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POPH8316 Outbreak Investigation

Add POPH8316 - Outbreak Investigation to my interest list
Offered By National Ctre for Epidemiology & Population Health
Academic Career Graduate Coursework
Course Subject Population Health
Offered in First Semester, 2012 and First Semester, 2013
Unit Value 6 units
Course Description
  • Do you have an interest in how outbreaks of communicable diseases are investigated and controlled?
  • Do you currently work or want to work in the area of outbreak investigation?
  • Do you want to learn from experienced practitioners in the field?

This course is designed to equip participants with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to undertake investigation and control of outbreaks in the field.  Through the course, the emphasis will be on applying  knowledge and concepts to scenarios based on real-life outbreaks.  Teaching will be through case studies, lectures and small group tutorials.

Topics will include:

  • The fundamental steps in investigating an outbreak
  • Study designs used in outbreak investigations
  • Policy, legal and ethical implications of outbreak control
  • Disease outbreaks in vulnerable populations
  • Introduction to the use of software in outbreak investigation
  • Emerging infectious diseases

 
Learning Outcomes

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

  1. Devise and execute the necessary steps in a simple outbreak investigation, and be able to support a more complex one
  2. Design and appraise analytical studies used in outbreak investigations
  3. Analyse and interpret outbreak investigation findings, and communicate these to a range of stakeholders
  4. Describe the major ethical and logistical issues of outbreak preparedness, investigation and control
  5. Identify appropriate outbreak control measures for various diseases at a local, national and international level
  6. Recognise indicators of a potential disease outbreak
Indicative Assessment

In class assessment (15%)

Short answer assignment (15%)

Proposal for outbreak investigation (30%)

Report on outbreak investigation (30%)

Student presentation (10%)
Workload

Attendance and participation at a four day intensive program (2-5  April, approx 32 hours ), participation in  online teaching sessions over the semester plus additional time spent on pre-reading, self-directed study and completing assessment requirements as per a 6-unit course load.
Course Classification(s) SpecialistSpecialist courses are designed for students having reached 'first degree' level of assumed knowledge, which provide for the acquisition of specialist skills; or 'second degree' and higher level of knowledge; or for transition to research training programs; or knowledge associated with professional accreditation.
Eligibility

Students enrolled in this course are required to have completed an undergraduate degree.
Requisite Statement

Permission from program convenor required.
Recommended Courses

POPH8100 Fundamentals of Epidemiology

POPH8101 Biostatistics in Population Health

POPH8313 Analysis of public health data

POPH8317 Public Health surveillance

POPH8315 Methods in Applied Epidemiological Research
Prescribed Texts

Michael Gregg (ed). Field Epidemiology. 3rd Edition. Oxford University Press, New York 2008. ISBN: 978-0-19-531380-2
Technology Requirements

Standard IT and library access
Programs Master of Public Health and Master of Public Health (Research)
Academic Contact Stephanie Davis

The information published on the Study at ANU 2012 website applies to the 2012 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2011 website.

Updated:   13 Nov 2015 / Responsible Officer:   The Registrar / Page Contact:   Student Business Solutions