PUB HLTH 7077 - Public Health Practicum (Full time)

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014

Students are required to undertake a project whilst placed or employed in an approved public health agency. Day-to-day supervision will be provided by the agency, and the project must address an issue of public health significance. A logbook of activity must be kept, and the assessment is on the basis of a written project report, oral presentation, logbook entries and the supervisor's report.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PUB HLTH 7077
    Course Public Health Practicum (Full time)
    Coordinating Unit Public Health
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact Full semester full time
    Assumed Knowledge Completion of requirements for Grad Dip Pub Hlth
    Course Description Students are required to undertake a project whilst placed or employed in an approved public health agency. Day-to-day supervision will be provided by the agency, and the project must address an issue of public health significance. A logbook of activity must be kept, and the assessment is on the basis of a written project report, oral presentation, logbook entries and the supervisor's report.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Tanya Wittwer

    Course Coordinator: Tanya Wittwer
    Phone: +61 8313 0594
    Email: tanya.wittwer@adelaide.edu.au
    Location: Level 7, 178 North Terrace

    Learning and Teaching Team
    Phone: +61 8313 2128
    Email: postgrad_enq@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
    1 Identify the roles of public health practitioners within the workplace
    2 Articulate their experience in applying public health skills and evidence based practice within the workplace
    3 Describe the functions of a specific agency and related professional groups, and the role of the public health practitioner within this context
    4 Effectively communicate their increased knowledge of a specific area of public health practice, gained through the negotiation, development and implementation of an appropriate work-based project
    5 Demonstrate enhanced skills in communicating concisely and effectively in formats appropriate to the workplace
    6 Demonstrate the development of the non-technical skills and knowledge required for effective participation in the workplace
    7 Reflect on their practice with a view to life-long honing of workplace interpersonal skills, articulation of professional skills and the active pursuit of professional development
    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. 2-7
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 4-7
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 5-7
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 4-6
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 7
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 1, 3, 4, 6, 7
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course provides the opportunity for individually negotiated work integrated learning. In consultation with the course coordinator, the student locates a suitable workplace and supervisor, and negotiates a learning agreement regarding the placement and a proposal regarding a specific project of value to the workplace, to be undertaken during the placement.
    Workload

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

    The practicum is the equivalent of two 3-unit courses, with a commitment of around 24 hours per week (or part-time equivalent). Attendance at the work place for two to three days per week is expected, with additional research, reading and preparation of reports as required under the learning agreement and project proposal. The full-time practicum may be compressed to allow full time attendance at the workplace if this better suits the student and the workplace. Part-time enrolment allows for a longer placement of fewer hours per week.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Topic Description
    1 Orientation Orientation to the organisation
    Explanation of work policies, procedures and expectations
    Access to resources such as a computer workstation
    2 Learning agreement Time and attendance requirements to which the students will be held accountable
    Specific skills to be developed or knowledge to be gained
    Opportunities for involvement in a diverse range of organisational activities related to public health
    Proposed dates for meetings to discuss progress and ensure expectations of all parties are being met 
    3 Project proposal Selection of a project of value to the organisation, suitable to the skills and anticipated development of the student
    Methodology, timelines, resources required and available (including consultants)
    4 Project implementation According to the specific requirements of the project, and in ongoing consultation with workplace supervisor and course coordinator
    5 Oral presentation of project results Select an appropriate audience that maximises the value of the project
    Make necessary arrangements Design and deliver the presentation
    6 Project report Select a format that maximises value of the project
    Ensure necessary resources are available Complete according to negotiated timelines
    Specific Course Requirements
    Student must have the University’s insurance form signed by workplace supervisor and Head of School prior to starting placement and lodge the Learning Agreement (see Handbook) within two weeks are starting the placement. Some workplaces may have specific requirements to be met before placement, for example a police check or OHS&W online course.
  • 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 Task Type Weighting Learning Outcome
    Project proposal Formative N/A 1-7
    Journal Summative 10% 1-3, 6, 7
    Oral presentation Summative 15% 4-6
    Learning agreement / Workplace supervisor feedback Summative 15% 1-7
    Project report Summative 60% 1-7
    Assessment Detail
    Journal
    The journal documents progress towards fulfilment of the learning agreement, including documenting activities undertaken, problems encountered and skills developed, in addition to reflection on the role of the public health practitioner in the specific context, and self-reflection regarding the learning that is occurring and future professional development requirements.

    Oral presentation

    A brief (15 minute) presentation regarding the results of the workplace project shall be delivered to an appropriate audience: this may be a group within the workplace, a public health (or other) conference, or a group of peers and academics at the University.

    Learning agreement/Workplace supervisor report

    The learning agreement is individually designed for the perceived learning needs of the student, and the potential provided by the placement, following the guidelines in the Handbook, and signed by the student, workplace supervisor and course coordinator. The workplace supervisor will discuss progress with the student at least once around the midpoint of the placement, and complete the supervisor’s report in consultation with the student.

    Project report

    The project report may be presented in standard format as per the Handbook (Title page, Executive Summary, Introduction, Background/Literature Review, Methodology, Results, Discussion, Conclusion/Recommendations) or in another format as appropriate to the topic and the workplace (eg training manual, journal article, literature review, website). There is no formal word limit, but the output from the practicum – including the project report – must be in line with a 6 unit postgraduate course. If a standard format is followed, the expectation would be of 8 – 10,000 words.
    Submission
    The logbook and project report should be submitted directly to the course coordinator by email, in pdf, Word or other standard format, or, if in hard copy, to the administrative officer. The placement supervisor should email their report to the 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.

    High Distinction Distinction Credit Pass Fail
    General description Outstanding or exceptional work in terms of understanding, interpretation and presentation A very high standard of work which demonstrates originality and insight Demonstrates a high level of understanding and presentation and a degree of originality and insight Satisfies the minimum requirements Fails to satisfy the minimum requirements
    Reading Strong evidence of independent reading beyond core texts and materials Evidence of reading beyond core texts and materials Thorough understanding of core texts and materials Evidence of having read
    core texts and materials
    Very little evidence of
    having read any of the core texts and materials
    Knowledge of topic Demonstrates insight, awareness and understanding of deeper and more subtle aspects of the topic. Ability to consider topic in the broader context of the discipline Evidence of an awareness and understanding of deeper and more subtle aspects of the topic Sound knowledge of principles and concepts Knowledge of principles and concepts at least adequate to communicate intelligently in the topic and to serve as a basis for further study Scant knowledge of principles and concepts
    Articulation of argument Demonstrates imagination or flair. Demonstrates originality and independent thought Evidence of imagination or flair. Evidence of originality and independent thought Well-reasoned argument based on broad evidence Sound argument based on evidence Very little evidence of
    ability to construct coherent argument
    Analytical and evaluative skills Highly developed analytical and evaluative skills Clear evidence of analytical and evaluative skills Evidence of analytical and evaluative skills Some evidence of analytical and evaluative skills Very little evidence of
    analytical and evaluative skills
    Problem solving Ability to solve very challenging problems Ability to solve non-routine problems Ability to use and apply fundamental concepts and skills Adequate problem-solving skills Very little evidence of problem-solving skills
    Expression and presentation appropriate to the discipline Highly developed skills in expression and presentation. Well developed skills in expression and presentation. Good skills in expression and presentation. Accurate and consistent acknowledgement of sources. Adequate skills in expression and presentation Rudimentary skills in expression and presentation. Inaccurate and inconsistent acknowledgement of sources.

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

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    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.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.