Real World Epidemiology (POPH30003)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

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Semester 1
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Real World Epidemiology is one of the four subjects in the Public Health and Epidemiology major in the Bachelor of Biomedicine.

In this subject, students will apply their new epidemiological skills and knowledge to real-life health and public health scenarios. Within the different scenarios encountered students will be asked to make decisions as health professionals and public health professional based on their interpretation of the epidemiological evidence. A variety of non-communicable diseases, injuries and infectious diseases will be considered in the scenarios presented. Students will consider the issues that can occur in epidemiological investigations and how such issues can lead to incorrect healthcare and public health decisions being made. Students will also learn how to synthesise and present the evidence from epidemiological studies and learn how to choose the best evidence to base decisions on for specific populations. Within this subject the different components of health systems will be explored and how epidemiological evidence can be used to improve policy and practice will be discussed. Students will also learn to develop mathematical models to predict the trajectory of infection spread. The hands-on delivery of this subject combining lectures, Q&A sessions and tutorials allows the students to practically apply their new skills to scenarios that mirror current real-world health challenges.

This subject would be appropriate for students considering careers in public health, the health professions or health research.  

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Discuss the strengths and limitations of epidemiological investigations (including surveillance systems-based investigations, case control studies and systematic reviews)
  • Describe the concepts of causal inference, bias and confounding for the purpose of critical appraisal and designing investigations to answer questions of public health importance
  • Appraise a variety of epidemiological investigations and synthesise such appraisals to inform decision making in public health and health professional practice
  • Describe the basic concepts underlying the susceptible-infectious-recovered infectious disease model, for the purpose of infectious disease modelling
  • Analyse data, and present and interpret the results from a variety of epidemiological investigations for the purposes of decision making in public health and health professional practice
  • Identify the key components of a health system and describe the points in the system where epidemiological evidence can be used to improve policy and practice across different contexts.

Generic skills

  • Problem solving: The ability to define a problem, determine the cause and implement a solution;
  • Research: The ability to find, evaluate and use relevant information;
  • Technology skills: The ability to use software to find, store and present data;
  • Teamwork: The ability to work in a team to make shared decisions

Last updated: 4 March 2025