Explore UCD

UCD Home >

HACT40140

Academic Year 2025/2026

Public Health (HACT40140)

Subject:
Humanitarian Action
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Agriculture & Food Science
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Pat Gibbons
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The Overall goal of the module is to introduce students to the application of public health knowledge, skills and practice to challenges in humanitarian settings. The module is part of the Joint Master's Programme in International Humanitarian Action. Humanitarian crises or emergencies are often associated with events that pose threat to the health, safety and wellbeing of individuals and communities. Therefore, this module will use a series of lectures and workshops by a range of relevant experts to introduce students to learning related to: Public Health in Humanitarian assistance, basics of epidemiology and outbreak investigation, food nutrition and security , mental and psychosocial support, reproductive, maternal and child health, shelter, settlement planning, excreta and waste management; vector control, health promotion & NCDs and health assessment, health systems and water supply in humanitarian settings.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the module, it is intended that each student will be able to:
1. Develop a comprehensive understanding of public health in different emergency contexts.
2. Demonstrate the ability to integrate a public health response into the often complex social and cultural environment of those affected by humanitarian crises.
3. Acquire the fundamental skills to plan and implement health interventions in emergencies regarding food security, water and environmental health, communicable diseases, psycho-social/psychological issues, health care services and health information systems.
4. Develop the necessary skills for communicating public health situations and conclusions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
5. Acquire a clear understanding of personal health and safety risks in disasters.
6. Develop and utilise coping skill relevant for personal health and security issues.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

20
Autonomous Student Learning

20
Lectures

70
Small Group

10
Seminar (or Webinar)

10
Total

130

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module will employ primarily a series of online/face to face lectures and workshops by a range of relevant experts in order to achieve the learning outcomes identified. Learning materials will be released in Brightspace during the course of the module.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (Online): Online exam aligned with module learning outcomes Week 15 Alternative non-linear conversion grade scale 50% No
50
 No
Group Work Assignment: Group assignment analyzing a recent public health intervention or an outbreak response in a humanitarian setting. Students evaluated on implementation strategy and teamwork. Week 15 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
40
 No
Participation in Learning Activities: Active involvement in lectures, discussions, and workshops. Week 15 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
10
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Assoc Professor Pat Gibbons Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Sulagna Maitra Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Adah Musa Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 9, 10, 11 Fri 14:00 - 16:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 11 Mon 09:00 - 16:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 9, 10 Mon 09:00 - 16:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 9, 10, 11 Thurs 09:00 - 16:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 10 Tues 10:00 - 12:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 9 Tues 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 11 Tues 14:00 - 16:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 10 Wed 10:00 - 12:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 10, 11 Wed 14:00 - 16:50
Print this page
Fill in the following details:
Enter the body of your query here.

From time to time UCD would like to send you further information that we feel, based on your enquiry, would be of interest to you.