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  2. Occupational Epidemiology [OHS6136]

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Exercise 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

    Occupational Epidemiology

  • Unit Code

    OHS6136

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    20

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    Online

Description

This unit examines epidemiology from the perspective of occupational health and safety, including appropriate study design and quantitative data analysis techniques as they relate to the work environment. Epidemiological evidence as a tool for decision making regarding the management of occupational diseases, accidents and injuries is discussed with a focus on case studies and applied examples.

Non Standard Timetable Requirements

This unit is delivered online and as a consequence students wishing to enrol will need to have internet access.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded OHS5136

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Apply principles of ethical conduct when collecting data about or from human subjects in workplaces.
  2. Characterise types of epidemiology studies undertaken on cohorts of workers.
  3. Critically review and synthesis the outcomes from published research reports relating to occupational health.
  4. Design simple epidemiological studies that can be applied to the investigation of work related health and safety issues.
  5. Evaluate epidemiological data and predict potential occupational health risks.
  6. Summarise the scope of occupational epidemiology.

Unit Content

  1. Collection of field data.
  2. Development and implementation of intervention programs.
  3. Disease causation models.
  4. Epidemiological research design, including cross-sectional, case-control, cohort and intervention study designs.
  5. Evaluation and presentation of epidemiological data.
  6. Human research ethics.
  7. Measuring health - mortality, sickness and disease and disability risk factors.
  8. Quantitative analysis of data, including the calculation of incidence rates, prevalence, relative and attributable risk.
  9. Sources of error in epidemiological studies including bias, confounding and effect modification.
  10. Statistical analysis related to the assessment of health risk.

Additional Learning Experience Information

On-line teaching including tutorials and readings.

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.

ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
WorkshopEpidemiological calculations25%
ReviewReview of epidemiological studies related to occupational diseases35%
TestOn-Line test40%

Text References

  • ^ Checkoway, H., Pearce, N. & Kriebel, D. (2004). Research methods in occupational epidemiology (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
  • Webb, P. & Bain, C. (2011). Essential epidemiology, an introduction for students and health professionals (2nd ed.). Melbourne: Cambridge University Press.
  • Macera, C. A. Shaffer, R.A. & Shaffer, P.M. (2013). Introduction to epidemiology: distribution and determinants of disease in humans. Clifton Park, NY: Cengage Learning, Inc
  • McDonald, C. (2008). Epidemiology of Work Related Diseases (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: BMJ Books.
  • Healey, B.J. & Walker, K.T. (2009). Introduction to Occupational Health in Public Health Practice. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com
  • European Chemicals Agency. (Ed.). (2009). Guidance on Information Requirements and Chemical Safety Assessment: Chapter R.14: Occupational Exposure Estimation. Geneva: echa.europa
  • Baxter, P., Cockroft, A. & Harrington, M. (Eds.). (2010). Hunter's Diseases of Occupations. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com
  • Van Den Broeck, J. & Brestoff, J.R. (2013). Epidemiology: Principles and Practical Guidelines. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com
  • Killewo, J., Heggenhougen, K. & Quah, S.R. (2010). Epidemiology and Demography in Public Health. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com

Journal References

  • Safety science
  • Occupational health management
  • Occupational ergonomics
  • Journal of occupational science
  • Journal of Health, Safety and Environment
  • Journal of health and safety research and practice
  • International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health
  • Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
  • Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health
  • Annals of Occupational Hygiene

^ 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.

OHS6136|1|1

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Exercise 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

    Occupational Epidemiology

  • Unit Code

    OHS6136

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    20

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    Online

Description

This unit examines epidemiology from the perspective of occupational health and safety, including appropriate study design and quantitative data analysis techniques as they relate to the work environment. Epidemiological evidence as a tool for decision making regarding the management of occupational diseases, accidents and injuries is discussed with a focus on case studies and applied examples.

Non Standard Timetable Requirements

This unit is delivered online and as a consequence students wishing to enrol will need to have internet access.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded OHS5136

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Apply principles of ethical conduct when collecting data about or from human subjects in workplaces.
  2. Characterise types of epidemiology studies undertaken on cohorts of workers.
  3. Critically review and synthesis the outcomes from published research reports relating to occupational health.
  4. Design simple epidemiological studies that can be applied to the investigation of work related health and safety issues.
  5. Evaluate epidemiological data and predict potential occupational health risks.
  6. Summarise the scope of occupational epidemiology.

Unit Content

  1. Collection of field data.
  2. Development and implementation of intervention programs.
  3. Disease causation models.
  4. Epidemiological research design, including cross-sectional, case-control, cohort and intervention study designs.
  5. Evaluation and presentation of epidemiological data.
  6. Human research ethics.
  7. Measuring health - mortality, sickness and disease and disability risk factors.
  8. Quantitative analysis of data, including the calculation of incidence rates, prevalence, relative and attributable risk.
  9. Sources of error in epidemiological studies including bias, confounding and effect modification.
  10. Statistical analysis related to the assessment of health risk.

Additional Learning Experience Information

On-line teaching including tutorials and readings.

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.

ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
WorkshopEpidemiological calculations25%
ReviewReview of epidemiological studies related to occupational diseases35%
TestOn-Line test40%

Text References

  • ^ Checkoway, H., Pearce, N. & Kriebel, D. (2004). Research methods in occupational epidemiology (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
  • Webb, P. & Bain, C. (2011). Essential epidemiology, an introduction for students and health professionals (2nd ed.). Melbourne: Cambridge University Press.
  • Macera, C. A. Shaffer, R.A. & Shaffer, P.M. (2013). Introduction to epidemiology: distribution and determinants of disease in humans. Clifton Park, NY: Cengage Learning, Inc
  • McDonald, C. (2008). Epidemiology of Work Related Diseases (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: BMJ Books.
  • Healey, B.J. & Walker, K.T. (2009). Introduction to Occupational Health in Public Health Practice. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com
  • European Chemicals Agency. (Ed.). (2009). Guidance on Information Requirements and Chemical Safety Assessment: Chapter R.14: Occupational Exposure Estimation. Geneva: echa.europa
  • Baxter, P., Cockroft, A. & Harrington, M. (Eds.). (2010). Hunter's Diseases of Occupations. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com
  • Van Den Broeck, J. & Brestoff, J.R. (2013). Epidemiology: Principles and Practical Guidelines. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com
  • Killewo, J., Heggenhougen, K. & Quah, S.R. (2010). Epidemiology and Demography in Public Health. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com

Journal References

  • Safety science
  • Occupational health management
  • Occupational ergonomics
  • Journal of occupational science
  • Journal of Health, Safety and Environment
  • Journal of health and safety research and practice
  • International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health
  • Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
  • Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health
  • Annals of Occupational Hygiene

^ 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.

OHS6136|1|2