PUB HLTH 7122A - MPH Dissertation P/T Part 1

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 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.

Open All

Course Details

Course Code	PUB HLTH 7122A
Course	MPH Dissertation P/T Part 1
Coordinating Unit	Public Health
Term	Semester 2
Level	Postgraduate Coursework
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Prerequisites	Completion of MPH coursework
Restrictions	Available to MPH students only
Assessment	Dissertation

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: 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 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 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 enrolment.
2	Ethics application	If applicable, to be lodged as soon as practical, preferably 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

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

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
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:

NOG (No Grade Associated)
Grade	Description
CN	Continuing

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 .

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
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
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鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

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

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator

成人大片