Introduction to Epidemiology
PostgraduateTAS-CAM5282025
Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 16 Feb 2025
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 14 weeks
- Price from
- $2,923
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Introduction to Epidemiology
About this subject
Upon completion of this subject, the student should be able to:
- Distinguish between different epidemiological study designs in relation to their major features, strengths and limitations.
- Identify and discuss how to address sources of error and bias in epidemiological research.
- Critically appraise epidemiological research in relation to validity and inference of causality.
- Communicate academic arguments effectively.
- Identify, calculate and interpret basic epidemiological measures of disease frequency and relative risk.
- Weeks 1-2 - Module 1: Introduction to Epidemiology, Descriptive Epidemiology
- Weeks 3-5 - Module 2: Association. Study designs. Linking exposure and disease.
- Weeks 6-7 - Module 3: Alternative Explanations. The role of chance. Error. Confounding.
- Weeks 8-10 - Module 4: Integration and Interpretation. Association and causation. Reading and writing epidemiological papers. Assembling the building blocks: reviews and their uses.
- Weeks 11-13 - Module 5: Practical Applications. Outbreaks, epidemics and clusters. Prevention better than cure? Early detection.
This subject explores the principles, theories and practice of epidemiology. Students are provided with a comprehensive introduction to the collection and interpretation of epidemiological data within the framework of health, health care delivery and human services. The subject content covers the broad areas of disease distribution, study design, basic quantitative measures, causality, interpretation of data and critical appraisal of the literature. These concepts are explored in the context of contemporary health and health care issues such as non-communicable diseases, cancer screening, mental health, domestic violence, disability and drug and alcohol addiction. The subject focuses on the development of essential skills for logical and scientific assessment and evaluation of the literature. Critical thinking, scientific and analytical competencies are emphasized throughout this subject which builds core skills essential to health and health services research, planning and evaluation of programs and policy formulation.
- Online Quiz x 5 (25%)
- Online Written Assignments (45%)
- Critique of a Journal Article (30%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Core
- TAS-MPH-GCE-2025 - Graduate Certificate in Public Health
Elective
- TAS-CPH-GDI-2025 - Graduate Diploma of Clinical Pharmacy
- TAS-SCM-GDI-2025 - Graduate Diploma of Strategic Communication
Additional requirements
- Other requirements - Teaching Arrangement: Independent Learning 8 hours weekly; Tutorial (Online) 1 hour fortnightly
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.
Related degrees
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Graduate Certificate in Public Health
PostgraduateTAS-MPH-GCE
Graduate Diploma of Clinical Pharmacy
PostgraduateTAS-CPH-GDI
Graduate Diploma of Strategic Communication
PostgraduateTAS-SCM-GDI