BSc Public Health / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

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Course unit details:
Introduction to Public Health

Course unit fact file
Unit code	POPH10061
Credit rating	10
Unit level	Level 4
Teaching period(s)	Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit?	No

Overview

This unit will explore concepts of health and wellbeing from an epidemiological, sociological and the “science and art” perspective of public health practice and discuss the determinants of health and the reasons for health inequalities. We will analyse the approaches that can be used with the aim of improving health and wellbeing of the population and develop team-working and collaboration skills through effective use of modern digital tools. We will explore how to apply evidence to inform professional practice and decision making in modern public health.

Aims

The unit aims to develop the students’ basic understanding of public health practice.

Learning outcomes

Category of outcome	Students will be able to:
Knowledge and understanding	A1 Understand concepts of health and wellbeing from epidemiological, sociological and the “science and art” of public health practice A2 Understand the determinants of health and the reasons for health inequalities A3 Understand of the principles of epidemiology, health promotion and health protection to propose potential approaches for a range of public health problems A4 Understand how to apply evidence to inform professional practice and decision making
Intellectual skills	B1 Identify and evaluate the evidence required for public health practice B2 Develop a critically reflective approach to problem solving
Practical skills	C1 Find existing sources of evidence relevant to clinical and non-clinical health questions C2 Analyse approaches that can be used with the aim of improving health and wellbeing of the population C3 Develop team-working and collaboration skills through effective use of modern digital tools
Transferable skills and personal qualities	D1 Reflect on public health principles and applications D2 Develop communication skills to support evidence-based discussions around the concepts of health and wellbeing

Syllabus

What is Public Health?
Three domains of Public Health
Determinants of health and health inequalities
Current and future challenges

Teaching and learning methods

On-campus students only
Academic engagement includes lectures, seminars, workshops and other face to face activities. To achieve the intended learning outcomes for this course unit, we have created a range of activities. Your course unit leads and teaching team will support you including access to the Student Development Programme including peer-support (PASS) and the Programme Director Seminar Series. We will consult with students to identify any additional needs and further academic engagement activities will be provided. Assessments, preparation for assessments, reading time and independent study are also included within you timetabled activities.

Distance/blended learning students only
Students on this mode of study will have the opportunity to study synchronously with the on-campus students and asynchronously via recorded sessions and online resources.

Employability skills

Group/team working
Innovation/creativity
Oral communication
Research

Assessment methods

Method	Weight
Oral assessment/presentation	100%

Feedback methods

Students will be provided with feedback on their presentation of a public health topic.
Further opportunities for formative feedback (on non-assessed work) will also be provided during the course unit.

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Assessment written exam	30
Practical classes & workshops	38
Seminars	12

Independent study hours
Independent study	20

Teaching staff

Staff member	Role
Gary Clough	Unit coordinator
Laura Swain	Unit coordinator

Additional notes

For every 10 course unit credits we expect students to work for around 100 hours. This amount is only a guidance and individual study time will vary.

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