dtn4epi epidemiology
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND RESEARCH METHODS
DTN4EPI
2015
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
In this subject students will develop an understanding of epidemiological study designs and research concepts of direct relevance to the role of food and nutrition in the prevention, causation and management of disease. Nutrition measurement techniques for the assessment of diet and body composition of individuals and populations are covered in depth. The course covers sources of data on mortality and morbidity, measures of disease prevalence, incidence and risk, chance, bias and confounding variables of relevance to nutritional epidemiology. Standard parametric and non-parametric statistical techniques will be reviewed and students will have the opportunity to use statistical software programs to analyse a population dataset.
SchoolSchool of Allied Health
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorSue Shepherd
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 4 - UG/Hons/1st Yr PG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites Must be enrolled in one of the following courses: Must be enrolled in HZHSDP - Bachelor of Health Science and Master of Dietetics Practice, HBHN - Bachelor of Human Nutrition and must pass DTN2PNU and 120 credit points at year level 1, or must be enrolled in HMDP-Master of Dietetics Practice. All other students require subject coordinator approval.
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjectsN/A
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditions Students must be enrolled in course codes: HBHN, HZHSDP or HMDP or obtain approval from subject coordinator.
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Essential epidemiology: an introduction for students and health professionals | Prescribed | Webb, P. Bain, C. & Pirozzo, S. 2011 | 2ND EDN, CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS, UK, CAMBRIDGE |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. To understand and be able to design epidemiological studies in nutrition.
- Activities:
- Interactive lectures, practical classes and workshops.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Writing(Writing)
- Communication(Communication)
- Discipline Specific Competencies(Discipline Specific Competencies)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Professional Practice(Professional Practice)
02. To be able to critically appraise epidemiological studies in nutrition.
- Activities:
- Interactive lectures, practical classes and workshops.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Discipline Specific Competencies(Discipline Specific Competencies)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Professional Practice(Professional Practice)
- Communication(Communication)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Writing(Writing)
03. To understand the concepts of measurement of disease, including prevalence, incidence and risk, chance, bias and confounding.
- Activities:
- Interactive lectures, practical classes and workshops
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Discipline Specific Competencies(Discipline Specific Competencies)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Writing(Writing)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
04. To understand the role of food and nutrition in the prevention and causation of disease.
- Activities:
- Interactive lectures, practical classes and workshops.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Writing(Writing)
- Discipline Specific Competencies(Discipline Specific Competencies)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
05. To gain practical skills in the measurement and assessment of dietary intake of individuals and populations.
- Activities:
- Interactive lectures, practical classes and workshops
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Discipline Specific Competencies(Discipline Specific Competencies)
- Teamwork(Teamwork)
06. To gain practical skills in the measurement and assessment of anthropometry and body composition of individuals and population groups.
- Activities:
- Interactive lectures, practical classes and workshops
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Discipline Specific Competencies(Discipline Specific Competencies)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Teamwork(Teamwork)
07. To gain practical skills in biostatistics and be able to analyse and interpret a small population dataset.
- Activities:
- Interactive lectures, practical classes and workshops
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
08. To understand the principles of ethics to the conduct of nutrition research.
- Activities:
- Interactive lectures, practical classes and workshops
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Ethical/ Social Responsibility(Ethical/ Social Responsibility)
Subject options
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Melbourne, 2015, Semester 2, Blended
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorSue Shepherd
Class requirements
LectureWeek: 31 - 36
One 2.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 36 and delivered via face-to-face.
Scheduled Online ClassWeek: 31 - 36
One 2.0 hours scheduled online class per week during the day from week 31 to week 36 and delivered via online.
WorkShopWeek: 31 - 36
One 2.0 hours workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 36 and delivered via face-to-face.
"As part of this students will complete 10-hours in computer labs."
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| one 1500-word assignment | 35 | 01, 04, 05, 06, 07 | |
| one 2-hour written examination | 40 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 07, 08 | |
| one 20-minute multiple choice test | 10 | 01, 03, 04 | |
| one 500-word critical analysis assignment | 15 | 02 |