92569 Fundamentals of Epidemiology and Population Health
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 92574 Introduction to Public Health OR 92574 Introduction to Public Health
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This foundation subject introduces students to epidemiology and its application in public health. The subject involves the study of factors affecting health and illness from a population rather than individual perspective. It further develops concepts introduced in 92574 Introduction to Public Health. Epidemiology underpins much of public health. It provides a framework of methods from which information can be reviewed to help identify and address public health problems. Students explore fundamental aspects of epidemiology, including:
- foundation concepts: surveillance, measurements of health and disease, concepts of health and disease
- study designs and their use: how epidemiological data can be used to plan and develop interventions to prevent disease (e.g. infection outbreak) and promote health
- the social determinants of health and the importantce of epidemiology in understanding these.
This subject provides an excellent foundation in epidemiology and public health for those intending to work or who are currently working with health data, in health services and in health policy settings.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| A. | Exhibit a foundation level knowledge of epidemiology and its core function in the interpretation and application of research methods for policy and practice in public health contexts. |
|---|---|
| B. | Apply public health concepts and knowledge to interpret population health statistics and their use. |
| C. | Describe and apply epidemiological concepts and terms, eg prevalence and incidence and their use in public health contexts. |
| D. | Critically appraise published studies, demonstrating a foundation-level ability to assess study design, errors and biases, and interpret study results and conclusions |
| E. | Critically analyse the effects of behaviour and social determinants in public health contexts. |
| F. | Apply foundation level knowledge of epidemiology in health, policy and/or community contexts. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:
- Demonstrate creative and adaptive thinking within a changeable social, political and technological environment (2.0)
- Translate research and evaluation into social and professional practice through critical thinking and knowledge integration (5.0)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Graduates from this course will have developed foundation level knowledge and skills in epidemiology within a public health context, and be able to apply these critically in professional settings. Graduates will develop applied skills in the importance of social determinants of health, and the role of epidemiology in understanding and addressing these determinants.
Teaching and learning strategies
A range of teaching and learning strategies will be used to engage students with the content and to achieve student learning outcomes. Face to face and online lectures and tutorials as well as interactive learning activities are designed to support collaborative learning and encourage students to participate in class discussions.
- Prior to attending class, students are to complete pre-class activities (TED talks, YouTube, podcasts, and journal articles) which are aligned with weekly in-class learning to reinforce core epidemiology concepts and skills. Students can review their learning via six online quizzes throughout the session.
- In class, a variety of delivery formats will be used to introduce concepts, support student learning, and apply/review content. Complex epidemiological concepts introduced in the lectures will be expanded through small group discussions, and problem solving in class. Interactive activities will be used to facilitate discussions and opportunities for feedback from peers and tutors.
UTSOnline will be used exclusively for posting all lecture materials, readings, and for staff/student communication.
Content (topics)
- Introduction to Epidemiology
- Describing health and disease
- Measuring health and disease - measures of disease and association
- Measuring the health of populations
- Epidemiological study design: - study designs and their application, uses of epidemiologic studies, applying measurements of association
- Appraisal of epidemiological studies, bias and error.
- Epidemiology and the social determinants of health: social-economic factors; health and environment
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Online Quizzes
| Intent: | To determine how well students understand fundamental epidemiological concepts and their application, including calculation of measures of disease frequency and association, study design, bias and error, and basic ability to interpret epidemiological and population health data. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C, D, E and F This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 2.0 and 5.0 |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 5 questions per quiz.15 minutes to complete each quiz. |
Assessment task 2: Analysis of epidemiological data
| Intent: | Students develop skills in calculating, interpreting and reviewing common epidemiological measures and consider their importance. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B and C This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 2.0 and 5.0 |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
Assessment task 3: Critical appraisal of research
| Intent: | Students demonstrate skills at a foundation level in the critical appraisal of epidemiological research studies and their ability to differentiate use and structure of different study designs. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, C, D, E and F This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 2.0 and 5.0 |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 1200 words (excluding references) |
Required texts
There is no required textbook.
Recommended texts
We will follow this book most closely:
Webb, P., Bain, C., & Page, A. (2020). Essential Epidemiology: An Introduction for Students and Health Professionals (4th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
An electronic copy of the third edition of the whole book is available as an e-book in the e-library at UTS Library.
References
Bonita, R., Beaglehole, R., & Kjellstrom, T. (2007). Basic epidemiology (2nd ed.). World Health Organization.
Buttner, P. & Muller, R. (2015). Epidemiology (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Rothman, K. (2012). Epidemiology: an introduction (2nd ed). Oxford University Press.( (Note: An electronic copy of the whole book is available as an e-book in the e-library at UTS Library. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/uts/detail.action?docID=5763681)
Other resources
UTS Student Centre
Building 10
Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm
Tel: 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887)
Details for student centres: www.uts.edu.au/current-students/contacts/general-contacts
For other resources/information refer to the Faculty of Health website (www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-health) and UTSOnline at: https://online.uts.edu.au/webapps/login/
UTS Library
The Library has a wide range of resources, facilities and services to support you including textbooks, subject readings, health literature databases, workshops and bookable study rooms. There is also a team of librarians to help you with your questions available via online chat, phone and in person. W: lib.uts.edu.au, Facebook: utslibrary, Twitter: @utslibrary Tel: (02) 9514 3666.
Improve your academic and English language skills
Marks for all assessment tasks such as assignments and examinations are given not only for what you write but also for how you write. If you would like the opportunity to improve your academic and English language skills, make an appointment with the HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support) Service in Student Services.
HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support)
HELPS provides assistance with English language proficiency and academic language. Students who need to develop their written and/or spoken English should make use of the free services offered by HELPS, including academic language workshops, vacation intensive courses, drop-in consultations, individual appointments and Conversations@UTS (www.ssu.uts.edu.au/helps). HELPS staff are also available for drop-in consultations at the UTS Library. Phone (02) 9514 9733
Please see www.uts.edu.au for additional information on other resources provided to students by UTS.