Synopsis:  Students explore the four basic analytical epidemiological study designs; including the fundamental experimental design used in a controlled trial, and the three designs used to observe "natural experiments;" the cohort study, case-control study, and cross-sectional study.  A "train analogy" is used to depict "the journey between exposure and disease" and the different ways exposure and outcome data are collected during the journey.  The train analogy helps students uncover how the study designs differ according to when during the journey the epidemiologist determines study participants' exposure and outcome status.

All students will develop problem-solving, decision-making, and inquiry skills, reflected by formulating usable questions and hypotheses, planning experiments, conducting systematic observations, interpreting and analyzing data, drawing conclusions, and communicating results.

All students will understand and apply the knowledge of sounds, letters, and words in written English to become independent and fluent readers, and will read a variety of materials and texts with fluency and comprehension.

All students will speak in clear, concise, organized language that varies in content and form for different audiences and purposes.

All students will listen actively to information from a variety of sources in a variety of situations.

All students will access, view, evaluate, and respond to print, nonprint, and electronic texts and resources.

All students will demonstrate critical life skills in order to be functional members of society.