The module is designed to consolidate student learning across the MSc Public Health. It has a practical focus, looking at how to apply knowledge and skills to practical public health problems. The module will prepare you for the real world of public health. This module is an introduction to real-world scenarios. It will help you on your journey, but it will not be sufficient to make you an experienced public health practitioner. This only comes with experience and practice.

The overall module aim is to provide a conceptual and practical understanding of public health problems. By exploring a range of scenarios, the student will gain an understanding of how commonly encountered public health problems can be approached.

Intended learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module, a student should be able to:

1. Assist in the response to an emerging public health scenario, using a structured and rigorous approach.
2. Assess the sources of, and analyse the strengths and limitations of, data used in assessing health needs.
3. Identify and critically appraise evidence when planning or recommending a new service or public health programme, considering local health priorities and resources.
4. Appraise the principal methods of assessing (unmet) health needs, and discuss approaches to setting priorities in response.
5. Design an evaluation plan and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of differing approaches.
6. Understand the role that public health practitioners can play as agents of change and in advocating for public health and gain basic skills in public health advocacy and communication.

Session Content

The module is expected to cover the following topics:

• Data/epidemiological investigation.
• Critical appraisal of the literature.
• Health needs assessment.
• Prioritisation and strategy development.
• Evaluation.
• Public health advocacy.
• Public health communication.

Mode of delivery

This module is delivered predominantly face-to-face. Where specific teaching methods (lectures, seminars, discussion groups) are noted in this module specification these will be delivered by predominantly face-to-face sessions. There will be a combination of live and interactive activities (synchronous learning) as well as self-directed study (asynchronous learning).

Assessment

The assessment for this module has been designed to measure student learning against the module's intended learning outcomes (ILOs) as listed above. Formative assessment methods may be used to measure students’ progress. The grade for summative assessment(s) only will go towards the overall award GPA. 

The assessment for this module will be online. 

The written assessment will be in the form of a policy briefing.

Credits

• CATS: 15
• ECTS: 7.5

Module specification

For full information regarding this module please see the module specification.