1. Handbook
  2. Master of Public Health
  3. Informal Specialisation
  4. Health Social Sciences
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Health Social Sciences

Master of Public HealthInformal specialisationYear: 2020

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Overview

Students specialising in Health Social Science will acquire knowledge and skills in both the theory and methods of the social sciences as applied to public health. The social sciences make a significant contribution to our capacity to both understand public health problems, and to offer novel solutions. Students will have the opportunity to develop higher order skills in social theorising with an emphasis on critical analysis, and written and verbal communication. Students who undertake a research project will also develop knowledge and skills in social science research methods, and their application to health. The social and political dimensions of illness and suffering and the cultural differences in the understanding of health care delivery present important challenges, not only to practitioners, but also to administrators and planners. This specialisation incorporates subjects from health ethics, sociology of health and illness, medical anthropology and the history of health care, providing students with a social science ‘toolkit’ for their public health careers. Examples of complex health issues will be used to demonstrate the application of the social sciences to public health, for example; stem cell research, alcohol use, contraception and abortion and the development of culturally sensitive population health programs.

Intended learning outcomes

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Last updated: 30 January 2024

Structure

Standard 200 Point Program (no Advanced Standing):

SIX core subjects and NINE elective subjects and the Capstone Selective POPH90227 Public Health in Practice OR
SIX core subjects, EIGHT elective subjects and either a Research Project or Professional Practice unit

175 Point Pathway:

SIX core subjects and SEVEN elective subjects and the Capstone Selective POPH90227 Public Health in Practice OR
SIX core subjects, SIX elective subjects and either a Research Project or Professional Practice unit

150 Point Pathway:

SIX core subjects and FIVE elective subjects and the Capstone Selective POPH90227 Public Health in Practice OR
SIX core subjects and FOUR elective subjects and either a Research Project or Professional Practice unit

Subject Options

Core Subjects

Student must complete POPH90217 unless they have been granted 50 points Advanced Standing (150 point program) or an exemption has been granted.

Code Name Study period Credit Points
POPH90217 Foundations of Public Health
February (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
POPH90013 Biostatistics
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
POPH90014 Epidemiology 1
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
POPH90218 Public Health Leadership and Management
March (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
POPH90231 Qualitative Research in Public Health
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
POPH90274 Prioritising & Planning in Public Health
August (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Highly Recommended Electives

Code Name Study period Credit Points
POPH90201 Community-Based Participatory Research
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
POPH90245 Health Illness and Society
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
POPH90200 Principles of Social Research Design
February (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Other Electives

Code Name Study period Credit Points
POPH90270 Bioethics and Public Health
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
POPH90199 Gender and Health
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
POPH90205 Health Inequalities
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Capstone

There are three Capstone options to choose from - please refer to the

Code Name Study period Credit Points
Course Entry No longer available
for detailed information on each of these:

  1. Research Project
  2. Professional Practice Unit
  3. Capstone selective subject (POPH90227 Public health in Practice) and an additional elective.

Pre-requisite Subjects for the Research Project Option

Please refer to the Subject Entries below for detailed information on the research project pre-requisites for this specialisation.

Code Name Study period Credit Points
POPH90284 Research Project in Public Health Part 1
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
POPH90285 Research Project in Public Health Part 2
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
POPH90255 Research Project in Public Health - S
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 25

Last updated: 30 January 2024