Programme Specification Template - 2010



Programme SpecificationPG Certificate/ PG Diploma/ MSc Public HealthDate of Publication to Students [September 2015]NOTE: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the course and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if s/he takes advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detail on the specific learning outcomes, indicative content and the teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module can be found:(1) at (2) in the Module Specifications and (3) in the Course Guide. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed by the University and may be checked within independent review processes undertaken by the Quality Assurance Agency.Awarding Institution / Body:Birmingham City UniversityTeaching Institution:Birmingham City UniversityInterim Awards and Final Award: PG Certificate Public Health/ PG Diploma Public Health and MSc Public HealthProgramme Title:PG Certificate Public Health/ PG Diploma Public Health and MSc Public HealthMain fields of Study:Applied Public Health, Social Sciences, Epidemiology, Policy, Leadership, Research.Modes of Study:Part time and Full time Language of Study:EnglishUCAS Code:JACS Code:Professional Status of the programme (if applicable): Not applicable Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:The National Occupational Standards for Public Health United Kingdom Public Health Practitioner StandardsQAA Descriptors for a Higher Education qualification at Level 7Programme philosophy and aimsImproving the population’s health is vital and important work that goes beyond the healthcare focus of dealing with individual sickness and disease. The essential focus of modern public health work is reflected in Acheson’s definition (1988);‘Public health is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organised efforts of society’.Public health work deals with complex and dynamic issues, determined and influenced by a range of social, cultural, economic, environmental, political and individual factors. This programme recognises that public health work is seen as being most effective when it acknowledges the complexity of the type and range, and the interaction between these factors, and develops its interventions accordingly. It also recognises that increasingly, improving the health of the population will require increasing equality within society. This is reflected in the particular emphasis within the programme on the inter-personal and social aspects of public health work and the wider determinants of health.Students on this academic programme will engage with a teaching team with a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds and extensive experience of working in public health practice across a variety of settings at a local, national and international level. These areas incorporate community development; research and policy; health psychology; epidemiology; sociology of health; health policy; health economics and leadership. This multi-disciplinary team will support students to develop advanced knowledge and academic skills in understanding, developing, implementing and evaluating programmes addressing existing and new public health challenges. These challenges include issues such as changes in the population profile produced by migration and ageing, social and health inequalities, globalisation, climate change and the sustainability of resources; as well as the double burden of communicable and chronic non-communicable diseases in both developed nations and countries of economic transition. By developing an interdisciplinary approach to the analysis of health issues and public health practice, students will be able to integrate thinking and practice across many disciplines in order to work to improve or protect the populations’ health and to reduce health inequalities.Public health knowledge, skills and approaches encourage teamwork, multi-agency collaboration and community partnerships as being fundamental to the provision of effective and efficient public health interventions and leadership. These skills are increasingly relevant for the public health workforce who may be located within the local authority, the NHS, the voluntary or the private sector. The programme aims to enable students to develop the knowledge and skills needed to work within this new public health landscape and to inform and influence decision making processes. This programme is designed to be relevant to a wide range of students seeking to develop their career in public health, irrespective of their job title or professional allegiance, and whether they work within the statutory or voluntary sector. It is relevant to both home and international students and will enable the student to gain an advanced knowledge base relevant to current public health practice, and which will be applicable to those working across a wide range of roles that involve promoting public health.This advanced academic course in public health has been developed in alignment with the Public Health Knowledge and Skills Framework (PHKSF, 2013) and the UK National Occupational Standards for Public Health. Curriculum development and content is also informed by the United Kingdom Public Health Register (UKPHR) and the Faculty of Public Health. The aims of the programme are to: Enable students to:Develop a range of transferable skills based on academic, professional and personal learning as a basis for continuing professional development in the multi-professional public health context. Develop skills in planning, implementing and evaluating public health programmes and interventions in various settings including public health departments, local authorities, the third sector, academic institutes, research organisations and community organisations at local, national and global level.Gain an advanced understanding of the foundations of public health practice and its philosophical