Health Patterns of Disease (8576.3)

Please note these are the 2026 details for this unit
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Health Patterns of Disease
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods Hybrid
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Health
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Discipline Of Public Health Level 2 - Undergraduate Intermediate Unit Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit will cover the applications of clinical epidemiological techniques in the evaluation of patterns of disease including evidence and causation, diagnostic tests, disease patterns and variation, environmental influences on health, disease aetiology and prognosis, and illness prevention.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Identify the patterns and distribution of disease;
2. Understand the determinants of selected diseases;
3. Describe the environmental influences on health;
4. Understand disparities in health between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and other Australians; and
5. Describe methods of prevention.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives


Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2026 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 28 July 2025 Hybrid Dr Zelalem Mengesha
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 10 August 2026 Hybrid Dr Zelalem Mengesha
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

Webb, P., Bain, C., & Page, A. (2019). Essential epidemiology: an introduction for students and health professionals. 4thd Edition. Cambridge University Press.
Available from: bookshop, library and online as an e-book.
ISBN : 9781108766807

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

  • All assessment items must be submitted and undertaken on the Canvas site.
  • Please note that poster presentation is conducted in person, in class during weeks 9,11-13.
  • The copy of the poster presentation must be submitted by the end of Week 7.
  • Each team member must upload a copy of the poster presentation to enable peer marking.
  • It is anticipated that all students will attend the presentations to assist in their peer marking as audio will not be necessarily be available online.

Special assessment requirements

In order to pass the unit the student must:

•           Obtain an aggregate overall mark of at least 50%

•           Submit all assignment items.

REQUESTS FOR EXTENSION

  • Requests for extensions to the due dates must be made in writing, via email, to the Unit Convener at least 48 hours before the work is due.
  • Requests for extension must adhere to the policy on extension and must contain the extension request form and the documentary evidence to support the extension request.
  • Work submitted after the due date in the absence of an approved extension may be penalised by 5% for each day overdue OR may not be marked if more than a week overdue, and in that event, if marked, may be graded on a pass/fail basis only.
  • In general, there will be no extension beyond the last day of semester, and only one extension will be considered for a single assessment.
  • If the extension is granted, the Unit Convener will specify the revised due date.

Supplementary assessment

Refer to the UC Supplementary Assessment Policy.

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Learner engagement

Students are expected to commit at least 10 hours per week at a minimum to this unit.

Participation requirements

All Students are expected to attend the post presentations, to facilitate comprehensive and fair peer marking.

Required IT skills

None.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

Additional information

  • Announcements made on Canvas are deemed to be made to the whole group. Please check the  Health Patterns of Disease Canvas site regularly for messages.
  • It is necessary that you submit written assignments via Canvas.
  • Your student ID and the assessment name should be clearly stated at the front of your assignment.

Next step

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