PBH2001 Foundations of epidemiology
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
PBH2001 Foundations of epidemiology is a level 2, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, offered in 2026 in Semester 2 at Caulfield. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 3 units.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 2
- Caulfield
- Assessment
- Exam 35%
- and 3 other tasks
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before PBH2001
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After PBH2001
3 units list PBH2001 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Enrolment rules
Overview
In this unit, you will be introduced to the applications of epidemiological concepts and methods to typical problems in population health and in the broader public health literature. This will include your consideration of fundamental ethical issues pertaining to the conduct of public health research and population health interventions. Emphasis will be placed on a population view of health and disease, social determinants of health, epidemiological principles, research study design and interpretation, and communication of evidence in practice.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Caulfield | On campus |
Assessment
- Media report analysis (1,200 words)Written20%
- Critical appraisal (2,100 words)Written35%
- Online quiz (MCQ) (30 minutes)Quiz / Test10%
- Examination (MCQ/SAQ) (2 hours and 10 minutes)Examination35%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Examine and explain how disease is measured in populations
- 2
Assess the quality of evidence provided across epidemiological research designs
- 3
Recognise and summarise issues of cultural context and ethical principles in epidemiological and health research
- 4
Identify and apply core public health principles in health research
- 5
Summarise and communicate evidence for professional audiences
Workload and teaching
- Lectures12 hours
- Tutorials24 hours
1 hour lecture, 2 hour tutorial, 3 hours of directed online student learning activities, plus 6 hours of self-directed study per week.
Learning resources
Required resources
See Moodle for details about required resources.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Professor Basia Diug
- Unit Coordinators
- Ms Kelly Allen
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for PBH2001?
PBH2001 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
What can I take after PBH2001?
PBH2001 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 3 units, including PBH3005, PBH3009 and PBH3014.
When is PBH2001 offered?
In 2026, PBH2001 runs in Semester 2 at Caulfield.
Does PBH2001 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 35% of the final mark, alongside 3 other tasks.