and professional dilemmas in preparation for the current challenges in public health, both nationally and internationally. Build on existing knowledge; skills and experience to become a competent, effective and ethical public health practitioner (as benchmarked against the National Occupational Standards for Public Health and the United Kingdom Public Health Practitioner Standards).Develop and conduct, with supervision, a substantive, independent research project for dissemination within the workforce or more widely by presentation or publication.Intended learning outcomes and the means by which they are achieved and demonstrated:Learning OutcomesPostgraduate Certificate & Diploma learning outcomesBy the end of the PG Dip the student will be able to:Explore and deconstruct public health issues and challenges in relation to wider social, political, economic and environmental processes and structures. Recognise and evaluate the complex nature of diverse public health challenges, and the value of a multi-disciplinary public health response. Evaluate and review global health governance and challenges for public health in an international context.Demonstrate competence in the interpretation and evaluation of evidence and the appropriate public health methods for research and to evaluate public health interventions. Draw on a critical understanding of the key concepts and sources of epidemiological data and its role in public health.Provide leadership within a public health role and act as a change agent in a specific area of public health. Demonstrate a critical understanding of differing perspectives and theories in public health and apply them to a variety of local, national and international settings. Utilise the skills of reflection as part of continuous personal development and to develop an ethical position about public health practice.Demonstrate a range of transferable academic and professional skills appropriate to masters’ level study and a career in public health; such as communicating complex information clearly using a variety of methods, working collaboratively and managing time scales.Demonstrate the relevant competencies of the National Occupational Standards for Public Health in appropriate environments.MSc Dissertation learning outcomesBy the end of the MSc students will be able to: Successfully complete a dissertation that demonstrates the application of knowledge, skills and attitudes inherent in public health practice and which contributes to the development of professional knowledge.Demonstrate mastery in a particular area of research methodology and a chosen public health topic.Learning teaching, and assessment methods usedTaught mode:The programme is organised around classes, support sessions and tutorials, complemented by students’ own private study, and all supported by the university VLE, ‘Moodle’. Classroom sessions will include whole group discussion, individual and small group work, exercises, presentations and seminars. Emphasis will be placed on the group process, and in this respect, process also becomes part of the content. Teaching/learning will to varying degrees be responsive to the needs of students at the time, and there is opportunity for a degree of student direction. (In places, a very student-led approach to learning will be used, so that, after establishing the conceptual frameworks / base knowledge for a module, students will be able to suggest and negotiate substantive topics which they will explore in small groups over a number of weeks). Both cognitive and affective learning will be encouraged, and students will be encouraged to keep a learning diary to develop the skill of reflection to aid personal development. Specialist lecturers drawn from the field of practice will be used as appropriate.In addition to the timetabled learning opportunities, the majority of your learning will take place as independent or self-directed study. Each module of 20 credits in a nominal 200 hours of study of which 33-36 hours will take place in the classroom, leaving you approximately 165 hours of independent study per module. Some of this independent study time will be used for activities directed by the module tutors, for example to complete directed reading as preparation for a future classroom session. Much of your independent study time will of course be used to complete your assessment assignments and presentations.Moodle, our Virtual Learning Environments (VLE) Moodle is the University’s Course Management System (CMS) and Virtual Learning Environment. You can access Moodle by going to and entering your University network ID and password. Moodle is a very useful place to look for information to help you with your course. The course ‘page ‘ contains the key course documents and calendars for this academic year such as copies of the course handbook, assessment criteria and the assessment schedule and calendar of key meetings such as Student and Staff Forums. From this course site, you are also able to link to individual Moodle sites for each of the modules within the programme. There are useful links to key resources and websites. You may also be able to access forums and Really Simple Syndication (RSS) Feeds which deliver the latest news and information without the need to search the web if these have been embedded by the teaching staff.Moodle enables you to keep in contact with tutors and friends if you are on Instant Messaging or any forums that have been established to support you. These communication tools are particularly useful if you are out of the University. Moodle is available 24 hours a day, 365 days per year and from anywhere in the world.Where modules are supported by Moodle, they will provide access to resources such as lecture notes, PowerPoint presentations or, in some cases, multimedia scenarios and video lectures. Other resources may include access to module guides and live reading lists which take you straight