Inherent requirements for Epidemiology


These inherent requirements apply to the following courses:

  • Master of Epidemiology - course code 4738
  • Graduate Diploma in Epidemiology - course code 4739
  • Graduate Certificate in Epidemiology - course code 4740

Introduction

The Western Sydney University and the School of Medicine (SoM) strongly supports the right of all people to pursue an epidemiology course.

Inherent requirements are the essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the abilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of the course or unit, while preserving the academic integrity of the University's learning, assessment and accreditation processes. The inherent requirements are the abilities, knowledge and skills needed to complete the course that must be met by all students.

Students with a disability or chronic health condition may be able to have reasonable adjustments made to enable them to meet these requirements.

The School is committed to making reasonable adjustments to teaching and learning, assessment, clinical practice and other activities to enable students to participate in their course. Reasonable adjustments must not fundamentally change the nature of the inherent requirement.

The University's Master of Epidemiology (MEpi) course, and its Diploma and Certificate level exit courses, aim to help candidates develop the necessary skills to work in epidemiology and health-related research, policy and practice areas. While epidemiological education will provide candidates with foundation knowledge and practice skills required to work in these fields, it is recognised that there are certain inherent requirements that are necessary to progress through the curriculum and ultimately receive the Master of Epidemiology award, or its exit awards; the Graduate Diploma in Epidemiology and the Graduate Certificate in Epidemiology.

To support potential and current students' decision making, a series of inherent requirement statements have been developed. These statements specify the course requirements of the epidemiology program for student admission and progression. The statements are clustered under four domains consisting of ethical behaviour, behavioural stability, communication and cognition.

The inherent requirements outlined below provide a guide to inform decision making for students and staff.

How to read the inherent requirement statements

If you are intending to enrol in an epidemiology course at the School of Medicine, you should look at these inherent requirement statements and think about whether you may experience challenges in meeting these requirements. These inherent requirements should be read in conjunction with other course information.

If you think you may experience challenges for any reason including a disability or chronic health condition, you should discuss your concerns with the SoM staff such as the Director of Academic Program, Academic Course Advisor, School Disability Coordinator or a Campus Disability Advisor. These staff can work collaboratively with you to determine reasonable adjustments to assist you to meet the inherent requirements. In the case where it is determined that inherent requirements cannot be met with reasonable adjustments, University staff can provide guidance regarding other study options.

The inherent requirement is made up of the following five components:

  • Level 1 - introduction to the inherent requirement 
  • Level 2 - description of the inherent requirement
  • Level 3 - explanation of why this is an inherent requirement of the course
  • Level 4 - the nature of any adjustments that may be made to allow you to meet the requirement
  • Level 5 - examples of tasks that show you've met the requirement.

These are examples only and are not a comprehensive list.

Inherent requirement domains and statements

There are four domains of inherent requirements in the Master of Epidemiology course and it's Diploma and Certificate level exit courses. Some domains have a number of sub-domains.

Ethical behaviour

Level Inherent requirements statements
1 Students need to understand and act in ways consistent with the recognised values of society and in line with research standards.
2

Student demonstrates:

» Knowledge of and engages in ethical behaviour towards colleagues, research subjects, the wider community and the environment
» Understanding of ethical principles and their application to the conduct of research

3

Justification of inherent requirement:

» Compliance with the recognised values of society facilitates safe, competent interactions and relationships for students and/or the people with whom they engage. This supports the physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of all
» Compliance with privacy legislation and related policies and procedures, ensures that the privacy rights of individuals and groups are not placed at risk

4 Adjustments must ensure the legislation, policies and procedures are not compromised or result in unethical behaviour. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Advisor.
5

Exemplars:

» Complying with information security procedures when handling potentially identifiable information
» Demonstrating best practice strategies for ensuring that data and other information is stored and transmitted securely and preserving the confidentiality and integrity of such data

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Behavioural stability

Level Inherent requirements statements
1 Behavioural stability is required to function effectively in this program of study.
2 Student demonstrates behavioural stability to be responsible and accountable for personal outputs and all aspects of the work.
3

Justification of inherent requirement:

» Behavioural stability is required when working individually and in groups in the academic environment. Epidemiology students will be required to have behavioural stability to manage their academic responsibilities.

