HEALTH SCIENCES

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr L Aucott, Dr P Murchie

Pre-requisites

HE 1003, HE 2502

Co-requisites

HE 3010, HE 3016

Overview

The course will cover terminology of epidemiology; strengths and weaknesses of different epidemiological study designs; calculating and interpreting measures of frequency and association; bias, confounding, validity and reliability in epidemiological designs.
It will also cover the concepts of probability and statistical inference and approriate statistical testing to use in different health studies. Statistical modelling will be introduced.

Structure

One 3 hour and one 2.5 hour session each week.

Assessment

1st Attempt - two hour written exam (60%); continuous assessment (40%). Continuous assesment:- Epidemiology written assignment (series of short questions) = 20%, Statistics short assignment to show understanding = 5%, main assignment (series of questions including interpretation of SPSS output) = 15%.

Resit: Two hour written exam (100%).

Formative Assessment

Group work is used during the course which provides informal formative assessment of the progress of the students - poor understanding can be identified and rectified.
The short statistics assignment is formative for the main assignment as feedback is provided before the main assignment is submitted.

Feedback

Individual, written feedback is provided on all continuous assessments. In addition, the course coordinators will discuss the exam with students, on request.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Fiona Marshall

Pre-requisites

HE 1003; HE 2501

Co-requisites

HE 3016; HE 3019

Overview

Types of research: qualitative vs. quantitative; formulating research questions; finding references and systematic reviews; sampling; longitudinal studies; questionnaires; individual and group interviews; qualitative data analysis; observation; secondary analysis; validity and reliability.

Structure

10 two-hour teaching sessions covering the above topics taught by experienced researchers. Four sessions will include time for students to work on their group research projects.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Continuous assessment (100%); 1,500 word essay (30%); Mini project consisting of a) group report (50%); Individual reflective essay (20%).

Resit: Continuous assessment (100%); 2,000 word essay (100%).

Formative Assessment

Re. mini group project, students are required to submit proposed research question, methodology and interview schedule/questionnaire for checking prior to implementation. They are provided with detailed verbal feedback on the research question and proposed methodology, and written feedback on the proposed research instrument.

Feedback

Essays and written reports will be double marked and individual written feedback provided to each student.

There are opportunities in class for students to receive guidance on preparation and conduct of their research projects and oral feedback on submitted research documents.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Fiona Marshall

Pre-requisites

HE 1003; HE 2501

Co-requisites

HE 3010; HE 3019

Overview

The body and the life course covers historical and contemporary theories of the body and embodiment including the way that physically diverse bodies are controlled, regulated and understood throughout the life course. Patterns of health and illness, ageing, death and dying are discussed. Inequality includes the relationship of health and illness to age, gender, ethnicity and socio-economic status. Inequalities in access to healthy living and working conditions, knowledge about health. Inequalities in these spheres largely reflect other forms of inequality in society in power and wealth. The lived experience of health and illness including lay perspectives on disease and wellbeing; medical and social models of ill-health, diagnosis and treatment including stress, disability and stigma. Role of social and cultural beliefs, professional and commercial interests and a systematic attempt to deliver evidence based medicine. Comparisons are made of healthcare systems in developed and developing countries and their effects on the health status of populations, medicalisation and social control.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture per week for 11 weeks.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 2,000 word essay (50%); 1 two-hour examination (50%).

Resit: 1 two-hour examination (100%).

Formative Assessment

Lectures are interactive and students are required to work individually and in small groups during sessions and sometimes to prepare materials for informal presentation at the following class. Verbal feedback is given on prepared work.

Feedback

In addition to the verbal feedback given on work prepared for class (formative), written essays will be double marked and students provided with written feedback and guidance on future essay writing.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr F Marshall

Pre-requisites

HE 1003, HE 2501, HE 3010, HE 3016, HE 3019

Co-requisites

HE 3514

Overview

The course will increase knowledge of the health care sector (outside the National Health Service) allowing students to compare modes of delivery of health care. Students will understand the multidisciplinary nature of health care and critically reflect on the services provided by their organisation.

Structure

Three teaching sessions (2 hours each) will be provided at the start of the course. The students will then spend 36 hours attached to their chosen organisation.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Continuous assessment 1,500 word essay (40%); 1,500 word written report on the organisation (40%, a copy is returned to the organisation)
Oral presentation to peer group, informing them about the work of the organisation (20%).

Resit: Continuous assessment 2,000 word essay (100%).

Formative Assessment

Although marked, the essay will also be formative as student feedback will be provided before they have to submit their written report.

Feedback

The essay and report will be double marked and written, individual feedback will be given to each student. In addition, a copy of the report is sent back to the organisation and in the past (HE 3508) a number of organisations have given comments on the report, which are forwarded to the student.

The oral presentation will be double marked by staff (95% mark) and peer reviewed by the other students taking the course (5%), with written, individual feedback being provided to each student.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr F Douglas

Pre-requisites

HE 1003, HE 2501, HE 3010, HE 3016, HE 3019

Co-requisites

HE 3508

Overview

Topics covered:- determinants of health; values, theories and models of health promotion; psychosocial theories of behaviour change; role of community and population-based approaches to health promotion; influence of politics and public policy; social marketing , health and the media; evaluation.

