2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

NUFF5675M Principles of Public Health

30 Credits Class Size: 45

Module manager: Maryam Ba-Break
Email: m.m.ba-break@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 Nov to 28 Feb View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Co-requisites

NUFF5645M Introduction to Global and Public Health

Module replaces

Principles of Public Health (International) NUFF5485M

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module provides students with an opportunity to acquire essential public health competence in order to work in an international context. The module will focus on selected public health issues, their analysis and the selection of appropriate strategies. It will provide an overview of essential public health functions, core programmes and topics.

Objectives

This module aims to provide students with the essential knowledge and skills required to
- analyse public health problems from a multidisciplinary perspective,
- strengthen existing and to build new health services, programmes and related management systems
in order to improve the health of populations, communities and specific groups amongst whom the participants work.
Students will learn about the main principles, concepts, topics and practices of public health, the various actors and disciplines involved and the range of interventions available. The focus will be on the use of and critical evaluation of concepts, methods of data analysis, available evidence and practical interventions.
The module will encourage students to reflect on the importance of social inclusion, good governance, equality and equity and the human right to health in the professional practice of public health.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module students will be able to:
1. apply epidemiological and statistical methods to analyse the burden of disease, its trends and other health needs
2. set priorities for health care delivery
3. appraise different strategies for interventions to improve health in order to select the most effective and feasible
4. design programmes and prepare action plans
5. apply enhanced knowledge and skills in planning and management, building on the learning in the module ‘Introduction to Global and Public Health'
6. reflect on professional values for public health
7. use enhanced skills in computing and information access.

Skills outcomes

- To apply methods of health assessment and disease surveillance
- To set priorities for health care delivery
- To appraise different public health strategies for interventions to improve health in order to select the most effective and feasible public health interventions
- To design programmes and prepare action plans for public health.

Syllabus

The module objectives will be delivered and met through a combination of teaching, tutorials, practicals, workshops, e-discussion board, open book epidemiology and statistics exam and a written assignment.
- The application of methods for health needs analysis will reinforce and further enhance the learning of basic epidemiology and statistics in the previous compulsory module - Introduction to Global and Public Health (NUFF 5645M).
- Workshops on "Public Health Response to Conflicts, Disasters and Emergencies" and "Managing Change" will prepare students for two important areas of public health practice.
- Practicals will include application of programme and health service planning, computer classes with case studies.
- Tutorials (4 class-based): Critical analysis of public health literature, strengthening of epidemiological and statistical skills using practical examples, Self-selected topics for in-depth discussion.
- Individual and group exercises will reinforce learning and prepare students for their open book exam.
- Written assignment will assess students' capability to use their competence in a public health case scenario.

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
On-line Learning 1 10 10
On-line Learning 5 1 5
Workshop 1 3 3
Workshop 1 9 9
Class tests, exams and assessment 2 3 6
Group learning 1 3 3
Lecture 25 3 75
Practical 6 3 18
Tutorial 4 2 8
Private study hours 163
Total Contact hours 137
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 300

Private study

Private study
- Pre- and post-session reading, as recommended by the academic staff
- Preparing for workshops and practicals
- Preparation of the assessments

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress is monitored through a number of processes including:
- Weekly tutorials where students can raise questions and discuss topics with facilitator.
- Continuous e-discussion board where students analyse public health topics
- Students receive individual feedback on their essay addressing a public health case scenario.
- Students receive individual feedback on their exam.

Opportunities for formative feedback include
- Comments from the assessors on the individual assignments.
- Observation of participation and contributions during lectures, practicals, workshops and tutorials
- Comments on contributions to e-discussion board.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Presentation Group presentation and executive summary (up to 400 words) 20
Essay 2500 words 40
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 60

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams
Exam type Exam duration % of formal assessment
Open Book exam 3.0 Hrs 0 Mins 40
Total percentage (Assessment Exams) 40

Open Book Exam: Analysis and interpretation of public health case scenarios and examination and interpretation of statistical methods in a published article

Reading List

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 4/29/2024

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team