Available in 2024
Course code

PUBH6303

Units

10 units

Level

6000 level

Course handbook

Description

This course is open to students from a range of different programs. Depending on the degree program a student is enrolled in, this course enables students to undertake either: A. an independent research project or work-based project in a topic of interest to themselves (on the basis an appropriate project and supervision team can be identified), or B. structured learning in a statistical topic area specified by the teaching staff, followed by detailed analyses and written report generation using provided data. Students enrolled in Clinical Epidemiology, Health Science, Public Health, Traumatology or Workplace Health and Safety degrees may undertake option A. Students enrolled in Data Science or Medical Statistics degrees may undertake option A or option B. Option A: Independent research project or work-based project (available to all students)Students will conduct a Public Health/Population Health/Medical/Statistical /Workplace Health and Safety research project. Students will have the opportunity to explore in depth a topic of Public Health, Population Health, Epidemiologic, Medical, Workplace Health and Safety Statistical significance under the guidance of suitable supervisors. The project may entail a detailed review of the literature (e.g., systematic, scoping, narrative or integrative review), an analysis of an existing data set, or a work-based project. Due to the fixed semester timeframe, it is expected that students undertaking any data analyses will use previously collected data and have necessary ethics approvals in place, prior to the start of semester. Students should identify a minimum of one supervisor to support their project. A learning contract will be negotiated between the student and their supervisor(s) at the commencement of the semester and fortnightly meetings will be held throughout the semester. Students enrolling in this course can define a research question/idea of interest and research potentially relevant supervisors prior to the semester commencing. The course coordinator will make the final decision regarding allocation of supervisor(s). Alternatively, students who are considering enrolling in this course and who do not have a research question/idea should contact the course coordinator at least one month prior to the beginning of Semester 2. The proposed project must be appropriate scope to complete in one semester.Option B: Structured statistical learning (available to Data Science and Medical Statistics students)Students will study a series of provided written learning modules focussed on a specified statistical topic area. Practical skills in data management, statistical programming and analysis will be gained using accompanying datasets and example code. For the major assessment, students will apply their learning using a provided dataset. Using the data, students will identify and implement appropriate methods to answer specified research questions and generate a written report for assessment.


Availability2024 Course Timetables

Callaghan

  • Semester 2 - 2024

Online

  • Semester 2 - 2024

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Define and critically evaluate a specific area of special interest in relation to Public Health, Medical Statistics, or Work, Health and Safety.

2. Analyse own professional strengths in working independently.

3. Collect, organise, critically analyse and articulate secondary information (review), OR Formulate and articulate a testable hypothesis/researchable research question, identify relevant existing population health data, medical data, or WHS data, and analyse, and articulate findings (OR secondary data analysis) OR Plan and/or evaluate an evidence–based health promotion, disease surveillance initiative, or WHS project (work-based project).


Content

Option A

Fortnightly meetings with academic supervisor(s) - contract to be set up based on the topic. There are no face-to-face or online classes this course is entirely self-directed

Option B

The statistical topic area of structured learning will be survival analysis (available to Data Science and Medical Statistics students). Topics will include censoring, survival and hazard functions. The widely used semi-parametric approach of Cox proportional hazards regression will be covered, including methods for checking the proportional hazards assumption and model extensions to allow for deviation from proportional hazards. Additional topics will include extensions of the Cox model to deal with recurrent events and competing risks. Basic parametric models will also be introduced, including the exponential and Weibull models. Methods will be practically applied using Stata or SAS software.


Assumed knowledge

Students undertaking Option A are assumed to have completed prior courses in research methods and/or statistical analysis (for the secondary data analysis option).Students undertaking Option B are assumed to have previously completed a prior course covering the fundamentals of linear and/or generalised linear models, such as BIOS6070 or BIOS6940.


Assessment items

Written Assignment: Progress Assignment

Written Assignment: Final Assignment

Participation: Supervisors Report


Contact hours

Semester 2 - 2024 - Callaghan

Individual Supervision-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per fortnight for 6 fortnight(s) starting in week 1
  • Regular meetings between student and academic supervisor.
Self-Directed Learning-1
  • Self-Directed 9 hour(s) per week(s) for 13 week(s) starting in week 1
  • Contact hours are an indication only.

Semester 2 - 2024 - Online

Individual Supervision-1
  • Online 2 hour(s) per fortnight for 6 fortnight(s) starting in week 1
  • Regular meetings between student and academic supervisor.
Self-Directed Learning-1
  • Self-Directed 9 hour(s) per week(s) for 13 week(s) starting in week 1
  • Contact hours are an indication only.

Course outline