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Introduction to Epidemiology (POPH20002)

Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2
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This subject will creatively expose students to key concepts and approaches within epidemiology and public health, through the lens of an island-dwelling population. From the very first lecture, a narrative will be established in which the students are public health professionals at the Department of Health of an island nation. Throughout the course of the subject, students will navigate challenges that threaten the health of the local island community, learning about topics such as infectious and non-infectious epidemiology, the social determinants of health, environmental threats to health, and scientific communication along the way. This engaging subject will see the students working in teams to apply their skills in a range of different scenarios that mirror current real-world health challenges with inputs from public health professionals working on these very challenges.

Intended learning outcomes

Upon completion of the subject, students will be able to:

  • Identify and discuss the social determinants of health;
  • Utilise the basic principles of infectious disease transmission in identifying appropriate disease prevention interventions
  • Collect epidemiological data and appraise data collection methods
  • Assess threats to causal inference in epidemiological investigations, for the purpose of informing public health recommendations
  • Recommend and plan population health interventions to reduce disease prevalence across different settings.
  • Work as a member of a team to communicate health messages based on scientific evidence to lay audiences.
  • Comprehend the requirements for engaging respectfully with First Nations peoples to improve health outcomes.

Generic skills

  • Analytical skills: The ability to investigate and interpret data and methodologies;
  • Evidence synthesis skills: The ability to critically synthesise and evaluate literature to confront unfamiliar problems;
  • Communication skills: The ability to communicate ideas effectively in written, visual and oral formats to academic and lay audiences;
  • Collaborative skills: The ability to collaborate respectfully and professionally with peers of differing disciplinary and cultural backgrounds;
  • Time management skills: The ability to meet regular deadlines while balancing other competing commitments.

Last updated: 12 February 2024