PUB HLTH 7119 - MPH Dissertation (Full-Time)

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2015

The dissertation can be the final requirement of the MPH and should therefore reflect what the student has learned from the core and elective course work of the degree program. Unless exempted by the Discipline of Public Health, the dissertation will take the form of a paper suitable for submission to an appropriate peer reviewed journal. The content of this paper must reflect the research topic. The successful completion of this paper fulfils the requirements for a dissertation. * Exemptions will be rare but may be necessary in some circumstances to avoid significant disadvantage to a particular student.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PUB HLTH 7119
    Course MPH Dissertation (Full-Time)
    Coordinating Unit Public Health
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 12
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites Completion of MPH coursework
    Restrictions Available to MPH students only
    Course Description The dissertation can be the final requirement of the MPH and should therefore reflect what the student has learned from the core and elective course work of the degree program. Unless exempted by the Discipline of Public Health, the dissertation will take the form of a paper suitable for submission to an appropriate peer reviewed journal. The content of this paper must reflect the research topic. The successful completion of this paper fulfils the requirements for a dissertation.
    * Exemptions will be rare but may be necessary in some circumstances to avoid significant disadvantage to a particular student.
    Course Staff
    Course Coorindator: Dr Rebecca Tooher
    Phone: +61 8313 1316
    Email: rebecca.tooher@adelaide.edu.au

    Location: Level 7, 178 North Terrace
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course the student will be able to
    1 Successfully collaborate with colleagues and supervisor(s) in the development, design and execution of a research project.
    2 Demonstrate the skills required to conduct independent research, including the ability to conduct effective literature searches,
    critically appraise the literature, and compile information.
    3 Select and use an appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative research methodology to investigate a research problem or issue relevant to Public Health.
    4 Identify and communicate the ethical dimensions of research and demonstrate the skills and attitudes of an ethical researcher.
    5 Use appropriate communication style and terminology to present evidence-based ideas effectively, whether within a research seminar or conference presentation, or via academic writing.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1-5
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1-4
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 1-4
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 1,4,5
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 1-3,5
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1-4
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 1,2,4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Access to bibliographic databases and peer-reviewed journals and relevant software for analysis.
    Recommended Resources
    None
    Online Learning
    N/A
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course is one where independent research is undertaken under the guidance of a supervisor, with whom the student meets fortnightly across two semesters.Where a student has not previously acquired specific skills that support efficient research (eg search strategies, organising data) they will participate in appropriate workshops or on-line learning, early in their period of enrolment (ie in the first half of the first semester of a full-time enrolment).
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The research dissertation is a 12 unit course, and this is equivalent to a full-time commitment of one semester (generally 40 hours per week over an extended semester of five months) or half-time over two semesters (20 hours per week over ten months).
    Learning Activities Summary
    On-line resources or workshops to assist in the development of preliminary skills (eg Endnote, Word for long documents) will be made available to students to support their research.


    Milestones Item Description
    1 Dissertation Proposal To be lodged by four weeks prior to the start of the first semester of enrolmment
    2 Ethics Application If applicable, to be lodged as soon as practical, prefereably prior to enrolment
    3 Independent Research Undertaken under the guidance of a supervisor
    4 Literature Review  A literature review of about 4,000 words is to be prepared, to provide context for the research, and identify the gaps in current knowledge to be addressed in the research
    5 Seminar Presentation About a month before submission for a full-time enrolment, and mid-second semester for a part-time enrolment, a seminar is presented regarding the research undertaken
    6 Written Dissertation The results of the research are submitted in the form of a paper suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed journal (between 2,500 and 7,000 words depending on the author guidelines for the chosen journal); or, if negotiated with the course coordinator, a dissertation of between 12,000 and 15,000 words
    7 Contextual Statement Accompanying statement locating the study in the field of public health.
    Specific Course Requirements
    None
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    N/A
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary

    Assessment Task Assessment Type Weighting Learning outcome(s) being addressed
    Research proposal Formative Hurdle 1-5
    Literature review Summative 20% 2,4,5
    Seminar Summative 10% 1-5
    Journal article / dissertation Summative 70% 1-5
    Assessment Related Requirements
    None
    Assessment Detail
    The literature review shall be up to 4,000 words.

    The results of the research are submitted in the form of a paper suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed journal (between 2,500 and 7,000 words depending on the author guidelines for the chosen journal); or, if negotiated with the course coordinator, a dissertation of between 12,000 and 15,000 words
    Submission
    Please refer to Course Coordinator.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

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    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

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