into the Library’s website to enable you to check on the books, journals, and other resources that support the module.Assessment StrategyThe range of assessments in the programme tests the students’ abilities in a number of areas, and using a variety of methods, partly in order to accommodate different learning styles. These include essay-type tasks, presentations and seminar discussions, a research proposal and an examination. During the postgraduate diploma stage the student is also encouraged to engage with reflective practice. This aids the development of their self-evaluation and reflective skills, an outcome of the postgraduate programme.The module assignments are marked out of 100%, and the pass mark for each module is 50%, as detailed in the Faculty of Health, Education & Life Sciences level 7 marking criteria. For detailed information on assessment in relation to specific modules, you are referred to the module study guide you will receive for each module of study. The assessment methods used within each module are set out in a table below. Postgraduate Diploma Public Health (taught modules)Module TitleAssessmentLBR 7313Public Health Foundations: Models, Approaches and Practice (20 credits)Item 1: Plan of 1,000 words (25% module marks)Item 2: A written analysis of an aspect of public health practice (3,000 words, 75% of module marks)LBR 7316Public Health: From Health Protection to Community Development (20 credits)Item 1: Verbal presentation on a key theme from the module (35% of module marks)Item 2: Written critique of two key themes from the module (2,500, 65% of module marks)LBR 7315Public Health in a Social Context: People, Places and Policy (20 credits)Item 1: A seminar presentation (30%) of available marks)Item 2: Written assignment (2,500 words,70% of available marks)LBR 7316Global Context of Public Health (10 credits)2,000 word essay (100% of module marks)LBR 7314Research Methods and Evaluation in Public Health (20 credits)Item 1: Research proposal or protocol of up to 2,000 words (60% of module marks)Item 2: Exam of 90 minutes duration (40% of module marks) LBR 7299Leadership in Health and Social Care (20 credits)Item 1. Oral presentation (50% of module marks)Item 2. Written assignment incorporating reflective element (1,500 words, 50% of module marks)LBR 7318Epidemiology (10 credits)Written assignment of 2,000 words (100% of module marks) MSc Public Health, the above modules plus:Module TitleAssessmentLBR 7128 MSc Study Research project or Systematic Review or Management Project (up to 20,000 words)All of the assessments for the modules studied in the Postgraduate Diploma must be completed successfully in order to gain the Postgraduate Diploma award. In addition to a percentage mark, comprehensive written feedback is given for all modules using a standard faculty assessment feedback form.Programme structure and requirements, levels, modules, credits and awardsThe structure of the course, the modules, levels and credit values, including ECTS credit values, and the awards which can be gained are shown in the diagrams below. Credits and study hoursEach single module carries either 10 or 20 credits at level 7. This requires either 100 (or 200 hours) study time of which approximately 18 (or 35) are classroom contact or tutor directed time. This will allow for approximately a further 80 (or165) hours of student directed and self-study time in which to complete your studies.Structure- Certificate awardThe programme structure is designed to allow you to study 60 credits in one academic year to cover a range of modules related to public health. This will allow students registered for this award to gain a PG Certificate in Public HealthStructure – Diploma phaseThe programme structure provides you with opportunity to achieve a sense of progression through the programme, and you may achieve the completion of 120 credits of study at level 7 within two academic years (part time study) to gain a PG Diploma in Public health if registered for this award. Structure – MSc phaseThere is a clear separation between breadth and depth of competence in the diploma phase and specialised expertise in the MSc phase. Students completing to the MSc Public Health award will have the opportunity to complete a dissertation of up to 20,000 words on a topic to reflect their own expertise and interest in an aspect of public health.The table below provides an overview of the programme, whilst the following pages provide an overview of the modular content.Modes of delivery: Full time and Part time The programme is delivered part-time (to enable day release from work) with students currently attending University on a Friday for Year 1 and a Wednesday during Year 2.Full-time students pursue Year 1 and Year 2 modules concurrently. This full-time route is the only one available to overseas applicants on a student visa.Titles, awards, duration and credits - Postgraduate Awards in Public Health:Postgraduate Certificate Public Health awarded on the successful completion of 60 credits* at level 7 (*see note below). The duration of this award is one academic yearPostgraduate Diploma Public Health awarded on the successful completion of 120 credits at level 7. The duration of this award is two academic years for part time students and one academic year for full time students.MSc Public Health awarded after the successful completion of the modules comprising the postgraduate diploma (120 credits at level 7) plus successful completion of the MSc dissertation (60 credits at level 7). The length of this course is three academic years for part time students and one calendar year for full time students. Students have a maximum period of registration for each award:(NOTE: this is not the same as the duration of the course/awards as given above):2 years to complete the Post Graduate Certificate Public Health 3 years to complete the Post Graduate Diploma Public Health 5 years to complete MSc