UnitLevel 5Postgraduate

MPH5020 Introduction to epidemiology and biostatistics

Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

MPH5020 Introduction to epidemiology and biostatistics is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, offered in 2020 in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Alfred Hospital. It has no prerequisites.

Credit points
6
Offered in 2020
Semester 1, Semester 2
Alfred Hospital
Assessment
No exam
4 tasks

This is the 2020 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.

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Requisites

Before MPH5020

No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.

After MPH5020

No unit lists MPH5020 as a prerequisite in the 2020 handbook.

Enrolment rules

Prohibition: Unit incompatible for students enrolled in OEH course codes: 2312, 0160, 2868, M6026, M5018
Corequisite: Must be enrolled in a Postgraduate degree

Overview

Differences between descriptive & analytical epidemiology, strengths & weaknesses of different epidemiological study design & basic concepts & methods of biostatistics including confidence intervals, p-values & sample size, statistical tests for comparing groups, regression models & survival analysis. Design & evaluation of clinical trials.

Offerings in 2020

Teaching periodCampusMode
First semesterAlfred HospitalOnline
Second semesterAlfred HospitalOnline

Assessment

  • 6 x Critical reflections (300 words each)
    30%
  • Critical appraisal (1,200 words)
    20%
  • Study design (1,200 words)
    20%
  • Case study report (1,350 words)Threshold hurdle
    30%

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

  1. 1

    Explain how disease is measured in populations, calculate,interpret and communicate measures of association and difference;

  2. 2

    Critically analyse the strengths and weaknesses of different epidemiological study designs;

  3. 3

    Demonstrate an understanding of basic concepts and methods of biostatistics.

  4. 4

    Interpret confidence intervals, p-values and sample size and communicate their meaning.

  5. 5

    Use epidemiological and biostatistical principles to critically evaluate and interpret and communicate findings from epidemiological research.

  6. 6

    Explain and contextualise the concepts of population, sampling, measurement, bias, confounding and causation;

Learning resources

Required resources

See Moodle for details about required resources.

Contacts

Unit Coordinators
Dr Miranda Davies
Professor Flavia Cicuttini
Chief Examiners
Professor Flavia Cicuttini

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for MPH5020?

MPH5020 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.

When is MPH5020 offered?

In 2020, MPH5020 runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Alfred Hospital, with an online option.

Does MPH5020 have an exam?

No. MPH5020 has 4 assessment tasks and no exam.

More details

Credit points
6
Level
5
Study level
Postgraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Organisational unit
Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.125
Student contribution
SCA Band 2
Study abroad
Not available