Overview
This introductory course examines epidemiology as the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states in populations and the application of evidence to control health problems. Students develop foundational knowledge of epidemiologic principles, population health, public health practice, disease occurrence, surveillance systems, case definitions, and descriptive epidemiology by person, place, and time.
The course introduces measures of disease frequency, including prevalence, incidence, mortality, morbidity, rates, ratios, and standardization, together with measures of association and causal frameworks. Students examine risk factors, the natural history of disease, levels of prevention, screening and diagnostic test validity, outbreak investigation, environmental and social epidemiology, health disparities, and ethics in population research. Instruction emphasizes practical interpretation without excessive mathematical complexity and uses examples from infectious disease, chronic disease, injury, environmental exposure, reproductive health, and community health.
Learning Outcomes
- Define and explain the historical development, principles, and applications of epidemiology in population health and public health practice.
- Calculate and interpret basic measures of disease frequency, including prevalence, incidence, mortality, morbidity, rates, ratios, and standardized measures.
- Describe patterns of disease and injury by person, place, and time using appropriate epidemiologic data.
- Evaluate surveillance systems, case definitions, screening programmes, and diagnostic test validity.
- Apply epidemiologic principles to the investigation and control of outbreaks.
- Identify potential sources of bias, confounding, and effect modification in epidemiologic studies.
- Distinguish statistical association from causal relationships using causal frameworks and relevant evidence.
- Assess environmental, social, and structural determinants of health and their contribution to health disparities.
- Interpret epidemiologic findings from infectious disease, chronic disease, injury, environmental, reproductive, and community health contexts.
- Communicate epidemiologic evidence clearly to technical and public audiences while applying ethical principles for population research.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Tutorial | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Lab | 2 hours | Fortnightly | All semester |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quiz | Foundational concepts and disease occurrence | 10.00% |
| Assignment | Descriptive epidemiology data analysis | 20.00% |
| Assignment | Surveillance and screening evaluation | 20.00% |
| Test | Outbreak investigation practical | 20.00% |
| Exam | Final examination | 30.00% |
Teaching Staff & Programs
This course is delivered jointly by faculty from the participating programs listed below. In line with the Douchewater Way, the University of Sexology tailors core instruction directly to each cohort's specific discipline — adapting curriculum to program needs rather than forcing students into a one-size-fits-all model. Learn more about our approach at The Douchewater Way.
