Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This unit offers a broad based introduction to postgraduate public health studies. It covers the theoretical underpinnings and applied academic disciplines of public health. It provides a multidisciplinary grounding in public health theory and practice that draws on subject matter from relevant disciplines providing an integrated view of public health. In addition to exploring the origins and development of public health, the unit examines the measurement of population health, major public health challenges in developed and developing countries, and the diverse social, economic, political and environmental conditions that influence the public's health. The unit also explores ethics, social justice and equity issues in public health. Examples of public health research and translation are presented, and learning approaches are tailored, to facilitate an integrated view of public health structure and function, health planning and programs.
Students will achieve transdisciplinary grounding in public health theory and practice, and gain substantial breadth and depth of understanding to appreciate the links between public health history, structure and function; and develop skills in working collaboratively and for critical analysis and scientific writing in public health. Students will have the opportunity to critically consider some key issues in public health with their peers and hear from and engage with a range of experts.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Semester 1 UWA (Perth) Face to face Semester 1 Online Online flexible - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) examine theoretical and analytical approaches, dominant paradigms and frameworks of major eras of public health; (2) outline key approaches towards addressing contemporary public health functions; (3) identify important public health issues in the human life-course (including maternal and child health, aging); (4) critically analyse public health related concepts such as the Sustainable Development Goals; poverty; social determinants of health, and quality in health care; (5) examine major activities of discipline specific and interdisciplinary building blocks in public health including: behavioural sciences; biostatistics; epidemiology; environmental health science; health promotion; health administration; health economics; (6) discuss applications of concepts to areas such as occupational health and safety and public health advocacy to public health practice in Australia and internationally; and (7) describe components of health systems and the concept of quality in health care.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) written assignment; (2) participation and performance in tutorial activities and discussion forums; and (3) final exam. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Professor Linda Slack-Smith
- Unit rules
- Advisable prior study
- public health related undergraduate and postgraduate units.
- Contact hours
- lectures/tutorials: 3 hours per week
- Recommended
reading -
This is provided on the LMS (Learning Management System).
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.