FHE5110 – Introduction to Causal Inference

Knowledge

After completing the course, you will be able to:

• explain/describe differences and similarities between randomized and observational studies of effect
• explain/describe the concepts of estimands and counterfactuals
• explain/describe the basic assumptions needed for causal inference
• explain/describe the basic rules of causal graph (DAG) theory
• distinguish between different methods for handling confounding

Skills

After completing the course, you will be able to:

• precisely articulate research questions using causal language
• critically review both randomized and observational studies
• use DAGs in practice
• apply basic methods for handling confounding

General competence

After completing the course, you will be able to:

• reflect upon the assumptions needed for causal inference
• critically evaluate conclusions made from epidemiological studies
• appreciate the role of causal inference methodology for generating evidence in health research

This course is only available for master students at the following master programmes:

• Folkehelsevitenskap og epidemiologi (master)
• International Community Health (master)

Students at Folkehelsevitenskap og epidemiologi have priority. There are 10 available seats for students at International Community Health. If there are more than 10 applicants from International Community Health, the principle of the first come, first served applies.

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

• INTHE4020 – Introduction to Quantitative Methods (discontinued)
• INTHE4021 – Introduction to Epidemiology (discontinued)
• FHE4120 – Introduction to Logistic and Cox regression

• The course consists of lectures, exercises and discussions.

Written examination, individual.

Examination and grading at The Faculty of Medicine.

Only the two following calculators are allowed as examination support material:

• Citizen SR-270X/SR-270X (College)
• Casio FX-82EX