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Infectious Disease Epidemiology (POPH90112)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
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
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
The epidemiology of infectious diseases differs from chronic disease - cases may be the source of infection for further cases, immunity is an important factor in disease transmission and control, and there is often the need for urgency in the detection and response to disease.
This subject introduces students to the strategies used to predict, detect and respond to infectious disease outbreaks, including vaccine-preventable diseases. Content is updated daily incorporating current outbreak reports, and emphasis is given to a practical understanding of infectious disease epidemiology and to developing the team-working skills central to outbreak investigations. Students will learn the basic steps of outbreak detection and response, and will develop the terminology and written and oral skills for effective reporting. Students will also develop problem-solving skills in scenario based workshops.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students will be able to:
- describe the epidemiologic principles underpinning disease surveillance and the mechanisms for disease control;
- examine and appraise surveillance systems;
- analyse, interpret and present outbreak data;
- determine appropriate strategies to monitor, investigate and control or prevent infectious diseases at the population level;
- provide written/oral reports to fellow health professionals and the public;
- be an effective investigation/research team member; and
- critically appraise the evidence base for public health infectious disease decision making.
Generic skills
After completing this subject, students will develop skills in:
- Critical thinking and analysis
- Working with others and in teams
- Problem-solving
- Oral communication
- Finding, evaluating and using relevant information
- Written communication
- Decision-making
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
This subject can be taken concurrently
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
POPH90014 | Epidemiology 1 | 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
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Four short-answer quiz questions (of 200 words each)
| Throughout the teaching period | 24% |
Major assignment
| Week 10 | 60% |
Group work (2 week preparation)
| Week 12 | 10% |
Group work summary due in the first week of the examination period
| During the examination period | 6% |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Hazel Clothier Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 hours: 2 hour weekly seminar for 12 weeks Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 2 March 2020 to 7 June 2020 Last self-enrol date 13 March 2020 Census date 30 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020 Assessment period ends 3 July 2020 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
Heymann D. Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, 19th Ed., American Public Health Association, Washington 2008
Recommended texts and other resources
Giesecke J. Modern Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Arnold, Edward 2002.
Gregg M., Field Epidemiology, Oxford 3rd Edition, 2008.
Plant A & Watson C. Communicable Disease Control: an Introduction. IP Communications, 2008 - Subject notes
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Epidemiology Course Master of Science (Epidemiology) Course Master of Public Health Major Tailored Specialisation Major Environment and Public Health Informal specialisation Epidemiology and Biostatistics Informal specialisation Global Health Major Public Health Major Tailored Specialisation Major Tailored Specialisation - Links to additional information
- 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