Explore UCD

UCD Home >

PHPS40370

Academic Year 2025/2026

Non Communicable Disease Epidemiology (PHPS40370)

Subject:
Public Health & Population Sci
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Public Hlth, Phys & Sports Sci
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Patricia Fitzpatrick
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

In this module the epidemiology of certain important non-communicable diseases is examined (cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, obesity, diabetes mellitus and major cancers). The levels of prevention are introduced and strategies for primary, secondary and tertiary prevention are explored. The criteria for introduction of population screening and its role and delivery for secondary prevention of cancer and other chronic conditions is examined. Practical examples of introduction of screening programmes in practice are given. Skills in literature searching and critical appraisal are developed. The module is delivered as lectures and seminars. Additional materials are posted also to guide the student learning.

Students will prepare group presentations on a range of epidemiology topics as part of assessment. Presentation material can be assessed as part of the final assessment, as the group presentations should be learning for the whole class.


About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Understand the basic principles of epidemiology as applied to non communicable disease
2. Identify the major chronic diseases of developed and less developed countries, describe their epidemiology and apply to health education and awareness
3. Compare trends in major chronic diseases in Ireland and internationally and identify sources of information
4. Understand the multifactorial nature of many chronic diseases
5. Apply criteria to evaluate introduction of a screening programme / understand the key issues in screening today / be apply to calculate sensitivity/specificity/PPV and NPV, understand screening in series and in parallel
6. Apply the principles of good screening organisation and practice to the introduction of a screening programme.
7. Prepare and deliver group Powerpoint presentation

Indicative Module Content:

Cancer registration
Basics of epidemiology as applied to non communicable disease
Cancer epidemiology (major cancers)
Screening - criteria, controversies, calculations of key metrics, new programmes, introduction of a screening programme
Cancer prevention
Human papilloma virus and cancer
Respiratory diseaese epidemiology
Neuro-epidemiology
Cardiovascular disease epidemiology
Obesity & Diabetes Mellitus

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

14
Seminar (or Webinar)

9
Specified Learning Activities

8
Autonomous Student Learning

80
Total

111

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Students will learn through lectures, seminars, review of materials posted, class discussion and student group presentations.

Students are prohibited from representing work as their own that they did not write, code or create. Submission of Artificial Intelligence (AI) generated content is not permitted and penalties will apply. Accordingly, submission of AI-generated content, without explicit permission and attribution will be treated as academic misconduct and may be reported to and addressed by school committees, or referred under the Student Discipline Procedure where appropriate.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): 2 hour end of module examination in exam centre. Date will be during the 2 exam weeks.
 End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
70
 Yes
Group Work Assignment: Group Presentation - dates in timetable Week 7, Week 9 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
30
 Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback individually and by group to students, post group presentation

Name Role
Assoc Professor Mary Codd Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Catherine Phillips Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12 Wed 13:00 - 14:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 7, 9 Wed 13:00 - 14:50
Print this page
Fill in the following details:
Enter the body of your query here.

From time to time UCD would like to send you further information that we feel, based on your enquiry, would be of interest to you.