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Public Health and Health Promotion
Bachelor of Science (Honours)
Course Details
Course Code | SG_SPUBL_K08 |
---|---|
Level | 8 |
Duration | 1 Year |
Credits | 60 |
Method of Delivery | On-campus |
Campus Locations | Sligo |
Mode of Delivery | Full Time |
Course Overview
This innovative and practically-driven degree aims to equip students with a variety of skills to improve your knowledge and competencies in promoting health amongst specialised and applied health areas and populations. Students are also supported in developing their understanding of health and its determinants and how to promote and protect population health.
Perhaps you are already working in the health, education or community sector and wish to develop key competencies that will enhance your career and employment opportunities. Developing your learning and understanding of this broad field is achieved by you, the student, through completion of practical and creative tasks with the support of lecturing and technical staff. You will undertake a work placement period at the end of the final semester for at least 12 weeks, obtaining the opportunity to put the skills and theory studied into practice.
Key Skills:
This exciting programme aims to equip students with a wide variety of core competencies necessary for working in health-related positions, including skills to:
Facilitate groups appropriately and effectively
Plan, implement and evaluate health campaigns and health promotion programmes
Communicate clear health messages to a variety of audiences
Perform statistical analysis on health-related data
Engage in innovative practical projects within the community
Work with a variety of population groups in a number of key settings
Critically appraise literature and research
Critically reflect on your practice and devise strategies for professional development
Develop health resources for various target populations
Appraise public policy and develop policies to promote population health
Develop links with potential employers
Course Details
Year 1
Semester | Module Details | Credits | Mandatory / Elective |
---|---|---|---|
1 |
Health Promotion CompetenciesThis module aims to give students experience in developing their competencies for health promotion action using the International Union of Health Promotion Competencies framework. Students will engage with the competencies through professional development planning, concrete experience in volunteering, interviewing practitioners in the field and conducting a situational assessment. The model will emphasise the importance of reflective practice and identification of ongoing professional development. Learning Outcomes 1. Reflect on their competencies using the IUHPE competencies in health promotion framework 2. Create a professional development plan which identifies specific actions which the students will undertake to strengthen his/hercompetencies in health promotion. 3. Conduct a situational assessment which shows key skills in group work, research, planning, partnership, leadership and communication. 4. Analyze how a health promotion practitioner uses various competenciesin their role. |
05 | Mandatory |
1 |
Facilitation and Group Work Skills IIThis module develops the learners' knowledge, skills and competences in Facilitation as applied in Public Health and Health Promotion. The module explores themes in the methodologies applied, the role of the facilitator, co-facilitation, decision making, feedback, adult learning styles, conflict and equality. Learning Outcomes 1. Demonstrate an understanding of group processes and the importance of reflective learning in successful group work through their participation in group discussions and tasks. 3. Negotiate appropriate boundaries for themselves in the role of facilitator and be able to recognise the signs of conflict within a group and identify the role of the facilitator in working with conflict in groups. |
05 | Mandatory |
1 |
Applied EpidemiologyIn this module the student will develop a comprehensive knowledge of modern epidemiology. Learners will develop specific skills in epidemiological study design and the appraisal of these studies, as well as associated skills in the design of fact sheets on the epidemiology of infectious and non-infectious diseases. Students will also address ethical issues. Learning Outcomes 1. Source epidemiological information from various data sources. 2. Prepare written and oral reports and presentations that communicate recent epidemiological study findings to professional audiences, policy makers and general public. |
05 | Mandatory |
1 |
Topics in Health PromotionThis module focuses on core topics that impact on one's health both positively and negatively. During this module students will gain a detailed knowledge and understanding of core health practices and the impact they have on health. Learning Outcomes 1. Demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding of the concepts, principles and theories of health promotion with specific reference to topics affecting health. |
05 | Mandatory |
1 |
Applied Statistics in Public HealthThis course introduces the student to advanced statistical techniques for analysing data in the Public Health and Health Promotion fields. It provides the students with the ability to apply appropriate statistical techniques to data sets gathered during project work and also to comment on and rate techniques used in existing studies. Learning Outcomes 1. Demonstrate the application of advanced statistical techniques in the analysis of population health data. |
05 | Mandatory |
1 |
Promoting Health in Specific Population GroupsDuring this module students will gain a detailed knowledge of the importance of utilising a population based approach for targeting health, health promotion and wellness initiatives. The student will demonstrate mastery in developing appropriate methods and strategies for targeting various sub-population groups in society. Learning Outcomes 1. Demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding of the concepts, models, principles and theories of health promotion with reference to specific population groups. |
05 | Elective |
1 |
Personal TrainingLearners will further enhance their knowledge and practical skills to design, implement and evaluate exercise / physical activity programmes through collecting and analysing client information to ensure the safety and effectiveness of personal exercise programmes. The student will develop theoretical knowledge in advanced exercise physiology and sports specific training methods, and practical skills to design a 12 week tailored exercise programme for a client and deliver 6 weeks of this programme during the semester. Exercise programme monitoring and evaluation skills will be applied to make appropriate adaptations and progressions to programmes being rolled out during 'personal training practice'. Leadership qualities, communication skills and motivation strategies required to encourage and empower individuals to adopt and self-sustain regular exercise / physical activity programmes underpin practical exercise programming. Learning Outcomes 1. Critically evaluate the acute and chronic physiological implications of various training and recovery strategies. 2. Apply relevant cognitive-behavioural and psychological theoryto conduct an exercise consultation with clients and conduct, record and interpret appropriatehealth & fitness evaluations as part of the process of need analysis, goal-setting and pre-programme planning. 3. Plan safe, evidence-based exercise programmes for a variety of clients demonstrating ability to rationalise specific programming decisions. 4. Deliver personal training to safely and effectively lead exercise sessions targeting various physiological aims, demonstrating the knowledge and ability to operate various methods of exercise monitoring and skills for client correction and motivation. 5. Adapt and progress programmes appropriately based on objective indices of programme evaluation and client feedback. |
