PUBH4403 Epidemiology I

Credit
6 points
Offering
(see Timetable)
AvailabilityLocationMode
Semester 1UWA (Perth)Face to face
Semester 1OnlineOnline
Semester 2OnlineOnline
Semester 1OnlineOnline
Semester 1OnlineOnline
Semester 1OnlineOnline
Semester 1OnlineOnline
Semester 1OnlineOnline
Semester 1OnlineOnline
Semester 1OnlineOnline
Semester 1OnlineOnline
Semester 1OnlineOnline
Semester 1OnlineOnline
Semester 1OnlineOnline
Semester 1OnlineOnline
Semester 1OnlineOnline
Semester 1OnlineOnline
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)
Associate Professor Tom Briffa
Contact hours
lectures: 2 hours per week; tutorials: 1 hour per week (for face-t- face mode only)
Unit Outline
Semester 1-2020 [SEM-1-2020]
Semester 1_2019_ONLINE [SEM-1_2019_ONLINE]
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

 

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