Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Environmental health issues are predominantly managed in Australia by a range of government agencies, with each level of government and their respective agencies having particular responsibilities. These agencies use a variety of management tools including: policy, legislation, funding, and education. Therefore, to effectively manage environmental health hazards, the practitioner needs to be aware of the tools and strategies that are available, including the ongoing influence of technological advances on environmental health practice, and they need to have an understanding of the particular roles of the various agencies and the legislative and policy frameworks that underpin these activities. This unit is therefore designed to integrate the theory and practice covered in the other environmental health units and provide a management context and some management tools for application to a range of contexts.

Aims

To integrate the aspects of environmental health theory and practice covered in other units within the environmental health graduate program by focusing on current management and policy issues, strategies, tools and approaches.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, you will:
1. Apply knowledge of ethical management and self management principles in an ethical manner to environmental health/environmental management practice.
2. Determine a range of strategies, tools and approaches that can be applied to effectively manage environmental health hazards and issues across all three levels of government and the private sector.
3. Apply communication techniques to engage others and self assess effectiveness of communication skills in a safe environment
4. Research the current issues facing environmental health managers.

Content

The following topics are discussed as is their role in environment health management: environmental health policy development; environmental health management in local government; environmental health management in state government; new technologies including GIS, electronic Toolbox; management tools including economic evaluation, environmental health indicators; emergency management; indigenous environmental health policy; dangerous goods safety management; project management and environmental health practice issues.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

To maximise your engagement with the learning materials in this unit, a combination of face to face and regular technologically - supported communication, online discussion, web tools and podcasts will be used to generate a rich, social learning environment. Lectures and web conferences will be recorded to enable some flexibility in the location, time and mode of study, with respect to work and life commitments.

Teaching methods will include regular, but not weekly, class contact (e.g. lectures, tutorials and seminars), self-directed learning through the use of external/self-study modules, an intensive on-campus workshop session, and extensive use of the unit's Blackboard teaching page.

As assessment item 2 is specifically addressed during the on-campus session, attendance is strongly recommended as it provides for practical reinforcement of theoretical information presented in the study materials.

Assessment

Each assessment type in this unit will be subject to internal /external moderation, such as cross unit discussions and regular meetings of assessors, to ensure that marks awarded by different teaching staff are internally consistent and meet appropriate academic standards (MOPP C/5.2).Assessment will be spaced throughout the semester to provide the opportunity for feedback on your learning to that point. You will be provided with feedback on all your assessments as you progress through the unit.

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: You will be required to complete a written, timed, invigilated examination
Relates to objectives: 1,2,4
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Exam Period

Assessment name: Discussion Forum
Description: You will lead an online discussion with peers using appropriate discussion and facilitation techniques. A critical reflection of the effectiveness of your communication strategies will be submitted.
Relates to objectives: 1-3
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Weeks 4-10

Assessment name: Portfolio
Description: Guidance will be given on expected professional skills and attributes. You will be required to map your level of progression against attributes and set goals for continuous improvement - focussing on areas of identified weakness.
Relates to objectives: 1,3,4
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 13

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

There are no materials or resources required to be purchased for this unit.

Risk assessment statement

As noted above, assessment for this unit will involve a workplace-based assignment. You should be aware of and abide by the health and safety requirements of the workplace and you are expected to undergo any induction or other training provided in the workplace for employees or visitors to the workplace as appropriate. It will be necessary to wear appropriate enclosed footwear and consider personal sun protection options (eg. sunscreen, hats) while on field trips for this unit.

Substantial computer-based work will be required. You should refer to the guidelines for safe work at VDUs contained in the SPH Guidelines to Students. Also ensure that your workstation is adjusted in accordance with these guidelines and that regular rest breaks are taken.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 25-Oct-2012