HEALTH SCIENCES | 2010 Undergraduate Catalogue of Courses

HEALTH SCIENCES

NOTE FOR LEVEL 4 COURSES FORMING PART OF THE BSc HEALTH SCIENCES HONOURS PROGRAMME IN SOCIOLOGY (THE PRESCRIPTIONS WHICH APPEARS IN THE UNIVERSITY CALENDAR) SEE UNDER 'SOCIOLOGY'.

Level 1

HE 1003 - FOUNDATIONS OF HEALTH

Credit Points: 15
Course Coordinator: Dr F Marshall

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Overview

Coverage of the main deteminants of health, in detail:- social and cultural determinants of health (including social class, gender, ethnicity, age); biological determinants of health (including stress, genetics, nutrition); environmental determinants of health (physical and social).

The following topics will be introduced:- epidemiology, health promotion, the impact of politics on health, health in the developing world.

Structure

2 one-hour lectures per week, one self directed exercise per week, 1 one-hour tutorial every 2 weeks.

Assessment

1st Attempt: In course assessment (1500 word essay) (30%), 90 minute written examination (70%).

Resit: 90 minute written exam (100%).

Formative Assessment

The essay will have a formative element in that detailed, individual feedback will be provided for each student, in an attempt to improve their scientific writing skills.

Each tutorial group will produce a group presentation - allowing the students to develop team working and presentation skills.

Feedback

Individual, written feedback on the essay. Course coordinator will give individual feedback on written exam if this is requested by a student.

Level 2

HE 2501 - ELEMENTARY STATISTICS FOR HEALTH RESEARCH

Credit Points: 20
Course Coordinator: Ms S Fielding

Pre-requisites

HE 1002

Co-requisites

Working knowledge of the computer and web navigation skills.

Notes

Only available to second year students and above. This course is not available to those who have attended ST1505.

Overview

This course includes the following topics: descriptive statistics; measures of central tendency and dispersion; probability; probability distributions including normal, binomial, chi and student's t-distributions; sampling distributions; estimation using confidence intervals; hypothesis testing including the one sample t-test, independent samples t-test, paired samples t-test, chi-squared tests; correlation. The statistical software package SPSS will be used.

Structure

This is a WebCT based course with four face-to-face lectures, three SPSS practical sessions and a number of self-study weeks with all materials available through WebCT. The emphasis is on student-led learning.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (30%); 1 two-hour computer practical (30%); continuous assessment (30%), online assessment (10%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (70%); 1 two-hour computer practical (30%).

HE 2502 - ELEMENTARY STATISTICS FOR HEALTH RESEARCH

Credit Points: 15
Course Coordinator: Dr S Fielding

Pre-requisites

HE 1003 Foundations of Health

Co-requisites

Working knowledge of the computer, web navigation skills and WebCT.

Notes

Only available to second year students.

Not available to those students who have previously been registered for ST 1506 (Understanding Data).

Overview

This course includes the following topics:
Descriptive statistics
Measures of central tendency and dispersion
Basic probability
Probability distributions including binomial, normal distribution, student-t distribution, chi-square distribution
Estimation using confidence intervals
Hypothesis testing including independent t-test, paired t-test, ANOVA, correlation and chi-squared tests

Structure

The course is WebCT based with a number of supplementary teaching sessions:
4 one-hour face-to-face lectures
Three SPSS practical sessions (1 two-hour, 2 one-hour)
2 one-hour tutorial sessions

Additional material available through WebCT, including multiple choice quizzes to allow students to self-test their learning/knowledge.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (60%).
Continuous assessment (30%) - One MCQ and two short answer assignments.
Online particpation through WebCT quizzes (10%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (100%).

Formative Assessment

The use of a number of multiple choice quizzes through WebCT will do this. Students are allowed as many attempts as they like and receive feedback for their answers. The marks do not count towards credits other than if they undertake all the quizzes, this goes towards their mark for online particpation.

Feedback

The WebCT quizzes have been set up so if a student answers incorrectly they are told why it is wrong and how to answer correctly.

Individual feedback will be provided for each student following submission of the assignments involved in continuous assessment. A full solution will be given alongside specific comments tailored to each student.

HE 2503 - INTRODUCTION TO SCIENCE COMMUNICATION

Credit Points: 15
Course Coordinator: Dr A Schofield

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Notes

A Disclosure (Scotland) check for all students will be required for participation in outreach activities.

