Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Master of Public HealthInformal specialisationYear: 2025

You’re viewing the 2025 Handbook:
Or view archived Handbooks

Overview

Students taking subjects within this specialisation will develop a deep understanding of the fundamental differences between the epidemiology of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The key principles of transmission, immunity and control of infectious diseases will be introduced, along with appropriate data analysis techniques. Students will learn how to examine and appraise infectious disease surveillance systems and to analyse, interpret and present outbreak data. Using real world examples, students will be able to distinguish between different types of infectious disease modelling frameworks and develop confidence in assessing the suitability of models to support decision making. Possible roles in the infectious diseases field include epidemiologist, public health officer, outbreak investigator, program support officer, research assistant and control program evaluator. Organisations that employ people in the infectious diseases field include local, state and commonwealth governments, research and academic institutions, health care service providers, pharmaceutical companies and non-government organisations with a focus on health.

Last updated: 13 February 2025

Structure

Standard 200 Point Program (no Advanced Standing):

SIX core subjects and NINE elective subjects and the Capstone Selective POPH90227 Public Health in Practice OR
SIX core subjects, EIGHT elective subjects and either a Research Project or Professional Practice unit

175 Point Pathway:

SIX core subjects and SEVEN elective subjects and the Capstone Selective POPH90227 Public Health in Practice OR
SIX core subjects, SIX elective subjects and either a Research Project or Professional Practice unit

150 Point Pathway:

SIX core subjects and FIVE elective subjects and the Capstone Selective POPH90227 Public Health in Practice OR
SIX core subjects and FOUR elective subjects and either a Research Project or Professional Practice unit

Subject Options

Core Subjects

Code Name Study period Credit Points
POPH90217 Foundations of Public Health
February (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
POPH90013 Biostatistics
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
POPH90014 Epidemiology 1
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
POPH90218 Public Health Leadership and Management
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
POPH90231 Qualitative Research in Public Health
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
POPH90274 Prioritising & Planning in Public Health
July (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5

Highly Recommended Electives

Code Name Study period Credit Points
POPH90112 Infectious Disease Epidemiology
April (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
POPH90144 Regression Methods in Health Research
July (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
POPH90271 Infectious Diseases Modelling
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5

Other Recommended Electives

Code Name Study period Credit Points
POPH90243 Epidemiology in Practice
March (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
POPH90058 Health Program Evaluation 1
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
POPH90242 Epidemiology 2
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
POPH90145 Survival Analysis & Regression for Rates
September (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
POPH90068 Prevention and Control of STIs and HIV
Semester 2 (Online)
 12.5
POPH90093 Introduction to Economic Evaluation
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
 
Code Name Study period Credit Points
POPH90301 Pandemic Preparedness and Response
July (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5

Capstone

There are three Capstone options to choose from - please refer to the Course Entry for detailed information on each of these:

  1. Research Project
  2. Professional Practice Unit
  3. Capstone selective subject & an additional elective

Last updated: 13 February 2025