POPH8316 Outbreak Investigation

POPH8316 is only available under certain award programs.

Offered By

National Ctre for Epidemiology & Population Health

Academic Career

Graduate Coursework

Course Subject

Population Health

Offered in

First Semester, 2013 and First Semester, 2014

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
Social and ecological factors in outbreak emergence and control

Learning Outcomes

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

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

Indicative Assessment

Assessment will be through a combination of written assignments (60%), in class assessment (20%), presentation (10%) and participation (10%).

Workload

Attendance and participation at a four day intensive program (12-15 March, 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)

Eligibility

Students enrolled in this course are required to have completed an undergraduate degree and Masters level courses on Epidemiology and/or Biostatistics from a recognised School of Public Health (either in Australia or internationally), or completion of Fundamentals of Epidemiology and Fundamentals of Biostatistics short courses held at the ANU. Students wishing to do these subjects, but do not have these prerequisites should contact the convener.

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

Consent Required

Consent is required prior to enrolling in this course.

Prescribed Texts

Michael Gregg (ed). Field Epidemiology. 3^rd 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, Master of Public Health (Research), and Graduate Certificate in Applied Epidemiology

Academic Contact

Stephanie Davis

The information published on the Study at ANU 2013 website applies to the 2013 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2012 website.