Overview
This unit explores the importance and role of epidemiology as an approach to both public health and clinical practice. You will be able to use evidence from epidemiological investigations, to understand the distribution of health outcomes in populations and understand the influence of factors that determine this distribution. The critical function of epidemiology will be reviewed including areas of anticipated needs, identified risk conditions, definition of priorities and the use of available resources for planning and administering health care services.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prereq: 72 credit points (any tertiary level units)
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2018
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student feedback
Some students struggle with identifying the relevance to them as clinical practitioners.
Review the learning materials to identify ways to increase relevance for clinical practitioners.
Feedback from Student feedback.
Some students struggle with the amount of autonomy and critical thinking required by the unit.
Consider offering on campus tutorials for students and increasing the number of public health units in other courses.
Feedback from Health Promotion Teaching Team
Adjust unit for health promotion accreditation
Review how the unit learning outcomes will need to be revised to align with Health Promotion Accreditation requirements.
- Calculate and communicate epidemiological statistics relating to the measurement of health, wellness and disease.
- Interpret epidemiological data within theories and frameworks of social justice and cultural diversity for effective knowledge transfer and exchange.
- Evaluate epidemiological investigations and sources of epidemiological data to identify inequities, enable change and advocate for health.
- Argue for a population health outcome using relevant research methods and approaches.
- Explain principles of data confidentiality and disclosure, and apply the ethical use of data.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
1 - Presentation - 25% | |||||
2 - Group Discussion - 25% | |||||
3 - Written Assessment - 50% |
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
1 - Communication | |||||
2 - Problem Solving | |||||
3 - Critical Thinking | |||||
4 - Information Literacy | |||||
5 - Team Work | |||||
6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||
7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||
8 - Ethical practice | |||||
9 - Social Innovation | |||||
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures |
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
1 - Presentation - 25% | ||||||||||
2 - Group Discussion - 25% |
Textbooks
Introduction to Epidemiology
Edition: 2nd (2011)
Authors: Ilona Carneiro and Natasha Howard
Open University Press
Maidenhead Maidenhead , Berkshire , England
ISBN: 13:978-0-33-524461-4
Binding: Other
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
e.langham@cqu.edu.au
l.bricknell@cqu.edu.au
w.madsen@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Frameworks for determinants of population health
Chapter
Chapter 1 of Carneiro and Howard
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attendance and completion of weekly tutorial activity (ies)
Module/Topic
Measuring the occurrence of disease
Chapter
Chapter 2 of Carneiro and Howard
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attendance and completion of weekly tutorial activity (ies)
Module/Topic
Measures of other health outcomes and diagnostic and screening tests
Chapter
CRO Buttner and Muller
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attendance and completion of weekly tutorial activity (ies)
Module/Topic
Sources of health data
Chapter
Chapter 5 and 12 of Carneiro and Howard
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attendance and completion of weekly tutorial activity (ies)
Module/Topic
Estimating risk and measures of association
Chapter
Chapter 3 of Carneiro and Howard
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attendance and completion of weekly tutorial activity (ies)
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Submit Worksbook Monday 9 Apr 2018 at 9am
Module/Topic
Ethical considerations and linking determinants of health and health outcomes
Chapter
Chapter 4 of Carneiro and Howard
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attendance and completion of weekly tutorial activity (ies)
Individual Presentation Due: Week 6 Monday (16 Apr 2018) 9:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
Ecological and cross sectional studies
Chapter
Chapter 6 and 7 of Carneiro and Howard
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attendance and completion of weekly tutorial activity (ies)
Module/Topic
Cohort and case control studies
Chapter
Chapter 8 and 9 of Carneiro and Howard
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attendance and completion of weekly tutorial activity (ies)
Module/Topic
Randomised control trials and intervention studies
Chapter
Chapter 10 and 11 of Carneiro and Howard
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attendance and completion of weekly tutorial activity (ies)
Module/Topic
Summary measures of population health and evidence reviews
Chapter
Selected readings and course materials
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attendance and completion of weekly tutorial activity (ies)
Module/Topic
Qualitative studies
Chapter
Selected readings and course materials
Events and Submissions/Topic
Attendance and completion of weekly tutorial activity (ies)
Module/Topic
Evidence and public health policy
Chapter
Selected readings and course materials
Events and Submissions/Topic
Submit Worksbook Monday 28 May 2018 at 9am
Tutorial Participation and Workbook Due: Week 12 Monday (28 May 2018) 9:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Hand in written assessment Monday 4 Jun 2018 at 9am
Written Assessment Due: Review/Exam Week Monday (4 June 2018) 9:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Presentation
You are to create and record a 15 minute presentation that describes the population level impact a given health issue for the Australian population. You will need to source, interpret, and communicate current evidence using appropriate epidemiological measures. The presentation will need to be recorded and uploaded to Moodle with a copy of the slides and notes by the due date.
Week 6 Monday (16 Apr 2018) 9:00 am AEST
Students should note that the assignment must be submitted by 9am on the due date.
Week 8 Monday (30 Apr 2018)
Students' marks and feedback will be returned through moodle.
You will be assessed on:
- presentation skills
- organisation of content
- use of visual aids
- understanding and use of epidemiological data
- reasoning and support of claims or arguments
- referencing of source of evidence
A full marking rubric is available on the unit moodle site.
- Calculate and communicate epidemiological statistics relating to the measurement of health, wellness and disease.
- Interpret epidemiological data within theories and frameworks of social justice and cultural diversity for effective knowledge transfer and exchange.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Group Discussion
Each week as part of the course learning materials, students are required to contribute to tutorial activities where they complete a workbook. Students' contributions and interactions with their colleagues will be assessed. A tutorial will be held each week from week 1 to 11. Students can choose to attend in person at the Rockhampton campus, online via zoom, or asynchronously through a closed forum.
Week 12 Monday (28 May 2018) 9:00 am AEST
Exam Week Monday (11 June 2018)
Students' individual marks and feedback will be returned through moodle. General feedback will be provided in the tutorials.
Students will be assessed on the quality of their workbook solutions as well as a peer assessment of their contribution and participation. Contributions will be assessed on the following criteria:
1. Comprehension and understanding of the topic
2. Relevance
3. Critical thinking and depth
4. Quality of expression
5. Contribution and participation
- Evaluate epidemiological investigations and sources of epidemiological data to identify inequities, enable change and advocate for health.
- Argue for a population health outcome using relevant research methods and approaches.
- Explain principles of data confidentiality and disclosure, and apply the ethical use of data.
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
3 Written Assessment
You are to complete an application requesting funding to conduct a population level intervention to improve public health. The application requires you to use an evaluation of the literature to propose an evidence based approach that addresses the health issue. A template for the application is provided, with guidelines for each section and wordlimits.
Review/Exam Week Monday (4 June 2018) 9:00 am AEST
Students should note that the assignment must be submitted by 9am on the due date.
Exam Week Monday (11 June 2018)
Students' marks and feedback will be returned through moodle.
Students will be assessed on:
- the communication of ideas
- the breadth of reading and knowledge of the topic
- the quality of their analysis
- the appropriate and effective use of referencing
A full marking rubric is available on the unit moodle site.
- Calculate and communicate epidemiological statistics relating to the measurement of health, wellness and disease.
- Interpret epidemiological data within theories and frameworks of social justice and cultural diversity for effective knowledge transfer and exchange.
- Evaluate epidemiological investigations and sources of epidemiological data to identify inequities, enable change and advocate for health.
- Argue for a population health outcome using relevant research methods and approaches.
- Explain principles of data confidentiality and disclosure, and apply the ethical use of data.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.