Module Specification
An online version of this specification is available to prospective students at
http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/currentstudents/studentinformation/msc_module_handbook/section3_moduledescript/in
dex.html
GENERAL INFORMATION
Module name
Applying Public Health Principles in Developing
Countries
Module code
3198
Module Organisers
Jayne Webster, Silke Fernandez and Daniel Chandramohan
Contact email
Jayne.Webster@lshtm.ac.uk or silke.fernandez@lshtm.ac.uk or
Daniel.Chandramohan@lshtm.ac.uk
Home Faculty
Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases
Level
This module is at Level 7 (postgraduate Masters ‘M’ level) of the QAA
Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales & Northern
Ireland (FHEQ)
Credit
LSHTM award 15 credits on successful completion of this module
Accreditation
Not currently accredited by any other body
Keywords
Appraisal of evidence; policy formulation; programme evaluation
AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND AUDIENCE
Overall aim
To enable students to apply and build upon the skills they have learned during
the preceding terms to translate evidence into policies and policy into practice
in developing countries.
Intended learning
outcomes
By the end of this module, students should be able to:



Target audience
Apply public health disciplines in an integrated manner to review evidence
and produce policy recommendations;
Develop strategic public health programme plans;
Conduct strategic reviews of public health programmes.
This module is intended for students interested in the practical application of
public health principles to public health issues in developing countries
CONTENT
Session content
The module is expected to include sessions addressing the following topics
(though please note that these may be subject to change):

Overview of the global burden of disease and public health intervention
strategies and policies;
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
The process of developing evidence-based guidelines at WHO;

Critical appraisal and interpretation of data from randomised controlled
trials and observational studies for making public health policy;

Applying the diverse mix of public health disciplines to different scenarios
of current public health issues in developing countries;

Use of health metrics for policy, monitoring and evaluation;

Conducting reviews of health programmes;

Approaches to monitoring and evaluation of delivery of interventions;

Programme grant application and the review process;

Procurement & Supply Chain Management;

Human resources for health;

Data needs and communication strategies for advocacy;

Health economics for public health practitioners;

Research into policy will broadly require the application of analytical
(epidemiological, social science, economic and policy setting) skills to
examine the evidence base and its sufficiency for appropriate policy
development;

Policy into practice will require the demonstration of strategic programme
planning skills based on the specific policy and the implementation context;

The strategic review of public health programmes component of the
module will build on monitoring and evaluation principles and skills.
TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT
Study resources
provided or required
Copies of essential reading for each session will be included in the course
reader.
Teaching and learning
methods
A variety of teaching methods are used including lectures and
practicals/seminars. Practical sessions focus on integrated application of the
broad range of skills required to be a public health practitioner in a developing
country.
Assessment details
Assessment will involve submission, by each student, of a policy discussion
paper on a potential intervention that is currently considered to reduce disease
burden in developing countries. The maximum word limit for the policy
discussion paper is 2,500 words excluding references.
For students who are required to re-sit, or granted a deferral or new attempt,
the task will be the same as the original assessment but with a different topic.
Assessment dates
Assessments should be submitted on the last day of the module. For the
academic year 2015-16 this will be 2.00 p.m. on Friday 20 May 2016.
For students who are required to re-sit, or who are granted a deferral or new
attempt, the next assessment deadline will be the standard Schoolrecommended date in mid/late September 2016.
Language of study and
assessment
English (please see ‘English language requirements’ below regarding the
standard required for entry).
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TIMING AND MODE OF STUDY
Duration
The module runs for 5 weeks at 2.5 days per week; this module runs between
Wednesday lunchtime and Friday afternoon.
Dates
For 2015-16, the module will start on Wednesday 20 April 2016 and finish on
Friday 20 May 2016.
Timetable slot
The module runs in LSHTM timetable slot E.
Mode of Study
The module is taught face-to-face in London. Both full-time and part-time
students follow the same schedule. For full-time students, other LSHTM
modules are available in the other half of the week for the C and D slots.
Learning time
The notional learning time for the module totals 150 hours, consisting of:

Contact time ≈ 44 hours

Directed self-study ≈ 45 hours

Self-directed learning ≈ 7 hours

Assessment, review and revision ≈ 54 hours
APPLICATION, ADMISSION AND FEES
Pre-requisites
Students must have a good understanding of epidemiology, statistics, social
science and health economics.
English language
requirements
A strong command of the English language is necessary to benefit from
studying the module. Applicants whose first language is not English or whose
prior university studies have not been conducted wholly in English must fulfil
LSHTM’s English language requirements, with an acceptable score in an
approved test taken in the two years prior to entry. Applicants may be asked to
take a test even if the standard conditions have been met.
Student numbers
Student numbers are typically 70 per year; numbers may be capped due to
limitations in facilities or staffing.
Student selection
Preference will be given to LSHTM MSc students, particularly those registered
for specific courses or who have taken specific prior modules, where
applicable, and LSHTM research degree students. Other applicants meeting the
entry criteria will usually be offered a place in the order applications are
received, until any cap on numbers is reached. Applicants may be placed on a
waiting list and given priority the next time the module is run.
Full Registration (full participation) by LSHTM research degree students is
required for this module.
Fees
For registered LSHTM MSc students, fees for the module are included within
MSc fees (given on individual course prospectus pages).
If registering specifically for this module, as a stand-alone short course,
individual module fees will apply.
Tuition fees must be paid in full before commencing the module, or by any fee
deadline set by the Registry.
Scholarships
Scholarships are not available for individual modules. Some potential sources
of funding are detailed on the LSHTM website.
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Admission deadlines
For 2015-16:

For registered LSHTM MSc students, the module choice deadline (for Term
2 and 3 modules) is Friday 20 November 2015.

If registering specifically for this module, applications may be made at any
time but, as places are limited, applications ahead of the MSc deadline are
strongly advised. All applications should be submitted at the latest 8 weeks
prior to the start of the module. Formal registration will take place on the
morning of the first day of the module.
ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
This module specification applies for the academic year 2015-16
Last revised 5 August 2014 by Daniel Chandramohan; Minor amendments 20 July 15 SDB
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St., London WC1E 7HT.
www.lshtm.ac.uk
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