Overview
We strongly believe that a Public Health degree should include genuine work experience in a public health workplace setting. In addition to meeting unit requirements, the skills and experiences you gain throughout this Unit will assist with developing professional networks and further your career opportunities. You will undertake a structured period of industry placement (240 hours) as part of this Unit. This will be specifically designed and contractually agreed upon with the University and industry partner. The placement will enable you to apply your knowledge of public health program planning and evaluation, whilst developing an understanding of the professional requirements of working as a public health, health promotion, public health nutrition or environmental health specialist.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
96 credit points
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2024
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 0-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 0 hours of study per week, making a total of 0 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student feedback, discussion with participating academics, personal reflection
Some difficulties arose in relation to the outbound mobility project in Cambodia in January 2023.
No trip to be organised for 2024. Activity to be reconsidered for January 2025 but only with close negotiation with third party provider. Consider recommending the Live In Labs opportunity at Amrita University in India as an alternative.
Feedback from Interaction with WIL team, personal reflection
There have been some minor glitches in integrating the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) team and SONIA into the Public Health Practicum.
Continue to liaise with the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) team to smooth progress for students in negotiating practicum.
- Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to undertake a Public Health project
- Negotiate and manage a placement experience through the use of a self-directed learning plan
- Identify, analyse and discuss current and emerging issues relating to working within the field of Public Health
- Apply problem-solving techniques and strategies to a Public Health Project
- Critically reflect on learning associated with placement experience.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Professional Practice Plans (learning plans) - 0% | |||||
| 2 - Portfolio - 30% | |||||
| 3 - Learning logs / diaries / Journal / log books - 30% | |||||
| 4 - Written Assessment - 0% | |||||
| 5 - Project (applied) - 40% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Zoom
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
l.bricknell@cqu.edu.au
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Introduction to the Unit
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This Unit is a self-directed work placement. Assignment dates will be posted onto the Moodle site but can be negotiated with the Unit Coordinator to suit the needs of your placement.
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How to negotiate the way you will undertake your time in the workplace.
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Things to keep in mind while you are in the workplace.
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How to reflect on your experiences and how you will plan to address any areas you still need to work on.
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1 Professional Practice Plans (learning plans)
You are responsible for arranging a professional practicum with an appropriate industry partner. Your practicum can be with one industry partner or multiple partners. It should provide you with the opportunity to practice your discipline-related skills in a real world setting. You must complete a minimum of 240 hours of practicum over the course of 1 calendar year; there is no maximum. Students participating in approved CQU Public Health overseas mobility projects may be granted up to 180 hours toward their practicum.
ALL Students: Completion of a placement document and risk assessment in collaboration with their workplace supervisor. A template and further details for each cohort will be provided on the Moodle site.
Students participating in approved CQU Public Health overseas mobility projects: Submit your professional practicum negotiation document and risk assessment for your industry practicum AND your expression of interest for the outbound project.
Students currently working as trainees or Cadets: You will need to submit your letter of offer for your current role and a letter or email from your employer confirming that you are working in the field and that they are happy for your work to be counted toward your practicum. This will take the place of the negotiation and risk assessment forms.
Your negotiation must include:
- A brief overview of your partner organisation
- Professional learning goals for the industry placement (negotiated with workplace supervisor)
- >Student contact details
- Workplace supervisor contact details
- A list of working arrangements including start and finish dates, schedule of attendance
- A brief description of the project/tasks to be undertaken
- A record of any special resources or requirements (desk, phone, reimbursement, blue card, police check etc.)
- A risk assessment completed in collaboration with your industry partner
- Signatures from both the student and placement supervisor agreeing to all aspects of the plan
Templates and an example are provided in resources folders for each discipline.
Ideally, you will have negotiated your practicum within the first half of Term 1. The due date for this task can be negotiated to suit the needs of the agreement with your industry partner but your practicum negotiation MUST be submitted for approval before you can commence.
1 week after submission
This task will be assessed according to the following criteria:
ALL students
- Communicates ideas clearly and succinctly with no spelling or grammatical errors
- Learning goals and objectives are insightful and measurable
- Comprehensive description of student role, duties, timeframes, resources and industry supervisor agreement
- Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to undertake a Public Health project
- Negotiate and manage a placement experience through the use of a self-directed learning plan
- Apply problem-solving techniques and strategies to a Public Health Project
- Critically reflect on learning associated with placement experience.
2 Portfolio
Task Description
ALL Students: Submit a portfolio of work, which includes samples of work undertaken throughout your practicum. Please refer to the Moodle site for further details relating to each student cohort.
This assessment task is due at the end of Term 2. This date can be negotiated to suit the needs of your practicum.
Two (2) weeks after submission.
This task will be assessed according to the following criteria:
Health Promotion students
- Portfolio is well organised, professionally presented and high level attention to detail (double spacing, spelling, grammar) (25%)
- Quality of the work selected by the student, demonstrating growth, development, and achievement (25%)
- Learning goals and objectives are insightful and measurable (25%)
- Reflective writing shows high level and thoughtful insights into learning and future goals (25%)
Environmental Health students
- Organisation, presentation and attention to detail (including spelling and grammar) (25%)
- Professional standard of the work presented (50%)
- High level of insight and thought regarding current status, learning and future goals (25%)
Public Health Nutrition students
- Portfolio is well organised, professionally presented and high level attention to detail (double spacing, spelling, grammar) (25%)
- Quality of the work selected by the student, demonstrating growth, development, and achievement (25%)
- Learning goals and objectives are insightful and measurable (25%)
- Reflective writing shows high level and thoughtful insights into learning and future goals (25%)
- Apply problem-solving techniques and strategies to a Public Health Project
3 Learning logs / diaries / Journal / log books
ALL Students: You are required to create and maintain a diary/journal which demonstrates evidence of progress during your industry practicum and reflection about your experiences during the year. Please see Moodle site for further details relating to the type of journal required for your major.
