The Master of Philosophy requires the completion of 30 units of coursework, which consist of:

POPH8917: Public Health Surveillance

Course outline

Surveillance is the collection, analysis and interpretation of health or related data for public health action. The Public Health Surveillance course is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills in four domains: establishment, maintenance, reporting, and evaluation of public health surveillance systems.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

• Design public health surveillance systems;
• Evaluate public health surveillance systems using appropriate frameworks;
• Analyse, interpret, and critique public health surveillance data;
• Consider legal and ethical basis in the design and evaluation of public health surveillance systems;
• Communicate findings of evaluation of surveillance systems and analyse surveillance data effectively to a range of stakeholders.

POPH8916: Outbreak Investigation

Course outline

Outbreak investigation is a central aspect of applied epidemiology which aims to control the outbreak and prevent future outbreaks. The Outbreak Investigation course is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills to undertake outbreak investigations in the field. The course combines theory with outbreak investigation case studies based on real-life outbreaks.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

• Identify the role of disease surveillance and other intelligence in outbreak detection and investigation;
• Devise and execute the necessary steps in a simple outbreak investigation, and be able to support a more complex one;
• Identify and suggest appropriate outbreak control measures;
• Utilise key pieces of public health legislation and guidelines relevant to outbreak investigation;
• Effectively communicate outbreak investigation findings to a range of stakeholders.

POPH8915: Research Design and Methods

Course outline

Research design is a plan to answer a research question and research method is a strategy used to implement that plan. The Research Design and Methods course is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to undertake an applied epidemiological research study. The course will combine epidemiological theory and concepts with practical examples.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

• Develop and apply a systematic approach to search, critically appraise and synthesise literature relevant to research questions;
• Recognise practical and theoretical issues related to epidemiological research;
• Develop and implement epidemiological studies using appropriate epidemiological study designs to answer research questions;
• Effectively communicate research methods and findings to a range of stakeholders.

POPH8913: Analysis of Public Health Data

Course outline

Data analysis is a central activity in applied epidemiology providing underlying evidence for public health policy formulation and action. The aim of the Analysis of Public Health Data course is to equip students with the knowledge and skills to analyse quantitative public health data. The course combines biostatistics theory with the practical application of biostatistical methods.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

• Develop and execute appropriate data analysis plan to answer a research question;
• Use appropriate statistical software to perform a range of statistical analysis;
• Interpret results from a variety of statistical analyses;
• Communicate findings of data analysis to a range of stakeholders.

POPH8914: Issues in Applied Epidemiology

Course outline

The aim of the Issues in Applied Epidemiology course is to introduce students to topical issues and advanced techniques in applied epidemiology.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

• Identify and discuss current issues in applied epidemiology
• Critique the current practice of applied epidemiology and make suggestions for improvement