Graduate Certificate of Epidemiology Intelligence

2025 Deakin University Handbook

Year

2025 course information

Award granted Graduate Certificate of Epidemiology Intelligence
Deakin course codeH546
Faculty

Faculty of Health

Campus
OnlineYes
Duration

Up to 1 year of part-time study.
The course is only available to students on a part-time basis

Course Map - enrolment planning tool

This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2025

Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition

The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Our Graduate Certificate of Epidemiology Intelligence equips you with a strong understanding of epidemiology to inform public health decision-making, policy and practice. You will be immersed in the study of surveillance, investigation, prevention and control of public health events, and will learn about outbreak detection and response including contact tracing, as well as public health preparedness.

Are you ready to make a difference to the health of populations around the world?

The COVID-19 global health crisis has seen the demand for experienced health specialists grow significantly. The Graduate Certificate of Epidemiology Intelligence explores public health from a holistic point of view, giving you the well-rounded skills, knowledge and practical experience to meet this demand and to apply real-world solutions at a local and international scale.

Suitable for clinical and non-clinical health professionals, as well as graduates from other disciplines, the course equips you with crucial problem-solving and data analysis skills to provide epidemiology intelligence to health departments and decision makers. You’ll explore two key study areas that work together to give you the best possible grounding in the field.

Epidemiology

At the heart of epidemiology is quantitative research. The epidemiology units will train you to find, evaluate and interpret the right data, allowing you to shape policy and practice with evidence-based insights.

Biostatistics

Explore fundamental statistical concepts in a health context and build experience applying biostatistical techniques to health-related data. This expertise is essential when modelling data, testing hypotheses and analysing case-control studies.

You’ll be taught by highly experienced, internationally renowned experts, giving you unrivalled access to some of the world’s most innovative research, including the world-class COVID-19 research produced by Deakin’s Institute for Health Transformation. By drawing on the latest research, we can ensure the course is relevant, informed and reflective of the true nature of the industry.

As a qualified health professional working in the largest and fastest-growing industry in Australia, career opportunities will be diverse. From public health research roles to opportunities within international organisations such as the WHO and UNICEF – your job prospects will be varied and vast. Upon graduation, you will also have the option of continuing your studies. You can develop advanced skills and build even more industry experience by articulating into one of the following masters courses:

Indicative student workload

As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, workshops and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

The trimesters of the course require a part-time commitment, with a substantive load of required learning activities and study time. Although the course is designed for working health professionals, students will on average spend 150 hours per unit credit point over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities.

Career opportunities

The worldwide demand for qualified health professionals is at an all-time high. Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Epidemiology Intelligence enables you to join organisations focused on solving a broad range of health issues, including cancer, reproductive health, obesity, food security, violence and HIV.

Some areas you will be prepared to work in include:

  • health departments in all levels of government
  • public health research roles in government, industry, universities and hospitals
  • medical research in research institutes, universities, private business and hospitals
  • international organisations such as the WHO, UNDP and UNICEF.

Participation requirements

See individual unit descriptions for full details.

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability.

Pathways

Students who have completed the Graduate Certificate of Epidemiology Intelligence will be eligible to receive 4 units of credit and articulate to:
Master of Public Health (H757)
Master of Health Economics (H704)
Master of Health Promotion (H759)
or receive 2 units of credit and articulate to Master of Health Management (H756)

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

Collect, critically analyse and communicate epidemiological research and data to inform public health decision making.

Communication

Analyse, synthesize, interpret and communicate epidemiological concepts and scientific evidence to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Digital Literacy

Use appropriate technologies to locate and analyse epidemiological data, and interpret and disseminate findings to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Critical thinking

Demonstrate critical thinking to independently analyse, reflect on and synthesise complex epidemiological research data and evidence, to make high level and independent judgements to inform health service programs, policy and practice.

Problem Solving

Utilise epidemiological methods to interpret data, identify the determinants of disease and disease risk, and plan and evaluate public health interventions.

Self-management

Operate independently to understand epidemiological concepts, maintain self-awareness, and critically analyse bias and confounds to support expert judgement.

Teamwork

Identify and reflect on effective teamwork skills and principles required to collaborate with others from a range of disciplines and backgrounds.

Global Citizenship

N/A

Course rules

To complete the Graduate Certificate of Epidemiology Intelligence students must pass 4 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate: 

  • DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
  • 4 credit points of core units

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary. 

Note:

  • This course is part-time only.

Course structure

Trimester 1 intake

Trimester 1

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)

HSH744Epidemiology 1

HSH746Biostatistics 1

Trimester 2

HSH754Epidemiology 2

HSH747Biostatistics 2

Trimester 3 intake

Trimester 3

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)

HSH746Biostatistics 1

Trimester 1

HSH744Epidemiology 1

Trimester 2

HSH754Epidemiology 2

HSH747Biostatistics 2


Course duration

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, and their study discipline or your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Estimate your fees

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.