Database Systems in Epidemiology Studies

Subject 505-520 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 1, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Classroom

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: One 2-hour lecture per week.
Total Time Commitment: Students will be expected to undertake additional study (i.e. Outside the stated contact hours) of at least 4 to 5 hours for each hour of contact in this subject
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Dr Gillian Dite

Contact

Centre for Molecular, Environmental, Genetic & Analytic Epidemiology

School of Population Health

Subject Overview: This subject covers the skills needed to design, program and manage a database application for epidemiological research. Topics covered include: efficient database design; database programming of tables, forms and macros; queries for extracting data and summary information; and, security, management and documentation of data in a research setting.
Objectives: Following completion of this subject students will be able to:
  • systematically gather and review background information on epidemiological study design and then use it to design tables and corresponding relationships between tables to form a relational database
  • implement the database design in Microsoft Access by creating tables with appropriate choice of field types (and associated field properties) and creating the relationships between tables
  • use queries to retrieve individual records, display aggregate data or make changes to data.
  • understand the use of complex criteria to select subsets of records and the effect of different joint properties on retrieving records from multiple tables
  • create data display forms using appropriate types of controls for data input and enhance the function of the forms using detailed macros
  • understand the principles behind setting up user-Level security for databases
  • develop comprehensive table and field documentation as part of an overall database user manual
  • appreciate the utility of a carefully designed database in epidemiological research
Assessment: Two 1,500-word assignments (50% each) with a written component and a database programming component.
Prescribed Texts: Hernandez, M.J. Database Design for Mere Mortals: A Hands on Guide to Relational Database Design, 2nd Ed, Addison-Welsey: 2003.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:



Links to further information: http://www.sph.unimelb.edu.au
Notes: This subject is a Group 1 elective in the Master of Public Health.
Related Course(s): Master of Epidemiology
Master of Public Health

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