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303091 (v.1) Epidemiology 186


 

Area:

School of Public Health

Credits:

25.0

Contact Hours:

3.0

Lecture:

1 x 2 Hours Weekly

Tutorial:

1 x 1 Hours Weekly

Syllabus:

Evolution of epidemiology. Host, agent and environment. Concepts of health and disease. The natural history of disease. Estimating health and disease in populations. Demography. Concepts of risk factors and causes. Validity and reliability of data. The design of epidemiology in investigations. Fundamental biostatistical concepts.
 

Unit Outcomes:

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to - Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental concepts for the investigation of Public Health from an epidemiological viewpoint. Apply basic epidemiological techniques. Identify the rangeof problems to which epidemiology can be applied to Public Health. Know the commonly used demographic and health statistics data and where to obtain these. Describe the various epidemiological study designs, understand their application to Public Health and appreciate their relative strengths and weaknesses. Apply the basic concepts of biostatistics and their role in the interpretation of epidemiological data. An understanding of the ethical considerations involved in epidemiological research.

Texts and references listed below are for your information only and current as of September 30, 2003. Some units taught offshore are modified at selected locations. Please check with the unit coordinator for up-to-date information and approved offshore variations to unit information before finalising study and textbook purchases.

Unit References:

Last J.M., (2001), A Dictionary of Epidemiology, (4th ed.), NY, Oxford University Press. Beaglehole R., Bonita R. and Kjellstrom T., (1993), Basic Epidemiology, Geneva, World Health Organisation. Gordis L., (1996), Epidemiology, Philadelphia, W. B. Saunders. Somerford P., Fitzgerald P., Gattorna L., Ridolfo B., Serafino S., Unwin E.and Thomson N., (1995), Our State of Health, 1995 - An Overview of the Health of The Western Australian Population, Health Department of Western Australia, Perth. Abramson J.H., (1984), Survey Methods in Community Medicine, Edinburgh, Churchill Livingstone. McMichael A.J., (1993), Planetary Overload - Global Environmental Change and the Health of the Human Species, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. Farmer R.D.T., Miller D.L., Lawrenson R., (1996), Lecture Notes on Epidemiology and Public Health Medicine, 4th ed., Oxford, Blackwell. Beaglehole R. and Bonita R., (1997), Public Health at the Crossroads, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. Stone D.B., Armstrong R.W., Macrina D.M. and Pankau J.W., (1996), Introduction to Epidemiology, Madison, Brown and Benchmark. Herman J., Ader and Gideon J., Mellenbergh, (1999), Research Methodology in the Life, Behavioural and Social Sciences, London, Sage.

Unit Texts:

Friis R.H. and Sellers T.A., (1999), Epidemiology for Public Health Practice, 2nd ed., Aspen, Gaithersberg.
 

Unit Assessment Breakdown:

Assignments 20%, Mid-Semester Test 30%, Examination 50%. This is by grade/mark assessment.

Field of Education:

 60100 Medical Studies (Narrow Grouping)

HECS Band (if applicable):

3  

Extent to which this unit or thesis utilises online information:

 Not Online  

Result Type:

 Grade/Mark


Availability

YearLocationPeriodInternalArea ExternalCentral External
2004Bentley CampusSemester 2Y Y

Area
External
refers to external course/units run by the School or Department, offered online or through Web CT, or offered by research.
Central
External
refers to external course/units run through the Curtin Bentley-based Distance Education Area

 
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