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Infectious Diseases Modelling (POPH90271)
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 2
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
Faced with the rising cost of vaccines and increasing drug resistance, public health decision makers increasingly rely on epidemiological models of infectious disease transmission to predict the impact, and define optimal implementation of, intervention strategies. Such considerations are particularly critical in resource-constrained settings.
This subject introduces students to the concepts of infectious diseases modeling required to interpret modeling papers relevant to the public health context. By considering real world examples of the use of models to support practice, they will learn to distinguish between different types of modeling frameworks, and understand their relevance to alternative questions and settings. Building on their strengths in infectious diseases epidemiology, students will develop confidence in assessing whether model frameworks incorporate all relevant knowledge and are ‘fit for purpose’ to support decision making.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students will be able to:
- Describe the basic concepts underlying the susceptible-infectious-recovered modeling paradigm;
- Identify data sources of relevance to inform model structure and parameters;
- Differentiate between alternative modeling frameworks and approaches, and identify which are most relevant to specific infectious disease policy questions;
- Understand the concepts of uncertainty and sensitivity in model outputs;
- Provide summary reports of modeling papers for a non-expert audience, such as public health policy makers or the public;
- Critically appraise modeling outputs, and their relevance to public health decision making for infectious disease control and surveillance.
Generic skills
After completing this subject, students will develop skills in:
- Finding, evaluating and using diverse sources of evidence;
- Critical thinking and analysis;
- Problem-solving;
- Written and verbal communication;
- Decision making.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
POPH90014 | Epidemiology 1 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90112 | Infectious Disease Epidemiology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
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
- Short-answer test assessing understanding of key concepts due at the end week 4 (20%)
- Major assignment of 3000 words due at the end week 9 (60%)
- Group work oral presentation due at the end week 12 (20%)
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Trish Campbell Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 29 July 2019 to 27 October 2019 Last self-enrol date 9 August 2019 Census date 31 August 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 27 September 2019 Assessment period ends 22 November 2019 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Vynnycky E, White RG. An introduction to Infectious Disease Modelling. Oxford University Press 2010, Great Britain.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Science (Epidemiology) Course Master of Biostatistics Course Master of Public Health Informal specialisation Epidemiology and Biostatistics - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further 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