External summary

Global health has become a global priority.  Infectious diseases are a major global concern and one that particularly imparts on developing nations.  While safe and effective interventions exist many of those most in need lack access to appropriate health care, resulting in 11 million deaths per year and many more lives affected by reduced productivity and missed educational opportunities.

The Global Campaign for the Health Millennium Development Goals, the Global Health Strategy and the international Health partnership affirm political will and commitment to improving health.  Part of the response to the changing international landscape for international development has been enhanced demand for an investment in support of research, innovation and capacity building for development. The University of Edinburgh Global Health Academy believe in working together to support the creation, dissemination and the translation of global health knowledge across a global community of health practitioners, trainers, researchers and policy makers.

This programme aims address the challenges posed by infectious diseases in the 21st Century.  The portfolio of courses is structured to fit around the working lives of our students, in a manner that will renew and strengthen their scientific knowledge and development.  Training will also be offered in surveillance, prevention and control of infectious diseases and evaluating their impact on public health. 

Educational aims of programme

This programme uniquely offers a marriage of health systems understanding with detailed disease knowledge in a format that empowers workers in their own environments, builds up local institutional capacity, and embeds learning in the students own familiar systems where the knowledge is most needed. The programme has at its heart the goal of reducing poverty and is focussed in addressing the most humiliating drivers and results of poverty, in particular ill health, physical disfiguration and the destruction of the livestock.

Students are encouraged to tailor their learning, to their own academic and professional needs, through the selection of elective courses from across a diverse portfolio.  At the end of their three years with us, we would expect a student to have included the majority of the elements listed below as part of their self selected curriculum.

Our programme brings together students with greatly varied interests and background to share and learn from one another before setting them out on their individual pathways at the end of the Post Graduate experience.  This collaboration of individuals across a global network is one of the key features of this programme of study.  We value the inter-cultural and cross-boundary opportunities for exchange of ideas and knowledge that this programme has generated and we aspire to developing a world wide virtual e-community through which discourse and ideas can be exchanged, enriching the study and understanding of emerging and neglected diseases, thus enhancing the careers of those involved.

Programme outcomes: Knowledge and understanding

The programme is structured to equip students with a comprehensive knowledge base in emerging and neglected infectious diseases while ensuring the outputs of contemporary scientific research are appropriately deployed. Courses in infectious disease biology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, epidemiology, control and policy in developing and developed nations will strengthen expertise in areas of international health related to food safety, security and risk (e.g. zoonotic infection).  

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in research and enquiry

Graduates of the University will be able to create new knowledge and opportunities for learning through the process of research and enquiry.

This may be understood in terms of, but not limited to, the following:

• To be able to exercise critical judgment in creating new understanding

• To be able to critically assess existing understanding and the limitations of their own knowledge and recognise the need to regularly challenge all knowledge by keeping abreast of current developments as part of a regular routine of self motivated continuing professional development

• They will have been taught the skills to know where to search for up to date information that is relevant to their working environment and academic interests.

• To have an informed respect for the principles, methods, standards, values and boundaries of their discipline(s) and the capacity to question these

• On graduating our students will be able to recognise the importance of reflecting on their learning experiences and be aware of their own learning style

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal and intellectual autonomy

Graduates of the University will be able to work independently and sustainably, in a way that is informed by openness, curiosity and a desire to meet new challenges.

This may be understood in terms of, but not limited to, the following:

• To be open to new ideas, methods and ways of thinking.  This is encourage by the diverse portfolio of programmes that the graduate may have chosen to include in their learning experience, challenging themselves both within their current sphere and also outside their normal comfort zone.

• To be creative and imaginative thinkers, a feature that will have been enhanced by the variety of assessment methods though which they have been challenges to present, re-imagine, or discuss their learning materials.

• Part time, online learners will have learnt to be able to identify processes and strategies for learning.  There is no rigid structure to their learning environment, beyond the established deadlines for the continuous assessment.  It is for the student to adapt their own circumstances to meet the challenges for this programme, continuous reflection; self-evaluation and self-improvement are fundamental skills in this process.  This ensures an independent approach to assimilating knowledge and the knowledge of where to find relevant, additional resources and information.

• The self selective student cohort, are all working professionals with a clear vision of where this qualification will place them within their own career pathways.  The pace of learning and the support of a similarly minded cohort help ensure that these goals are achieved in a sustainable manner.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in communication

Graduates of the University will recognise and value communication as the tool for negotiating and creating new understanding, collaborating with others, and furthering their own learning.

