Module NHS-4005:
Epidemiology

Run by School of Health Sciences

20 Credits or 10 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Dr Jaci Huws

This module aims to develop students' understanding of epidemiological methods as applied to public health and health promotion. Students will develop skills in describing and analysing epidemiological data, critically appraising study designs, and interpreting public health and health promotion issues through an understanding of epidemiological principles. These skills will enable students to understand and challenge issues that impact upon the sustainability of health and public health.

The module explores and critically appraises the key concepts of epidemiology and their application to public health and health promotion. The principles of epidemiology will be outlined, and students will develop a critical understanding of the strengths and limitations of different types of epidemiological data and evidence. Course content may include:

• Epidemiological measures of health and disease: frequency (including incidence, prevalence, odds, rates); crude and specific rates; standardisation.
• Epidemiological measures of health and disease: association and impact (risk ratio, rate ratio, odds ratio, risk and rate difference; attributable risk, and population attributable risk).
• Epidemiological design (cross-sectional, cohort, case-study, intervention).
• Interpreting the results of epidemiological studies and focussing on bias, confounding, chance, cause-effect relationship.
• Surveillance and routine data.
• Diagnostic and screening test programmes.
• Critical appraisal of epidemiological research.

excellent

A* to A-

Demonstrate excellent knowledge and understanding of epidemiology and epidemiological research. Excellent and appropriate use of critical analysis, and independent thinking. Excellent use of material from the module and other relevant information to support arguments; references are drawn on appropriately to support the discussion. Excellent awareness of conflicting arguments and ideas and a good attempt to address them; excellent ability to analyse and to critically evaluate material. Excellent use of written language.

good

B+ to B-

Demonstrate good knowledge and understanding of epidemiology and epidemiological research. Good and appropriate use of critical analysis, and independent thinking. Good use of material from the module and other relevant information to support arguments; references are drawn on appropriately to support the discussion. Good awareness of conflicting arguments and ideas and a good attempt to address them; good ability to analyse and to critically evaluate material. Good use of written language.

threshold

C+ to C-

Demonstrate adequate knowledge and understanding of epidemiology and epidemiological research. Adequate use of critical analysis, and independent thinking. Adequate use of some material from the module and other relevant information to support arguments; most references are drawn on appropriately to support the discussion. Adequate awareness of conflicting arguments and ideas and a some attempt to address them; adequate ability to analyse and to critically evaluate material. Acceptable use of written language.

1. 1. Describe and critically understand key epidemiological concepts and measures of health and disease.
2. 1. Identify and analyse routinely available epidemiological and demographic data, and demonstrate a critical understanding of the role of surveillance
3. 1. Appraise epidemiological research designs, demonstrating an understanding of the strengths and limitations of the different methods, interpretations, and applications.
4. 1. Interpret the results of epidemiological studies, and have an appreciation of influencing factors such as bias, confounding, and chance.
5. 1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of diagnostic and screening test programmes.

Type	Name	Description	Weight
EXAM	Epidemiology Exam	40% weighting: Unseen 2 hour exam - 30 MCQ questions; 2 'short answer' questions.	40
ESSAY	Appraisal and interpretation task	60% weighting: Select an epidemiological study that has been published in a peer-reviewed journal in the past 10 years: 1. Summarise the study in your own words (300 words) and critically evaluate using an appropriate critical appraisal tool (700 words). (1000 words total; 60% of marks). 2. Using a style appropriate to a lay audience (for example, newspaper readers), outline the public health and / or health promotion implications of this study (500 words; 40% of marks).	60
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT	Online Discussion groups	Weekly 2.5 hour online discussions groups led by students, and moderated by the Module Organiser. These will focus on epidemiological approaches and critical appraisal.	0
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT	Formative practice tests	Formative practice tests to prepare for the examination.	0

		Hours
Private study	Lectures are supported with additional academic materials and resources. Students are also encouraged to: use library and multi-media resources (such as the Internet, newspapers, radio, television) and engage in Blackboard Group discussions. Students are encouraged to use electronic learning resources. Relevant lecture material, reading lists, and a list of relevant Internet resources are available on the course specific Blackboard site; students are also asked to add any relevant or useful material to this module site.	118
Lecture	Lead lectures & group work: The lectures comprise formal presentations, class discussions, seminars, and group exercises. Lectures are interactive and students are encouraged to actively participate and contribute.	36
Tutorial	Tutorials: Students are required to attend individual and group tutorials to facilitate the development of critical appraisal skills.	4
Study group	Weekly 2.5 hour online discussions groups led by students, and moderated by the Module Organiser.	30
Practical classes and workshops	4 Exam Practice sessions and Workshops.	12

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
• Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
• Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
• Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
• Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
• Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
• Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
• Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
• Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
• Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
• Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
• Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others

• Understanding of epidemiological methods as applied to public health and health promotion.
• Skills in conducting the analysis of epidemiological data,
• Skills in critically appraising study designs, and interpreting public health and health promotion issues through an understanding of epidemiological principles.
• Understanding the challenges and issues that impact upon the sustainability of health

Resource implications for students

Access to a computer, and the internet.

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/nhs-4005.html

Reading list

Reading lists will be available and updated via Talis for each academic year. This online database is module specific, and contains references to material that is current and topical (and includes electronically accessible material). https://apps.bangor.ac.uk/pip_module/resource/NHS-4005/