214311

Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases

The nature of important communicable diseases and the factors that influence the occurrence, prevention and control of infectious diseases. The microbiology of common agents of communicable diseases. Examination of the major reasons for disease emergence and resurgence. Concepts and applications of epidemiology in relation to infectious and non-infectious agents.

Course code

Qualifications are made up of courses. Some universities call these papers. Each course is numbered using six digits.

214311

Level

The fourth number of the course code shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).

300-level

Credits

Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.

15

Subject

Health Sciences

Course planning information

Course notes

Attendance at any contact workshop on campus or online is compulsory, further details and any changes will be available on the course Stream site.

General progression requirements

You must complete at least 45 credits from 200-level before enrolling in 300-level courses.

Learning outcomes

What you will learn. Knowledge, skills and attitudes you’ll be able to show as a result of successfully finishing this course.

  • 1 Discuss the factors responsible for the emergence and resurgence of infectious diseases.
  • 2 Describe the principles relating to the collection and transport of specimens for microbiological analysis and the types of diagnostic laboratory tests and microbiological techniques that can be useful in outbreak investigations.
  • 3 Demonstrate an understanding of the major characteristics of important communicable diseases, their microbiology and the practices aimed at the prevention and control of these diseases.
  • 4 Understand and perform procedures for detection, isolation and enumeration of microorganisms from a variety of clinical and environmental samples.
  • 5 Explain the procedures used in local and international communicable disease surveillance and the outbreak documentation and reporting systems that operate nationally and internationally.
  • 6 Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of descriptive and analytical epidemiology.
  • 7 Apply the epidemiological techniques necessary for investigating disease outbreaks.

Learning outcomes can change before the start of the semester you are studying the course in.

Assessments

Assessment Learning outcomes assessed Weighting
Written Assignment 1 2 20%
Written Assignment 3 4 20%
Written Assignment 3 5 6 7 20%
Exam (centrally scheduled) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 40%

Assessment weightings can change up to the start of the semester the course is delivered in.

You may need to take more assessments depending on where, how, and when you choose to take this course.

Explanation of assessment types

Computer programmes
Computer animation and screening, design, programming, models and other computer work.
Creative compositions
Animations, films, models, textiles, websites, and other compositions.
Exam College or GRS-based (not centrally scheduled)
An exam scheduled by a college or the Graduate Research School (GRS). The exam could be online, oral, field, practical skills, written exams or another format.
Exam (centrally scheduled)
An exam scheduled by Assessment Services (centrally) – you’ll usually be told when and where the exam is through the student portal.
Oral or performance or presentation
Debates, demonstrations, exhibitions, interviews, oral proposals, role play, speech and other performances or presentations.
Participation
You may be assessed on your participation in activities such as online fora, laboratories, debates, tutorials, exercises, seminars, and so on.
Portfolio
Creative, learning, online, narrative, photographic, written, and other portfolios.
Practical or placement
Field trips, field work, placements, seminars, workshops, voluntary work, and other activities.
Simulation
Technology-based or experience-based simulations.
Test
Laboratory, online, multi-choice, short answer, spoken, and other tests – arranged by the school.
Written assignment
Essays, group or individual projects, proposals, reports, reviews, writing exercises, and other written assignments.

Textbooks needed

There are no set texts for this course.