery of biostats/epidemiologic calculations is essential (practice RR/OR, confidence intervals).
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