Course Aim, Objectives and Core Competencies
This module is an introductory course in epidemiology.
Module description COMH 7200: Epidemiology for Health Researchers 1 (15 Credits, NQF 9)
The aim of the module is to provide students with tools necessary to estimate, interpret and understand common concepts used in epidemiology. An overview of the development of modern epidemiology is presented and aspects of causal inference are discussed. The importance of accurate and appropriate measurement in epidemiological research is highlighted. Different measures of disease frequency, effect and impact are discussed in detail. It is expected that at the completion of this course, students will gain competence in the calculation and interpretation of basic epidemiology measures as well as have an understanding of basic epidemiology principles, concepts and methods that are generally used for epidemiological research.
Module description COMH4008A: Principles of Epidemiology (20 Credits, NQF 8)
This course provides a foundation for epidemiology principles used in public health practice by providing students with tools used to estimate, interpret and understand key concepts used in epidemiology. The course covers the following topics: introduction to epidemiology, epidemiology in public health, study populations and sampling, introduction to study design, measures of disease frequency, measures of association, introduction to measurement error, measures of impact and causality and causal inference.
1. Teaching methods
Sessions
The module consists of one week online (3 days with a day’s interval to complete deliverables and absorb the material), one week of face to face lectures and tutorials. The tutorials involve group exercises to consolidate concepts learnt in class. You have been allocated to a group of plus or minus 10 which is also available online.
Some sessions will be accompanied by lecture notes and other materials or tasks on Ulwazi, and you will be required to complete these. The course will also introduce how generative artificial intelligence platforms can be used responsibly to enhance learning of epidemiology. This has been integrated in the teaching, reading and practical sessions.
Recommended Textbooks
· Gordis L. Epidemiology. Saunders Elsevier
· Beaglehole B, Bonita R and Kjellstrom T. Basic Epidemiology. WHO Geneva
· Szklo M & Nieto FJ. Epidemiology: Beyond the Basics Johns and Bartlett
· Rothman KJ, Greenland S and Lash TL. Modern Epidemiology. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
Other Reading Materials
- Joubert G & Ehrlich R. Epidemiology: A Research Manual for South Africa. Oxford University Press, Southern Africa.
- Sidani, Souraya, and Carrie Jo Braden. Nursing and health interventions: design, evaluation, and implementation. John Wiley & Sons, 2021.
2. Learning time
150 hours of contact time and self-learning (study and assignments)
3. Assessment methods
Students’ performance for this module will be assessed a follows:
- Group presentation 15%
- Ulwazi tasks - focusing on week 1 (Open all week 1) 15%
- Individual take home assignment (summative for week 1
and week 2) 30%
- Final written exam 40%
4. Timetable
Full course timetable is attached to this syllabus, students are expected to be punctual for timely start of sessions