Structure

1 three-hour session each week - takes format of part lecture, part discussion group.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Continuous Assessment (100%); 1,500 word critical essay (40%) of mark
2,500 word group report (45%) of mark.

Individual reflection on group work (15%) of mark

Resit: 90 minute written examination (100%).

Feedback

All assignments and exams are double marked. Individual, written comments are fed back to students on all assignments and course coordinator will discuss exam with any student on request.

Credit Points

60

Course Coordinator

Dr F Marshall

Pre-requisites

HE 1003, HE 2502, HE 3010, HE 3016, HE 3019, HE 3508, HE 3514

Overview

Metabolic pathways; endocrinology; digestion & absorption; immunology; food analyses; dietary assessment methodology; energy requirements and expenditure; details of dietary components; body composition and anthropometry; nutrition in pregnancy, lactation and infant feeding; diseases associated with poor nutrition.

Structure

This full time course is taught in lectures of various length, spread throughout the week. In addition, a number of practical sessions are carried out to develop skills in anthropometry, dietary assessment and anaysis of nutrient content of food. Total contact hours - 92 hours.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Two, two hour exams (70% mark). Each exam represents 35% of the course mark, exam 1 is a series of short questions, exam 2 is an essay paper. Continuous assessment (30% mark):-
Assignment 1 - 2000 word essay.
Assignment 2 - Vitamin C report.
Assignment 3 - Weighed food intake report.
Assignment 4 - 2000 word essay.

Resit: Two, two hour exams (100% mark).

Formative Assessment

On-line group work (through MyAberdeen) is used for formative assessment. The students submit 4 pieces of work based on the lectures and recieve feedback on it.

Feedback

Individual, written feedback is given for each assignment, before the next one is due so the students can act on advice provided. Written feedback is given on the group work done on-line.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr F Marshall

Pre-requisites

HE 1003, HE 2502, HE 3010, HE 3016, HE 3019, HE 3508, HE 3514

Co-requisites

HE 4015

Overview

Designing and reporting randomised controlled trials.

Structure

Varies weekly, up to a maximium of two 2-hour sessions per week - total of 30 hours.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Two hour written exam (40%). Continuous assessment:- Essay, 1800 word (20%). Design a Study Protocol, 1500 words (40%).

Resit: Two hour written exam (100%).

Formative Assessment

Group work is carried out in many of the teaching sessions, this allows an informal formative assessment of understanding at a time when misunderstanding can be rectified.

Feedback

Individual, written feedback is provided for each piece of continuous assessment carried out. The course coordinator will discuss the exam with students, on request.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Miss M Kilonzo

Pre-requisites

HE 1003, HE 2502, HE 3010, HE 3016, HE 3019, HE 3508, HE 3514

Co-requisites

HE 4013

Overview

Topics covered include:- health care systems, payment systems and incentives in health care, resource allocation, economic evaluation and critical appraisal of economic evaluation.

Structure

One session per week, lasting 2-3 hours. Total contact hours - 28 hours.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Two hour written exam (50% mark). Continuous assessment - 2000 word essay (50% mark).

Resit: Two hour written exam - 100% mark.

Formative Assessment

Group work carried out in teaching sessions provides informal formative assessment, allowing misunderstandings to be identified and recified.

Feedback

Individual, written feedback is provided for the continuous assessment. The course coordinator will provide feedback on the exam, if requested.

Credit Points

60

Course Coordinator

Dr Fiona Marshall

Pre-requisites

HE 1003, HE 2502, HE 3010, HE 3016, HE 3019, HE 3514, HE 3508, HE 4008

Overview

Students choose the project they want to do and are usually involved in developing the research question. The content of the course is dependent on the type of project undertaken e.g it could range from interviewing mothers of new babies about their feeding choices to a study of media coverage of breast feeding issues. The type of project undertaken dictates the methods used and the anaylses carried out.

Structure

There is no formal teaching in this course, each student works independently on their research project, under the guidance of a staff member.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Students are expected to produce a bound thesis of 8000-10000 words (90% mark). Students give an oral presentation on their project (10% mark).

Resit: Resubmission of thesis of 8000-10000 words (100% mark).

Formative Assessment

Although the oral presentation is summative, it acts as a formative assessment for the thesis as members of the audience may pick up issues which the student has not thought of. Such issues can then be rectified before the thesis is submitted.

Feedback

Individual written feedback on the thesis and oral presentation is given to each student.

Credit Points

60

Course Coordinator

Dr Fiona Marshall

Pre-requisites

HE 1003, HE 2502, HE 3010, HE 3016, HE 3019, HE 3514, HE 3508, HE 4013, HE 4015

Overview

Students choose the project they want to do and are usually involved in developing the research question. The content of the course is dependent on the type of project undertaken e.g it could range from interviewing pregnant smokers to assess reasons why they smoke to a literature review on incentive schemes to reduce smoking in pregnancy. The type of project undertaken dictates the methods used and the anaylses carried out.

