Unit Outline
CAM726
Public Health: Theory to Practice
Semester 1, 2024
Stacey van Dongen
Tasmanian School of Medicine
College of Health and Medicine
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B

Unit Coordinator
Stacey van Dongen
Email: Stacey.vanDongen@utas.edu.au
 

What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
Students propose and complete a public health practice project through which they apply cognate discipline knowledge, problem-solving capability, and applied research skills to develop recommendations for a contemporary public health topic proposed by local partnerships. The unit is designed to not only consolidate knowledge and skills but to integrate theory and practice in an authentic and contextualised learning experience. The emphasis on stakeholder engagement, presentation and communication of findings is intended to create a translational experience to a ‘real-world’ public health organisational context.
Intended Learning Outcomes
As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.
On completion of this unit, you will be able to:
1.
Identify public health evidence, appraise and synthesise this evidence to inform decision-making on a contemporary public health topic.
2.
Plan and undertake a public health practice project.
3.
Engage with ‘real world’ stakeholders and contextualise the output within contemporary public health practice.
4.
Communicate findings from analysis of a significant piece of scholarly work through public dissemination.
Requisites
REQUISITE TYPE
REQUISITES
Concurrent Pre-requisite
(CAM638 OR CAM628) AND CAM530
Alterations as a result of student feedback
Nil
 
 

Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
On Campus
Workshop
Facilitated shared learning
3
Once only (9 times)
Other
Supervision meetings
1
Once only (3 times)
Independent Learning
Independent project activity
12
Weekly
Online
Workshop (Online)
Facilitated shared learning
3
Once only (9 times)
Individual Study
Supervision meetings
1
Once only (3 times)
Independent Learning
Independent project activity
12
Weekly
Attendance / engagement expectations
If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.
 
It is expected you will have completed your first meeting with the sector stakeholder at least one week prior to the start of semester (Week 1).
 
 

How will I be Assessed?
 
For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.
Assessment schedule
ASSESSMENT TASK #
ASSESSMENT TASK NAME
DATE DUE
WEIGHT
LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:
Project Proposal
Week 5
30 %
LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:
Project Report
Week 12
50 %
LO1, LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 3:
Final Presentation
Week 14
20 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
 
Assessment details
    
Assessment Task 1: Project Proposal
Task Description:
Develop a detailed proposal for a public health project on a contemporary public health topic having undertaken stakeholder engagement if appropriate. The proposal should include an introduction, aims, objectives, justification of the initiative, synthesis of relevant literature and program logic model.

Task Length:
Up to 3000 words
Due Date:
Week 5
Weight:
30 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Clarity of scope and rationale for the project choice
LO1, LO2, LO3
2
Synthesis of literature and evidence in relation to project aims and context
LO1, LO2, LO3
3
Rationale for choice of theoretical/ methodological approach and identification of ethical aspects of the project
LO1, LO2, LO3
 
Assessment Task 2: Project Report
Task Description:
Report which provides an overall summary of the public health practice project undertaken, including goals, objectives, a review of relevant evidence- base literature, outline of methodology, data gathered, analysis and discussion of the findings, conclusions and recommendations for public health practice. The expectation is of a written report or alternative format as approved by unit coordinator.

Task Length:
Up to 5000 words or equivalent
Due Date:
Week 12
Weight:
50 %
 
 

CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Application of theory and evidence to public health context
LO1, LO2, LO4
2
Analysis and presentation of data/ information/ findings
LO1, LO2, LO4
3
Arguments/ recommendations consistent with findings
LO1, LO2, LO4
4
Compliance with academic writing conventions and referencing
LO1, LO2, LO4
 
Assessment Task 3: Final Presentation
Task Description:
Students will be expected to communicate their findings and recommendations in a public presentation.

Task Length:
30 Minutes presentation
Due Date:
Week 14
Weight:
20 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Clear and logical presentation of findings and recommendations
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2
Communication appropriate to audience and purpose
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
3
Compliance with writing conventions and referencing
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
 
 
 

How your final result is determined
To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.
 
Submission of assignments
Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.
 
Requests for extensions
If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.
 
A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.
 
The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.
Late penalties
Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.
 
Review of results and appeals
You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.
 
 
 

Required Resources
Required reading materials
Required readings and other resources will be provided through MyLO.
 
Recommended reading materials
You can access the reading list for this unit from the link in MyLO or by going directly to the reading lists page on the University Library website.
 
Other required resources