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
2017
Enrolment Period
1
Version
1
Credit Points
20
Full Year Unit
N
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Online
Unit Coordinator
Dr Lauren Edna BLOOMFIELD
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:
- Appreciate the ethical aspects related to epidemiological research.
- Critically analyse epidemiological literature.
- Critically review health screening, and the assessment procedures used.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity and scope of epidemiology.
- 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.
- Describe epidemiological study methods and the factors to consider when selecting a particular study design.
- Present epidemiological data.
Unit Content
- Definition and history of epidemiology; basic epidemiological measures; sources of health information in Australia.
- Demography and epidemiology.
- 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.
- Epidemiology in practice - investigating a disease outbreak, occupational epidemiology; presentation of epidemiological data; role in public health policy.
- Measures of association - relative risks and odd ratios, attributable risk; casual and non-casual association.
- Measuring health - mortality, sickness and disease, disability and handicap risk factors; classification of diseases; basic analysis of health data.
- 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 CAMPUSType | Description | Value |
---|
Test | On-line test | 20% |
Assignment | Critical review | 30% |
Examination | End of semester examination | 50% |
ONLINEType | Description | Value |
---|
Test | On-line test | 20% |
Assignment | Critical review | 30% |
Examination | End of semester examination | 50% |
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
2017
Enrolment Period
2
Version
1
Credit Points
20
Full Year Unit
N
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Online
Unit Coordinator
Dr Lauren Edna BLOOMFIELD
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:
- Appreciate the ethical aspects related to epidemiological research.
- Critically analyse epidemiological literature.
- Critically review health screening, and the assessment procedures used.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity and scope of epidemiology.
- 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.
- Describe epidemiological study methods and the factors to consider when selecting a particular study design.
- Present epidemiological data.
Unit Content
- Definition and history of epidemiology; basic epidemiological measures; sources of health information in Australia.
- Socioeconomic and occupational factors and differentials in health status; Aboriginal health differentials.
- Measures of association - relative risks and odd ratios, attributable risk; casual and non-casual association.
- Demography and epidemiology.
- Measuring health - mortality, sickness and disease, disability and handicap risk factors; classification of diseases; basic analysis of health data.
- 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.
- Epidemiology in practice - investigating a disease outbreak, occupational epidemiology; presentation of epidemiological data; role in public health policy.
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 CAMPUSType | Description | Value |
---|
Test | Mid-Semester Test | 40% |
Examination | End of Semester Examination | 60% |
ONLINEType | Description | Value |
---|
Test | Mid-Semester Test | 40% |
Examination | End of Semester Examination | 60% |
Core Reading(s)
- Gordis, L. (2014). Epidemiology. (5th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
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