PBH2001 - Foundations of epidemiology - 2019

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Dragan Ilic

Coordinator(s)

Professor Dragan Ilic

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

  • Second semester 2019 (On-campus)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in an Undergraduate Degree

Synopsis

This unit introduces students to the applications of epidemiological concepts and methods to typical problems in population health and in the broader public health literature.

This will include consideration of fundamental ethical issues pertaining to the conduct of public health research and population health interventions.

Emphasis is placed on a population view of health and disease, social determinants of health, epidemiological principles, research study design and interpretation, and communication of evidence in practice.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Examine and explain how disease is measured in populations
  2. Assess the quality of evidence provided across epidemiological research designs
  3. Recognise and summarise issues of cultural context and ethical principles in epidemiological and health research
  4. Identify and apply core public health principles in health research
  5. Summarise and communicate evidence for professional audiences

Assessment

NOTE: From 1 July 2019, the duration of all exams is changing to combine reading and writing time. The new exam duration for this unit is 2 hours and 10 minutes.

  • Media report analysis (1,200 words) (20%)
  • Critical appraisal (2100 words) (35%)
  • Online quiz (MCQ) (30 minutes) (10%)
  • Examination (MCQ/SAQ) (2 hours) (35%)

Hurdle Requirement: 80% attendance at tutorials and participation in online tasks.

Workload requirements

1 hour lecture, 2 hour tutorial, 3 hours of directed online student learning activities, plus 6 hours of self-directed study per week.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study