Public Health

Public Health draws on knowledge and practice from a number of disciplines and this degree is no different. The course is built around three interconnected streams of knowledge:

1. Theoretical concepts where students are exposed to the underlying key theories which inform health and health policy and practice;
2. Practical concepts where students are provided with the skills and knowledge to apply, implement and evaluate of public health interventions;
3. Populations and public health where learners are provided with the skills and knowledge to understand and react to the needs of populations at a local, national and global level.

Year one
This year will provide an introduction to the history of and research methods in public health as well as looking at contemporary health policy and practice. There will also be a focus on the sociology of health, as well as an introduction to both epidemiology and human biology.

Year two
You’ll build on your knowledge and skills in the second year as you learn more about the ethics and philosophy surrounding public health. You’ll discover more advanced research methods and discuss key issues in environment and occupational health. Taking a global outlook will allow you to examine global healthcare systems and health economics while broadening your scientific basis by studying microbiology and learning about communicable diseases.

Year three
You’ll begin to specialise and go deeper into public health topics, as well as completing a dissertation. You’ll look at substance use and nutrition, ageing and life cycles. From a policy point of view, you’ll learn about environmental management, community engagement practices and contemporary global public health issues. Finally you’ll extend your knowledge of public health informatics and the monitoring and evaluation of health programmes.

You will be assessed using a variety of approaches including:

• Essays
• Reports
• Presentations
• Portfolios
• Briefing papers
• Examinations

The course will be delivered using a range of approaches including lectures, seminars, workshops, guest speakers, field trips and possible short work placements. You’ll also be able to complete practical work in the laboratory with technicians and tutors, and work with data in the computer lab.

There will be opportunities for students to engage in work placements and to volunteer in a community setting.

We hope to be able to offer some study abroad for Year 2 students when permitted.

There will be a number of field trips to relevant public health organizations and in local authority public and environmental health departments.

After completing this degree, you could work in the following fields:

• Environmental scientist
• Biosecurity specialist
• Public health manager
• Epidemiologist
• Child health specialist
• Health promotion specialist
• Health informatics specialist

This optional placement year provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.

By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.

Before your Professional Placement Year, you'll work to secure your placement, constructing a development plan with your module leader and your placement coordinator from our Careers and Employability team.

On your return to University for your final year, you'll submit your Placement Portfolio, detailing your development on your placement.

The BSc Public Health course is taught at our Newton Park campus.

All modules can be found on our Virtual Learning Environment, Minerva, providing unlimited online access to learning materials such as handbooks, lecture slides, assessment information, discussion boards and other resources.

Our library gives you access to books, academic journals and DVDs and an extensive range of electronic services. It also provides a place for individual study and collaborative work.