| Module | Credits | Compulsory/optional |
|---|
| Evidence Based Practice | 30 Credits | Compulsory |
| The module will use a number of different approaches to help students to gain a deep understanding of evidence-based practice from theoretical and practical perspectives. Students will be taught a systematic approach to searching for evidence to answer a question that is related to the student s programme of study. By developing evidence searching and appraisal skills, students will be able to critically explore how research evidence may be applied to practice. |
| Work Based Learning in Health and Medical Practice | 30 Credits | Optional |
| This module will enable health professionals to focus on how the workplace environment provides a learning opportunity. The provision of healthcare in contemporary practice demands that health care professionals engage in inter-professional and work-based learning. The module will also require to focus on an area within the workplace that needs to improve and then undertake an initiative (in the form of a situational analysis, or audit) to make evidence based improvements to the work place. |
| Environmental Health and Wellbeing | 30 Credits | Optional |
| This module examines the environment as a determinant of health and wellbeing and assesses the impact of environmental planning and design on public health. A critical appraisal of the interaction of the environment with health systems, will be explored and identify the potential of how environmental interventions can improve public health. The students will have the opportunity to interpret and analyse various biological, chemical, physical, social and psychosocial stresses, and understand the concept of health impact assessment. The module will focus on several significant areas, including water & public health, air pollution, sustainability, and the impact of environmental policy on public health. |
| Promoting Health | 30 Credits | Optional |
| The module captures the broader strategies which governments, health systems, practitioners and individuals can adopt to prevent ill health, promote health and wellbeing and manage ill health. Students will start with a review of the major communicable and non-communicable challenges and how these vary by geography and the importance of promoting health for sustainability of health systems as well as quality of life. Health promotion models and how these have been informed by different theoretical perspectives and disciplines will be covered including: theories of behaviour change (theory of planned behaviours, the health belief model, etc); methods of behaviour change at the at individual, community, societal level; role of law; underpinning ideologies/libertarian/utilitarian) of health systems; cultural aspects which influence national policies on promoting health; risk behaviours; evidence base for different interventions. |
| Leadership for Public Health Practice | 30 Credits | Optional |
| This module will enable the student to understand the multi-faceted nature of leadership for public health. It will encourage the practitioner to recognise their approach to leadership, how leadership is undertaken within their work setting and the multiple factors that shape prevailing leadership styles and the impact of this on colleagues, team working and for clients. Within the course, particular attention will be given to the public health practitioner as a leader within contemporary organisations. This course will equip the practitioner to recognise and develop their leadership potential so that they can develop new sights, new ways of working and promote change and sustained public health development within their work setting |
| Public Health Foundations | 30 Credits | Compulsory |
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| Public Health Research and Epidemiology | 30 Credits | Compulsory |
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| Communicable and Non-Communicable Conditions | 30 Credits | Compulsory |
| This module will focus on the aetiology and determinants of a range of communicable and non-communicable conditions. The module will also highlight historical epidemiological trends in disease and evaluate likely future developments in relation to changing prevalence and emerging infections. The evidence base for vertical, horizontal and integrated system approaches to address the double burden of disease will be examined. |
| Physical Activity and Nutrition for Public Health | 30 Credits | Optional |
| The module will explore the effects of regular physical activity on health, including cardiorespiratory, metabolic, and musculoskeletal adaptations that result from regular physical activity; as well as mental health and wellbeing. Further to physical activity, the module will discuss the importance of nutrition in relation to public health. The module will also explore different interventions aiming to increase levels of physical activity, as recommended in current guidelines for different populations. The module will also cover theoretical models of behaviour change and its application in relation to exercise and physical. activity. The module will explore tools to evaluate the effect of physical activity on health, from epidemiological studies at population level, to fitness tests at individual level. Finally, the module will discuss socioeconomic issues hampering physical activity levels in some populations, and strategies to maximise behaviour change towards a physically active lifestyle. Learning outcomes will be achieved through online lectures and webinars, tutorials, directed and independent study, and the assessment. |
| Addressing Internet Addictive Behaviour - A Public Health Concern | 30 Credits | Optional |
| This module is designed to provide opportunity to develop skills and competence when working in the area of addictive behaviour, promoting awareness for the reasons associated with internet addictive behaviour. |
| Advanced Research | 90 Credits | Compulsory |
| This module builds on the skills acquired from studying the core modules Public Health Research and Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Practice . The module develops the students ability to design and execute a research project in an area of relevance to public health under the supervision of an academic supervisor. It enables students to develop an awareness of their reflexive self. Initially, students will investigate research methodologies, develop skills in statistical analysis of data, critically review the related literature and generate a research question. Students will submit a literature review and research proposal. The data collection and analysis will be based on the proposal agreed with the supervisor, followed by the production of the dissertation demonstrating the student s critical understanding and interpretation of the methodologies, the results of their research, and an awareness of their reflexive self . The results will also be disseminated through a poster presentation. |
