PUB HLTH 7105 - Diseases of Occupation

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2019

This course offers a broad introduction to occupational health and safety. It will address the relationships between work, work processes and work exposures, and the occurrence of disease and injury. The nature, extent and distribution of work-related death, disease and injury will be considered, with special emphasis on the Australian environment. An important aim is to encourage a critical attitude towards health and safety issues, so that students will learn to evaluate problems and formulate appropriate preventive measures on the basis of scientific principles. The elective includes an industrial visit.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PUB HLTH 7105
    Course Diseases of Occupation
    Coordinating Unit Public Health
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Assessment Quizzes and assignments
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Paul Rothmore

    Course Coordinator: Dr Paul Rothmore
    Phone: +61 8313 3568
    Email: paul.rothmore@adelaide.edu.au
    Location: Level 9, Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences Building, North Terrace, Adelaide

    Student & Program Support Services Hub
    Email: askhealthsc@adelaide.edu.au
    Phone: +61 8313 0273




    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Demonstrate knowledge of the types of diseases which can arise from work, and how scientific method and epidemiology can be applied in disease recognition.
    2 Identify the ways in which physical, chemical and other hazardous agents in the work environment can affect human health.
    3 Identify the ways in which working arrangements and interactions can directly or indirectly affect human health.
    4 Apply a systems approach to occupational health management.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1-3
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1, 3
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    1
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    N/A
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    1
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    N/A
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    The following will be required.

    Levy BS, Wegman DH, Baron S, and Sokas R.  Occupational and Environmental Health: recognizing and preventing disease and injury. Seventh edition. 2017. Oxford University Press.

    A set of readings will be provided on MyUni with material relevant for each topic.
    Recommended Resources
    A list of recommended resources will be provided on the MyUni course site.
    Online Learning
    This is an online course. MyUni will provide the online learning system for students via https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/ Once students  have successfully enrolled in this course they can access the MyUni site where they can access lectures, assignments, join discussion  forums and link up with the course co-ordinator and fellow students.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This is an online course, but with the potential for face to face sessions, including a field visit, for local students. As an online course much of the contact you have with fellow students and staff will be via MyUni You will be assigned to one of three online discussion groups to which you will submit your written assignments (with the exception of the Major Assignment). Following  submission of your assignment there is a period where you will have the opportunity to read, and provide constructive comment, on the work of your fellow Discussion Group members. Participants in this course have a wide range of backgrounds and this is your  opportunity to gain an insight into different problem-solving perspectives (and remember your contribution is assessable).
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements. The University expects full-time students (i.e. those taking 12 units per semester) to devote a total of 48 hours per week to their studies. This means that, for this course, you are expected to commit approximately 12 hours per week to private study. Lectures for  locally-based students may be offered by industry experts during the Semester. Students are encouraged to attend where possible.  Attendance at any face to face sessions should be considered as part of the suggested 12 hour study commitment per week.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Topic Lecture
    Orientation Orientation
    Literature Searching
    Course expectation and questions

    Scientific Method
    Health Hazards
    Causation of Disease
    Hazardous Chemicals – Conceptual Framework

    Epidemiology
    Biological Monitoring
    Incidence
    Prevalence
    Measures of Effect
    Biological Monitoring and Health Surveillance
    Musculoskeletal Disorders Risk Factors
    Common Injuries
    Occupational Health Services Prevention programs
    Injury management
    Occupational Cancer Workplace Risk Factors
    Individual Monitoring

    Occupational Stress and Heart Disease
    Risk Factors
    Management Strategies
    Occupational Respiratory Disease Occupational Asthma
    Miscellaneous Occupational Factors Skin Disease
    Reproductive Effects
    Infectious Diseases
    Specific Course Requirements
    A worksite visit to a Foundry or similar workplace is expected.

    The details of the visit will be announced during the Semester.
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    N/A
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Learning objective(s) being addressed
    Minor Assignment - Module 1 Summative 12% 1
    Online Quiz - Module 2 Summative 12% 3
    Minor Assignment - Module 3 Summative 12% 1,2
    Minor Assignment - Module 5 Summative 12% 1-4
    Online Quiz - Module 6 Summative 12% 1-4
    Major Assignment Summative 30% 1-4
    Course Participation Summative 10% 1-4
    Assessment Related Requirements
    There are 3 minor written assignments (approximately 500 words each), 2 online quizzes and 1 major assignment (approximately 1500 words).

    You are encouraged to engage in online discussion with other students. This is assessable - at least 10 contributions in online forums are expected during the semester.


    Assessment Detail
    MODULE 1 - SCIENTIFIC METHOD AND EPIDEMIOLOGY
    Assignment: 12%
    Expected Length: 500 words

    On the basis of the coursework and reading in this module, you will prepare and submit answers to ONE of two questions relating to Epidemiology or Scientific Method to the relevant Discussion Board on MyUni. Following the submission deadline you will be required to read and provide constructive commentary on the work of your fellow students (and reflect on the comments made on your own work by your fellow students).

