University of North Carolina School of Public Health
Department of Epidemiology

EPID600, Principles of Epidemiology for Public Health

Course grades (Internet edition, Fall 2011)

Numeric grades, on a 0-100 scale, are computed as a weighted average of your scores on Exam 1 (35%), Exam 2 (35%), Exam 3 (20%), and Class participation (10%). Numeric grades are translated into letter grades through a conversion scale.

About the examinations

Exam 1 and Exam 2 will each contain 20-30 multiple choice, true-false, computation, and short answer questions. For an example of an actual Exam 1, see the case study on HIV and behavior change in Zimbabwe.

Exam 3 (also referred to as the "final paper") consists of 4-10 essay questions that would form part of a structured critique of a published epidemiologic study.

All examinations are take-home, open-book, and untimed. You will submit your examination answers via webform, to facilitate uniform grading across the class.

Under the UNC Honor Code (link) you may not communicate with anyone other than an instructor about examinations (articles or questions) until after the instructor answers have been posted. You may - and are expected to - consult publicly available sources. (You may collaborate on case studies at any time.)

Option to reduce the impact of examination scores

Exams 1 and 2 together account for 70% of the course grade, but you can reduce their importance by submitting your answers to the starred case study questions (see "About the case studies") can earn up to 10% of the course grade, leaving 60% for Exam 1 and Exam 2. (See sample calculations and spreadsheet link, below.)

Small group participation

You will be assigned to a group with 4-10 other students to discuss case studies and other matters. At the end of the semester each participant will rate the other group participants. You will receive a number of points corresponding to the median of the ratings you receive from your peers.

Sample grade calculations (calculator)

Component Weight Ayesha Michael Xiaoyan Tanya
Case studies 10-0% 0 6 8 10
1st Examination 30-40% 75 75 85 90
2nd Examination 30-40% 80 80 90 95
3rd Examination 20% 80 80 90 95
Small group participation 10-0% 85 85 99 100
________________ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
Overall grade 100% 78.8 80.1 90.2 94.7
Letter grade - Graduate scale P  P  H  H 
Letter grade - Undergraduate scale B - B A - A
________________ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

More information about this semester’s course

Back to the EPID600 home page


8/20/2011 by Vic