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Unit outline_

PUBH5224: Applied Epidemiology

Semester 2, 2024 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study is intended for students who have completed Epidemiology Methods and Uses (or an equivalent unit of study) at a credit or higher level. It is designed to extend students' practical and theoretical knowledge of epidemiology beyond basic principles and in particular to give them a practical understanding of how epidemiological principles and practices are used in real world settings. Students are given an opportunity to acquire some of the practical knowledge and skills needed to undertake epidemiological research and also to consolidate their critical appraisal skills. Attendance is expected at ALL classes.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Public Health
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
(PUBH5010 or CEPI5100 or BSTA5011) and (PUBH5018 or FMHU5002 or BSTA5002)
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Tim Driscoll, tim.driscoll@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Tim Driscoll, tim.driscoll@sydney.edu.au
Erin Mathieu, erin.mathieu@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Lucy Corbett, lucy.corbett@sydney.edu.au
Kate Milledge, kate.milledge@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Assignment 2
Written assignment with non-written elements
60% Formal exam period
Due date: 11 Nov 2024 at 23:59
4500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Assignment 1
Written assignment with non-written elements
30% Week 07
Due date: 15 Sep 2024 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small continuous assessment Weekly mini assessment
Weekly questions requiring brief answers
10% Weekly Typically 100-200 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

work of an exceptional standard

Distinction

75 - 84

work of a very high standard

Credit

65 - 74

work of a good standard

Pass

50 - 64

work of an acceptable standard

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Weekly Weekly two-hour tutorials Lecture and tutorial (26 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance is expected at all classes; these classes are run live.  Attendance can be face-to-face or on-line, depending on enrolment mode.  The live classes (whether students attend on-line or face-to-face) are when the majority of learning and deeper understanding of the concepts covered in the unit are expected to be supported and reinforced.  Therefore, attendance in class each week is VERY STRONGLY encouraged.  However, attendance in class is not compulsory.

Students should note that some of the weekly assessments may be held in class, in which case attendance (either on-line or face-to-face) will be required for the assessment to be completed.  It will not be possible to complete these in-class assessments out of class.  There will be 12 or 13 of these assessments (one per week) available.  Students will only have to complete ten to be eligible for all marks for this part of the assessment.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit should be able to be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas, or through the library journal database.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. recognise, understand, and discuss important methodological and practical issues involved in designing and conducting case-control studies, cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, and cancer cluster investigations
  • LO2. recognise, understand, and discuss important methodological and practical issues involved in spatial epidemiological studies
  • LO3. recognise and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the reporting of epidemiological issues in different fora, and to different audiences
  • LO4. understand the basic design aspects of some less commonly used epidemiological study designs.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Public Health Dentistry - DBA
2.c. use of technological and telecommunication aids in planning and delivering specialist treatment
2.d. communicating effectively in all forms of health and legal reporting, and
2.e. interpreting and communicating knowledge, skills and ideas.
3.a. critically evaluating scientific research and literature, products and techniques to inform evidence-based specialist practice, and
3.b. synthesising complex information, problems, concepts and theories.
4.1.a. historical and contemporary literature
4.1.b. the scientific basis of dentistry including the relevant biological, medical and psychosocial sciences
4.1.d. the range of investigative, technical and clinical procedures, and
4.2.a. the epidemiology of oral health and disease
4.2.c. the principles of public health research oral disease prevention at a population level, and
4.2.d. the analysis of oral health needs and services in community and public health settings.
5.1.b. managing complex cases, including compromised patients with multidisciplinary management, and
5.1.c. managing complications.
5.2.a. designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating population oral health programs, and
5.2.b. writing reports.
LO2
Public Health Dentistry - DBA
2.c. use of technological and telecommunication aids in planning and delivering specialist treatment
2.d. communicating effectively in all forms of health and legal reporting, and
2.e. interpreting and communicating knowledge, skills and ideas.
3.a. critically evaluating scientific research and literature, products and techniques to inform evidence-based specialist practice, and
3.b. synthesising complex information, problems, concepts and theories.
4.1.a. historical and contemporary literature
4.1.b. the scientific basis of dentistry including the relevant biological, medical and psychosocial sciences
4.1.d. the range of investigative, technical and clinical procedures, and
4.2.a. the epidemiology of oral health and disease
4.2.c. the principles of public health research oral disease prevention at a population level, and
4.2.d. the analysis of oral health needs and services in community and public health settings.
5.1.b. managing complex cases, including compromised patients with multidisciplinary management, and
5.1.c. managing complications.
5.2.a. designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating population oral health programs, and
5.2.b. writing reports.
LO3
Public Health Dentistry - DBA
2.c. use of technological and telecommunication aids in planning and delivering specialist treatment
2.d. communicating effectively in all forms of health and legal reporting, and
2.e. interpreting and communicating knowledge, skills and ideas.
3.a. critically evaluating scientific research and literature, products and techniques to inform evidence-based specialist practice, and
3.b. synthesising complex information, problems, concepts and theories.
4.1.a. historical and contemporary literature
4.1.b. the scientific basis of dentistry including the relevant biological, medical and psychosocial sciences
4.1.d. the range of investigative, technical and clinical procedures, and
4.2.a. the epidemiology of oral health and disease
4.2.c. the principles of public health research oral disease prevention at a population level, and
4.2.d. the analysis of oral health needs and services in community and public health settings.
5.1.b. managing complex cases, including compromised patients with multidisciplinary management, and
5.1.c. managing complications.
5.2.a. designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating population oral health programs, and
5.2.b. writing reports.
LO4
Public Health Dentistry - DBA
2.c. use of technological and telecommunication aids in planning and delivering specialist treatment
2.d. communicating effectively in all forms of health and legal reporting, and
2.e. interpreting and communicating knowledge, skills and ideas.
3.a. critically evaluating scientific research and literature, products and techniques to inform evidence-based specialist practice, and
3.b. synthesising complex information, problems, concepts and theories.
4.1.a. historical and contemporary literature
4.1.b. the scientific basis of dentistry including the relevant biological, medical and psychosocial sciences
4.1.d. the range of investigative, technical and clinical procedures, and
4.2.a. the epidemiology of oral health and disease
4.2.c. the principles of public health research oral disease prevention at a population level, and
4.2.d. the analysis of oral health needs and services in community and public health settings.
5.1.b. managing complex cases, including compromised patients with multidisciplinary management, and
5.1.c. managing complications.
5.2.a. designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating population oral health programs, and
5.2.b. writing reports.

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered apart from changes in topic for some of the modules (and the move of some of the small weekly assessments to in-class). These changes are made each year based on interest, availability of presenters and contemporary issues in epidemiology.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.