Postgraduate taught 

Sport & Exercise Science & Medicine MSc/PgDip/PgCert: Online distance learning

Physical Activity and Health: Public Health, Policy and Behavioural Change MED5360

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: No
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

This course aims to provide the students with an in depth critical knowledge and understanding of physical activity policy development, the key concepts in physical activity behaviour change in public health and the promotion of physical activity at a population level and with specific targeted populations

Timetable

Students will access lecture materials at their own pace on Moodle 2. There will be online tutorials with course staff every 2 weeks running across 10 weeks in the Semester.

Excluded Courses

MED5344

MED5339

MED5349

MED5354

MED5362

Assessment

Written Report of student-led discussion forum 50% (2000 words)

Essay on specified topic 50% (2000 words)

Course Aims

To provide the students with an in depth critical knowledge and understanding of physical activity policy development, the key concepts in physical activity behaviour change in public health and the promotion of physical activity at a population level and with specific targeted populations

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Critically discuss the key concepts in public health, epidemiology, health education and health promotion

■ Critically evaluate factors underpinning the development of effective physical activity guidelines

■ Critically review strategies for physical activity behaviour change

■ Critically discuss and evaluate the practice of public health promotion of physical activity at a population level and in targeted special populations and to critically review the particular issues of recruitment and adherence for these populations, using relevant examples

■ Critically review the importance and process of evaluation of physical activity projects in public health

■ Critically evaluate methods of physical activity and sedentary behaviour measurement

■ Critically discuss areas of uncertainty and gaps of knowledge in the current physical activity and public health literature and design future research studies to address these issues

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.