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Infectious Disease Epidemiology (POPH90112)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
April
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 | April - Dual-Delivery |
---|---|
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:
- Use key epidemiological characteristics to explain how infectious agents are transmitted and cause disease in human populations.
- Analyse surveillance systems and data to show they are used to understand the epidemiology of an infectious disease.
- Identify and investigate an infectious disease outbreak to explain its cause and transmission.
- Formulate a comprehensive assessment to characterise the epidemiology of an infectious disease.
- Design a response to an infectious disease problem and its evaluation.
Generic skills
- 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: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Note: the following subject/s can also be taken concurrently (at the same time)
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
POPH90014 | Epidemiology 1 | Semester 1 (Online) |
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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Three Quizzes, 30 minutes each, due during the 1st, 2nd, 3rd week of teaching respectively.
| Early in the teaching period | 30% |
Group oral Presentation (10 minutes) (5 students per group, assessed as a group)
| Week 6 | 15% |
Individual summary of group work
| Week 6 | 5% |
Major Assignment
| During the examination period | 50% |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- April
Coordinator James Fielding Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 11 April 2022 to 29 May 2022 Last self-enrol date 20 April 2022 Census date 29 April 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 June 2022 Assessment period ends 24 June 2022 April 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
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Recommended texts and other resources
Students will be provided with the appropriate links, references and resources on the LMS throughout the subject to complete all the learning tasks and assessments.
The following two texts are useful reference texts for those planning a career in infectious disease epidemiology, but please note again, these are optional and not necessary to successfully complete the Infectious Disease Epidemiology subject.
* Sonja A. Rasmussen and Richard A. Goodman, editors. The CDC field epidemiology manual. 4th edition. Oxford University Press; New York; 2019.
* David L. Heymann, editor. Control of Communicable Diseases Manual. 20th Edition. AHPA Press; Washington DC; 2014.
- 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 Informal specialisation Global Health Informal specialisation Epidemiology and Biostatistics Major Environment and Public Health Major Tailored Specialisation 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: 31 January 2024