UNIVERSITY QUALITY COMMITTEE
LIFE SCIENCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES STANDING PANEL 1999/2000
CONFIRMED
Academic Approval Record (Reference 1052)
Recommendation to University Quality Committee
The Standing Panel was asked to Validatethe new Award of MSc in Public Health for the School of Health Sciences and is pleased to recommend to University Quality Committee approval of the following provision: -
The new Award of MSc in Public Health with the interim awards of Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma to be delivered in part-time mode of study only.
In support of this recommendation, the Standing Panel provides the following report of its considerations, and is aware that the recommendation remains provisional until received, considered and ratified by the University Quality Committee.
Summary of proposal
CD/AD Reference No: 915
New Award Title: MSc in Public Health
New Interim Award Titles: Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Mode of Study: Part-time route only
Existing Subject Title: Health New/Existing Collaborative Link(s): Not applicable Nature of Collaborative Link: Not applicable New modules for validation:
HL4054 Contemporary Issues in Public Health Level 4 15 credits HL4055 Assessment of Health and Social Needs Level 4 15 credits HL4056 Analytical Techniques for Public Health Level 4 15 credits
HL4057 Epidemiology Level 4 15 credits
Existing modules:
HL4005 Masters Dissertation Level 4 60 credits HL4034 Critical Appraisal of Research Level 4 15 credits
HL4053 Health Economics Level 4 15 credits
HL4003 Advanced Issues in Health Promotion Level 4 15 credits HL4029 Human Health and the Environment Level 4 15 credits HL4030 Advanced Transcultural Issues Level 4 15 credits HL3044 Public Health Commissioning & Contracting Level 4 15 credits HL3045 Perspectives in Public Health Level 4 15 credits
Modules to be deleted: Not applicable Date of Review
The first review of the MSc in Public Health is scheduled to take place by the end of the 2004/2005 academic year.
Details of Panel and Participants
Standing Panel: Life Sciences and Environmental Sciences
Academic Year: 1999/2000 Chair: Dr Andrew Cooper, HLSS Officer: Mrs Cathy Shaw
Standing Panel Membership:
Dr Andrew Cooper, HLSS (Chair) Dr Daron Fincham, SAS Mr David Bainbridge, SAD (Deputy Chair) Mrs Viv Wilkins, Registry
Mrs Tricia Cooper, SAD Dr Roger Dackombe, SAS
Mrs Wendy Bastable, Learning Resources Dr Geoff Lewis, SEBE Dr Jonathan Phillips, SHS Dr Maureen McDonald, SHS Mrs Cathy Shaw, QSU (Officer)
Subject/Award Team Representatives: Ms Deborah Richardson, Award Leader & Key Proposer
Mrs Anne Robotham, Key Proposer
Dr Ruth Wain, Director of the Centre of Health Practice, Research &
Development
Professional Body: Faculty of Public Health Medicine
(Accreditation not sought – upon completion of the Award graduates may sit the Faculty exam)
Independent External Adviser:
Ms Debbi Stanistreet, MSc Public Health Course Director, University of Liverpool Mr Tim Marshall, Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Health & Epidemiology, University of Birmingham
Summary of process:
16th December 1999 Standing Panel meeting with Presenting Team
18th January 2000 Standing Panel meeting to discuss response from Key Proposer to Standing Panel request for additional information and comments from Externals.
14th March 2000 Standing Panel meeting with the Presenting Team to discuss comments from Externals and to close out issues.
Documentation: Submission Document
Module Validation Templates
Award Handbook
Staff CVs
Proposal Plan
QAA Self-Assessment for Other Subjects Allied to Medicine (Biomedical Science and Health)
Adequacy of Documentation:
All documentation met requirements as laid-out by the Standing Panel and were thorough and comprehensive.
Attachments:
Appendix 1: Notes of 16th December 1999 meeting Notes of 18th January 2000 meeting Notes of 14th March 2000 meeting
Appendix 2: Comments received by correspondence from Mr Tim Marshall. Appendix 3: Comments received by correspondence from Ms Debbie Stanistreet.