This may be understood in terms of, but not limited to, the following:

• To make effective use of written and visual means to critique, negotiate, create and communicate understanding.  While oral skills are encouraged, until we are certain that the use of these technologies in our online programmes will not prohibit the contribution of any student due to their geographical circumstances, this suite of technologies has not been fully implemented.

• The use of communication as a tool for collaborating and relating to others is vital in these online programmes, the vast majority of information is text based and students must be able to clearly present their thoughts, ideas and the logical progression of a discussion to one another.

• Seek and value open feedback to inform genuine self-awareness.  While on programme students are also encourage to participate in peer review, providing open and honest feedback in a clear and supportive manner.  This open dialogue is vital in furthering the understanding of how their own performance might be improved.

• Recognise the benefits of communicating with those beyond their immediate environments
• Use effective communication to articulate their skills as identified through self-reflection.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal effectiveness

Graduates from this programme will be able to effect change and be responsive to the situations and environments in which they operate.

This may be understood in terms of, but not limited to, the following:

• The development of confidence in ones own skill set, and to appreciate and use their talents constructively, this is taken to include the ability to make decisions based on their understandings and their personal and intellectual autonomy

• To create and harness collaborative opportunities through the development of professional networks, and knowledge of potential funding streams and other financial opportunities

• To be able to flexibly transfer their knowledge, learning, skills and abilities from one context to another

• To understand social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities and issues though membership of a global community of practise.   This community encourages students to work together to capitalise on their different thinking, experience and skills in order to progress their knowledge and understanding.

• To work with, manage, and lead others in ways that value their diversity and equality and that encourage their contribution to the organisation and the wider community

Programme outcomes: Technical/practical skills

In terms of the technical and practical skills that have not been addressed elsewhere, students can expect to have the confidence to:

• Plan and achieve identified goals in a personal and professional context.

• Work confidently both independently and within a multi-disciplinary team.

• Scientific communication, with the development and presentation of ideas and research in a format recognisable to the professional community.

• Students will have the opportunity to design their own programme of study reflecting their individual professional, academic or personal interests.

• They will also have been exposed to a number of software packages, depending on their course choices, which will support statistical, epidemiological and geographical analysis.

Programme structure and features

Course delivery and content

As a postgraduate scholar at Edinburgh University our students have access to excellent resources and are able to take advantage of the University’s academic tradition which values and promotes individuality and independence of thought within research.

The vehicle of programme delivery is currently WebCT, soon to be migrated onto BlackBoard9.  Students access courses in Blackboard 9 using the MyEd student portal – the gateway to web based services for students including access to the library, email and their online courses. Course materials are protected by secure username and password access.

A 20 credit course carries a notional time commitment of 200 hours; this includes the time that students would spend reflecting on or applying knowledge to, real life situations. In reality students will need to spend between 14 and 20 hours each week participating with the programme; this may be in the form of a discussion activity, recommended reading, preparation of written work etc.

Students are expected to log on to the programme a minimum of twice a week during term time; at present most students log in early in the week to access the week's core materials (released every Friday afternoon - GMT) and then again later on in the week as time allows. There is often activity on the discussion board over the weekend as many people find this a convenient time to reflect on the task they have been asked to consider and work on during the week. 

This offers a far more flexible learning environment to the strict structure of a face-to-face programme, as students can involve themselves within a discussion through any point in the week.  For example, the student may wish to comment on a particular aspect of the week’s lectures, this wish to exchange information is not then delayed until a scheduled tutorial or lecture but can be shared immediately with their peers.  Given the very dynamic environment of global health, this encourages a dialogue of both current affairs as well as a wider reflection on programme content.

These programmes are open to applicants from around the globe but hosted in Edinburgh, UK; there will therefore be an element of “time shifting”. The course team will have an online presence on most days, and students can reasonably expect a response to direct questions within 48 hours (Monday to Friday). Students can also contact a member of their programme team directly via Blackboard 9 mail, via SMS or their University of Edinburgh email address.

Assessment

Students are continuously assessed and all submitted work is double marked; feedback is given within 6 weeks of the receipt of the final piece of work for that assignment. Assessment in the first and second year will be based upon written and online work.

