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 2025 in Semester 1 at Alfred Hospital. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 1 unit.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2025
- Semester 1
- Alfred Hospital
- Assessment
- No exam
- 4 tasks
This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before MPH5020
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After MPH5020
1 unit list MPH5020 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Enrolment rules
Corequisite: Must be enrolled in a Postgraduate degree
Prohibition: Unit incompatible for students enrolled in OEH course codes: 2312, 0160, 2868, M6026, M5018, M6028 and M6024.
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 2025
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Alfred Hospital | Online |
Assessment
- Development activities (5 x critical reflections 420 words each. Total 2,100 words)Written35%
- Multiple choice quiz (30 MCQs - 30 mins)Quiz / Test10%
- Case study report (1,200 words)Written20%
- Critical appraisalWritten35%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Explain how disease is measured in populations, calculate,interpret and communicate measures of association and difference;
- 2
Critically analyse the strengths and weaknesses of different epidemiological study designs;
- 3
Demonstrate an understanding of basic concepts and methods of biostatistics.
- 4
Interpret confidence intervals, p-values and sample size and communicate their meaning.
- 5
Use epidemiological and biostatistical principles to critically evaluate and interpret and communicate findings from epidemiological research.
- 6
Explain and contextualise the concepts of population, sampling, measurement, bias, confounding and causation;
Workload and teaching
- Workshops1 hours
Learning resources
Required resources
See Moodle for details about required resources.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Nazmul Karim
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Nazmul Karim
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for MPH5020?
MPH5020 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
What can I take after MPH5020?
MPH5020 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 1 unit, including PGC5107.
When is MPH5020 offered?
In 2025, MPH5020 runs in Semester 1 at Alfred Hospital, with an online option.
Does MPH5020 have an exam?
No. MPH5020 has 4 assessment tasks and no exam.