Units / MPH5020

MPH5020 · Introduction to epidemiology and biostatistics

Official Handbook

2027 Handbook6 credit pointsLevel 5Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine

Last checked: 30 Sep 2026 UTC Handbook year

Overview

Differences between descriptive & analytical epidemiology, strengths & weaknesses of different epidemiological study design & basic concepts & methods of biostatistics including confidence intervals, p-values & sample size, statistical tests for comparing groups, regression models & survival analysis. Design & evaluation of clinical trials.

Offerings

Campus	Teaching period	Mode
Alfred Hospital	Second semester	Teaching is all online (ONLINE)
Alfred Hospital	First semester	Teaching is all online (ONLINE)

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

#	Assessment	Type	Weight	Hurdle
1	Development activities (5 x critical reflections 420 words each. Total 2,100 words)	Written	35%	—
2	Multiple choice quiz (30 MCQs - 30 mins)	Quiz / Test	10%	—
3	Case study report (1,200 words)	Written	20%	—
4	Critical appraisal	Written	35%	—

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

prohibition

MPH5040Introductory epidemiology6 cp

AND

MPH6040Introductory epidemiology0 cp

AND

HSC5040Introductory epidemiology6 cp

AND

PHI5040Introductory Epidemiology6 cp

AND

MPH5041Introductory biostatistics6 cp

AND

MPH6041Introductory biostatistics0 cp

AND

HSC5051Introductory biostatistics6 cp

AND

PHI5041Introductory biostatistics 6 cp

Learning outcomes

Explain how disease is measured in populations, calculate,interpret and communicate measures of association and difference;
Critically analyse the strengths and weaknesses of different epidemiological study designs;
Demonstrate an understanding of basic concepts and methods of biostatistics.
Interpret confidence intervals, p-values and sample size and communicate their meaning.
Use epidemiological and biostatistical principles to critically evaluate and interpret and communicate findings from epidemiological research.
Explain and contextualise the concepts of population, sampling, measurement, bias, confounding and causation;

Workload

Activity	Duration
Workshops	1 hours

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