Outline

Overview

Our environment comprises not only the physical environment (air, water, soil, the built environment), but also the social and economic environment. These environments play a critical role in determining our health and wellbeing, while the associated health impacts are compounded by advancing climate change and growing inequality. This unit provides students with a conceptual and practical understanding of how epidemiologists can study how these environments effect the health of populations and how these effects are distributed using real-world examples. Students will be introduced to analysis and visualisation of various socioeconomic, environmental and health data including spatial data involving Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for mapping using both R Statistical Software and QGIS. While the unit has a strong quantitative focus it does not require high level technical skills from the outset. Throughout the semester students will learn from various experts in the field and attend live (online) tutorials to develop practical skills as well as engage in critical discussions on key concepts and interpretation of evidence.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Public Health
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	PUBH5010 or CEPI5100 or BSTA5011
Corequisites ?	PUBH5010 or CEPI5100 or BSTA5011
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

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

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Tutorial Assessment #1 Written answers to 2 or 3 questions.	5%	Week 03 Due date: 16 Mar 2025 at 23:59	500 words (or equivalent)
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Tutorial Assessment #2 Written answers to 2 or 3 questions	5%	Week 05 Due date: 30 Mar 2025 at 23:59	500 words (or equivalent)
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Tutorial Assessment #3 Written answers to 2 or 3 questions.	5%	Week 06 Due date: 06 Apr 2025 at 23:59	500 words (or equivalent)
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Tutorial Assessment #4 Written answer to 2 or 3 questions.	5%	Week 07 Due date: 13 Apr 2025 at 23:59	500 words (or equivalent)
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Tutorial Assessment #5 Written answers to 2 or 3 questions.	5%	Week 08 Due date: 16 Apr 2025 at 23:59	500 words (or equivalent)
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Data Analysis Report Written assessment - write up of data analysis based on tutorial work.	30%	Week 09 Due date: 04 May 2025 at 23:59	1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Environmental Epidemiology Study Proposal Written assessment - epidemiological study proposal of environmental hazard	40%	Week 12 Due date: 25 May 2025 at 23:59	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Tutorial Assessment #6 Written answers to 2 or 3 questions.	5%	Week 13 Due date: 01 Jun 2025 at 23:59	500 words (or equivalent)
Outcomes assessed:
= AI allowed ?

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 Assessmet Task (Tutorial Assessment Task are a mix of a written response (500 words each) or short answer quiz) = 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 / Social Epidemiology Study Proposal (2000 word write up of environmental and/or social epidemiological study proposal) = 1 x 40 marks = 40 marks

Generative AI may be used to help you complete all assessment tasks. You may also use it as part of your preparation for tutorial discussions. Permitted uses of AI in these assessments include:

Generating ideas.
Suggesting a structure or outline for written assessment tasks.
Searching for and summarising relevant literature.
Translation.
Checking grammar.
Editing, polishing, and proofreading initial drafts.

The following uses of AI are prohibited:

Using AI to write the first draft of any of your assessment tasks or your discussion posts (if you are participating in discussion board tutorials).
Copying and pasting text generated by AI without incorporating original writing and your own interpretation.

Further, it is your responsibility to ensure that anything produced by AI is accurate and referenced appropriately.

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 guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

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 may attract a penalty of 5% of the maximum mark per day late including weekend days Eg: 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.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to Environmental and Social Epidemiology	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Evaluating epidemiological evidence	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Environmental and social data and analysis software	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Exposure assessment in environmental and social epidemiology	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Study designs in environmental and social epidemiology: Part 1 Long term exposures	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Study designs in environmental social epidemiology: Part 2 Short term exposures	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Burden of disease and health impact attribution	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Environmental and social epidemiology - conceptual frameworks	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Study designs in environmental and social epidemiology: Part 3 Disease mapping	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Environmental Health Risk Assessment (EHRA) and Health Impact Assessment (HIA)	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Sustainable development, climate change and policy translation	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Trends and developments in environmental and social epidemiology	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	PUBH5125 Environmental and Social Epidemiology: Review and discussion	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Each week includes a combined 2 hour lecture and tutorial. The unit is conducted completely online, ie: online mode delivery for the 2 hour lecture/ tutorial. The lecture/ tutorial sessions are all conducted live online via zoom on Wednesday from 2pm to 4pm on each week of the 13 weeks in Semester 1. All students are expected to attend the live online 2 hour lecture/ tutorial sessions on Wednesdays from 2-4pm and several of these session include in class assessments. The lectures will be recorded and made available via the unit Canvas site after the lecture.

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.

Required readings

See the weekly reading list for each module (equivalent to 2 or 3 published papers)

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 and social epidemiology to the assessment of health risks from environmental hazards and societal characteristics
LO2. Describe and apply epidemiological study designs relevant to environmental hazards and societal characteristic including those not frequently used in other epidemiological fields (eg: clinical epidemiology)
LO3. Apply the principles of environmental and social exposure assessment as they relate to individuals and populations incorporating spatial and / or temporal variation in exposure to environmental hazards and societal characteristic.
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 and social epidemiological analyses and interpretation of study results.
LO5. Identify and critically appraise environmental and social epidemiological literature on potential environmental hazards to health
LO6. Appreciate the importance of different subdisciplines in environmental and social epidemiology (eg: exposure science, epidemiology, toxicology, sociology, 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.

The following changes been made since this unit was last offered: minor changes to the timing of assessment tasks; content on social epidemiology with a focus on population level studies has been incorporated into the unit

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

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

PUBH5125: Environmental and Social Epidemiology

Semester 1, 2025 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links