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PM-013
Data: Collection to Communication
This module introduces students to the core principles and real-world applications of health data. It provides a foundational understanding of how health data is gathered, organised, analysed, and interpreted to support healthcare decisions and improve patient outcomes. Students will explore key concepts including data types, descriptive statistics, data visualisation, and commonly used analytical software tools. The module also emphasises the ethical use of data and its importance in evidence-based healthcare and public health practice.
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PM-148
Foundations of Community Medicine
Communities now play a key role in improving and sustaining good health and the delivery of care. Community Medicine is often considered synonymous with Preventative and Social Medicine (PSM), Public Health, and Community Health because of a shared concern with the prevention of disease and promotion of health and wellbeing. This module introduces students to the wide range of approaches encompassed within Community Medicine. These include preventative, promotive, curative and rehabilitative approaches aimed at improving population health through community-based health and care.
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PM-159
Introduction to Population and Digital Health
This module provides foundational knowledge on population health, focusing on the historical context and antecedents that have shaped health systems. It explores the structure, stakeholders, and processes of local, national, and international health systems, examining how social, political, economic, and demographic factors have influenced the challenges faced by health systems. The module addresses both organizational and individual perspectives of population health, setting the stage for further study.
This module also introduces students to the fundamental concepts, applications, and implications of digital health initiatives. It explores the role of digital technologies in improving healthcare delivery, patient engagement, and health outcomes. Students will gain insights into digital health innovations, data security, and ethical factors while developing critical awareness of emerging trends in healthcare technology. The module will consider the impact of human factors on the success or failure of digital health initiatives, therefore there is an emphasis on sociological aspects, rather than on data science or technical development skills.
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PM-268
Healthy mind, healthy body?
This module aims to answer the question `does having a healthy mind translate to having a healthy body'? It explores the multiple associations between mental health and physical conditions that significantly impact people¿s quality of life, demands on health care and other services, and wider societal consequences. The module also explores contemporary issues, debates and influences on the prevention of mental health conditions and the promotion of well-being.
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PM-280
Skills for Researchers
The modern scientist graduate is expected to have gained extensive laboratory-based experience and this is certainly essential for any student intent on pursuing a research-based career. Skills for Researchers provides students with the opportunity to acquire the core skills to be able to conduct, analyse, interpret and present scientific experiments. A proportion of the module will be spent in the laboratory gaining hands-on experience. Skills acquired in this module will form the basis for future experimental work, including the final year project. Students will have the opportunity to provide feedback to peers and engage with a variety of online learning materials.
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PM-291
Medical Psychology
This module provides an introduction to how psychologists study human behavior, focusing on different theoretical approaches to understanding behavior and mental health conditions. Students will explore various explanations and treatments for conditions such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and addiction. Students will critically discuss the advantages and disadvantages of diagnosing mental health conditions. The module will also introduce third-wave psychological interventions such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, and Compassion-Focused Therapy. The module also introduces Health Psychology, exploring psychological aspects of pain and stress, and will look at the doctor-patient relationship.
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PM-296
Population Health Research Methods & Communication
This module provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the philosophical foundations and practical applications of population health research. It enables students to explore various epidemiological and qualitative research methodologies used to investigate population health issues while emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations in research practice. This module also develops students' research skills by offering the opportunity to conduct data analysis and interpret results from a small-scale research study. Additionally, students will gain insight into how research findings are disseminated within the scientific community and the crucial role of public engagement in research.
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PM-344
Capstone Project
The aim of this module is to provide a capstone experience to students¿ learning, through participating in their own enquiry-based research project, with guidance from an academic supervisor. The project may be laboratory or non-laboratory based, but it will always involve a research question that is drawn from the literature, and focused on a topic relevant to the life sciences. It will ask a research question and involve the critical analysis of research findings. Students will refine their oral and written communication skills to a graduate level through an oral presentation and dissertation on their research findings and conclusions.
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PM-366
Teaching Science
This module is for students with an interest in teaching, science communication, and medicine. Students will complete an enquiry-based research project, based within the field of pedagogy or science communication, with guidance from an academic supervisor. Projects may be completed in collaboration with local schools/colleges, community groups, science outreach programmes (e.g. Oriel Science), in clinical/patient settings, or within Higher Education. Students will engage with workshops and digital resources to introduce various themes surrounding pedagogy and science communication to prepare them for their research project. Students will be required to critically analyse their research findings and produce a teaching or outreach activity/resource. Students will refine their oral and written communication skills to graduate level through an oral presentation and dissertation.
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PM-369
Mental Health Literacy
Reports of mental health issues are growing rapidly across the globe. It is within this context that Mental Health Literacy (MHL) has evolved as a distinct component of Health Promotion. MHL focuses on understanding how to obtain and maintain positive mental health; understanding mental disorders and their treatments; decreasing stigma related to mental disorders; and, enhancing help-seeking efficacy (i.e. knowing when and where to seek help and developing competencies designed to improve one¿s mental health care and self-management capabilities). Mental Health Literacy is fundamental to improving a person¿s mental health outcomes, decreasing health inequities in populations, reducing the burden on health and social care services, and to aid the development of preventative, proactive health policy. Mental health literacy is also an important empowerment tool as it increases people¿s resilience and control over their mental health and increases confidence in help-seeking behaviour. For students wishing to pursue careers in medicine or healthcare, an enhanced awareness of Mental Health Literacy will be beneficial for their own mental health, and that of their patients, family, friends, carers and co-workers.
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PM-370
Global Health
This module enables students to develop a global perspective on population health and recognise emerging and re-emerging population health issues that are paramount in High Income Countries (HICs) and Low to Middle Income Countries (LMICs). The module takes a multidisciplinary perspective, and integrates new ideas, theories and empirical evidence from population health, medicine, demography, epidemiology and social sciences in order to examine specific population health problems as they relate to pandemics, natural disasters, conflict, poverty and sustainable population growth. It considers the political, economic and social dimensions of global health problems, and their influences on health outcomes and health services. Analysis of these topics will centre around the strategies of the UN Millennium Development Goals and the post-2015 development agenda (i.e. UN Sustainable Development Goals).
