Infectious Diseases Modelling (POPH90271)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Faced with the rising cost of vaccines and increasing drug resistance, public health decision makers increasingly rely on epidemiological models of infectious disease transmission to predict the impact, and define optimal implementation of, intervention strategies. Such considerations are particularly critical in resource-constrained settings.
This subject introduces students to the concepts of infectious diseases modelling required to interpret modelling papers relevant to the public health context. By considering real world examples of the use of models to support practice, they will learn to distinguish between different types of modelling frameworks, and understand their relevance to alternative questions and settings. Building on their strengths in infectious diseases epidemiology, students will develop confidence in assessing whether model frameworks incorporate all relevant knowledge and are ‘fit for purpose’ to support decision making.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students will be able to:
- Describe the basic concepts underlying the susceptible-infectious-recovered modelling paradigm;
- Identify data sources of relevance to inform model structure and parameters;
- Differentiate between alternative modelling frameworks and approaches, and identify which are most relevant to specific infectious disease policy questions;
- Understand the concepts of uncertainty and sensitivity in model outputs;
- Provide summary reports of modelling papers for a non-expert audience, such as public health policy makers or the public;
- Critically appraise modelling outputs, and their relevance to public health decision making for infectious disease control and surveillance.
Generic skills
After completing this subject, students will develop skills in:
- Finding, evaluating and using diverse sources of evidence;
- Critical thinking and analysis;
- Problem-solving;
- Written and verbal communication;
- Decision making.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| POPH90014 | Epidemiology 1 |
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
AND
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAST90100 | Probability & Inference in Biostatistics | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| POPH90112 | Infectious Disease Epidemiology | April (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
On-Line Short Answer Test
| Week 4 | 20% |
Written Report
| Week 9 | 60% |
On line Group work oral presentation (approximately 6-8 students per group) due at the end week 12
| Week 12 | 20% |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Trish Campbell Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 24 Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025 Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025 Census date 1 September 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 26 September 2025 Assessment period ends 21 November 2025 Semester 2 contact information
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: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Public Health Course Master of Biostatistics Course Master of Science (Epidemiology) Informal specialisation Epidemiology and Biostatistics - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 4 March 2025