| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
N/A
N/A
To explore the contribution of epidemiology to understanding and addressing the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the UK and other industrialised countries. The module starts with a consideration of changes in demography and disease patterns that led to chronic non-communicable diseases becoming the predominant health problems in the UK and similar countries. It then considers the major determinants of those diseases, from underlying socio economic structures through to individual behaviours and genetic determinants.
Epidemiological transition; epidemiological models; major determinants of chronic diseases and their control.
By the end of this module students will be able to:
• Describe the theory of the epidemiological transition, how chronic diseases became the predominant
health problems in industrialised countries, and current disease patterns in other parts of the
world.
• Discuss and evaluate the potential determinants of the relationship between socio economic status and chronic disease occurrence including the putative role of psycho-social factors.
• Understand the nature of the relationships between age, sex, ethnicity and chronic disease
occurrence.
• Describe and evaluate the major “lifestyle” risk factors for chronic disease, and in particular the role of
smoking, physical inactivity, calorie excess and specific dietary components
• Outline some of the basics of genetic and molecular epidemiology and explain their
importance to understanding the epidemiology and control of chronic diseases.
• Provide a critical outline of the hypotheses on the origins of adult disease in fetal and early life
By the end of this module students will be able to:
• Provide a critical synthesis of the literature for a particular disease or condition that
demonstrates the interrelationships and relative importance of determinants of health in different
population groups.
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 15 | 1:00 | 15:00 | Present in person: Interactive lectures/seminars, including group discussion |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | Preparation for lectures and seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 55:00 | 55:00 | N/A |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching activities provide students with the information required to be able to meet the knowledge outcomes. Small group teaching includes direct dialogue between students and provides the opportunity to discuss in depth the complex influences on chronic disease occurrence, thus embedding and reinforcing the knowledge outcomes and facilitating achievement of the intended skills outcomes. A number of the students have significant experience of working in the health service, and the interactive nature of the learning methods enables them to discuss their experience and to relate that to the concepts and ideas being taught, thus aiding their knowledge and understanding of the subject area.
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 2 | M | 100 | 2,000 words maximum |
The assignment will test the student’s ability to critically evaluate the influence of the different determinants on the trends, current rates and distribution of a particular chronic condition.
A formative 'surgery' on the assignment will be held within a small group session
N/A
Disclaimer: The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2022/23 academic year. In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described. Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2023/24 entry will be published here in early-April 2023. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.