    MODULE 2 – BIOLOGICAL MONITORING
    Online Quiz: 12%

    On the basis of the coursework and reading in this module, you will complete an Online Quiz related to Biological Monitoring.  Following completion of the quiz you will be required to contribute to the online  discussion on this topic.

    MODULE 3 – MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES
    Assignment: 12%
    Expected Length: 500 words

    On the basis of the coursework and reading in this module, you will prepare and submit an answer to ONE of two questions related to Musculoskeletal Disorders or Occupational Health Services to the relevant Discussion Board on MyUni. Following the submission deadline you will be required to read and provide constructive commentary on the work of your fellow students (and reflect on the comments made on your own work by your fellow students).

    MODULE 4 – OCCUPATIONAL CANCER
    Major Assignment: 30%

    This is the major assignment for this course. On the basis of the coursework and reading in this module, you will prepare and  submit an assignment related to risk of lung cancer from work in foundries, considering any uncertainties and how they could, or have, been addressed.

    Worksite visit
    To assist in the preparation of your major assignment a worksite visit to a local foundry (or comparable worksite) will be scheduled  during the semester.

    Alternative arrangements Students  for whom a foundry visit is not practical will need to contact the course coordinator to make  alternative arrangements for the assignment.

    MODULE 5 – RESPIRATORY DISEASE
    Assignment: 12%
    Expected Length: 500 words

    On the basis of the coursework and reading in this module, you will prepare and submit answers to ONE of two questions relating to Respiratory Disease to the relevant Discussion Board on MyUni. Following the submission deadline you will be required to read and provide constructive commentary on the work of your fellow students (and reflect on the comments made on your own work by your fellow students).

    MODULE 6 – OTHER OCCUPATIONAL DISORDERS
    Online Quiz: 12%

    On the basis of the coursework and reading in this module, you will complete an Online Quiz related to Miscellaneous Occupational Disorders. Following completion of the quiz you will be required to contribute to the online discussion on this topic.

    COURSE PARTICIPATION – 10%
    Constructive commentary on what your fellow students have to say is an important part of your active learning process, and should be regarded as online tutorial work.  After the submission date for Modules, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 there will be a 1-week period where  you will be able to read, share opinions and discuss the module subject with other students on your Discussion Board. To ensure  readability keep your comments brief. Your input is assessable. While at least 10 comments are expected during the Semester your  input will be assessed in accordance with its quality rather than its volume.
    Submission
    Extensions
    All extensions for assignments must be requested, at the latest, by the last working day before the due date of submission. Extensions will generally be granted only on medical or genuine compassionate grounds.  Supporting documentation must be  provided at the time a student requests an extension. Without documentation, extensions will not be granted. Late requests for  extension will neither be accepted nor acknowledged.

    Only the Course Co-ordinator(s) may grant extensions.

    Supporting documentation will be required when requesting an extension. Examples of documents that are acceptable include: a  medical certificate that specifies dates of incapacity, a police report (in the case of lost computers, car & household theft etc.), a letter from a Student Counsellor, Education and Welfare Officer (EWO) or Disability Liaison Officer that provides an assessment of  compassionate circumstances, or a letter from an independent external counsellor or appropriate professional able to verify the student’s situation.  The length of any extension granted will take into account the period and severity of any incapacity or impact  on the student.  Extensions of more than 10 days will not be granted except in exceptional circumstances.

    Late submission
    Marks will be deducted when assignments for which no extension has been granted are handed in late.

    All assignments, including those submitted late, will be assessed on their merits. In the case of late assignments where no  extension has been granted, 5 percentage points of the total marks possible per day will be deducted. If an assignment that is 2  days late is awarded 65% on its merits, the mark will then be reduced by 10% (5% per day for 2 days) to 55%.  If that same  assignment is 4 days late, the mark will be reduced by 20% (5% per day for 4 days) to 45%, and so on.

    The School of Public Health reserves the right to refuse to accept an assignment that is more than 7 days late.

    Assignments submitted after the due date may not be graded in time to be returned on the listed return dates.
     
    Students submitting examinable written work who request (and receive) an extension that takes them beyond the examination  period are advised that there is no guarantee that their grades will be processed in time to meet usual University deadlines.

    Resubmission
    If a student is dissatisfied with an assessment grade they should follow the Student Grievance Resolution Process  <https://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/grievance/process/>.  Students who are not satisfied with a particular assessment result should raise their concerns with Course Co-ordinator(s) in the first instance.  This must be done within 10 business days of the  date of notification of the result.  Resubmission of any assignment is subject to the agreement of the Course Co-ordinator(s) and  will only be permitted for the most compelling of reasons.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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