1. Background to the Proposal
Over the twelve years following the formation of the School, the Health Division’s work has been principally in the area of education and development of community health care professionals. This proposed new course will provide a broader stance than the traditional Masters in Public Health courses but seeks to offer the traditional scientific rigor through epidemiology, statistics and information systems, and Health Informatics. The remainder of the programme covers a range of topic areas seen regularly within a social model of health, and in line with the Government’s proposals for change with the NHS and Public Health. It is also devised to enhance and develop the working practice of health care professionals employed both within and outside the National Health Service (NHS).
In 1997/8, the Health Division developed the first undergraduate BSc Public Health award in England and considerable interest was focused on the social model of health upon which the programme was based. Publicity for this award attracted enquiries for a masters award in Public Health. There is already a well-supported Masters in Public Health at the University of Birmingham and there is no intention of duplicating this award but the Award Team wish to provide a different approach to public health using a social model as a basis, which is particularly attractive to professional health care workers in the professions allied to medicine. Within the programme there will still be sufficient epidemiology and statistical input to allow students to sit for the part 1 (or diploma for nurses, health promotion and other Professions Allied to Medicine, professionals) exam for the Faculty of Public Health Medicine.
There is good evidence of a varied market for this programme that is intended to appeal to Public Health professionals by responding to career development needs. Developing relationships with National Health Departments and local government Public Health Services is seen as an important part of a marketing and recruitment strategy for the proposal. The Award has been developed with the collaboration between the Health
Division and the Centre for Health Practice, Research and Development, SNM and SHS and is to be delivered in part-time mode only.
2. Collaborative Arrangements
Not applicable
3. Professional Body Involvement
There is no formal arrangement established with the Faculty of Public Health Medicine. The programme has been developed using the requirements of this body as a basis and the Award will equip the students to sit the part 1 exam for associate membership to the Faculty of Public Health Medicine if they wish to do so.
4. Aims and Outcomes
Aims and outcomes are related to the intended Learning Outcomes for the provision. Extensive clarification provided by the Presenting Team has clarified the rationale and philosophy of the programme.
5. Curriculum Design, Content and Organisation
The range of modules offered is appropriate. The emphasis on the social model of Public Health is important in reflecting the multi-disciplinary approach to Public Health. The combination of core and option modules matches the aims and outcomes of the programme.
6. Teaching, Learning and Assessment
There is a range of teaching methods and assessment appropriate to aims and outcomes. Assessed strategies are varied and complementary between modules. Given the nature of the students undertaking this course, the Award Team consider it important to recognise the knowledge and experience that each will bring with them.
7. Student Support and Guidance
Appropriate arrangements at Award and School level are in place.
8. Learning Resources
The collaboration with the Centre for Health Practice, Research and Development and the establishment of a Public Health Observatory undertaken by the School will provide additional support for student learning within this proposed programme.
9. Quality Management and Enhancement
1. The appointment of an Award Team, lead by the Award Leader to oversee the management of the Award.
2. Modules to be received at the Health Subject Assessment Board. 3. A new External Examiner to be appointment for this Award.
4. Annual Monitoring Report to be written by Award Leader and submitted to the SHS SQC.
5. All students to receive the University’s Module Evaluation Form for each module and an analysis of these to be included in the Award’s Annual Monitoring Report.
10. Issues for further consideration or ongoing monitoring 10.1 Award Team:
1. To monitor the effectiveness of arrangements for collaboration with Public Health Departments in allowing students access for work on dissertations.
2. To continue to review and update curriculum content to ensure its currency and ability of the programme to meet the needs of the sector.
10.2 Dean of School and Award Leader:
1. Staffing of epidemiology and levels of staff expertise in statistical work needs to be maintained as discussed with the Presenting Team.
11. Identification of good practice
The Standing Panel wishes to recognise the following as items of good practice:
1. The collaborative nature of the proposal with the Centre of Health Practice, Research and Development. 2. Response to local career development needs
12. Identification of issues that have institutional implications
The Standing Panel recognise the difficulties that may arise if the currently identified small staff base for the delivery of this new masters award is not maintained along with the necessary inclusion of Subject Specialists.
