Professional Practice - S

Subject POPH90239 (2014)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2014.

Credit Points: 25
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2014:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Subject Quota: 15



Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Students are expected to spend a minimum of 160 hours working for the host organisation. 10 contact hours, comprising pre-placement, during placement and after placement University supervisor/coordinator contact, attendance at a half-day generic skills seminar in week 1 of semester 1, attendance at two 1.5 hour student discussion groups during semester, attendance at 1 half day seminar for student verbal presentations.
Total Time Commitment:

120 hours

Prerequisites:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.50

A quota of 15 will apply. All Professional Practice applicants will be required to submit a 1 page Expression of Interest. Successful applicants will be selected primarily on the basis of academic merit and the availability of appropriate supervisors and placements.
Placements in particular fields of public health may require fulfilment of specific prerequisite / corequisite subjects, and will be determined in consultation with the subject coordinator and supervisor.

Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website.

Contact

mithenj@unimelb.edu.au

OR

Academic Programs Office
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
Tel: +61 3 8344 9339
Fax: +61 3 8344 0824
Email: sph-gradinfo@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject is an elective subject within the Master of Public Health. It is designed to be taken by students who want to consolidate their public health training via an advanced professional work placement. Entry to the subject will be competitive and a quota will apply.
Students will undertake a supervised professional work placement with an appropriate organisation. Each practicum experience will be individually tailored and negotiated by the student, the host organisation, and the Professional Practice Coordinator. Students will learn to apply their academic knowledge to real-world public health challenges, developing their specialist and professional skill set by contributing to the needs of an agency, institution or community organisation concerned with population health. The practicum experience will enable students to bridge the gap between the classroom and public health practice, whilst developing contacts with experts in their chosen field.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Apply, integrate and synthesise knowledge and skills acquired throughout the course to tackle real-world public health challenges,
  • Analyse, evaluate and propose practical solutions to problems identified within the bounds of the project,
  • Solve practical problems whilst working with potentially unstructured and incomplete information,
  • Develop professional networks within a given public health context,
  • Demonstrate and critically reflect upon key professional attributes sought by employers (such as communication and interpersonal skills, project management skills, team work and initiative) ,
  • Clearly communicate findings and results in a professional public health context.

Assessment:
  • A 1,000 word outline of the proposed project, including project background, aims, methodology and timeline due by the end of the first quarter of the student’s placement (10%)
  • A 15 minute oral presentation due in week 11 of semester (15%)
  • A critical reflective piece of 1,000 words detailing the challenges faced and reflections on the development of key professional attributes throughout the work placement due during the examination period (15%)
  • A project report of 5,000 words or equivalent due during the examination period (60%)
  • Workplace supervisor assessment of the student’s completion of the project set (hurdle requirement).
Prescribed Texts:

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Upon completion of this subject, students will have developed skills in:

  • Initiative, autonomy and organization,
  • Problem-solving,
  • Oral communication,
  • Finding, evaluating and using relevant information,
  • Written communication,
  • Working with others and in teams.

Related Course(s): Master of Public Health

Download PDF version.