Public Health

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Clare Robertson

Pre-requisites

N/A

Co-requisites

N/A

Notes

Overview

Topics covered by the course include:

Background to, scope and purpose of health services research.
The relationship of research and practice.
Introduction to research designs.
Experimental designs.
Quasi-experimental designs.
Structure, process and outcome.
Questionnaire design.
Qualitative research methods.
Reviewing previous research.
Critical appraisal of health services research.
Perspectives and values.
Ethical considerations in health services research.
Perspectives and values.
Ethical considerations in health services research.
Reporting the findings of, and writing up research.
Data management and analysis and reports of findings.
Use of health services research in policy and changing practice.

Structure

This course will be taught in two-hour seminars twice weekly, with one 2-hour and 30 minute lecture to provide exam feedback.

Assessment

An examination will be held during the first half of the session that contributes to 40% of the total mark for the course. There will also be a protocol for an evaluation of an innovation in health care assignment which contributes 60% of the total mark for the course.

Credit Points

10

Course Coordinator

Professor Lorna McKee

Pre-requisites

N/A

Co-requisites

N/A

Overview

To provide a theoretical framework for understanding organisational change in Health Care organisations.

To increase awareness of strategic change: design and implementation.

To develop knowledge and insights concerning topical NHS change challenges

To build transferable skills with regard to communication, group work, problem solving and team building

Structure

Participants are expected to draw on and share their personal experiences of the topics covered and small group activities will be a prominent feature of this module. Some formal lectures will be used to introduce new material, but these are complemented by focussed discussion, practical exercises and group work.

The course will be taught by weekly two-hour sessions. Student groups will be encouraged to accept responsibility for small sections of the syllabus, which will entail making presentations and leading discussions. They are expected to develop a working knowledge of the NHS through group task work.

At the end of the course, students will be asked to make group presentations drawing on the themes covered throughout the course. This will not be part of the formal assessment but a chance to reflect on learning and presentation skills. Feedback will be provided taking account of presentation, content and style. Vignettes or topics will be provided at the beginning of the course.

Assessment

The assessment will be via an individual written assignment to be handed in at the end of the course.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Gordon Prescott/ Dr Shona Fielding

Pre-requisites

n/a

Co-requisites

n/a

Notes

Overview

This course intends to develop the student's awareness of the fact that statistical techniques are integral to scientific research. Researchers must be able to specify a precise research question in statistical terms and then select an appropriate study design in order to carry out an effective research project. They must also be able to assess the adequacy of the research presented in scientific or medical literature. The same skills are also required for many MSc dissertation projects.

This course equips the student with knowledge of statistical principles and statistical methods. In addition, the student will gain experience of analysing, presenting and interpreting numerical information.

Structure

The course will cover the following:

What are data? Data types and presentation of data
What is chance? Probability
How does my data relate to the real world? Samples, distributions, statistical inference
Answering research questions with statistical techniques. Hypothesis testing
What if my data are awkward? Non-parametric methods
How does one variable relate to the other? Correlation and simple linear regression
How does one variable relate to several others? Multiple linear regression
Study design for research. Odds ratios and relative risks
Awkward data. Transformations
Relating binary health outcomes to other variables. Logistic regression

Lectures on Thursday morning and tutorials on Friday morning

Assessment

The course will be assessed using a multiple choice class test for 10%, a written assessment for 30% and an examination in January (60%).

Credit Points

5

Course Coordinator

Dr Amudha Poobalan

Pre-requisites

N/A

Co-requisites

N/A

Overview

The purpose of this course is to set the courses from the rest of the programme into the context in which they are used to improve the health of the public.

Structure

The module starts with an introduction to the history and background to public health, health promotion and disease prevention and emphasises the extent to which the principles and strategies of public health have evolved over the last century. This will include a description of international public health.

Assessment

This course will be assessed on a multiple choice test (30%) and a short essay (70%) that will enable you to discuss public health issues and relate to your knowledge and learning from other courses.

