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Master of Science (Epidemiology) (MC-SCIEPI)
Masters (Coursework)Year: 2024 Delivered: On Campus (Parkville)
About this course
- Overview
- Entry and participation requirements
- Attributes, outcomes and skills
- Course structure
- Further study
Coordinator
Andrew Lau
Contact
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
Award title | Master of Science (Epidemiology) |
---|---|
Year & campus | 2024 — Parkville |
CRICOS code | 094598J |
Fees information | Subject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date |
Study level & type | Graduate Coursework |
AQF level | 9 |
Credit points | 200 credit points |
Duration | 24 months full-time or 48 months part-time |
The Master of Science (Epidemiology) is a coursework masters degree incorporating a supervised research project.
Epidemiology is the scientific method used to track population health, to find cause of disease (and health) and to identify ways to prevent disease. It is often called the basic science of public health, but its principles extend to clinical research and practice. Epidemiologists are the medical detectives for populations. They solve puzzles about who gets diseases, what causes disease and how to prevent disease.
The Master of Science (Epidemiology) gives students the opportunity to undertake a supervised research project in a field of choice as well as a broad range of coursework subjects including a professional skills component, as a pathway to PhD study or to the workforce
Links to further information
Entry requirements
1 . In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:
- an undergraduate degree with a science discipline major and a weighted average mark of at least H3 (65%) in the best 50points in appropriate major or discipline studies at third year.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.
2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
- prior academic performance.
3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.
4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.
Note:
- Quotas may be applied and preference may be given to applicants with evidence of appropriate preparation or potential to undertake research.
- Entry into this stream of the Master of Science (Epidemiology) is subject to the capacity of the department(s) or schools(s) to provide adequate supervision in a research project appropriate to the interests and preparation of the individual student and may be subject to the agreement of a member of academic staff to supervise the project module.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to providingsupport to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website. http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this course, graduates are expected to have:
- a critical approach to the appraisal of research work;
- the skills to identify and prioritise issues in health research and practice;
- the capacity to apply epidemiological and biostatistical theory and methods in practice including the demonstrated ability to identify health issues and formulate research questions; locate, synthesise and critically appraise epidemiological data, systems and research; design and appraise epidemiological studies; summarise and report epidemiological data; apply standard methods of statistical analysis used in epidemiology; interpret and apply the findings of epidemiological studies; prepare grant applications and manuscripts and deliver effective oral presentations, and
- developed business and communication skills that are relevant to the workplace.
Graduate attributes
A) Knowledge
Graduates of the Master of Science (Epidemiology) Degree will have acquired:
1. a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in the discipline of Epidemiology
2. knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to the field of Epidemiology
B) Skills
Graduates of the Master of Science (Epidemiology) will have developed:
1. cognitive skills to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on theory and scholarship
2. cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice
3. cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level
4. communication and technical research skills to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and scientific professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences
5. technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse, theorise about developments that contribute to scientific professional practice or scholarship
C) Application of knowledge and skills
Graduates of the Master of Science (Epidemiology) will demonstrate the application of knowledge & skills:
1. with creativity and initiative to new situations in professional scientific practice and/or for further learning
2. with high level personal autonomy and accountability
3. to plan and execute a substantial research-based project
Course structure
Students undertaking the Master of Science - Epidemiology program will complete 200 points comprising:
- Discipline Core subjects (75 points);
- Discipline Elective subjects (25-75 points);
- Professional Skills subjects (25-50 points); and
- Research Project component (25-50 points).
Subject options
Discipline Core subjects
Students must take:
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
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 |
POPH90144 | Regression Methods in Health Research | July (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90145 | Survival Analysis & Regression for Rates | September (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90243 | Epidemiology in Practice | February (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90242 | Epidemiology 2 | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Discipline Elective subjects
Students must complete at least two of the following subjects:
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
POPH90093 | Economic Evaluation 1 | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90111 | Genetic Epidemiology | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90112 | Infectious Disease Epidemiology | April (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90271 | Infectious Diseases Modelling | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90094 | Health Economics 1 | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90206 | Health Policy | March (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90020 | Health Promotion | September (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90270 | Bioethics in Practice | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90205 | Social Determinants of Health Inequality | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
POPH90058 | Health Program Evaluation 1 | 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 |
POPH90199 | Gender and Health | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90217 | Foundations of Public Health | February (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Other subjects as approved by the course coordinator.
Students without a background in biology may select up to two approved relevant biology subjects.
Professional Skills subjects
Students must take between two and four subjects from:
Business Skills
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BUSA90403 | Business Tools: Money People & Processes | September (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Communication Skills
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
SCIE90012 | Science Communication | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
SCIE90013 | Communication for Research Scientists |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Science skills
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
COMP90072 | The Art of Scientific Computation |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
MAST90045 | Systems Modelling and Simulation | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
MULT90063 | Introduction to Quantum Computing | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
SCIE90005 | Ethics and Responsibility in Science | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
COMP90059 | Introduction to Programming |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
MAST90101 | Introduction to Statistical Computing | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
SCIE90017 | Science and Technology Internship |
Summer Term (Off Campus)
Semester 1 (Off Campus)
Semester 2 (Off Campus)
|
12.5 |
Epidemiology Research Project
For both the major and minor research project options, these research projects must be completed towards the end of the degree.
Research Project - 50 points (Major Research Project)
Students will gain research experience in Epidemiology by completing a 50-point major research project.
Students completing the major research project must ensure that they have completed a total of 50 credit points, taken over two consecutive semesters i.e. Part 1 followed by Part 2.
Students must take:
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
POPH90278 | Epidemiology Research Project Part 1 |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
25 |
POPH90279 | Epidemiology Research Project Part 2 |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
25 |
Research Project - 25 points (Minor Research Project)
Students will gain research experience in Epidemiology by completing a 25-point minor research project option.
Students completing the minor research project must ensure that they have completed a total of 25 credit points, taken over two consecutive semesters i.e. Part 1 followed by Part 2.
Students must take:
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
POPH90280 | Epidemiology Research Project Part 1 |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
POPH90283 | Epidemiology Research Project Part 2 |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Further study
The Master of Science offers a pathway to a PhD.
Last updated: 30 January 2024