Skip to main content
Unit outline_

PUBH5034: Public Health Capstone

Semester 2, 2024 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit provides students with the opportunity to draw together and integrate their learning in the four key aspects of public health as reflected in their degree program “knowledge, values, actions and outcomes” and apply these to a practical or hypothetical project. The key aim is for students to undertake a set of tasks similar to those they may encounter during a public health career; for example, researching a health issue, preparing a summary, and communicating the findings to a knowledgeable but not expert audience. In this unit, students will undertake a focused assessment on a public health topic. This may be part of an existing practical project, or an investigation conducted primarily for the Capstone. It may be a research proposal, program plan or evaluation, policy analysis, systematic literature review, environmental impact assessment or data analysis, among others. Topic areas are also wide-ranging. Self-directed learning is supported by a half-day workshop, a study guide, regular communication with a topic leader(s), and group collaboration where relevant. The work will culminate in a presentation of the work at a School seminar attended by other capstone unit students and School academics, or the on-line equivalent of this.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Public Health
Credit points 4
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
(PUBH5010 or CEPI5100) and (PUBH5018 or FMHU5002) and PUBH5030 and PUBH5033 and (PUBH5500 or QUAL5005 or PUBH5031) and PUBH5032 and (BETH5206 or BETH5203)
Prohibitions
? 
PUBH5035 or PUBH5134
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Anita van Zwieten, anita.vanzwieten@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Anita van Zwieten, anita.vanzwieten@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Project Outline
Written assessment - project outline
5% Week 06
Due date: 02 Sep 2024 at 23:59
2-3 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO6
Assignment Symposium abstract
Written assessment - symposium abstract
10% Week 09
Due date: 25 Sep 2024 at 23:59
250 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO5 LO6
Presentation Symposium presentation
10 min recorded presentation + 5 min Qs on Zoom (or slides if present live)
35% Week 13
Due date: 30 Oct 2024 at 23:59
10 minutes, plus ~ 5 minutes questions
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4
Assignment Major deliverable
Written assessment - major deliverable
50% Week 13
Due date: 28 Oct 2024 at 23:59
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Welcome; 2. Overview: 3. Student support: 4. Literature search workshop and drop-in sessions; 5. Presentation skills; 6. Canvas sign-up; 7. Q and A; 8. Project leaders and projects. Online students can watch the workshop live on Zoom or watch a recording after the workshop. Online class (4 hr) LO1
Week 13 Capstone symposium - online students are expected to attend live via Zoom to present and answer questions from the audience. Where students have exceptional circumstances, they can apply to complete a recorded presentation as shown in the assessments table. Students who complete a recording will be required to attend a Zoom session to answer live audience questions. Further details are on Canvas. Seminar (5 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: This Unit is normally offered as face-to-face, online, or a combination of both. The student workshop will be run face-to-face with the option to Zoom in and a recording offered to students who cannot attend live.  Interaction between project leaders and students may be face-to-face, online or both, depending on the needs of the project and as specified in the project description prepared by Project Leaders. It is expected the student symposium will be a combination of live face-to-face and Zoom presentations. The expectation is that all students will present at the symposium live in person or on Zoom unless they have extenuating circumstances. Students with extenuating circumstances who cannot attend live in person or on Zoom can apply to the Unit Coordinators for special permission to complete a recording.  

Other: All students will complete online learning activities and training workshops. For their individual Capstone projects, all students will liaise with project leaders regarding meetings.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 4 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 80-100 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Readings will be set for each project by the Project Leader.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. apply knowledge and skills to an authentic work-related task in public health
  • LO2. write a detailed report or other deliverable that meets the project’s requirements
  • LO3. write a succinct and persuasive conference abstract
  • LO4. deliver a succinct and persuasive conference presentation
  • LO5. work independently and engage in self-directed learning
  • LO6. provide support to team members as appropriate.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Incorporation of student feedback is currently in progress for the upcoming semester.

More information can be found on Canvas.

 

Work, health and safety

There may be specific WHS requirements, depending on the project – these will be specified by the Project Leader.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.