Overview

Science communication is a two-way process. This course will examine the intricate relationship between scientists and the public, both past and present.

The birth and evolution of science communication - why bother?
Public perception of science and scientists.
The role of the media in promoting science (and condemning it).
Science's moral and financial obligation to the public.
Examination of the skills required to deliver effective science communication.
Introduction to different types of communication media, how they work and their advantages and disadvantages.
How to plan, co-ordinate and carry out a science communication project.
Who is your audience? Identifying and tailoring communication activities to the audiences' knowledge and age level.
The benefits of science communication to students' Personal Development Programmes.

Structure

1 two-hour workshop and 1 one-hour lecture a week, spread out evenly over the course.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written exam (25%), continuous assessment (75%). Continuous assessment consists of writing a newspaper article, a poster presentation, a museum critique, a science presentation and participation in at least one science event during National Science and Engineering Week.

Resit: 1 two-hour written exam (25%), continuous assessment (75%). Continuous assessment consists of writing a newspaper article, a poster presentation, a museum critique, a science presentation and participation in at least one science event during National Science and Engineering Week.

Formative Assessment

Through personal interaction and the use of PRS students will be able to assess and judge their own level of knowledge and understanding. The delivery of course content through interactive lecture sessions paired with workshops, exploring similar themes, will provide excellent opportunity to provide formative feedback throughout the course. Students will be assigned mentors (postgraduate research students) whose research will form the basis of the newspaper article and poster presentation. Mentors will provide informal feedback to the students with regard to their understanding of their research work.

Feedback

Formative feedback based on discussions and interaction during lectures and workshops will be provided verbally to students. Mentors (postgraduate research students) will also be encouraged to provide verbal formative feedback to the students. Feedback on summative assessments will be delivered using appropriate assessment sheets within the time-frame in line with the University's guidelines on assessment.

Level 3

HE 3010 - INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH

Credit Points: 20
Course Coordinator: Dr M Porter

Pre-requisites

At least 200 credit points including 1st and 2nd year Health Science core courses or permission from Course Co-ordinator.

Notes

Available only to students in programme year 3 and above.

Overview

Literature review; research styles, formulating a research question; study design; sampling; interviewing; observation; questionnaire design; ethics in research; writing a research proposal; data collection and analysis; writing up research; uses of research and dissemination; theoretical approaches.

Structure

1 three-hour seminar per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: In-course assessment (100%).

HE 3016 - SOCIAL INFLUENCES ON HEALTH AND ILLNESS

Credit Points: 20
Course Coordinator: Dr M Porter

Pre-requisites

At least 200 credit points including 1st and 2nd year Health Science core courses or permission from Course Co-ordinator.

Overview

Social aspects (Health and illness in the context of social structure); cultural aspects (definition of reality in diagnosis and treatment); personal aspects (the experiences of sickness and of caring for a relative); political and economic aspects (health services and planning).

Structure

1 three-hour seminar per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (50%) and in-course assessment: 1 essay (50%).

HE 3017 - SOCIAL INFLUENCES ON HEALTH AND ILLNESS FOR SPORTS STUDIES

Credit Points: 30
Course Coordinator: Dr M Porter

Pre-requisites

Overview

Four major sociological areas will be covered in the course:

Inequality – an examination of the relationship of health to age, gender, race and socio-economic status;

Definitions of reality – in diagnosis and treatment of ill health. In particular stress and handicap will be considered;

Organisation of health care – different health care systems will be examined, and their effect on the health status of populations;

Power – an analysis of the position in society of both of health care systems and health care professionals.

Structure

1 three-hour seminar per week, and 3 one-hour tutorials per semester.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (50%); in-course assessment (40%) and oral presentation (10%).

HE 3019 - EPIDEMIOLOGY AND MEDICAL STATISTICS

Credit Points: 30
Course Coordinator: Dr D Pang (Epidemiology) Dr L Aucott (Medical Statistics)

Pre-requisites

At least 200 credit points including 1st and 2nd year Health Science core courses or permission from Course Co-ordinator.

Overview

Epidemiology & Demography: Basic concepts and terminology in epidemiology; introduction to demography; measuring and comparing the health of populations; routine sources of health data; incidence and prevalence; conducting epidemiological studies; association and causality; bias and confounding; interpreting epidemiological data.

