PUBH4403 Epidemiology I

Credit
6 points
Offering
(see Timetable)

If this unit does not have an online alternative, then students who are presently unable to enter Western Australia and whose studies would be delayed by an inability to complete this unit, should contact the unit coordinator (details given on this page) to ascertain, on an individual case-by-case basis, if alternate arrangements can be made to support their study in this unit.

AvailabilityLocationMode
Semester 1UWA (Perth)Face to face Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Semester 1OnlineOnline flexible 100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Semester 2OnlineOnline flexible 100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Semester 1OnlineOnline flexible 100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Semester 1OnlineOnline flexible 100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Semester 1OnlineOnline flexible 100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Semester 1OnlineOnline flexible 100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Semester 1OnlineOnline flexible 100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Semester 1OnlineOnline flexible 100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Semester 1OnlineOnline flexible 100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Semester 1OnlineOnline flexible 100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Semester 1OnlineOnline flexible 100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Semester 1OnlineOnline flexible 100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Semester 1OnlineOnline flexible 100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Semester 1OnlineOnline flexible 100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Semester 1OnlineOnline flexible 100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Semester 1OnlineOnline flexible 100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Content
This unit covers the principles and methods of epidemiological research. It introduces the principles of epidemiology as well as higher-level coverage of the major study designs (intervention, cohort and case-control studies); the causes and control of bias, confounding, and effect modification; screening; and causation of disease. In addition, it provides an introduction to the newer study designs (e.g. n=1 and pragmatic trials). Emphasis is placed on the critical appraisal of published articles in order to enable the student to take an evidence-based approach to health policy and practice.
Outcomes
Students are able to (1) illustrate the characteristics of the key epidemiologic study designs; (2) explain the relative strengths and limitations of the various study designs; (3) calculate measures of disease frequency and measures of association; (4) interpret measures of disease frequency and measures of association; (5) explain bias, chance, effect modification and confounding in epidemiological research; (6) discuss methods to reduce or manage bias, chance, effect modification and confounding in epidemiological research; (7) differentiate between association and causation in disease models; and (8) evaluate the grade, strength and nature of possible causal relationships.
Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) mid-semester online quiz; (2) an assignment (consists of written short-answer questions and calculations); and (3) a final 2-hour examination. Further information is available in the unit outline.

Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit.
Unit Coordinator(s)
Dr Siobhan Hickling
Contact hours
lectures: 2 hours per week; tutorials: 1 hour per week (for face-t- face mode only)
Note
NOTE CAREFULLY. This unit is shared across a number of different courses, and is available face-to-face at Crawley, and online at Crawley and 14 other rural locations. Please take care when enrolling to choose both the correct mode and the correct location. Things will work more smoothly if you are co-located with your exam paper.
Text

Rothman K. J. Epidemiology: an Introduction, 2nd edn: OUP 2012

or

Gordis L. Epidemiology, 5th edn: WB Saunders 2014

 

  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
  • All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
  • Unit readings, including any essential textbooks, are listed in the unit outline for each unit, one week prior the commencement of study. The unit outline will be available via the LMS and the UWA Handbook one week prior the commencement of study. Reading lists and essential textbooks are subject to change each semester. Information on essential textbooks will also be made available on the Essential Textbooks. This website is updated regularly in the lead up to semester so content may change. It is recommended that students purchase essential textbooks for convenience due to the frequency with which they will be required during the unit. A limited number of textbooks will be made available from the Library in print and will also be made available online wherever possible. Essential textbooks can be purchased from the commercial vendors to secure the best deal. The Student Guild can provide assistance on where to purchase books if required. Books can be purchased second hand at the Guild Secondhand bookshop (second floor, Guild Village), which is located on campus.