Enrolments for 2020 have closed.
Epidemiology
Postgraduate | ACU-PUBH621 | 2020
Course information for 2020 intake View information for 2024 course intake
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 13 weeks
FEE-HELP available
Epidemiology
About this subject
On successful completion of Epidemiology, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate specialised knowledge of epidemiological concepts and methods, and their importance to public health practice
- Distinguish between different epidemiological measures and interpret these measures appropriately
- Compare and contrast major types of study designs used in epidemiology, especially in relation to appropriateness of study design, major features, strengths/limitations and interpretation of results
- Critically appraise epidemiological research, particularly in relation to underlying study design and inferences made from results
- Assess epidemiological information to appropriately support disease outbreak investigations and other surveillance activities, and public health practice generally
- Integrate epidemiological concepts and methods to particular public health activities, such as screening programs, disease monitoring, and research, in a practice-relevant manner
- Principles of epidemiology
- Fundamental epidemiological concepts, data sources and methods
- Measurement of exposure and risk of disease
- Measures: including rates, odds ratios, relative risk, attributable risk, lifetime risk (and others)
- Bias, confounding: types (e.g. measurement, selection), minimization
- Levels of evidence in quantitative research
- Observational and experimental study designs: cross sectional studies, case-control studies, case-crossover studies, nested case-control studies, case-cohort studies, prospective and retrospective cohort studies, randomised control trials, ecological studies
- Applied epidemiology
- Disease prevention and treatment: screening and diagnostic test evaluation
- Specialised epidemiology: social, behavioural, clinical and infectious disease
- Critical appraisal of epidemiological research
- Systematic reviews of health interventions: methods, data extraction and analysis, interpretation
- Practical epidemiology
- Application of epidemiology in public health practice: role in needs assessment, impact evaluation and health policy
- Health protection: monitoring and surveillance, notifiable diseases and legislative requirements
- Practice scenarios: contact tracing and notification (e.g. STIs)
Epidemiology, the study of causes and distribution of disease within populations, is an area of practice that informs and supports public health action. This subject provides students with comprehensive knowledge of epidemiology and its importance and relevance to public health research and practice. Students will build their understanding of fundamental epidemiological concepts and methods, including study designs, measures of frequency and association, bias/confounding, as well as data collection and management for public health monitoring and surveillance. The aim of the subject is for students to be able to apply the principles, skills and methods to key public health practice areas, such as: screening and diagnostic test evaluation; critical appraisal of epidemiological research articles and systematic reviews; social / behavioural epidemiology and chronic disease. Throughout the subject emphasis will be placed on patterns of disease distribution in Australian and international contexts.
A range of assessment procedures will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes consistent with University assessment requirements. In order to successfully complete this unit, students need to complete and submit three graded assessment tasks and obtain an aggregate mark of greater than 50%. PUBH621 involves assessment tasks designed to introduce students to the broad range of activity involved in applied epidemiology. In the first assessment piece, students are required to demonstrate their understanding by evaluating the use of epidemiological knowledge to implementing a major public health activity (such as screening). In Assessment 2, students are required to apply epidemiological knowledge in a simulated activity to assess and plan public health action. Finally, students will reflect on how epidemiological knowledge will shape their practice in public health.
- Evaluation of a Public Health program (40%)
- Simulated Contact Tracing and Exposure (50%)
- Practice Reflection (10%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
Established in 1991 after amalgamating four eastern Australian Catholic tertiary institutes, Australian Catholic University now has seven campuses, from Brisbane to Melbourne and welcomes students of all beliefs. Specialising in arts, business, education, health sciences, law, theology and philosophy, ACU encourages its students to think critically and ethically and bring change to their communities and offer this online through Open Universities Australia.
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- QS Ranking 2024:
- 34
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 29
Entry requirements
To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted into a degree.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.