Course Title: Occupational Epidemiology
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Occupational Epidemiology
Credit Points: 12.00
Course Coordinator: Kennedy Osakwe
Course Coordinator Phone: +61399250273
Course Coordinator Email: kennedy.osakwe@rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Location: 8.8.59
Course Coordinator Availability: by appointment
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
None
Course Description
In this course, you will explore epidemiology from the perspective of occupational health and safety. You will examine major study designs in epidemiology, such as observational and experimental study design. In the course, you will design basic epidemiological studies to analyse the relationship between workplace exposure and occupational illnesses . You will also develop knowledge and skills to analyse and interpreting epidemiological data using standard epidemiological strategies and then use that to develop and implement intervention programs in epidemiology.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
In course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:
1.Critically analyse, synthesise and reflect on developments in occupational health and safety in both local and international contexts to extend and challenge knowledge and effective practice.
2. Professionally communicate and justify project scope, design, implementation, strategy and /or outcomes, engaging effectively with diverse stakeholders across a range of industry sectors.
3. Integrate and apply appropriate research methodologies, technical skills and tools to design and execute applied professional practice and research projects, evaluate the outcomes and theorise about the contribution of your learning to the profession and knowledge arena
4. Provide strategic occupational health and safety advice and utilise leadership skills and teamwork skills to initiate, plan and guide the implementation of bespoke solutions across diverse occupational health and safety contexts, contributing to the discipline and professional arena
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
1. Critically describe the scope & application of occupational epidemiology
2. Critically appraise and interpret epidemiological data from the work environment
3. Design basic epidemiological studies and apply outcomes to designing interventions for work-related health and safety risks
4. Analyse major study designs including the ethical implications of undertaking workplace research on human subjects
5. Apply system approaches to analysing, designing, and evaluating the implementation and effectiveness of epidemiological interventions.
Overview of Learning Activities
Learning in this course comprises a combination of interactive online workshops as a combination of lectures and tutorials. Lectures will introduce new material and provide fundamental knowledge for each topic. Tutorial time will offer the opportunity for class and group discussion and debate on readings and guest lectures.
Project work and interactions with stakeholders, such as researchers, advocates, policy makers, practitioners and representatives of various tenure groups, is an important aspect of the course. You will learn from, collaborate across and utilise strategies from various disciplines. This will enable you to combine knowledge from multiple perspectives and real-life experiences to prepare you to develop speculative solutions to complex problems around housing and health.
It is expected that you will attend classes regularly and work collaboratively in problem solving sessions and individual and group-based reflections on project based and cross-disciplinary issues.
Overview of Learning Resources
RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.
You will be directed to a range of texts, journal articles and other web-based material that provide a current understanding of the knowledge in this area.
Lectures, voice files and other materials will be available on MyRMIT (Canvas).
There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the MyRMIT student portal.
Overview of Assessment
You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes. Assessment consists of:
Assessment Task 1 (20%): Interpretation and Calculation of Epidemiological data in a Major Study CLOs 1,2, & 4
Assessment Task 2 (40%): Basic Epidemiological Study Design in the workplace CLOs 1, & 3
Assessment Task 3 (40%): Evaluation of Epidemiological Intervention CLOs 1,4 & 5
Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.
If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.
Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.