Formal summative written assessment will constitute 60% of the student’s grade for both core and elective courses. These written assessments will not only test the understanding and assimilation of the taught course content but will also focus on supporting and furthering a variety of translational skills such as presentation and scientific writing.

Online assessment will incorporate a variety of activities; including discussions in both a synchronous and asynchronous environment of set assignments such as a journal club, group work or real time simulation exercises.  The performance in these activities constitute 40% of the overall course grade and is taken to represent a formative assessment of learning throughout the programme. Progression on the programme is dependent on satisfactory performance at each level of award.

The final year of our programmes is designed to appeal to both individual who wish to prepare a written dissertation, and also those further through their careers that already have an established publication record but require training to successfully apply for funds in order to make the next step in their career progression.  Our final year students are also provided with an opportunity to improve their own academic networks by collaborating across the Global Health Academy when completing their final year.  This period offers the opportunity for students and their employers to interact with academic professionals across the academy, initiating new research partnerships and collaborative opportunities that have manifested in a number of academic publications.

Student progression

Students will be required to complete 60 credits of core and elective courses within a 12 month period in order to be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Global Health and Infectious Diseases. A Diploma in Global Health and Infectious Diseases will be awarded after 2 years of study and the accumulation of 120 credits from years one and two.

For students to be awarded an MSc in Global Health and Infectious Diseases, they will have successfully completed years one and two with the accumulation of 120 credits before the production of either our Written Reflective Element worth 60 credits in the third year of this programme. As an alternative to this written exercise, which may not appeal to the more senior professional who is study with us and already has a well developed publication record, we have recently validated a 60 credit course entitled Project Cycle Management and Funding Application Preparation. It is intended that students completing this course would be made aware of the various stages required for the preparation of a project proposal, including the incorporation of downstream elements of project cycle management including programme management; monitoring and evaluation (including setting baselines) and impact assessment. This course will expected be offered to students completing their final year in 2012/13.

In terms of progression within the programme to Diploma level:

In terms of progression within the programme to MSc level:

Achievement of 40% in each taught element, but failure to achieve 50% or more in the same will result in award of Diploma or Certificate award

For students completing their final years, achievement of 50% or more will result in a Masters award, failure to achieve this level will result in the Diploma award.  Note: exceptional students who maintain an average of ³70% through-out the time on the programme may be awarded a Masters with distinction.

Summary

In summary, the MSc in Global Health and Infectious Diseases is a part time programme, currently concluded in the third year by the completion of a either a written reflective element or the taught course on Project Cycle Management and Funding Application Preparation.  It should however be highlighted that completion is limited to within a 60 month period, allowing students the element of flexibility to interrupt their studies for up to 24 months and still remain on programme.

Teaching and learning methods and strategies

Teaching and Learning strategies employed at the University of Edinburgh consist of a variety of different methods appropriate to the programme aims. The graduate attributes listed above are met through a teaching and learning framework (detailed below) which is appropriate to the level and content of the course.

Teaching and Learning Activities

• Lectures

• Online discussion

• Peer group learning

• Problem based learning

• Dissertation

Constructive feedback is provided to every assignment around six weeks after submission.

As a student of the University of Edinburgh our online learners have full access to all online resources offered, this includes IT support and the e-journals held within the Edinburgh University Library. 

Assessment methods and strategies

Courses taken in the first two years on programme require the student to submit written assignments and take part in online discussion boards. Written assignments make up 60% of the mark for each course with the remaining 40% coming from online assessment. Written assessments are generally essays on a relevant topic but could also be the production of a poster or presentation. Online discussions that are assessed involve students discussing relevant issues related to course work.

Career opportunities

Global Health and Infectious Diseases MSc programme  is a part time programme with most students already in full time employment. Those enrolled in the programme often highlight their studies to their employer and use it as an opportunity to advance their career. Many students have also gone onto further education and have enrolled in PhD programmes at international universities.

Other items

This programme is part of the Global Health Academy portfolio of online postgraduate opportunities. 

• Online conference discussing a global topic are open to students.

• All new students are enrolled onto a community forum where they can share and exchange ideas

• Overseas summer schools are run with the support of sponsorship and are open to all students who wish to attend.

• Across this suite of programmes are the opportunity for shared electives and resources.

In addition this we aim to promote internationalisation of education and awareness of global health issues in accordance with the University’s ‘Edinburgh Global’ strategy.