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  2. Epidemiology [HST5120]

School: Medical and Health Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Epidemiology

  • Unit Code

    HST5120

  • Year

    2016

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    20

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

This unit is designed to introduce students to the nature and role of epidemiology, key epidemiological concepts, and the types of design strategies used in epidemiological research.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Appreciate the ethical aspects related to epidemiological research.
  2. Critically analyse epidemiological literature.
  3. Critically review health screening, and the assessment procedures used.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity and scope of epidemiology.
  5. Demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding of epidemiological concepts, particularly the measurement of disease, the nature of epidemiological surveillance, the assessment of risk, potential errors of measurement, epidemiological associations and causality, and statistical inference.
  6. Describe epidemiological study methods and the factors to consider when selecting a particular study design.
  7. Present epidemiological data.

Unit Content

  1. Definition and history of epidemiology; basic epidemiological measures; sources of health information in Australia.
  2. Demography and epidemiology.
  3. Epidemiological research design - descriptive, case-control, cohort and intervention studies; issues in design and analysis of epidemiological studies; bias, confounding and effect modification; reliability and validity; sensitivity and specificity and positive predictive value.
  4. Epidemiology in practice - investigating a disease outbreak, occupational epidemiology; presentation of epidemiological data; role in public health policy.
  5. Measures of association - relative risks and odd ratios, attributable risk; casual and non-casual association.
  6. Measuring health - mortality, sickness and disease, disability and handicap risk factors; classification of diseases; basic analysis of health data.
  7. Socioeconomic and occupational factors and differentials in health status; Aboriginal health differentials.

Additional Learning Experience Information

On line lectures, tutorials and epidemiological exercises.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestOn-line test20%
AssignmentCritical review30%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination50%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
TestOn-line test20%
AssignmentCritical review30%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination50%

Text References

  • ^ Gordis, L. (2014). Epidemiology (5th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
  • Torrence, M. (1997). Understanding epidemiology. St Louis, Missouri: Mosby-Year Book.
  • Rothman, K.J., Greenland, S., & Lash, T.L. (2008). Modern epidemiology (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Last, J.M. (Ed.). (2001). A dictionary of epidemiology (4th ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
  • Beaglehole, R., Bonita, R., & Kjellstrom, T. (2006). Basic epidemiology (2nd ed.). Geneva: World Health Organization.
  • Friis, R.H., & Sellers, T. A. (2009). Epidemiology for public health practice (4th ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
  • Friedman, G.D. (2004). Primer of epidemiology (5th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.
  • Elwood, J. M. (1998). Critical appraisal of epidemiological studies and clinical trials (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
  • Beaglehole, R., & Bonita, R. (2004). Public health at the crossroads: achievements and prospects. New York: Cambridge University Press.
  • Aschengrau, A., & Seage, G. R. (2008). Essentials of epidemiology in public health (2nd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
  • Greenberg, R.S., Daniels, S.R., Flanders, W.D., Eley, J.W., & Boring, J.R. (2005). Medical epidemiology (4th ed.). New York: Lange Medical Books/McGraw-Hill.

Journal References

  • Occupational Medicine
  • The Lancet
  • Medical Journal of Australia
  • Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)
  • Journal of Occupational Health and Safety - Australia and New Zealand
  • International Journal of Epidemiology
  • International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health
  • Environmental Health
  • British Medical Journal
  • Australasian Medical Journal
  • Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
  • Weekly Epidemiologic Record by the World Health Organization
  • American Journal of Epidemiology
  • American Journal of Public Health

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

HST5120|1|1

School: Medical and Health Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Epidemiology

  • Unit Code

    HST5120

  • Year

    2016

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    20

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

This unit is designed to introduce students to the nature and role of epidemiology, key epidemiological concepts, and the types of design strategies used in epidemiological research.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Appreciate the ethical aspects related to epidemiological research.
  2. Critically analyse epidemiological literature.
  3. Critically review health screening, and the assessment procedures used.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity and scope of epidemiology.
  5. Demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding of epidemiological concepts, particularly the measurement of disease, the nature of epidemiological surveillance, the assessment of risk, potential errors of measurement, epidemiological associations and causality, and statistical inference.
  6. Describe epidemiological study methods and the factors to consider when selecting a particular study design.
  7. Present epidemiological data.

Unit Content

  1. Definition and history of epidemiology; basic epidemiological measures; sources of health information in Australia.
  2. Demography and epidemiology.
  3. Epidemiological research design - descriptive, case-control, cohort and intervention studies; issues in design and analysis of epidemiological studies; bias, confounding and effect modification; reliability and validity; sensitivity and specificity and positive predictive value.
  4. Epidemiology in practice - investigating a disease outbreak, occupational epidemiology; presentation of epidemiological data; role in public health policy.
  5. Measures of association - relative risks and odd ratios, attributable risk; casual and non-casual association.
  6. Measuring health - mortality, sickness and disease, disability and handicap risk factors; classification of diseases; basic analysis of health data.
  7. Socioeconomic and occupational factors and differentials in health status; Aboriginal health differentials.

Additional Learning Experience Information

On line lectures, tutorials and epidemiological exercises.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestOn-line test20%
AssignmentCritical review30%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination50%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
TestOn-line test20%
AssignmentCritical review30%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination50%

Text References

  • ^ Gordis, L. (2014). Epidemiology (5th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
  • Rothman, K.J., Greenland, S., & Lash, T.L. (2008). Modern epidemiology (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Last, J.M. (Ed.). (2001). A dictionary of epidemiology (4th ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
  • Greenberg, R.S., Daniels, S.R., Flanders, W.D., Eley, J.W., & Boring, J.R. (2005). Medical epidemiology (4th ed.). New York: Lange Medical Books/McGraw-Hill.
  • Aschengrau, A., & Seage, G. R. (2008). Essentials of epidemiology in public health (2nd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
  • Friedman, G.D. (2004). Primer of epidemiology (5th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.
  • Elwood, J. M. (1998). Critical appraisal of epidemiological studies and clinical trials (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
  • Beaglehole, R., & Bonita, R. (2004). Public health at the crossroads: achievements and prospects. New York: Cambridge University Press.
  • Beaglehole, R., Bonita, R., & Kjellstrom, T. (2006). Basic epidemiology (2nd ed.). Geneva: World Health Organization.
  • Torrence, M. (1997). Understanding epidemiology. St Louis, Missouri: Mosby-Year Book.
  • Friis, R.H., & Sellers, T. A. (2009). Epidemiology for public health practice (4th ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.

Journal References

  • Occupational Medicine
  • The Lancet
  • Medical Journal of Australia
  • Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)
  • Journal of Occupational Health and Safety - Australia and New Zealand
  • International Journal of Epidemiology
  • International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health
  • Environmental Health
  • British Medical Journal
  • Australasian Medical Journal
  • Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
  • Weekly Epidemiologic Record by the World Health Organization
  • American Journal of Epidemiology
  • American Journal of Public Health

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

HST5120|1|2