SP0739 - Epidemiology, aetiology and pathology of health disorders and special populations

An interactive style of teaching incorporating lectures and seminars is implemented. Lectures provide the basic conceptual framework and core material for syllabus topics. Seminars and associated directed learning tasks enable more in depth discussion of current research in the field, including contemporary issues. Seminar sessions incorporate the use of problem-based case studies to generate group discussion, and to enable you to develop both critical thinking and creative problem solving skills.

During the first week, you will be introduced to the module, and its’ administrative procedures and assessment requirements.

Support materials for sessions will be available to you on BlackBoard; including the lecture slides, suggested reading, access to interactive digital resources and websites, and other useful resources such as discussion boards and invitations to attend lectures by guest speakers. For further support on taught sessions you can access the tutors for one-to-one discussions and tutorials via the online tutorial booking system.

Formative preparation for the literature review will take place in student led seminars where you will be able to practise your skills in critiquing journal articles and receive feedback from your peers and tutors. Preparation for the exam will take place in specific focused seminars where you will be able to practice answering mock questions. Dedicated assessment sessions will afford you the opportunity to ask assignment related questions.

Written feedback will be provided for both summative assessments. A generic feedback session will take place for each assessment, and generic feedback from previous years will also be made available on BlackBoard.

You will receive formative and summative feedback on submitted work, and will have the opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have with the module tutor.

There is also comprehensive help available in the university library on a wide range of generic academic topics such as: academic writing, statistics, report writing, referencing, and how to hone your presentation skills.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Understand the theories relating to the aetiology of specific physiological and musculoskeletal disorders.
2. Understand the wider global impact of specific disease and pathophysiology
3. Understand the role of exercise as a preventative and management strategy in disease development

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
1. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the traditional and alternative preventative strategies and management techniques for specific health conditions

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
1. Demonstrate autonomy in learning and understanding the physiology of disease.

This module will be formally assessed in two parts:

• Literature Review: An assignment which will involve a literature review of the epidemiology and prevention/management of a health disorder (K&U: 1, 2, 3: IPSA: 1) (50%)

• Exam: The use of an exam will enable you to be assessed across the majority of the curriculum. The test will be a 3-hour paper and you will be expected to answer questions in long form with multiple choice questions (K&U: 1, 3; IPSA: 1; PVA; 1) (50%)

Formative assessment will be provided to you in the guise of an article critique relevant to the first summative assessment. In addition students will be required to prepare for a structured debate that will be held in the seminar sessions. Peers and staff will provide constructive feedback from the debate.
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Feedback is provided on the scripts and assessment feedback sheets. General feedback is posted to the e-learning portal and individual tutorials are offered for one-to-one feedback. Feedback will be received throughout the seminar tasks. A whole group feedback session will take place following each assessment.

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Epidemiology, aetiology and pathology of health disorders and special populations will give you an insight into the fundamental mechanisms/causes of common diseases; diseases which have both national and global importance at a population level. Through an understanding of the underlying causes and contributors to disease, you will learn to appreciate the important role that exercise/nutrition can have as a means to prevent certain health problems.

The assessment for this module requires you to conduct a review of literature on the role of physical activity in disease prevention or symptom management. There is also an exam, which assesses you across key aspects of the semester’s content. The teaching is carried out by staff who are experts in their respective fields, with strong research backgrounds in clinical exercise physiology. Learning about global health/disease issues will provide you with an excellent foundation for working in the field of clinical exercise physiology.