Postgraduate Course: Applied Epidemiology (PUHR11121)
Course Outline
| School | Deanery of Molecular, Genetic and Population Health Sciences |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
| Course type | Online Distance Learning |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | Applied Epidemiology extends students' learning beyond foundational epidemiological concepts and principles to consider more complex aspects of epidemiological thinking. New topics covered include, for example, effect modification, interaction and risk prediction. The course requires students to integrate and critically apply new and prior epidemiological understanding to real population health research problems. It also includes further learning on communication in epidemiology, an increasingly important applied component of the discipline. |
| Course description |
This course develops students' critical understanding and application of epidemiological concepts, extending learning beyond that covered in introductory level courses. Students will enter this course with a foundational understanding of key epidemiological concepts and principles. They will be introduced to new topics, including, for example, effect modification, interaction and risk prediction. The course material will be structured around a series of case studies from real-world population health scenarios/challenges, with students required to integrate and critically apply their epidemiological learning to date. The inclusion of practical R-based exercises will complement lectures and discussion activities, to support applied epidemiological learning. The course also further develops students' understanding of and skills in communication of epidemiological information. Being able to clearly articulate complex scientific information to a non-academic audience has become increasingly important and is a key multi-sector skill.
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Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2025/26, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Flexible |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Lecture Hours 5,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 1,
Online Activities 35,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 5,
Formative Assessment Hours 5,
Revision Session Hours 1,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
46 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Written exam 0%, Coursework 100%, Practical exam 0%
Final written assignment |
| Feedback |
Weekly course content will include discussion/practical activities. Students will receive feedback via model answers and discussion groups for peer-support with feedback from tutors and course organisers, if needed.
There will be one formative assessment in two parts; tutors and course organisers will provide personalised feedback on part A, whilst students will share their response to part B with classmates who will provide peer feedback in pairs.
Detailed written feedback will be provided via Learn after the summative assessment. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of epidemiological concepts such as effect modification, interaction and risk prediction, within the context of specific health problems
- Integrate and apply epidemiological understanding to real-world population health research and to the critical evaluation of epidemiological information
- Demonstrate an applied understanding of the principles of effective communication to varied professional and lay audiences in an epidemiological context
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Reading List
| Reading lists will be provided in the course handbook |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
1) Generic cognitive skills
Students will learn to apply critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis to forefront issues, or issues that are informed by forefront developments in epidemiology.
Students will learn to critically review, consolidate and extend knowledge, skills, practices and thinking in relation to epidemiology.
Students will also learn to deal with complex issues and make informed judgements in the absence of complete or consistent data/information.
2) Communication, numeracy and IT skills
Students will learn to communicate with peers, more senior colleagues and specialists in the duration of the course through discussion board interactions, practical exercises, non-compulsory live collaborate sessions, and formative and summative assessments.
Students will be encouraged to use a wide range of ICT applications to support and enhance work at this level and adjust features to suit purpose.
Students will undertake critical evaluations of a wide range of numerical and graphical data through practical exercises, discussion board exercises and online assessment.
3) Autonomy, accountability and working with others
Students will be encouraged to exercise substantial autonomy and initiative in professional and equivalent activities.
Students will take responsibility for own work and/or significant responsibility for the work of others through the group work. |
| Keywords | Epidemiology,applied epidemiology |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Caroline Jackson
Tel: (0131 6)51 7872
Email: Caroline.Jackson@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Laura Miller
Tel: (0131 6)51 5575
Email: Laura.Miller@ed.ac.uk |
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