PUBH5125: Semester 1, 2022

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Units PUBH5125 Semester 1 2022 [Online]

Unit of study_

PUBH5125: Environmental Epidemiology

Semester 1, 2022 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Environmental epidemiology studies the effects of environmental exposures on health and wellbeing in the human population. The unit has a strong focus on epidemiological and statistical methods and applications including time-series and spatial analysis. Taking an eco-social approach, we broadly define the environment as anything external to the person including the physical, social, psychological and aesthetic environment and their interactions. This unit will provide students with a practical understanding of the research methods used to assess the exposure-response relationship between environmental hazards and health outcomes. Building on students knowledge of the environment - for example air, water, soil, climate, the built environment, the unit will cover study designs and methods of exposure assessment and statistical analysis used in assessing environmental health risks. Students will gain technical skills in data analysis and visualisation including spatial data involving Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for mapping and statistical analysis of exposures and health outcomes using the R Statistical Software. The unit will also explore future directions in the field of environmental epidemiology. Students will also learn about its importance in the Planetary Health framework when assessing global health risks and impacts in the context of climate change.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	PUBH5125
Academic unit	Public Health
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	(PUBH5018 or FMHU5002) or BSTA5002
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Geoffrey Morgan, geoffrey.morgan@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Geoffrey Morgan, geoffrey.morgan@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Tutorial Questions 6 of the tutorials include 1 tutorial question each (6 x 500 words each).	30%	Multiple weeks	6 questions, 500 words (5 marks) each.
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Data Analysis Report Written assessment - write up of data analysis based on tutorial work.	30%	Week 09	1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Environmental Epidemiology Study Proposal Written assessment - epidemiological study proposal of environmental hazard	40%	Week 12	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

The unit includes a total of 8 assessment tasks (6 small tasks and 2 larger tasks). Each assessment task is a written assessment. The assessment taks include:

- 6 x Tutorial Question (6 tutorials with 1 question for each tutorial requiring a written response of 500 words for each question) = 6 x 5 marks = 30 marks

- 1 x Data Analysis Report (1000 word write up of data analysis based on tutorial work) = 1 x 30 marks = 30 marks

- 1 x Environmental Epidemiology Study Proposal (2000 word write up of environmental epidemiological study proposal of an selected environmental hazard) = 1 x 40 marks = 40 marks

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Late assignments that have not been granted extensions and are of a standard to receive a pass or higher mark will attract a penalty of 5% of the maximum mark per day late including weekend days Eg: e.g. if the assignment is worth 40 marks, the penalty is 2 marks per day late

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to Environmental Epidemiology	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Evaluating evidence in environmental epidemiology association and causality	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Study design in environmental epidemiology Part 1: overview	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Exposure assessment in environmental epidemiology Part 1: Introduction	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Exposure assessment in environmental epidemiology Part II: Advanced	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Study designs in environmental epidemiology Part II: cross-sectional and cohort studies	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Study designs in environmental epidemiology Part III; Disease mapping and cluster identification	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Study designs in environmental epidemiology Part IV: Time-series and case-control (crossover)	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Environmental Health Risk Assessment	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Environmental Burden of Disease / Health Impact Assessment	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Trends and development is environmental epidemiology	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Sustainable development, climate change and transdisciplinary research	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Review and discussion of environmental epidemiology	Tutorial (2 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Describe and apply the principles of environmental epidemiology to the assessment of health risks from environmental hazards
LO2. Describe and apply epidemiological study designs relevant to environmental hazards including those not frequently used in other epidemiological fields (eg: clinical epidemiology)
LO3. Apply the principles of environmental exposure assessment as they relate to individuals and populations incorporating spatial and / or temporal variation in exposure to environmental hazards.
LO4. Identify sources of measurement error in exposure, health outcomes and confounders, describe methods for minimising bias and appreciate the implications of these issues for environmental epidemiological analyses and interpretation of study results.
LO5. Identify and critically appraise environmental epidemiological literature on potential environmental hazards to health
LO6. Appreciate the importance of different subdisciplines in environmental epidemiology (eg: exposure science, epidemiology, toxicology, and risk assessment) and potential career opportunities

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

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