Epidemiology and Principles of Research (8580.4)
| 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 3 - Undergraduate Advanced Unit | Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021) Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021) |
This unit is co-taught with unit 9594 Epidemiology and Principles of Research PG
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:1. Understand and apply the fundamental principles and core techniques of epidemiology;
2. Understand the fundamental research designs, core data analysis techniques, and identify appropriate contexts for their use;
3. Apply basic epidemiological tools to describe health issues;
4. Identify and describe the determinants of disease and health;
5. Understand the health disparities and their determinants relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and other Australians; and
6. Identify appropriate evidence to inform public health interventions.
Graduate attributes
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
Prerequisites
None.Corequisites
None.Incompatible units
None.Equivalent units
None.Assumed knowledge
Broad knowledge of Australian health care.| Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Delivery mode | Unit convener |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 2 | 28 July 2025 | Hybrid | Prof Rachel Davey |
| 2026 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 2 | 10 August 2026 | Hybrid | Prof Rachel Davey |
Required texts
Core texts
Webb, P., Bain, C., & Page, A. (2019). Essential epidemiology: an introduction for students and health professionals. 4thd Edition. Cambridge University Press.
ISBN : 9781108766807
Available from: library and online as an e-book.
Liamputtong,P.(ed) 2022 Research Methods in Health: Foundations for evidence based practice. 4th edn. Oxford University Press. Melbourne.
On-Line Resources:
Vancouver Referencing system guides from the library at: https://canberra.libguides.com/c.php?g=599301&p=4149536
Riegelman, R, Studying a study and testing a test: How to read the medical evidence, 5th edn. Lippincott,Williams & Wilkins (online text through UC library).
Other useful materials
Sage Research Methods Online (SRMO) – a collection of 600+ online research methodology books which "are relevant to upper level undergraduates and to potentially all postgraduates and staff researchers" (see sample results below). Access to the collection is via any of the Library's Subject Guides or the Library Home Page (via the Databases & Other Online Resources (DOOR) link)
Other recommended additional references are listed on the Canvas site for this unit.
Submission of assessment items
Extensions & Late submissions
In order to secure a pass grade, students must:
- Submit all assignment items
- Obtain an aggregate overall mark of at least 50%
All assessment items must be submitted online. Presentations must be uploaded into the workshop. Students can use any software that they like to do their presentation, but must ensure that the presentation can be accessed by all.
Responsibility for understanding
If there is any doubt with regard to the requirements of any particular assignments or assessment procedure, the onus for clarifying the issue rests with the student who should contact the unit convenor or tutor. Further, it is the responsibility of students to ensure that they are correctly enrolled in the unit and that the tutor and Student Administration have their correct contact details.
Requests for extension
- Requests for extensions based on a good reason such as medical certificate or evidence from a student counsellor should be submitted prior to the due date of the assessment.
- Requests for extensions to the due dates must be made in writing, via email, to the Unit Convener at least five working days 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.
- 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.
Penalties for late submission of assignments
Where late submissions are permited, mark allocated will be reduced by 10 % of maximum available marks per day (or part thereof) up to and including three calendar days following the due date/approved extension/ reasonable adjustment. • Late submissions may result in reduced feedback being provided. • Students will be allocated a mark of zero if submittng more than three calendar days late (without approved extension or reasonable adjustment), with no feedback provided. • A student who does not undertake, submit or participate in a summative assessment, or who does not atend a timetabled exam without an approved deferral, will be allocated a mark of zero.
Special assessment requirements
Please note that asssessed work is moderated as per Faculty of Health Moderation Policy and at a miniimum:
- All modes of assessment (i.e. written assignments, exams, presentations, fieldwork or practicums) are subject to moderation.
- The primary assessor marks a piece of student work, assigning a mark and providing comments to justify the mark.
- All assessments assigned a Fail are reviewed by a second assessor, who reviews the mark and comments in order to confirm (or not) the mark awarded by the first marker.
- All reviews are documented and any changes agreed, by discussion, with the primary marker.
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
This unit is entirely online.
Drop in times for consultation will be posted on Canvas by the unit convenor.
Students are expected to allocate time to use the resources on the Canvas site and to undertake the recommended and suggested readings.
Inclusion and engagement
None
Participation requirements
In order to secure a pass grade, students must:
- Submit all assignment items
- Obtain an aggregate overall mark of at least 50%
Required IT skills
Students will require a computer acess to undertake this unit.
In-unit costs
No additonal costs.
Work placement, internships or practicums
None
Additional information
None
