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Epidemiology 1 (POPH90014)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
OR
Currently enrolled students:
- General information: https://ask.unimelb.edu.au
- Email: Contact Stop 1
Future Students:
- Further Information: MSPGH Website
- Email: Enquiry Form
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject is a core subject within the Master of Public Health, the Master of Epidemiology and the Master of Science (Epidemiology). Students should enrol in this subject early in their program of study.
Epidemiology is the discipline of studying the distribution and determinants of disease in populations and is a fundamental science of public health.
The subject covers the role of epidemiology in public health and ethical conduct of quantitative research. Within this subject the measures of population health and disease frequency, measures of association and measures of the impact of specific risk factors are studied. The subject includes descriptive epidemiology using routinely collected data. The common experimental and observational study designs, and systematic reviews, and their relative strengths and weaknesses are discussed. The implications of common types of bias (selection bias, information bias, and confounding) are discussed, as are methods to minimise them. Causal inference is considered within a framework of critical appraisal of epidemiological evidence. The validity and performance of screening and diagnostic tests are considered. Current infectious diseases will also be examined by considering the principles of infectious disease transmission and surveillance systems used for health protection. The cultural considerations in undertaking research within indigenous populations, and epidemiological measures in the context of indigenous health will be considered in an online module.
Intended learning outcomes
At the completion of this subject, students are expected to be able to:
- Calculate and interpret measures of disease frequency, association and impact and interpret commonly used summary measures of population health
- Use routinely collected data to describe the patterns of a disease in the community
- Recognise the roles, strengths and weaknesses of systematic reviews, randomised controlled trials, cohort studies and case-control studies
- Recognise confounding, selection bias and information bias in epidemiological studies and discuss means to minimise their effects
- Perform basic critical appraisals of randomised controlled trials, cohort studies and case-control studies
- Assess whether associations are likely to be causal or non-causal
- Describe the basic principles in infectious disease transmission and surveillance systems used for health protection
- Explain the epidemiological principles of screening, and calculate and interpret measures of validity and performance of screening tests
Generic skills
Upon completion of this subject, students will have developed skills in:
• Critical thinking and analysis
• Finding, evaluating and using relevant information
• Problem-solving
• Written communication
• Using computers
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
-
POPH90142 POPH90143
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- Written short answer assignment, 1500 words, Due week 6 (30%)
- Written short answer assignment, 1500 words, Due week 12 (30%)
- Two-hour open book exam held during the examination period (40%)
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Dallas English Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 hours: 2 hours per week for 12 weeks. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2018 to 27 May 2018 Last self-enrol date 9 March 2018 Census date 31 March 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 4 May 2018 Assessment period ends 22 June 2018 Semester 1 contact information
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
OR
Currently enrolled students:
- General information: https://ask.unimelb.edu.au
- Email: Contact Stop 1
Future Students:
- Further Information: MSPGH Website
- Email: Enquiry Form
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Webb P, Bain C, Page A. Essential Epidemiology, 3rd edition. Cambridge University Press 2017
Recommended texts and other resources
None
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Graduate Diploma in Biostatistics Course Master of Adolescent Health and Wellbeing Course Master of Epidemiology Course Master of Biostatistics Course Master of Science (Epidemiology) Course Master of Public Health Course Master of Adolescent Health and Welfare Informal specialisation Gender and Women's Health Informal specialisation Health Program Evaluation Informal specialisation Health Economics and Economic Evaluation Informal specialisation Indigenous Health Informal specialisation Primary Care Informal specialisation Ageing Informal specialisation Doctor of Medicine Informal specialisation Epidemiology and Biostatistics Major Development Informal specialisation Global Health Informal specialisation Health Social Sciences Major Energy Efficiency Modelling and Implementation Informal specialisation Sexual Health Major Environment and Public Health Major Environment and Public Health Major Waste Management Major Public Health Major Integrated Water Catchment Management Major Waste Management Major Waste Management - Links to additional information
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022