PUBH 2010 Epidemiology

This is an archived copy of the 2021-2022 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://hbook.westernsydney.edu.au.

Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 300872

Coordinator Shirin Mumu Opens in new window

Description Epidemiology is an analytical science concerned with the distribution and determinants of health-related states in populations, aimed at the management of health problems. Epidemiology is not limited to controlling epidemics but assesses and manages physical, mental and social well-being in living, working and recreational environments. The unit introduces identification and understanding of risk factors for health and disease, and assists the student to develop an investigation protocol for assessing a specific health state within their own field of interest. This addresses career needs for a range of health studies while introducing the epidemiological analytical approach to risk assessment and research.

School Science

Discipline Epidemiology

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 2 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 2 subject

Equivalent Subjects PUBH 2009 - Epidemiology

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

describe the basic function and role of epidemiology at a local and international level
integrate the epidemiological method into their own disciplinary area, such as environmental health, medical science, animal science, nutrition and food, occupational health and safety, forensic science
conduct rapid epidemiological assessments of health states using regression analysis, association analysis and epidemiological risk assessment to identify the nature and relative importance of local risk factors for health and disease
carry out the sourcing, collection, classification and �gcleaning�h of data to eliminate different types of bias and inaccuracy
design a survey with relevant standardised measuring instruments such as questionnaires with epidemiological contr

Subject Content

1. Basic epidemiological concepts
2. The development of modern epidemiology
3. International and large area epidemiology/health surveillance
4. Rapid epidemiological assessment: regression analysis, association analysis, and risk analysis
5. Methods of collecting quality data for small area studies: data sourcing and supplementation through methods such as surveys and technical studies
6. Study design and sampling
7. Graphical representation of contributory and risk factors associated with selected health states
8. The structure and use of an epidemiological investigation protocol

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Item	Length	Percent	Threshold	Individual/Group Task
Short Answer	3,000 words	50	N	Individual
Proposal	3,000 words	50	N	Individual

Prescribed Texts

Bonita, R., Beaglehole, R. and Kjellstrom, T., 2006. Basic Epidemiology, 2nd ed., WHO, available at http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2006/9241547073_eng.pdf

Teaching Periods