Structure

There is no formal teaching in this course, each student works independently on their research project, under the guidance of a staff member.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Students are expected to produce a bound thesis of 8000-10000 words (90% mark). Students give an oral presentation on their project (10% mark).

Resit: Resubmission of thesis of 8000-10000 words (90% mark).

Formative Assessment

Although the oral presentation is summative, it acts as a formative assessment for the thesis as members of the audience may pick up issues which the student has not thought of. Such issues can then be rectified before the thesis is submitted.

Feedback

Individual, written feedback on the thesis and oral presentation is given to each student.

Credit Points

60

Course Coordinator

Dr Fiona Marshall

Pre-requisites

HE 1003, HE 2502, HE 3010, HE 3016, HE 3019, HE 3514, HE 3508, HE 4013, HE 4015

Overview

Students choose the project they want to do and are usually involved in developing the research question. The content of the course is dependent on the type of project undertaken e.g it could range from assessing the characteristics of smoking and non-smoking pregnant women (by questionnaire) to assess reasons why some women continue to smoke in pregnancy, to a literature review on incentive schemes to reduce smoking in pregnancy. The type of project undertaken dictates the methods used and the anaylses carried out.

Structure

There is no formal teaching in this course, each student works independently on their research project, under the guidance of a staff member.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Students are expected to produce a bound thesis of 8000-10000 words (90% mark). Students give an oral presentation on their project (10% mark).

Resit: Resubmission of thesis of 8000-10000 words (10% mark).

Formative Assessment

Although the oral presentation is summative, it acts as a formative assessment for the thesis as members of the audience may pick up issues which the student has not thought of. Such issues can then be rectified before the thesis is submitted.

Feedback

Individual, written feedback on the thesis and oral presentation is given to each student.

Credit Points

60

Course Coordinator

Dr Fiona Marshall

Pre-requisites

HE 1003, HE 2502, HE 3010, HE 3016, HE 3019, HE 3514, HE 3508, HE 4013, HE 4015

Overview

Students choose the project they want to do and are usually involved in developing the research question. The content of the course is dependent on the type of project undertaken e.g it could range from interviewing pregnant smokers to assess reasons why they smoke to a literature review on incentive schemes to reduce smoking in pregnancy. The type of project undertaken dictates the methods used and the anaylses carried out.

Structure

There is no formal teaching in this course, each student works independently on their research project, under the guidance of a staff member.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Students are expected to produce a bound thesis of 8000-10000 words (90% mark). Students give an oral presentation on their project (10% mark).

Resit: Resubmission of thesis of 8000-10000 words (100% mark).

Formative Assessment

Although the oral presentation is summative, it acts as a formative assessment for the thesis as members of the audience may pick up issues which the student has not thought of. Such issues can then be rectified before the thesis is submitted.

Feedback

Individual, written feedback on the thesis and oral presentation is given to each student.

Credit Points

60

Course Coordinator

Dr F Marshall

Pre-requisites

Available only for MA Health Studies candidates who have accumulated 60 credits at Level 4.

Overview

Course projects can include survey studies, interview-based research, secondary data analysis, and systematic reviews. Therefore, because of the nature of the course, the content will vary from student to student. However, the content would cover the elements required for students to be able to meet the above learning outcomes.

Structure

Weekly supervision meetings. Nominally two hours in length but flexible in order to meet specific student needs.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Oral Presentation (10%) and Dissertation (90%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Fiona Marshall

Pre-requisites

HE 1003, HE 2502, HE 3010, HE 3016, HE 3019, HE 3514, HE 3508, HE 4013

Overview

Students choose the project they want to do and are usually involved in developing the research question. The content of the course is dependent on the type of project undertaken e.g the students could develop a data collection tool or develop a search strategy during Part 1 of their project.

Structure

There is no formal teaching in this course, each student works independently on their research project, under the guidance of a staff member.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Students give an oral presentation on their project (100% mark).

Resit: Oral presentation (100% mark).

Formative Assessment

Although the oral presentation is summative, it acts as a formative assessment for the thesis (to be completed in Part 2) as members of the audience may pick up issues which the student has not thought of. Such issues can then be rectified before the thesis is submitted.

Feedback

Individual, written feedback on the oral presentation is given to each student.

Credit Points

45

Course Coordinator

Dr Fiona Marshall

Pre-requisites

HE 1003, HE 2502, HE 3010, HE 3016, HE 3019, HE 3514, HE 3508, HE 4013, HE 4015, HE 4503

Overview

The content of the course is dependent on the type of project undertaken e.g the students could collect qualitative and or quantitative data, analyse their results and write their thesis during Part 2 of their project or they could complete a systematic review on their chosen topic.

Structure

There is no formal teaching in this course, each student works independently on their research project, under the guidance of a staff member.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Students are expected to produce a bound thesis of 8000-10000 words (100% mark).

Resit: Resubmission of thesis of 8000-10000 words (100% mark).

Formative Assessment

Although the oral presentation (in Part 1) is summative, it acts as a formative assessment for the thesis as members of the audience may pick up issues which the student has not thought of. Such issues can then be rectified before the thesis is submitted.

Feedback

Individual, written feedback on the thesis is given to each student.