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 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 periodCampusMode
First semesterAlfred HospitalOnline

Assessment

  • Development activities (5 x critical reflections 420 words each. Total 2,100 words)Written
    35%
  • Multiple choice quiz (30 MCQs - 30 mins)Quiz / Test
    10%
  • Case study report (1,200 words)Written
    20%
  • Critical appraisalWritten
    35%

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;

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.

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
Available