4 Adjustments must support stable, effective and professional behaviour in both academic and professional settings, if appropriate. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Advisor.
5

Exemplars:

» Being receptive and responding appropriately to constructive feedback
» Coping with own emotions and behaviour effectively when dealing with individuals in the academic setting and, if applicable, in course-related placements

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Communication

This course requires effective verbal and written communication skills.

Written
Level Inherent requirements statements
1 Effective written communication, in English, is a fundamental requirement of advanced professional practice.
2

Student demonstrates the capacity to construct coherent written communication appropriate to the circumstances.

3

Justification of inherent requirement:

» Construction of written text based assessment tasks to reflect the required academic standards are necessary to convey knowledge and understanding of relevant subject matter

4 Adjustments must meet necessary standards of clarity, accuracy and accessibility to ensure effective transmission of information in an academic setting. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Advisor.
5

Exemplars:

» Constructing a variety of academic assessments that demonstrate the ability to critique existing knowledge and identify problems and challenges in health surveillance, and related research and policy fields
» Interpreting and recording statistical data accurately

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Cognition

This course requires knowledge of theory and the skills of cognition, comprehension and numeracy.

Knowledge and cognitive skills
Level Inherent requirements statements
1 Consistent knowledge and effective cognition skills must be demonstrated for advanced professional practice.
2 Student demonstrates:
» Capacity to locate appropriate and relevant information
» Ability to process information relevant to practice
» Ability to integrate and implement knowledge in practice
3

Justification of inherent requirement:

» Competent practice requires the sourcing, understanding and application of knowledge and skills relevant to the area

4 Adjustments must ensure that a clear demonstration of knowledge and cognitive skills is not compromised or impeded. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Advisor.
5

Exemplars:

» Ability to conceptualise and use appropriate knowledge and information in response to academic assessment items
» Ability to select appropriate statistical analyses to address a given research question and carry out analysis in statistical software

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Literacy (language)

Level Inherent requirements statements
1 Competent literacy skills are essential to ensure the provision of sound and effective advanced professional practice.
2

 Student demonstrates:
» The ability to acquire information and accurately convey appropriate, effective messages
» Ability to read and comprehend a range of literature and information
»The capacity to understand and implement academic conventions to construct written information in an appropriate manner for the intended audience

3

Justification of inherent requirement:

» The ability to acquire information and to accurately convey messages is fundamental to epidemiology studies
» The ability to read, decode, interpret and comprehend multiple sources of information is fundamental to epidemiology studies 

4 Adjustments must demonstrate a capacity to effectively acquire, comprehend, apply and communicate accurate information. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Advisor.
5

Exemplars:

» Paraphrasing, summarising and referencing in accordance with appropriate academic conventions in written assignments
» Ability to compare and contrast conceptual approaches to the conduct, design and analysis of epidemiological studies

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Numeracy
Level Inherent requirements statements
1 Competent and accurate numeracy skills are essential for sound and effective professional practice.
2 Student interprets and correctly applies/analyses data, measurements and numerical criteria.
3

Justification of inherent requirement:

» Competent numeracy skills to analyse and synthesise complex information, problems and concepts that contribute to professional practice

4 Adjustments must demonstrate a capacity to interpret and apply concepts and processes in a timely, accurate and effective manner. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Advisor.
5

Exemplars:

» Analyse critically, evaluate and transform information to complete a range of activities
» Performing calculations and statistical analyses in response to academic tasks and assessment items

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*Developed from: Johnson, A., Allan, T., Phillips, K., Azzopardi, T., Dickson, C., Goldsmith, M & Hengstberger-Sims, C. (2011). Inherent Requirements of Nursing Education (IRONE), Western Sydney University School of Nursing & Midwifery and Student Equity & Disability Services

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