Public Health These time spans include any periods of interruption you may take from your studies.NOTE: Regarding Postgraduate Certificate*The successful completion of an acceptable combination of 60 credits at level 7 gives rise to an award of Postgraduate Certificate. An acceptable combination is a total of 60 credits to include successful completion of either:LBR 7313 Public Health Foundations: Models, Approaches and PracticeORLBR 7316 Public Health from Health Protection to Community Development Programme structure and requirements, levels, modules, credits and awards ModulesCreditsECTS creditsLBR 7313 Public Health Foundations: Models, Approaches and PracticeCore2010LBR 7315 Public Health in a Social Context: People, Places and Policy Core2010LBR 7299 Leadership for Health and Social CareCore2010LBR 7316 Public Health: from Health Protection to Community DevelopmentCore2010LBR 7314 Research Methods and Evaluation in Public HealthCore2010LBR 7318 Epidemiology Core105LBR 7317 Global Context of Public HealthCore/Option105LBR 7128 MSc Dissertation Core6030120650140969Modules list These core modules must be completed before the end of the PG Diploma / taught stage of MScResearch Methods and Evaluation in Public Health (20) CoreLeadership for Health and Social Care (20) CorePublic Health Foundations: Models, Approaches and Practice (20) CorePublic Health: from Health Protection to Community Development (20) Core Public Health in a Social Context: People, Places and Policy (20) CoreEpidemiology (10) CoreGlobal Context of Public Health (10) Core/ OptionIn addition to complete to MSc awardMSc Dissertation (60) Core00Modules list These core modules must be completed before the end of the PG Diploma / taught stage of MScResearch Methods and Evaluation in Public Health (20) CoreLeadership for Health and Social Care (20) CorePublic Health Foundations: Models, Approaches and Practice (20) CorePublic Health: from Health Protection to Community Development (20) Core Public Health in a Social Context: People, Places and Policy (20) CoreEpidemiology (10) CoreGlobal Context of Public Health (10) Core/ OptionIn addition to complete to MSc awardMSc Dissertation (60) Core Proposed course structure: Part time study 429196534290Semester 2 (mid-January – May)00Semester 2 (mid-January – May)-3429034290Semester 1 (late September – December)00Semester 1 (late September – December)6352540115570Leadership for Health & Social Care [20 credits]Core00Leadership for Health & Social Care [20 credits]Core4291965115570Public Health in a Social Context: People Places and Policy [20 credits]Core00Public Health in a Social Context: People Places and Policy [20 credits]CoreYear 1202882541910Global Context of Public Health[10 credits]Core/Option00Global Context of Public Health[10 credits]Core/Option-3429037465Public Health: Models, Approaches and Practice [20 credits]Core00Public Health: Models, Approaches and Practice [20 credits]Core830326037465May exit with PG Cert Public Health00May exit with PG Cert Public HealthYear 2 4587875118110Epidemiology [10 credits]Core00Epidemiology [10 credits]Core5546090109220Launch MSc DissertationWorkshop support will be offered on Wednesdays during April and May[60 credits]Core00Launch MSc DissertationWorkshop support will be offered on Wednesdays during April and May[60 credits]Core822007567945May exit with PG Dip Public Health 00May exit with PG Dip Public Health Year 2214312529845Research Methods and Evaluation in Public Health[20 credits]Core00Research Methods and Evaluation in Public Health[20 credits]Core-3429029845Public Health: from Health Protection to Community Development [20 credits]Core00Public Health: from Health Protection to Community Development [20 credits]CoreYear 3816292526670Award MSc Public Health 00Award MSc Public Health -144145102870Masters Project Research Dissertation, Systematic Review or Management Project[60 credits]Core00Masters Project Research Dissertation, Systematic Review or Management Project[60 credits]CoreExample Student Journey: Full time study 39103301806575Leadership for Health & Social Care [20 credits]Core00Leadership for Health & Social Care [20 credits]Core61829954172585Awarded MSc Public Health 00Awarded MSc Public Health 6464935662940Masters Project Research Dissertation, Systematic Review or Management Project[60 credits]CoreWorkshop support will be offered on Wednesdays during April and May00Masters Project Research Dissertation, Systematic Review or Management Project[60 credits]CoreWorkshop support will be offered on Wednesdays during April and May629983573025Semester extended (May - September)00Semester extended (May - September)325628073025Semester 2 (mid-January – May)00Semester 2 (mid-January – May)-22860073025Semester 1 (late September – December)00Semester 1 (late September – December)3870325544195Public Health in a Social Context: People, Places and Policy [20 credits]Core00Public Health in a Social Context: People, Places and Policy [20 credits]Core4591053701415Global Context of Public health [10 credits] Core/Option00Global Context of Public health [10 credits] Core/Option4692652710815Research, Methods and Evaluation in Public Health [20 credits]Core00Research, Methods and Evaluation in Public Health [20 credits]Core4432301534160Public Health: from Health Protection to Community Development [20 credits]Core00Public Health: from Health Protection to Community Development [20 credits]Core459105544195Public Health: Models, Approaches and Practice [20 credits]Core00Public Health: Models, Approaches and Practice [20 credits]Core47739302559050Launch MSc DissertationWorkshop support[60 credits]Core00Launch MSc DissertationWorkshop support[60 credits]Core39096952561590Epidemiology [10 credits] Core[10 credits]00Epidemiology [10 credits] Core[10 credits]34423354172585May exit with award of PG Diploma Public Health 00May exit with award of PG Diploma Public Health Support for Learning including Personal