Credit Points

10

Course Coordinator

Dr Gareth Jones

Pre-requisites

N/A

Co-requisites

N/A

Notes

Overview

Topics covered by course include:
Introduction to epidemiology/Measurements of disease occurrence
Introduction to the study of populations/Routine data
Study design
Estimating in epidemiological studies
Validity and reliability
Bias and confounding
Practical issues in conducting epidemiological studies
Causality/Critical appraisal

Structure

The course will be taught in twelve 1 and 1/2 hour, weekly sessions. The lectures outline the main theoretical and epidemiological principles but, thereafter, students are expected to expand on this with further reading - either from the recommended textbooks, or from other epidemiology literature/papers, as detailed in the lectures.

Assessment

The course will be assessed by two methods:-
Coursework assignment - students will be required to produce a 1000 word report, outlining a research proposal for an epidemiological study. The assignment will be worth 25% of the mark for the total course.
Formal examination - students will be required to sit a formal exam, worth 75% of the mark for the total course.

Credit Points

10

Course Coordinator

Dr Julia Allan

Pre-requisites

A degree or equivalent qualification at the prescribed standard in any discipline.

Notes

Overview

Topics covered include;

- The importance of behaviour for maintaining and promoting health
- Health professional behaviour
- Behaviour in trials
- Predicting behaviour with psychological theory
- Prominent theories in health, social and cognitive psychology
- Cognitive and emotional factors in health and illness
- The development of methods to measure behaviour
- Behaviour change techniques (components of interventions)

Structure

1x 2 hour lecture (including practical work) per week.

Assessment

1x 2 hour examination (60%); continuous assessment (40%).

Credit Points

10

Course Coordinator

Dr Finlay Dick

Pre-requisites

A degree, or equivalent qualification at the prescribed standard in any discipline.

Overview

Lectures and tutorials on Hazard identification and risk assessment, Occupational disease, Occupational lung disease, Occupational skin disease, Human factors, Health and work, Exposure assessment, Exposure controls including PPE, Sources of information on hazards, legislation and occupational health issues, Soil pollution, Air pollution, Water pollution, Zoonoses, Risk communication, Emerging Occupational/Environmental health issues. Two practical sessions on the calibration and use of workplace and environmental monitoring equipment. Continuous assessment will be based on an environmental/occupational case study.

Structure

15 one hour lectures, 5 one hour tutorials in support off lectures, and two x two hour practical sessions will be delivered equating to two hours contact time per week.

Assessment

1 two hour written examination (60%); continuous assessment (40%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Janet Kyle

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

Lectures, seminars and one practical class on endocrinology, digestion and absorption, molecular biology, macronutrients, energy balance and metabolism, and literature appraisal.

Structure

10 one-hour lectures per week and 2 two-hour tuorials. One laboratory practical class.

Assessment

1 two-hour examination (70%); 2500 word essay (30%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Prof Geraldine McNeill

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

Lectures and practical classes on nutritional status and body composition, and dietary assessment.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week and 3 practical classes.

Assessment

3 practical reports (25% each); 1 nutritional status case study (25%).

Credit Points

10

Course Coordinator

Dr Amudha Poobalan; Dr Miriam Brazzelli

Pre-requisites

Background in healthcare.

Overview

This course will cover topics on defining a research question, developing criteria for including studies, literature searching, data extraction and quality assessment, data analysis (including meta-analysis), interpreting and reporting results.

Structure

One 2-3 hour lecture/seminar per week; five 2-hour practical sessions over 12 weeks.

Assessment

Multiple choice test (40%); 2-hour exam (60%).

Credit Points

10

Course Coordinator

Dr Helen Bedford; Dr Kirsty Kiezebrink

Pre-requisites

None

Overview

- Introduction to qualitative paradigms
- Qualitative methodologies (e.g. ethnography, phenomenology, action research, narrative enquiry etc)
- Qualitative methods for data collection and analysis (e.g. interviews, focus groups, observation, framework analysis, grounded theory)
- Sampling
- Rigor and quality
- Ethical challenges
- Writing and effective communication of research findings

Structure

Eight 2-hour lectures; four 1-hour seminars.