Students participating in approved CQU Public Health overseas mobility projects: Submit both your reflective journal from your Public Health Challenge as well as a diary/journal kept while on industry practicum.
This task is due at the end of Term 2. Dates can be negotiated to meet the needs of your practicum.
Two (2) weeks after submission.
ALL students:
This task will be assessed according to the following criteria:
- Validity (40%)
- Relevance (30%)
- Organisation (20%)
- Presentation (10%)
- Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to undertake a Public Health project
- Identify, analyse and discuss current and emerging issues relating to working within the field of Public Health
4 Written Assessment
Health Promotion Students:
Prepare a proposal for one of the following to be completed during your practicum.
- A literature review OR
- A project plan/evaluation OR
- A project grant proposal OR
- A plan for project grant/research into income opportunities OR
- Report on project/program implementation.
Part A: Present your proposal to your industry mentor and Unit Coordinator via Zoom.
Part B: Upload your presentation document and an ethics application (using the template provided) to Moodle.
You will need to achieve a PASS grade for this task AND approval from your practicum mentor prior to commencing work on the proposed activity. Please see the Moodle site for more details and discuss with the Unit Coordinator if you need further assistance
Environmental Health Students:
Prepare an proposal for an environmental health project to be conducted as part of your practicum in collaboration with your industry partner.
Part A: Present your proposal to your industry mentor and Unit Coordinator via Zoom.
Part B: Upload your presentation document and an ethics application (using the template provided) to Moodle.
You will need to achieve a PASS grade for this task AND approval from your practicum mentor prior to commencing work on the proposed activity. Please see the Moodle site for more details and discuss with the Unit Coordinator if you need further assistance.
Public Health Nutrition Students:
Prepare a proposal for one of the following to be completed during your practicum.
- A literature review OR
- A project plan/evaluation OR
- A project grant proposal OR
- A plan for project grant/research into income opportunities OR
- Report on project/program implementation.
Part A: Present your proposal to your industry mentor and Unit Coordinator via Zoom.
Part B: Upload your presentation document and an ethics application (using the template provided) to Moodle.
You will need to achieve a PASS grade for this task AND approval from your practicum mentor prior to commencing work on the proposed activity. Please see the Moodle site for more details and discuss with the Unit Coordinator if you need further assistance.
Students participating in approved CQU Public Health overseas mobility projects:
While engaged in your project, you will work in a team on a Community Development project. As a team, develop and deliver a presentation to stakeholders. Your presentation should include:
- A profile of the community you worked in, including demographic characteristics and epidemiology of health issues of concern.
- The findings of a needs assessment that justify the topic you have chosen to work on.
- A brief summary of other evidence supporting your project.
- The activities you conducted.
- A process evaluation of your activities and recommendations for future work.
This task is due at the end of Term 2. Dates can be negotiated to suit the needs of your practicum, but you MUST receive a grade for this item BEFORE you commence data collection for your project. This is NON-NEGOTIABLE.
Two weeks after submission.
This task will be assessed according to the following criteria:
- Validity (40%)
- Relevance (30%)
- Organisation (20%)
- Presentation (10%)
- Negotiate and manage a placement experience through the use of a self-directed learning plan
- Identify, analyse and discuss current and emerging issues relating to working within the field of Public Health
- Critically reflect on learning associated with placement experience.
5 Project (applied)
Health Promotion Students:
Prepare one of the following during your practicum. Your document should be in a format that is either suitable for presentation to your practicum host OR for publication.
- A literature review OR
- A project plan/evaluation OR
- A project grant proposal OR
- A plan for project grant/research into income opportunities OR
- Report on a project/program implementation.
Environmental Health Students:
Conduct an environmental health project as part of their practicum and in collaboration with your industry partner. You will need to submit a project proposal with an ethics application attached for approval prior to commencing your project (Part A). At the conclusion of your project, write a project report, using an appropriate format for publication OR presentation to Council. Please see the Moodle site for more details and discuss with the Unit Coordinator if you need further assistance.
Public Health Nutrition Students:
Prepare one of the following during your practicum. Your document should be in a format that is either suitable for presentation to your practicum host OR for publication.
- A literature review OR
- A project plan/evaluation OR
- A project grant proposal OR
- A plan for project grant/research into income opportunities OR
- Report on a project/program implementation.
Students participating in approved CQU Public Health overseas mobility projects:
While engaged in your virtual project, you will work in a team on a Community Development project. At the conclusion of the project, as a team, write a detailed report on the project, including a community profile, needs assessment, evaluation and any resources you develop, for presentation to the FutureSense Foundation and other stakeholders.
This task is due at the end of Term 2. Dates can be negotiated to suit the needs of your practicum.
Two weeks after submission.
ALL students:
This task will be assessed according to the following criteria:
- Validity (40%)
- Relevance (30%)
- Organisation (20%)
- Presentation (10%)
- Negotiate and manage a placement experience through the use of a self-directed learning plan
- Identify, analyse and discuss current and emerging issues relating to working within the field of Public Health
- Critically reflect on learning associated with placement experience.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
