Postgraduate Course: Introduction to epidemiology for public policy (IPHP11022)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of disease in populations and the application of the knowledge gained to improve population health. Epidemiology is one of the central disciplines underpinning international public health research, practice and policy. This course examines the nature and scope of epidemiology and the contribution it makes to public policy in an international context. It provides an analysis of: key approaches to measuring and monitoring disease in populations; comparing populations in terms of specific disease outcomes; global measures of health and disease; and measuring and interpreting associations between health exposures and disease outcomes. |
| Course description |
This course introduces students to epidemiology ¿ that is, the study of the distribution and determinants of disease in populations and the application of the knowledge gained to improve population health. Epidemiology is one of the key research methods used to inform health-related research, practice and policy. This course examines principles of epidemiological study design, analysis and interpretation. By the end of the course, students will be able to understand and interpret epidemiological research and critically assess the implications of epidemiological evidence for health and public policy in a global context.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2015/16, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 35 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
98 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Essay 2,500 words |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- - Have a critical understanding of how health outcomes are measured and compared across populations, and of key epidemiological study designs including ecological, cross-sectional, case-control, cohort and intervention studies
- - Be capable of understanding and critically interpreting epidemiology measures such as odds ratios and relative risks in quantifying the link between exposures and health outcomes
- - Understand potential sources of study error and be able to critically evaluate the internal and external validity of specific epidemiological studies
- - Have a critical understanding of the principles of disease causation, the role of epidemiology in exploring risk and protective factors for specific health outcomes, and the role of epidemiological research in establishing the effectiveness of different health interventions
- - Be able to understand and interpret epidemiological research and critically assess the implications of epidemiological evidence for health and public policy in a global context
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Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Sarah Hill
Tel:
Email: s.e.hill@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Kate Ferguson
Tel: (0131 6)51 5122
Email: kate.ferguson@ed.ac.uk |
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