Module: BIO6101-20 Epidemiology and Public Health

Level: 6

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Tracey Lewarne

Module Tutor Contact Details: t.lewarne@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This module provides an introduction to the study of patterns of disease and their occurrence in human populations, with a particular emphasis on nutritional diseases. The causal role of diet in a number of diseases will be investigated alongside developments in public health that have influenced the patterns of disease.  You will consider physiological, social, psychological, economic and cultural factors that often take precedence over nutritional knowledge of healthy eating, and investigate the determinants of food choice and patterns of food consumption in Western societies.  Attention will focus on selected sub-groups of the population defined by age, gender, culture and socio-economic factors, and you will investigate the consequences of an unbalanced diet. The nutritional epidemiology of specific food-related diseases including coronary heart disease, food poisoning, diabetes and cancer will be investigated. Additionally this module will investigate some of the problems associated with dietary research on an individual, household and national level and develop your practical skills in research methods, presentation skills and analysis of dietary and epidemiological data.

By taking this module you will fulfil Bath Spa graduate attributes to become ethically aware, to be employable, to be creative and a creative and critical thinker.

2. Outline syllabus

This module begins by introducing nutritional epidemiology, examining the history of public health from the formation of the NHS to the present day and reviewing current food nutrition and health policy from local to global perspectives. You will then study particular sections of the population to review the factors that affect their diet and health including socio-economic status, cultural and religious values, and age. The next stage of the module examines the methodology of nutritional epidemiology where you will become familiar with the theories and applications of these different methods. This will inform your study of the nutritional epidemiology of a number of diet related disease, before the final part of the module examines public health interventions which build on the results of epidemiological investigations and are designed to improve the health of populations.  Examples will be drawn from across the globe but the primary focus will be on the UK and the Western diet.

3. Teaching and learning activities

The programme consists of weekly sessions that will be a mix of lectures and seminars and group activities. The lectures will introduce the key concepts which will be explored in the seminar and group work sessions. You will be expected to carry out your own research into dietary related diseases and use this research to support the taught material. Directed study exercises will be provided for predominantly student-led seminars. These activities will allow you to develop skills in dietary research methodology, group work, presentation skills and literature searching.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Data Analysis and dietary evaluation (3000 word equivalent)

• % Weighting: 60%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Public Health Campaign individual presentation

• % Weighting: 40%