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Module

BMS3023 : Epidemiology

  • Offered for Year: 2023/24
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Richard McNally
  • Lecturer: Dr Andrew Kingston, Professor Judith Rankin, Professor Mark Pearce, Dr Louise Hayes, Dr Laura Woods, Professor Linda Sharp, Mrs Nermine Basta, Dr Louise Tanner, Dr Thomas Chadwick, Dr Svetlana Cherlin
  • Owning School: Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Scien
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0

Aims

The aim of the module is to provide a broad based introduction to the study of epidemiology and to illustrate the underpinning methodologies with selected examples focused on specific diseases and public health issues. The selection of these particular examples includes some areas of epidemiology in which Newcastle University has a very active research community.

• To provide an understanding of the purpose and use of epidemiology illustrated by using specific
examples

• To provide an understanding of the different types of epidemiological study design and to
illustrate this with specific examples

• To provide an understanding of the limitations of epidemiological studies and to illustrate
with specific examples

• To provide an understanding of the epidemiology and aetiology of specific diseases

The module is designed to provide a basic understanding of epidemiological methods with real examples drawn from a range of infectious and chronic diseases.

Outline Of Syllabus

Study design
Bias and Confounding
Health Information
Ethics, confidentiality, governance
Exposure
Genetic epidemiology
Molecular epidemiology
Life course epidemiology
Perinatal epidemiology
Chronic disease epidemiology (cancer, diabetes/obesity, old age)
Infections
Health inequalities
Exercise epidemiology

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion140:0040:00The assessment preparation and revision for the assessments
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture201:0020:00In person - Lectures
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching41:004:00In person seminars
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching11:001:00Sync online seminars
Guided Independent StudyReflective learning activity195:0095:00Reading and updating on subject using references from lecturers, RECAP and other sources
Guided Independent StudyReflective learning activity140:0040:00Writing and reflection on lecture materials. Non-synchronous online
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

PIP (20 lectures and 6 seminars) and synchronous online teaching (1 seminar) material will provide the knowledge base. Most will integrate information researchers have gathered from epidemiological studies and other relevant sources.

Students will have an opportunity to consider and discuss real research topics and disease examples in the seminars.

Lectures and lecture materials should stimulate the students to reflect and do further reading and the seminars are aimed to stimulate the students to reflect and critically consider research findings and their relation to the understanding of the epidemiology and aetiology of human disease.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination1202A70In person invigilated exam 2 essay questions to be answered from choice of 4
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written exercise1M30In person invigilated timed essay (1 hour).
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The final exam provides evidence of knowledge and understanding of the topics. The timed essay tests the analytical and research skills of the students as well as developing their written communication skills which helps prepare them for the examination.

Reading Lists

Timetable