Medical Statistics: Interpreting figures and tables; relative risk and odds ratio; statistical analysis of epidemiological studies; statistical inferences and hypothesis testing.

Structure

1 three-hour seminar per week plus statistical practicals.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (60%) and in-course assessment (40%).

HE 3508 - COMMUNITY HEALTH ATTACHMENT

Credit Points: 10
Course Coordinator: Dr F Marshall

Pre-requisites

At least 200 credit points including 1st and 2nd year Health Science core courses or permission from Course Co-ordinator.

Notes

Available only to students in programme year 3 or above.

Overview

Students will select an organisation for attachment; attend the organisation’s activities over 36 hours; write and present a report on the organisation.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Written report (50%) and presentation (50%).

HE 3514 - HEALTH PROMOTION

Credit Points: 20
Course Coordinator: Ms F Douglas

Pre-requisites

At least 200 credit points including 1st and 2nd year core courses.

Notes

Available only to students in programme year 3 or above.

Overview

Concepts of health and health promotion; identifying needs and priorities for health promotion; health education (models and approaches); lifestyle surveys and community analysis; prevention of coronary heart disease; screening (effectiveness); community participation; workshop; role of the mass media; smoking.

Structure

1 three-hour seminar per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 one and a half-hour written examination (50%) and in-course assessment (50%).

Level 4

HE 4008 - HUMAN NUTRITION

Credit Points: 60
Course Coordinator: Dr L Masson

Pre-requisites

360 credit points BI 20P2 or BI 25M1 or BI 25P2 , HE 3010, HE 3015, HE 3511, HE 3508 and HE 3514.

Overview

This is the taught component of an honours year in the BSc Health Sciences Programme and must be followed by HE 4502. Topics are: Foundation for Nutrition, Dietary Assessment, Nutrient Metabolism, Growth and Nutritional Status, Energy Balance and Diet and Health.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 2 two-hour examination (70%) and 6 continuous assessments (3 practical exercises, 2 essays and 1 literature assignment) (30%).

HE 4013 - HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH

Credit Points: 30
Course Coordinator: Dr F Marshall

Pre-requisites

Available only to candidates for Honours in Health Care.

Overview

Topics include: Formulating a research question; research designs for health care evaluation; sampling and sample size; criteria for evaluation; design of data collection instruments, data management, analysis and reporting the findings; qualitative approaches to health services research; systematic reviews and meta-analysis; critical appraisal of articles; getting research findings into practice; writing a research protocol.

Structure

One three-hour seminar per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: In-course assessment (60%) and written examination (40%).

HE 4015 - HEALTH ECONOMICS

Credit Points: 30
Course Coordinator: Dr V Watson

Pre-requisites

Available only to candidates for Honours in Health Care.

Overview

Topics will include: basic principles of opportunity cost; economic
definitions and approaches to assessing "need"; distinguishing between
different techniques of economic evaluation; how to measure the costs and
effects of health care inventions; concepts of marginal analysis,
discounting and sensitivity analysis; critical appraisal of articles on
economic evaluations of health care; the health behaviours of individuals;
the organisation and financing of health services; priority setting and
resource allocation; and equity in health and health care.

Structure

1 two-hour lecture/seminar per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: in-course assessment (50%) and 1 two-hour examination (50%).

HE 4502 - HONOURS PROJECT (HUMAN NUTRITION)

Credit Points: 60
Course Coordinator: Dr L Masson

Pre-requisites

HE4502. Available only to candidates for Honours in Human Nutrition in the BSc Health Sciences course.

Overview

A project which can be survey, laboratory, clinic or library-based, according to students’ individual interests.
Assessment by project report and oral examination. This comprises 50% of the Honours year project.

Assessment

Assessment will be by Project Report (90%) and Oral Presentation (10%).

HE 4503 - HEALTH SCIENCES RESEARCH PROJECT PART 1

Credit Points: 20
Course Coordinator: Dr M Porter

Pre-requisites

None

Notes

Open to part-time Honours students taking Health Care Option.

Overview

Under close supervision from a member of staff, students develop a research problem, which they will attempt to solve with the collection and analysis of original data. Students formulate their research problem, review the relevant literature and formulate their research strategy, with an appropriate defence of the techniques/methods to be used.