Keele Badge

LSC-30084 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2024/25 Last Updated: 29 June 2024

LSC-30084 - Epidemiology
Coordinator: Najmul Haider
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

Epidemiology is the discipline largely concerned with disease prevention in the population. This is based on the principle that causes (exposures) and outcomes (health events, e.g. diseases) are part of a complex inter-connected web of relationships. Epidemiology generates knowledge on the causation of disease, develops a hypothesis to describe disease patterns, and explores the natural history of diseases. In this module, you will develop knowledge and understanding in epidemiological study design and interpretation of epidemiological results, exploring the scientific procedures of public health research, policies, program implementation, and evaluation. You will develop hands-on experience in calculating different estimates used in epidemiological studies applied in different research study designs. You will develop skills in designing epidemiological research, developing data collection tools, conducting primary epidemiological research, and interpreting epidemiological findings used in public health, including of relevance to outbreak investigations.

Aims
Epidemiology is one of the fundamental disciplines underlying public health research and today¿s public health policies heavily rely on epidemiological studies. The primary aim of this module is to provide students with knowledge of the epidemiological concept, measures of disease frequency and disease association, and epidemiological research design. The module will develop students' skills in the interpretation of epidemiological data and results. The module will develop the critical thinking abilities of the students by understanding and developing core competence to apply epidemiological approaches in public health.

Intended Learning Outcomes

define and measure the occurrence and association of diseases and health events in populations: 1
evaluate the importance of surveys, surveillance for pathogens/diseases and risk analysis in preventing, controlling, and eradicating diseases.: 1
respond to public health preparedness and emergencies including outbreak investigations, epidemics and pandemics: 2
evaluate the accuracy of screening tests including sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values: 1
critically appraise epidemiological study design with consideration of strengths and weaknesses, and why, how, and where to apply appropriate studies: 2
identify potential sources of errors, bias, or confounders in epidemiological studies and how to control those: 2

Study hours

10 x 2-hour active-learning lectures and workshops
6 x 2-hours tutorials, including IT workshops
6 x 2-hours directed reading of allocated articles on Epidemiological studies to support tutorials
10 x 3-hours engagement with asynchronous materials to support workshops and tutorials
Independent study
44 hours completion of study design assessment
32 hours independent study and preparation of data evaluation report


School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Report weighted 40%
Data evaluation report (1500 words)
Students will be allocated four different scenarios and will be required to calculate, interpret and evaluate data on measures of disease occurrence, association and diagnostic screening tests applied. Outcomes will be presented as a series of short evaluative reports (~300 words each) supported with relevant literature analysis.

2: Case Study weighted 60%
Study design assessment of 2500 words
This is a study design assessment (2500 words) based on one of the four epidemiological study designs (cross-sectional, case-control, cohort and randomized clinical trial). Students will be allocated one of these study scenarios and will propose a study design detailing: the study population, sampling type, data collection, data analysis plan, and expected outcome, and evaluating how these outcomes would be utilized in public health policies. Students will also be asked to specifically address potential bias, errors and confounders arising in their study design.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 29 June 2024