Edwin Panford-Quainoo, University of Liverpool
The course I wish to undertake is the Master of Public Health (MPH) at the University of Liverpool, based at the London site. The course is made up of taught elements and a dissertation. The modules/taught elements are:
• Health and Society – This module is to introduce and explore sociological approaches to understanding the relationship between health, illness, healthcare and society.
• Health Improvement – This module provides an understanding of the principles and practices of health improvement, from its origin to the current day.
• Epidemiology and Statistics for Public Health 1 & 2 – The purpose and context of research and the basis of selecting appropriate research designs is considered in this module. It will aim to critically consider the uses of methods of epidemiology, key statistics concepts and techniques needed for basic analysis of data
• Public Health Protection – This module provides an understanding of the practice of health protection learning through the principles of surveillance, investigation and management of communicable diseases, other biological and non-infectious environmental hazards on the health of a population
• Qualitative Research Methods – The nature and types of qualitative research methodologies and their uses in health research is introduced.
• Management of Health Systems – Current and historical influences on the development of health systems, including the role played by social, economic, political and ethical values are covered in this module.
• Evidence-Based Public Health – This module will teach how to develop a systemic understanding of the role and function of evidence based public heath in securing better health.
• Dissertation – Aim of the dissertation is to conduct and write up an original piece of research that is relevant to public health. Students are expected to produce a 10,000-word thesis.
The MPH carries a total of 180 credits with each module listed about carrying 15 credits except Epidemiology and Statistics modules which is 30 credits (15 credits for each part) and Dissertation, which carries 60 credits.
The Public health course that I wish to pursue encompasses a broad range of subjects, some of which require traditional analytical scientific thinking (for example statistics) which needs assessment by exam, whilst others require a more flexible and creative approach (for example health improvement). Formative and Summative assessments are used throughout the programme. Interplay of several learning strategies are used including problem-solving exercises, group working, strategy development, self-directed learning, discussion forums and support sessions with tutors.
The programme will begin in September 2016 and end in August 2017. The first two semesters will be taken up by the taught elements of the course as outlined above. Semesters One and two will also involve preparation of proposal for dissertation and submission of dissertation for ethical approval. Once ethical approval has been granted, Semester 3 will predominantly be taken up by carrying out the fieldwork or data collection for dissertation. The course will give me an opportunity to carry out
an opportunity to carry out an original piece of research from its conception to publication in a journal.
This project ran from September 2016 to September 2017.
