Epidemiology 3

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

170 hours

POPH90146 Study Design in Epidemiology

POPH90147 Epidemiology in Practice

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

This subject is a core subject within the Master of Epidemiology and the Master of Science (Epidemiology) and an elective within the Master of Public Health and Master of Environment.

This subject includes advanced, practical and emerging methods in epidemiology and follows on from Epidemiology 1 and 2. Within this subject there will be four themes:
• Screening and Diagnostic tests. Within this theme the design of studies to investigate the validity and reliability of diagnostic and screening tests will be discussed. Practical computer labs on the analysis of real epidemiological data evaluating such tests will be conducted.
• Randomised controlled trials and systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials. This subject covers intervention studies including randomised controlled trials and cluster trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses of trials. Within this theme the practical aspects and steps in conducting randomised controlled trials, cluster trials and systematic reviews of these trials will be covered.
• Epidemiology in Practice. Within this theme the practical aspects of working as an epidemiologist will be included. Such activities include writing epidemiological papers, considering the ethical implications of research, developing and project protocols, and developing budgets will be covered.
• Emerging activities and issues in Epidemiology. Within this theme emerging methods and issues will be discussed, for example, epidemiological modelling.

On completion of this subject, students are expected to be able to:
• Design studies to investigate the validity and reliability of diagnostic and screening tests and analyse data to assess the validity and reliability of the tests.
• Design randomised controlled and cluster trials used in clinical and public health research, including the calculation of sample sizes.
• Critically appraise reports of randomised controlled and cluster trials.
• Perform and interpret systematic reviews and meta-analyses of trials.
• Write a research project grant application.
• Consider ethical issues, budgetary issues and methodological issues in research project development.
• Discuss emerging methods and issues in Epidemiology.

• One 1,250 word written assignment, due on the 3rd day of teaching day (25%)
• One 20-minute group oral presentation, due during the 5th day of teaching (10%)
• Written critique of a group's presentation (250 words), due during the 5th day of teaching (5%)
• One 3,000 word written assignment, due during the examination period (60%)

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.