Course coordinator
Associate Professor Adam La Caze
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (17/02/2025 - 14/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- Dutton Park
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- Dutton Park
- Coordinating unit
- Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences School
Develop a sophisticated approach to evidence-based practice. Examine and apply principles of clinical epidemiology and public health to understand impacts on individuals and populations. Develop skills in data science and statistical analysis.
Course requirements
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
PHRM1102
Restrictions
Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Associate Professor Adam La Caze
Dr Ian Wood
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
The timetable fo PHRM3301 recognises that students will spend 2 weeks in work-integrated learning throughout the semester. There are 11 Learning Weeks in the course. Work-integrated learning occurs in rolling placements throughout the semester. The course timetable for each group recognises the weeks that students are on placement.
Aims and outcomes
- Help you to develop a sophisticated approach to evidence-based practice, and
- Develop skills in data science and statistical analysis
These aims explore two aspects of an important topic: how do we produce, interpret and apply evidence in the health sciences. Achieving the first aim will mean that you are able to examine and apply the principles of clinical epidemiology and public health to understand how interventions impact on individuals and populations. This requires an ability to analyse, interpret and apply evidence to questions important in practice. Achieving the second aim will provide you with an understanding of how to produce high-quality evidence and an appreciation of the many decisions that need to be made in order to undertake research.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Explain the methods used to ensure rigour in the study designs employed in clinical epidemiology
LO2.
Evaluate the evidence provided by systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized trials, cohort studies and case-control studies
LO3.
Synthesise evidence from a wide range of sources to inform evidence-based decisions regarding patient care and public health (including treatment, screening, prevention and health service delivery)
LO4.
Identify how practitioners can make errors when reasoning about clinical evidence
LO5.
Develop and implement a project that takes into consideration study design, methodology, data analysis and research ethics
LO6.
Justify inferences from collected data by employing statistical methods
LO7.
Communicate insights from data as evidence within a given context for both a professional and lay audience
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz |
Engagement Tasks (active online learning)
|
10% (2% each) |
LW5 31/03/2025 - 16/04/2025 LW6 14/04/2025 - 7/05/2025 LW7 28/04/2025 - 14/05/2025 LW8 5/05/2025 - 21/05/2025 LW9 12/05/2025 - 28/05/2025 |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Participation/ Student contribution | Evidence Synthesis | 30% |
16/04/2025 1:00 pm |
| Project |
Research Report
|
30% |
26/05/2025 1:00 pm |
| Examination |
Written Exam
|
30% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
Assessment details
Engagement Tasks (active online learning)
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 10% (2% each)
- Due date
LW5 31/03/2025 - 16/04/2025
LW6 14/04/2025 - 7/05/2025
LW7 28/04/2025 - 14/05/2025
LW8 5/05/2025 - 21/05/2025
LW9 12/05/2025 - 28/05/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L06
Task description
There are ongoing engagement activities that relate to the statistics component of the course (Learning Weeks 5–9).
- These assessment tasks may include online quizzes and completion of problem sets related to the learning objectives in the relevant weeks.
- Each quiz opens on the start date and closes on the due date. You have two and a half weeks to complete the task.
- Five engagement tasks will be set over the 5 learning weeks.
- Each engagement task is worth 2%
- More details and marking criteria are available on the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site
- You will receive feedback on whether your answer to a question is correct or incorrect prior to the due date. Answers to questions can be modified as many times as desired before the due date/time.
Submission guidelines
Complete the engagement task via the link provided on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Evidence Synthesis
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
16/04/2025 1:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L07
Task description
- Demonstrate your ability to critically appraise an original research paper, search, evaluate and synthesise related literature in the area and describe the impact of the research on practice.
- Provide a structured critical appraisal of a randomized trial with synthesis of related literature.
- Word limit: 1,500 words.
- Use references from the literature to support your statements where appropriate. References can be cited using author-date or numerical styles but need to be consistent with the specific academic referencing style used.
- A task sheet for this assignment is provided on the course Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site.
- See the course Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site for the marking criteria for this assessment.
- Use of AI is not necessary to complete the assignment and use that is not sufficiently careful or critical may hinder your ability to demonstrate that you have met the learning objectives.
- If you use generative AI in this assignment, you must appropriately acknowledge the use of AI or similar tool (see guidance) and be able to provide documentation on request that demonstrates your process and contribution (this may include AI prompts and responses)
- All assignments need to provide statement in an appendix regarding the use of AI and or machine translation technologies and a link to an online version of the assignment with a complete version history. Guidance on this requirement is available on Blackboard.
Submission guidelines
Submit via Turnitin at the link provided on the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Research Report
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Project
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
26/05/2025 1:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L05, L06, L07
Task description
This is a group inquiry-based research task (groups of up to 3 students).
- Identify a research question that can be answered within the "Islands" simulation.
- Design a suitable study, including data collection and carry out the study.
- Analyse the resulting data using suitable statistical methods in R and present the results with conclusions.
- Communicate your study design, results and conclusions in a short, structured research paper.
- Word limit: 1200 words.
- Use references from the literature to support your statements where appropriate. References can be cited using author-date or numerical styles but need to be consistent with the specific academic referencing style used.
- A detailed task sheet for the assignment is available on Blackboard
- See the course Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site for the marking criteria for this assessment.
- Use of AI is not necessary to complete the assignment and use that is not sufficiently careful or critical may hinder your ability to demonstrate that you have met the learning objectives.
- If you use generative AI in this assignment, you must appropriately acknowledge the use of AI or similar tool (see guidance) and be able to provide documentation on request that demonstrates your process and contribution (this may include AI prompts and responses)
- All assignments need to provide statement in an appendix regarding the use of AI and or machine translation technologies and a link to an online version of the assignment with a complete version history. Guidance on this requirement is available on Blackboard.
Submission guidelines
Submit to Turnitin via Blackboard
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Written Exam
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L06, L07
Task description
- The exam will assess content from throughout the course. It will assess knowledge (content) and application of knowledge in numerical questions, cases and/or scenarios.
- This is an invigilated in-person exam.
- You will be will required to bring your own laptop computer to the exam.
- The exam will be undertaken via the Inspera eAssessment platform (as will any deferred or supplementary written exams). Go to the Inspera Assessment Information page link to navigate to the Library Services web page which provides further information on: how to access Inspera, on-campus invigilated exams in Inspera, device requirements, familiarisation opportunities, submitting assessment and access to the Student Laptop Scheme and short-term laptop-loans.
- More details and marking criteria are available on the Learn.UQ (Blackboard) site
- The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 1 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Other course materials
If we've listed something under further requirement, you'll need to provide your own.
Required
| Item | Description | Further Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Laptop for End of Semester Written Exam | You can borrow a laptop from the Library if you do not have a suitable device for your exam. Loans are for 24 hours or 28 days and stocks are limited. | own item needed |
Additional learning resources information
Learning resources, required and recommended readings are provided throughout the course via UQ Extend.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Workshop |
Workshop series: evidence-based practice
Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Workshop |
Workshop series: Data science and statistical analysis
Learning outcomes: L05, L06, L07 |
|
Not Timetabled |
Active online learning UQ Extend content is to be studied before attending each corresponding workshop Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.