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Epidemiology 1 (POPH90014)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville) and Online
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
ankur.singh@unimelb.edu.au Andrew.lau@unimelb.edu.au
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: https://study.unimelb.edu.au/
Semester 2
ankur.singh@unimelb.edu.au Andrew.lau@unimelb.edu.au
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: https://study.unimelb.edu.au/
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 - Online Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject is a core subject within the Master of Public Health, the Master of Epidemiology, the Master of Science (Epidemiology) and the Master of Biostatistics. Students should enrol in this subject early in their program of study.
Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of disease frequency in human populations and the application of this study to control health problems. It is a fundamental science of public health.
Three main tasks of epidemiology include description, causal inference and prediction. This subject focuses on the first two and emphasises the application of epidemiological evidence to informing public health practice and policy.
Description: the epidemiological measures of disease frequency and summary measures of population health are introduced and used to describe patterns and trends in disease occurrence within and between populations. The role of routinely collected data, particularly for surveillance of infectious diseases, is discussed.
Causal inference: is key to applying epidemiological evidence to controlling health problems if interventions are to be effective. In this subject, causal inference is considered within the modern counterfactual framework. Causal diagrams, which are an integral part of this approach to causal inference are introduced. 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. Methods to control for confounding, including standardisation, are discussed.
Differences in characteristics of the major sources of morbidity (infectious disease, non-communicable disease, and injury) are discussed in the context of prevention and early detection of disease. Transmission dynamics of infectious diseases are introduced in this context. The applicability of epidemiological evidence (external validity) to interventions in target populations is introduced. Measures of the validity and performance of tests for early detection are introduced.
Intended learning outcomes
At the completion of this subject, students are expected to be able to:
- Calculate and interpret measures of disease frequency, association, impact, and validity and performance of screening tests
- Interpret patterns and trends of disease within and between populations using surveillance and other routinely collected data
- Explain how differences in the epidemiological features of infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and injury influence strategies for their control
- Develop research questions to address causal questions in epidemiology
- Apply the counterfactual approach and epidemiological tools and guidelines to assessing causation in epidemiological studies
- Evaluate epidemiological evidence from experimental and observational studies
- Synthesise epidemiological evidence to inform decisions in public health
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: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Corequisites
Non-allowed subjects
POPH90142 Epidemiology & Analytic Methods 1 POPH90143 Epidemiology & Analytic Methods 2
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 |
---|---|---|
Quiz
| Week 4 | 15% |
Quiz
| Week 6 | 15% |
Written short answer assignment
| Week 9 | 30% |
Written assignment
| During the examination period | 40% |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1 - Online
Coordinators Andrew Lau and Ankur Singh Mode of delivery Online Contact hours Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 27 February 2023 to 28 May 2023 Last self-enrol date 10 March 2023 Census date 31 March 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2023 Assessment period ends 23 June 2023 Semester 1 contact information
ankur.singh@unimelb.edu.au Andrew.lau@unimelb.edu.au
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: https://study.unimelb.edu.au/
- Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery
Coordinators Ankur Singh and Andrew Lau Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 24 July 2023 to 22 October 2023 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2023 Census date 31 August 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2023 Assessment period ends 17 November 2023 Semester 2 contact information
ankur.singh@unimelb.edu.au Andrew.lau@unimelb.edu.au
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: https://study.unimelb.edu.au/
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Webb P, Bain C, Page A. Essential Epidemiology, 4th edition. Cambridge University Press, 2019
Recommended texts and other resources
None
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Public Health Course Master of Biostatistics Course Master of Adolescent Health and Wellbeing Course Master of Epidemiology Course Master of Science (Epidemiology) Course Graduate Diploma in Biostatistics Informal specialisation Sexual Health Major Waste Management Major Waste Management Major Public Health Informal specialisation Gerontology Major Integrated Water Catchment Management Informal specialisation Health, Gender and Society Informal specialisation Infectious Disease Epidemiology Informal specialisation Health Policy, Systems and Practice Informal specialisation Indigenous Health Informal specialisation Global Health Informal specialisation Doctor of Medicine Informal specialisation Epidemiology and Biostatistics Informal specialisation Evaluation and Implementation Science Informal specialisation Health Economics and Economic Evaluation Major Development Major Energy Efficiency Modelling and Implementation Major Environment and Public Health - 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: 31 January 2024