Outbreak investigation is a central aspect of applied epidemiology which aims to control the outbreak and prevent future outbreaks. The Outbreak Investigation course is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills to undertake outbreak investigations in the field. The course combines theory with outbreak investigation case studies based on real-life outbreaks. 

This course may be delivered during a standard semester or as an intensive course. Please check yearly scheduling information for details.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Identify the role of disease surveillance and other intelligence in outbreak detection and investigation.
2. Devise and execute the necessary steps in a simple outbreak investigation, and be able to support a more complex one.
3. Analyse outbreak data using STATA.
4. Identify and suggest appropriate outbreak control measures.
5. Utilise key pieces of public health legislation and guidelines relevant to outbreak investigation.
6. Effectively communicate outbreak investigation findings to a range of stakeholders.

Research-Led Teaching

Outbreaks of communicable diseases have been recorded throughout history, and continue to cause morbidity and mortality today. This subject is designed to equip participants with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to undertake investigation and control of outbreaks in the field. Through the subject, the emphasis will be on applying knowledge and concepts to scenarios based on real-life outbreaks. Teaching will be through interactive sessions based on case studies, lectures and small group tutorials.

Field Trips

Nil

Additional Course Costs

Nil

Examination Material or equipment

Computer with access to WATTLE for the online quiz.

Required Resources

The prescribed text is: Michael Gregg (Ed). Field Epidemiology (3rd Edition) Oxford University Press, New York 2008. ISBN: 978-0-19-531380-2 This is a practical book that focuses predominantly on outbreak investigations and infectious diseases but covers a number of other topics also relevant to applied epidemiology.

The Data Analysis sessions during the course requires you to have access to STATA v15. This software is available free from the ANU Virtual Information Commons website at: https://mydigitalcampus.anu.edu.au This should be downloaded onto your computer before the sessions. Please note to access the Virtual Information Commons you will need to Install the VMWare Horizon Client if you don't already have it.

Recommended Resources

Students may also find the following texts useful:

Porta M. A Dictionary of Epidemiology (6th Ed). New York: Oxford University Press, 2014. The updated edition of this classic text, sponsored by the International Epidemiological Association (IEA) and previously edited by John Last, remains the definitive dictionary in epidemiology worldwide.

Bonita R, Beaglehole R and Kjellstrom T Basic Epidemiology 2nd Ed World Health Organization 2008 This freely available online book provides a good grounding in epidemiological concepts and will be particularly useful for anyone needing to revise their basic epidemiology skills.

Giesecke J. Modern Infectious Diseases Epidemiology 2nd Edition 2002 This book provides clear explanations of many aspects of infectious diseases epidemiology

David L Heymann (Ed) Control of Communicable Diseases Manual 20th Edition American Public Health Association, Washington DC 2014 This practical handbook, which summarises the relevant information about important pathogens, can be found in most public health units in the world.

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	The course is a mixture of live lectures, tutorials and guided case study work.The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:· Weekly lectures/tutorials (10:00am-12:00pm Wednesdays).· Some self-study including recorded lectures and preparation for assignments.Students are expected to actively participate and contribute towards discussions based on the lectures via the online discussion forum and in the tutorials.

Tutorial Registration

Nil

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Critical analysis	15 %	22/08/2023	1, 4, 5, 6
Outbreak investigation proposal	25 %	03/10/2023	1, 2, 5
Outbreak investigation report	30 %	24/10/2023	2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Online quiz	30 %	14/11/2023	1, 2, 4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Attendance at lectures/tutorials is not compulsory, and lectures will be recorded, however we have a learning by doing philosophy and students will struggle to complete the assessments (particularly the outbreak proposal and outbreak report) without participating in the case study group work.

Examination(s)

Nil

Assessment Task 1

Critical analysis

The purpose of completing this paper is to assess student skills in critical understanding of factors influencing outbreak causes, investigations and response.

It will be a 1000-1500 word essay style discussion paper analysing a journal paper and answering questions as provided on WATTLE.

Assessment Task 2

Outbreak investigation proposal

The Outbreak Investigation Proposal is intended to assess your application of the fundamental concepts of this course, as well as give you the opportunity to develop practical skills in writing study proposals. A good proposal is a key part of any investigation; like a map in a strange place it tells you where you are going and how you are going to get there. You will be able to choose one of two supplied outbreak scenarios and your task is to write a proposal for investigating the outbreak. The Outbreak Investigation Proposal should be between 1000 - 1500 words, not including references or headings.

Assessment Task 3

Outbreak investigation report

After the Outbreak Proposal has been submitted, you will be provided with further information on your outbreak scenario and an excel spread sheet of the data. You need to analyse these data and integrate your results with the further information on your scenario (note you need to use the same scenario as you used for your proposal). The intended audience for this report is other public health staff in your jurisdiction. The Outbreak Report should be 1500 - 2000 words (not including figures, tables and references).

Assessment Task 4

Online quiz

The Online Assessment will comprise a number of questions to assess your knowledge of the material covered during the course. The Online Assessment will be available on WATTLE for one week. You are required to log into the course WATTLE site sometime during this period to complete the assessment. There will be a 2 hour time limit to complete the assessment once you have ‘logged in’. Once logged in, you must continue until you have completed the assessment as only one log in per student is allowed. You are to complete this independently of other students.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

All details for the quiz and the assignments will listed on WATTLE and they will all be submitted via WATTLE as well. It is intended that assessment tasks will be returned to students within 2 weeks of submission.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmission of assignments will not be permitted.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students