Development Planning (PDP)Students are encouraged to identify and, with guidance, to reflect on their own learning needs and are offered the following support as appropriate to meet those needs:Students are encouraged to identify and, with guidance reflect on their own learning needs and are offered support as appropriate to meet those needs:Support for students is provided by:the Programme Director who co-ordinates the overall programmethe Module Co-ordinators who are each responsible for the teaching, running and assessment of individual modulesthe various tutors who are responsible for the delivery of teaching sessions and helping students learning through the provision of learning resources and tutorial helpThe programme director acts in the role of personal tutor (this will be re-visited if the cohort size increases significantly) to offer guidance on progress on the programme at key points, support through the provision of action plans for students who are working to retrieve modules of study and advice and guidance for interruption of studies. The Personal Development Department (PDD) provides students with academic skills support; critical analysis and critical evaluation, referencing and numeracy, reflective writing, and support with English language development. Students can access support workshops for essay writing and drop in sessions for support in development of key academic skills.Students may also access the support offered by the Centre for Academic Success, a central university resource, based at Millennium Point on the City Centre Campus.Personal Development Planning (PDP) is integral to the programme in Public Health and is included specifically by:Induction sessions offered across the induction day and continuing into the first term of study, for example library support sessions, critical appraisal and critical evaluation, level 7 assessment criteria.Students are asked to self –assess against the National Occupational Standards for Public Health at key points within the programme. Reflection is included as an element in one of the taught modules.For those completing the MSc Dissertation skills development will take place in relation to self-management, project planning and critical self-reflection.Criteria for admissionCandidates must satisfy the general admissions requirements of the programme, which are as follows:The programme is relevant to anyone working or intending to work within the fields of public health, health promotion or community development. This may be within a wide range of settings such as local government, the health services, the NHS, planning or criminal justice or in a voluntary or community setting.Requirements are:An honours degree (2:2 or above) in a subject associated with or of relevance to public health.Current or recent experience of working in a public health or health promotion role or capacity. (This may be as your main role or as an aspect of your role. It may also be in a paid or voluntary capacity and as a professional or non-professional).International students should additionally have an English Language qualification (IELTS 6.5 or above).Note: Applicants without a first degree but with professional qualifications and relevant work experience will be considered for the course on an individual basis.Applying:All applicants are asked to supply a personal statement identifying their experience and knowledge and understanding of public health together with their reasons for application to the programme. In addition an academic reference should be supplied preferably from an academic who has taught you in the last few years. If this is not possible, a professional reference is required.Students may be asked to an informal interview, depending on their application information.Methods for evaluation and enhancement of quality and standards including listening and responding to views of students The University, the faculty and the programme team are committed to continuous evaluation, quality monitoring and enhancement of programmes of study. There are a number of strategies, policies, procedures and guidance that are in place within the Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences to ensure evaluation, enhancement of quality and standards including listening and responding to views of students. Students’ views can be expressed in the Student and Staff forum, as well as in module and programme evaluations. Students are also invited to meet with External Examiners, and attend programme quality days.The programme team have termly meetings to review the programme and any student feedback. Changes to the programme are reviewed and accepted by the Faculty Minor Changes Committee, and can only be approved following consultation with students and external examiners. An annual programme monitoring report is undertaken annually through exception reporting and includes feedback from students. The annual programme monitoring report is reviewed and approved by students, and external examiners. Action points are raised to be developed and reviewed for the following academic year. In addition the annual programme monitoring report is peer-reviewed. The annual report is a key document provided to professional bodies and external quality monitoring agencies.Assessment procedures are updated by the Academic Quality Office to ensure that they are rigorous and fair. Bench marking statements are used to monitor achievement rates. Marking and moderating policies are in place to ensure that the procedures for assessment are transparent and students’ work is reviewed by External Examiners, who also attend Programme Exam Boards, Quality Days and meet with students.The Faculty Academic Board is the overarching committee in the Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences that contributes to the evaluation and ongoing quality monitoring. ................
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