05 | Elective |
1 |
Settings in Health Promotion PracticeThe learner at the end of this module will have developed a comprehensive and evidence based knowledge of the 'settings based approach' SBA used within the fields of health, health promotion and public health practice. Learning Outcomes 1. Demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding of the concepts, principles and theories of a settings’ based approach in health promotion. |
05 | Mandatory |
2 |
Health Project ManagementThis module provides learners with an opportunity to implement a health promotion project and evaluate the project. This module follows on from the Health Promotion Competencies module and students will develop, implement and evaluate a project based on their situational assessment conducted the previous semester. This module aims to give learners the skills to effectively plan and manage health promotion projects in a community or organisational setting. Students will gain experience in applying evidence based strategies for a particular target group and planning and implementing an appropriate health promotion project using a project management approach. Students will be assisted in workshops in developing plans and reviewing the implementation and evaluation of these plans. Students will be encouraged to support and give advice to each other in the implementation of their plans. Students will reflect on their competencies and develop a professional development portfolio of these competencies. Students will volunteer with an appropriate community/voluntary organisation and reflect on the skills that they have developed. Learning Outcomes 1. Critically reflect on the development of their skills and abilities in the implementation and evaluation of a project. 2. Implement and evaluate project plans which include appropriate health promotion strategies are collaborative, realistic and appropriate in relation to resources and time using appropriate project management and evaluation tools. 4. Appreciate how effective group work and administration contribute to the delivery of quality projects. |
05 | Mandatory |
2 |
Qualitative Research MethodologiesThis module will focus on current research in the health promotion public health field. It will build on the knowledge acquired in Research Methods 1 & 2 and seek to develop skills in qualitative research methods. Students will be introduced to different paradigms in research and a variety of approaches to qualitative research. Students will be given opportunities to develop research questions suited to qualitative research. Students will be introduced to using focus groups in qualitative research and will design and moderation focus groups, analyse data using thematic analysis and report their findings. Learning Outcomes 1. Identify appropriate research methodologies for a given research question. 3. Analyse data from a focus group using thematic analysis and present their findings. 4. Be able to appraise a qualitative research paper or report. |
05 | Mandatory |
2 |
Global Issues in Public HealthThis module introduces students global health in the current, social, political and environmental context, and aims to develop improved skills in critical thinking on the global level determinants of health and global governance for health. Learning Outcomes 1. Report on the currentGlobal Burden of Disease and critically appraise the literature & current policy on select issues in global health 2. Demonstrate awareness of the complex determinants of health in the current global context: social, political, &environmental. 3. Review global level action (governance) for health and identify theimplications for Irish stakeholders and communities. 4. Apply understanding of concepts of health equity, social justice and health as a human right to the analysis of select issues in global public health. |
05 | Mandatory |
2 |
Work PlacementThe 10 week full-time work placement is also preceded by a classroom-based preparatory training block, where students experience a range of activities designed to develop skills and confidence for the workplace. The entire module affords students opportunities to execute and develop key skills and competencies in health promotion and public health practice, to facilitate learners to secure work in the area. The module also serves to establish the foundations of a network of contacts in the public health and health promotion arena, and develop the students confidence, autonomy and professional competence for a work environment. Learning Outcomes 1. Self represent personal and professional skills and competencies through compilation of a CV, job application or interview, and identify strengths and weaknesses in personal work performance through reflective practice 2. Exhibit workplace specific knowledge and skills in the areas of proposal and report writing and maintain detailed records of work placement activity, reflecting on practice. 3. Demonstrate a professional attitude at workshowing a willingness to seek out opportunities and deliver work to a standard commensurate with employer expectations and student experience 4. Operate professionally and constructively within a multidisciplinary team environment, cooperating with others and actively contributing to real work situations within allocated responsibility, demonstrating competence, ownership and autonomy in applied learning. 5. Apply basic practical skills to the work environment demonstrating competence, creativity and an appreciation for relevant organisational policies and procedure. 6. Demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills to integrate into the organisation, and form the foundations of a network of professional contacts and recognise future career opportunities. |
10 | Mandatory |
Progression
Suitably qualified graduates will be able to progress on to a level 9 Masters of Science in a related area.
Download a prospectus
Entry Requirements
Applicants with a level 7 qualification in a cognate area are eligible.
Garda vetting:
You should note that all entrants to this course will be required to undergo vetting by the Garda Siochna. If you have a criminal conviction in Ireland or elsewhere, this may adversely impact on your ability to undertake a professional placement or to secure employment in the field of early childhood care and education.
Vaccination requirement:
Hepatitis B vaccination will be required for work placement.
Careers
Graduates have progressed to work with a variety of organisations, including statutory, voluntary and community bodies. Job titles have included the following:
Youth Health Promotion Officer
Sports Development Co-Ordinator
Drug and Alcohol Education Worker
Schools Health Promotion Officer
Community Development Worker
Health Promotion Officer for People with Disabilities
Health Promotion OfficerHealth Promotion Officer in Voluntary and Community Organisations
Research Officer
Further Information
Contact Information
Admissions:
Contact Number: 071-9318510
Email: admissions@itsligo.ie
Health & Nutritional Sciences