Public Health MPH or PGDip or PGCert

Oxford Brookes University

This module explores theoretical and practical aspects of health promotion, including how to develop action plans for health promotion. You will be introduced to behavioural theory as it relates to changes in health behaviour and lifestyle, as well as looking at the larger social dimensions related to lifestyle. The module will also provide you with tools for assessing community health needs, planning health promotion activities, and considering the advantages and disadvantages of engaging communities in developing their own healthy lifestyles.

This module focuses on research as part of a body of evidence used for professional practice and provides you with an overview of methodologies and methods currently used in research in health and social care working environments. It equips you with skills to locate, appraise and apply research, and to plan and execute a piece of research work. It seeks to prepare you to develop a suitable research question as a basis for identifying an appropriate research methodology for a small-scale research-based literature review. By the end of the module, you will be able to prepare a rationale for your chosen research project.

This module allows you to understand and evaluate statistical data using SPSS software. You will also gain an understanding of how appropriate statistical techniques are chosen for a particular context and present and interpret statistical information in a report. You will need to participate in the workshop / lectures and gain a minimum of 50% in the coursework submitted at the end of Semester 1 of each academic year.

The aim of this module is to draw together and enhance your ability to use the knowledge, understanding and skills developed previously across the whole programme (especially Applied Research Methods) in a piece of investigative or literature-based research. You will be expected to demonstrate the ability to define a clearly focused research issue, as well as a wide appreciation of the context of the chosen topic. Research methods may vary considerably and you will work with an individual supervisor to evolve a methodology appropriate to the chosen topic. The subsequent inquiry should be based on systematic reading and data collection (as appropriate) and be accompanied by an awareness of the direct implications of the research to Professional Practice and Policy as well as other research in the area.

This module provides you with an introduction to the concepts and methods of epidemiology and its application in primary and community health. It covers the principles of epidemiological research, provides an overview of different study designs and when each design is indicated, drawing on real-life examples. It also covers the interpretation of results of epidemiological studies, explains sources of bias and confounding and different methods of statistical measurements used in epidemiology. No prior statistical experience is required, however familiarity with quantitative data would be an advantage.

This module explores historic and current trends in public health, with an emphasis on the reduction of health inequalities and the causes of premature death through pre-emptive action. Weekly units will examine the key determinants of health including environmental, behavioural, socio-economic, cultural and disease factors. Global perspectives are integrated into each unit providing knowledge and skills that demonstrate cross-cultural awareness, and valuing human diversity. 

This module considers the context and techniques involved in global public health policy development, the factors influencing evidence-based public health policy and its impact on the health and wellbeing of specific populations and groups. It explores ideological frameworks that impact on organisation perspectives and policy making, with an emphasis on the policy process and assessment of policy impacts.