Assessment

Written assessment (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

TBA

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

x

Structure

Assessment

1 two-hour written examination (70%); 1 continous assessment assignment (30%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Lucia D'Ambruoso

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

1) There will be workshops covering the following:
- Selecting topics for work-based projects within non-government organisations or charities
- Applying for a work-based project
- Preparing for and making the most of work based projects.
- Completing workplace diaries.

2) Work with host organisation either based at university or within organisation as appropriate, e.g. 1 day/week.

Structure

Three 2 hour workshops/tutorials, plus monthly meetings with workplace and academic supervisor to provide individual with support and guidance.

Assessment

Continuous assessment: project diary (40%); host organisation report (60%).

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr Geraldine McNeill

Pre-requisites

The course will be restricted to students on the MSc/PgDip Public Health Nutrition programme. The courses MT5007 and PU5005 are pre-requisites for this course.

Overview

Learning and seminars on survey methods, nutrition epidemiology, nutrition interventions in the community, nutrition policy, communicating nutrition advice at a population level and a community nutrition attachment.

Structure

8 one-hour lectures (Mon, Tues and Thurs am) or 4 two-hour seminars per week. Community placements for 2-4 days to be arranged on an individual basis.

Assessment

Two 2-hour written examinations (70%) and continuous assessment (30%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Janet Kyle

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

Topics covered by the course include:

Origins and responses to current international health issues

Millennium Development Goas (MDGs)-Goals, Targets and Indicators

Different forms of organisation of health care and health care delivery

The structure and functions, and strength and weakness of organisations in international health

Complex emergencies and health care management during war, civil conflict or disaster

Importance of health promotion disease prevention

Maternal mortality in a global perspective

Globalisation and health including health worker migration

Reproductive and sexual health including HIV/AIDS

Issues around the failure of many health development projects including politics and advocacy in international health

The role of culture in the organisation of health care

Evaluation and research in developing countries

Structure

The course will be taught in two hour seminars twice weekly. This module runs from Week 30 (January) right through until Week 38 (March)

Assessment

Assessment of this course will be continuous assessment and an exam:
Essay 40%
Presentation 10%
Final written exam 50%

Credit Points

60

Course Coordinator

Dr Amudha Poobalan

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

x

Structure

Meetings with supervisor(s).

Assessment

Oral Presentation (20%); thesis (80%).

Credit Points

120

Course Coordinator

Dr Amudha Poobalan

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

x

Structure

Meetings with supervisor(s)

Assessment

Oral presentation (20%); thesis (80%).

Credit Points

0

Course Coordinator

Dr Janine Thoulass

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

x

Structure

Assessment

The Seminar series will not be assessed separately but will ne incorporated into the overall thesis.

Credit Points

0

Course Coordinator

Dr Janine Thoulass

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

x

Structure

Assessment

The seminar series will not be assessed separately but will ne incorporated into the overall thesis.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr Janet Kyle

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

Lectures, seminars and practical classes on epidemiology and study design, laboratory methods, gene-nutrient interactions, tracer methodology and clinical nutrition.

Structure

Approximately ten 1-hour lectures per week. Laboratory classes and clinical attachments.

Assessment

Two 2 hour examinations (70%) and continuous assessment (30%)

Credit Points

90

Course Coordinator

Dr Geraldine McNeill

Pre-requisites

The course will be restricted to students on the MSc Public Health Nutrition programme. The courses MT5007, PU5005 and the new course "Public Health Nutrition" are pre-requisites for this course.

Overview

Research work as dictated by the specific project.

Structure

Research work as dictated by the specific project.

Assessment

Thesis (75%), oral presentation (25).

Credit Points

60

Course Coordinator

Dr Janet Kyle

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

x

Structure

Meetings with supervisor(s)

Assessment

Oral protocol presentation (10%); 12,500 word thesis (70%); poster presentation (10%); supervisors report (10%).

Credit Points

90

Course Coordinator

Dr Janet Kyle

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

Full-time supervised research project on a topic related to human nutrition and metabolism in laboratory or clinical setting

Structure

Full-time research work as dictated by the specific project

Assessment

Thesis (75%); Oral Presentation of Project Results (25%).