Unit Outline

This unit explores the principles, theories and practice of epidemiology. Students are provided with a comprehensive introduction to the collection and interpretation of epidemiological data within the framework of health, health care delivery and human services. The unit content covers the broad areas of disease distribution, study design, basic quantitative measures, causality, interpretation of data and critical appraisal of the literature. These concepts are explored in the context of contemporary health and health care issues such as non-communicable diseases, cancer screening, mental health, domestic violence, disability and drug and alcohol addiction. The unit focuses on the development of essential skills for logical and scientific assessment and evaluation of the literature. Critical thinking, scientific and analytical competencies are emphasized throughout this unit which builds core skills essential to health and health services research, planning and evaluation of programs and policy formulation.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Distinguish between different epidemiological study designs in relation to their major features, strengths and limitations
2.	Identify and discuss how to address sources of error and bias in epidemiological research
3.	Critically appraise epidemiological research in relation to validity and inference of causality
4.	Communicate academic arguments effectively
5.	Identify, calculate and interpret basic epidemiological measures of disease frequency and relative risk

Alterations as a result of student feedback

You are encouraged to complete the student evaluation at the end of the unit so that your feedback can be used for ongoing improvement and modification of the unit.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Online Quiz x 5	Week 3	25 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO5
Assessment Task 2:	Online Written Assignments	Week 7	45 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 3:	Critique of a journal article	Week 15	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Online Quiz x 5

Task Description:

There will be 5 online Quizzes. Each quiz will be worth 5%

Quizzes will be due in weeks 3, 6, 9, 11 and 14

Task Length:

Due Date:

Week 3

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Apply knowledge of epidemiology to provide correct answers to questions	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO5

Assessment Task 2: Online Written Assignments

Task Description:

Online Written Assignments based on discussion board participation x 3. There are two parts to this assessment. You are required to post on the discussion board and submit a written assignment based on the discussion board. This is required for 3 modules, with a combined total for the two components of up to 1000 words per module (3000 words total).

Written Assignments will be due in weeks 7, 10 & 12

Task Length:

3000 words

Due Date:

Week 7

Weight:

45 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Participation and contribution to the learning community	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
2	Timeliness of post	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
3	Demonstrate and apply knowledge (acquired through participation on the discussion board) to address a new topic	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
4	Demonstrate ability in academic writing	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

Assessment Task 3: Critique of a journal article

Task Description:

For this task you are required to critique a journal article. A number of articles will be made available towards the middle of the semester. They will be chosen to reflect some of the key areas of interest that emerge from the fist discussion board.

Task Length:

1500 words

Due Date:

Week 15

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Evidence of integration and application of epidemiological concepts to assessing the validity of published research	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2	Demonstrate ability in academic writing	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.