UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

This 24-point dissertation unit represents the equivalent of one semester of full-time study. It involves original research by the student under supervision. The dissertation gives students practice and experience in defining a clear research question, preparing a formal research proposal, conducting a review of a body of scientific literature and formal writing at a professional standard. Some dissertation projects involve detailed statistical or qualitative analysis and interpretation of a body of data. Students may collect original data specifically for the research or may analyse existing data in an original manner. Other dissertation projects are based on the analysis of published documents such as policies relating to a particular aspect of public health. Students undertaking such a dissertation are expected to collate, integrate and appraise critically the relevant literature, and evaluate current practice and policy in light of the literature. Other methods of enquiry may also be permitted. Students are encouraged to choose their own topics. Projects relevant to their work may be suitable. Students are also encouraged to undertake projects that are suitable for publication in the professional literature, though this is not a requirement.

Credit

24 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 1	UWA (Perth)	Face to face
Semester 2	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) to conceptualise a research question and/or objectives; (2) to gain advanced knowledge in an area of research; (3) to develop advanced skills in report writing and research dissemination; (4) to gain an understanding of ethics and the ethics application process; (5) to develop skills in structured reviews of the literature or in conducting original research; and (6) to develop project management skills.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) dissertation proposal; (2) dissertation; and (3) seminar presentation. Further information is available in the unit outline.

To pass this unit, a student must: (a) achieve an overall mark of 50 per cent or higher for the unit; and (b) achieve the requisite requirements(s) or a mark of 50 per cent or greater, whichever is higher and specified in the unit outline, for the dissertation proposal component.

Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Dani Barrington

Unit rules

Prerequisites

A mark of at least 70 per cent in the following units: i) PUBH4403 Epidemiology I.
ii) PUBH5749 Foundations of Public Health
or PUBH 5754 Health Promotion, and.
iii) PUBH4401 Biostatistics I
or PUBH 5805 Qualitative Research Methods.
With reference to requirement (iii) in the above, the requirement to score 70 per cent
or above is based on whether the research dissertation to be undertaken is quantitative
or qualitative in nature.

Contact hours

regular meetings with supervisor as required

Note

Students can choose to take PUBH5712 Dissertation (full-time) in semester one or semester two. Alternatively, students can take PUBH5714 Dissertation (part-time) in semester one and semester two.