Prospective Students
Occupational Health (Policy and Practice) (MSc/PG Diploma)
n/a (Full-time) / n/a (Part-time) / Varies (Distance / E-Learning)
Course Aims:
The MSc/ Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Health is a distance e-learning course that offers knowledge and expertise in the science underpinning Occupational Health and Safety, problem-solving skills, current and developing practice in the area. It’s aim is to develop a research focus to enhance occupational health practice from a multi-professional perspective. The distance learning MSc / Diploma course offers a convenient means of acquiring the Postgraduate Diploma or MSc in Occupational Health for nurses, doctor, health and safety advisors or managers with busy work schedules and other responsibilities.
Course Description:
Apart from the three-day introductory course in Cardiff, the distance learning MSc / Diploma in Occupational Health is delivered entirely on-line and face-to-face contact is not required. Participants are expected to collaborate through the University’s virtual learning environment, Learning Central (previously known as “Blackboard”).
The emphasis in the MSc/PG Diploma course is on common occupational health and safety issues encountered in the workplace environment. Areas and concepts covered include:
- The prediction, recognition, evaluation and control of biological, physical, mechanical, chemical and psychosocial hazards in the workplace;
- The application of epidemiology and statistics to occupational health problems;
- Problem-solving in occupational health and critical appraisal of published evidence;
- Clinical, toxicological, psychological, ethical and legal perspectives;
- Placement and fitness for work;
- Occupational rehabilitation and employment of the disabled;
- Regulatory aspects of occupational health.
This course covers the majority of the competencies for specialist training as set out by the Faculty of Occupational Medicine. Many of these areas and concepts will have special relevance to a number of participants on the course. However, other professionals will learn the major issues so that their understanding can be enhanced along with their role as part of the team protecting the health resource of their business.
The Course materials are delivered on-line and participants, divided into groups, will work through tasks and case studies through on-line discussion and collaboration. Students assume responsibility for participating actively in the on-line learning process as a member of their team. Course materials will summarise information and therefore, in some respects, replace lectures. Participants are expected to contribute to the learning process according to their own backgrounds and experience in occupational health. They discuss their findings and conclusions as a group and present them to their tutors and peers.
The modular design of the course will allow focus on problem solving skills and development of an evidence based approach to occupational health issues. Course materials will identify essential reading and include self-assessment tasks. Written assignments will be completed from a large choice and will form part of the module assessment. This will be supplemented by participation in an e-conference, which will be problem-based.
Please see the link below for the BMJ Careers article in which one of the graduate students reflected on her experience with the course. http://careers.bmj.com/careers/advice/view-article.html'id=20005222
Module information
There are two stages in the course: the taught component that leads to the award of the Postgraduate Diploma and the MSc dissertation. These comprise several phases as set out below:
Taught Stage
Phase I: Introductory familiarisation course (three days)
Phase II: Delivery of course e-modules (two years)
We currently offer the following modules:
- Clinical Occupational Health Practice;
- Management of Occupational Hazards;
- Placement, Fitness and Rehabilitation;
- Epidemiology, Statistics and Evidence-Based Medicine;
- Law and Ethics in Occupational Health Practice;
- Health Promotion and Occupational Health Service Management;
- Environmental Management;
- Occupational Mental Health.
MSc Stage
Phase III: Choice of dissertation
Phase IV: Completion of dissertation
Phase V: Award of MSc Degree
Assessment
Assessment occurs at several levels. Throughout the teaching materials, on-line tests are available, which although not compulsory, assist participants in assessing their progress. There is also a summative assessment at the end of each module. This comprises participation in a problem-based e-conference, involving the on-line discussion of case scenarios or other similar focus. In addition, students submit a 3000-4000 word written assignment, which may involve critical appraisal of the literature.
Those who successfully complete all course modules participate in all e-conferences and submit all written assignments to the required standard will be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Health. Those wishing to proceed to an MSc are required to successfully submit a dissertation on an approved subject.
Special Features:
- The course is delivered online with minimum attendance only for the introductory course.
- The programme contains an emphasis is on practical solutions.
- The course can be tailored to your own schedule, study style, etc.
Entry Requirements:
Suitable for all those who are involved in the general area of occupational health, those concerned with policy and management issues, those involved in the development and delivery of services to employees and organisations, as well as those with academic and research interests in occupational health.
Applications are welcome from graduates in a relevant subject, e.g. health and safety, medicine, nursing or other health care professions, with an interest in and experience of occupational health services. Applicants without a degree, but with appropriate vocational qualifications and experience in occupational health, will also be considered.
As the course will be delivered in a multiprofessional environment, applicants working in fields with only limited direct involvement with employee health issues will also be considered, e.g. trade union officers, human resource managers, scientists etc, subject to the same prior educational standards.
Useful links:
Funding and Scholarship: courses.cardiff.ac.uk/funding/index.html
University’s Virtual Learning Environment: www.cardiff.ac.uk/insrv/educationandtraining/elearning/blackboard/index.html
Therapeutics & Toxicology Centre: www.ttccardiff.com/
Faculty of Occupational Medicine: http://www.facoccmed.ac.uk/edtrain/index.jsp
Postal Address:
Therapeutics and Toxicology
School of
CF14 4XN
Fees for the 2012/2013 entry are subject to approval and will be published as soon as they are available.
Next intake: September each year
School Contact
Name: Emma Scott and Lynda Sullivan
Telephone: 029 2074 2659
Fax: