POPLPRAC 712 : Project Planning for Lifestyle Change

Medical and Health Sciences

2023 Semester Two (1235) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Focuses on the planning and development of interventions aimed at addressing lifestyle issues such as alcohol and other dangerous consumptions, obesity, lack of exercise and mental trauma. Students synthesise strategies from published literature and adapt them pragmatically for application in local contexts. Interventions will include those occurring in communities, primary and mental healthcare settings, hospitals, workplaces, and educational institutions.

Course Overview

• Facilitate critical use of research literature in developing intervention plans.
• Provide an introduction to project management skills.
• Promote innovative ways of implementing lifestyle change
• Develop and understanding of different approaches to evaluation.
• Foster graduate student interest, knowledge and possible ongoing commitment to research and practice in alcohol, drug, mental health and related fields.
POPLPRAC 712 is one of the core courses in the Masters of Health Practice programme. It is an optional course in a number of Faculty of Medical and Health Science programmes including the Diploma/Masters of Health Sciences as well as Public Health.. The course has a practical focus and particularly suits health professionals, including mental health professionals, alcohol and drug professionals and health psychologists, who would anticipate that at least part of their work will involve the design and implementation of health projects. 

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Course Contacts

Course Director:
Dr Sarah Fortune,
School of Population Health , Level 1 Building 507
Email: sarah.fortune@auckland.ac.nz

Course Administrator:
Pauline Grant
School of Population Health, Level 2 Building 507
Email: pauline.grant@auckland.ac.nz

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Master of Health Sciences

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of key strategies in promoting lifestyle change. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 6.1 and 6.2)
  2. Provide an introduction to project management skills. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1 and 6.1)
  3. Promote innovative ways of implementing lifestyle change.
  4. Foster graduate student interest, knowledge and possible ongoing commitment to research and practice in alcohol, drug, mental health and related fields.

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Literature Review 20% Individual Coursework
Tutorial assignments 15% Individual Coursework
Project proposal 30% Individual Coursework
Assignment - Seminar presentation 35% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Literature Review
Tutorial assignments
Project proposal
Assignment - Seminar presentation

Workload Expectations


This course consists of four one-day teaching blocks which are compulsory, involving 24 contact hours, plus a structured reading and assignment programme requiring significant weekly work between the blocks. It is designed for a class of 12 to 20 students.  The general format is that each classroom session is based on a theme, for which the readings given ahead of the session. It is essential that students devote time to the readings before coming to the relevant class, to get the best out of the learning process. Each class session will involve a mix of teaching sessions and workshops that focus on facilitating and informing student project design.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including tutorials to complete components of the course.
The course will not include live online events.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a block delivery.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Students are provided access to online course pages in CANVAS which is the University’s online Learning Management System. These pages give the course outline, objectives for each session and recommended reading. All PowerPoint presentations and additional course materials are available through CANVAS.

Students are, however, encouraged to read much more widely in preparing assignments on specific topic areas. A list of useful journals and websites will be provided during the course, and students are encouraged to seek assistance when required from the campus librarians.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

This course receives excellent student feedback. 

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.