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303168 (v.2) Epidemiology and Biostatistics 180


 

Area:

School of Public Health

Credits:

12.5

Contact Hours:

2.0

Lecture:

1 x 1 Hours Weekly

Tutorial:

1 x 1 Hours Weekly

Syllabus:

The nature of data collected in epidemiological, clinical and biomedical research. Statistical and graphical methods for describing and reporting data in the health sciences. Methods for the investigation of clinical and public health problems. The logic of inferential statistics - confidence intervals, correlation, t tests and x2 tests. Use of EXCEL.
 

Unit Outcomes:

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the role of the quantitative epidemiological methods for investigating public health issues. Apply basic methods for the statistical and graphical descriptionof epidemiological and biomedical data. Choose and apply appropriate descriptive and graphical statistical methods Understand and be able to calculate appropriate indices of outcomes for clinical and public health settings, including mortality rates, morbidity rates, measures of incidence and prevalence and relative and attributable risk indices. Understand the logic and concepts underlying confidence intervals and hypothesis testing to relevant problems. Understand the difference between association and causation and appropriately interpret the result of data analysis. Undertake basic statistical analyses using Microsoft EXCEL.

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:

Beaglehole R., Bonita R. and Kjellstrom T., (1993), Basic Epidemiology, World Health Organisation. Friis R.H. and Sellers T.A., (1999), Epidemiology for Public Health Practice, 2nd ed., Aspen. Gordis L., (1996), Epidemiology, WB Saunders Company. Moore D.S., (1991), Statistics - Concepts and Controversies, WH Freeman and Company. Moore D.S. and McCabe G.P., (1993), Introduction to the Practice of Statistics, 2nd ed., WH Freeman and Company. Munro B.H., (2001), Statistical Methods for Health Care Research, 4th ed, Lippincott. Petrie A. and Sabin C., (2000), Medical Statistics at a Glance, Blackwell Science. Sincich T., Levine P. and Stephen D., (2002), Practical Statistics by Example, Prentice Hall. Stone D., Armstrong R., Marcrina D. and Pankau J., (1996), Introduction to Epidemiology, Brown and Sons, Brisbane, Benchmark Publishers.

Unit Texts:

Internal students - Dretzke B.J., (2001), Statistics with Microsoft Excel, 2nd ed., Prentice Hall. Lecture Notes for Epidemiology and Biostatistics 180. External students - Berk K. and Carey P., (2000), Data Analysis with Microsoft Excel, Duxbury Thomson Learning.
 

Unit Assessment Breakdown:

Internal students - Mid-semester Test 30%. Computing Test 20%. Final Examination 50%. External students - Assignments 40%. Final Examination 60%. 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 1Y 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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