Syllabus

Master of Public Health

GPH 746 Integrated Practicum: Capstone – Fall 2015 A/B

Credits - 3

Description

Instructor: Nang H. Tin Maung, PhD, MPH
Email: ntinmaung@une.edu
Telephone: (207) 221-4952

Office Hours: The Course Instructor is available by making an appointment via email.

Course Goal: In this course, students will demonstrate the integration of their skills, knowledge, and values linked with public health core competencies learned throughout the entire MPH program. This will be reflected in the production of a comprehensive paper and presentation acceptable to professional public health standards.

Course Description: This is the synthesis course of the MPH program. It allows each student the opportunity to apply the theory, principles, and science of public health in a capstone. This course involves a comprehensive review of a public health issue and potential or real solutions in the form of an extensive term paper or “thesis”. The comprehensive nature also refers to the proposed public health approach to address the issue, taking into consideration possible policy interventions, health communications, public education, provider education, and/or patient education, as well as policy, environmental, and systems change strategies, among others.

Course Prerequisite Requirements: Successful completion of all MPH core and elective courses or an approved petition.

Course Format: This course will be facilitated through a webbased format. Individual meetings with the Course Instructor will be up to the student to schedule. Course assignments will be submitted via the Blackboard learning management system.

Materials

There is no assigned textbook for this course.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Course Competencies: This course will meet the following public health competencies based on the model developed by the Council on Linkages Between Academia and Public Health Practice.

1A10. Uses quantitative and qualitative data.
1B4. Uses information technology in accessing, collecting, analyzing, using, maintaining, and disseminating data and information.
1C10. Integrates findings from quantitative and qualitative data into organizational plans and operations (e.g., strategic plan, quality improvement plan, professional development).
2A3. Describes organizational strategic plan (e.g., includes measurable objectives and targets; relationship to community health improvement plan, workforce development plan, quality improvement plan, and other plans). 2A6. Gathers information that can inform options for policies, programs, and services (e.g., secondhand smoking policies, data use policies, HR policies, immunization programs, food safety programs).
2A7. Describes implications of policies, programs, and services.
2B6. Develops options for policies, programs, and services (e.g., secondhand smoking policies, data use policies, HR policies, immunization programs, food safety programs).

Course Learning Objectives:

Apply public health evidence, principles, theories, practices, and/or research methods to a specific public health problem.
Describe the contributing factors and potential solutions to a public health problem.
Describe how and where to gather information on a particular public health area of interest and develop a manuscript.
Demonstrate formal presentation skills verbally and in writing.

Assignments

Capstone Description (5 points):

Submit a capstone description through the discussion forum on blackboard and respond to at least one of your classmate’s capstone project. The description should be <300 words and include a brief background on the public health issue of interest, a brief analysis of current programs and interventions, if any, and the research question(s) of your capstone project.

After all the capstone descriptions are completed, read through your classmate’s posts and provide feedback on at least one post.

Annotated Bibliography and List of References (10 points):

List of references: Provide a list of peer-reviewed journal articles or other resources (reports, guidelines, etc) that are relevant to the arguments and discussions in this paper. This list can be modified throughout the term. AMA style of reference should be used: http://www.une.edu/sites/default/files/citeama.pdf. Number of references will vary but a minimum of 15 is recommended.

Annotated Bibliography: Pick out 5 articles from your list and write up an annotated bibliography. A workshop on literature review and annotated bibliographies will be offered during the second week of class; you may attend the workshop live via blackboard collaborate or view the recording afterwards.

Introduction/Background and Rationale (10 points):

This should be a ~ 3-5 pages, double-spaced summary of the public health issue of interest including the magnitude of the problem, risk factors, populations affected and how addressing the issue would contribute to larger public health goals and services. Use relevant references from section 2 to support your arguments.

Current Efforts and Strengths/Limitations (10 points):

Discuss what research has been done on this topic and how others have addressed the issue. Describe any knowledge and regulatory gaps as well as strengths and limitations associated with current efforts. Use relevant references from section 2 to support your arguments. (~ 3-5 pages, double-spaced)

Proposed^* Intervention(s) and Implementation/Evaluation Plan (10 points):

Describe in detail your proposed intervention(s) and program(s) and how they compare to existing programs. Be sure to discuss plans, resources needed and issues associated with implementation and evaluation of your proposed interventions. Use relevant articles from section 2 to support your arguments. (~ 3-5 pages, double-spaced)

*you may advocate for an existing intervention that is underutilized and discuss its potentials or propose a modification that can make existing programs more effective.

Final Paper Including Discussions, Conclusions, References and Appendices (25 points total): ~15-20 pages, double-spaced, not including references, figures and tables.

Abstract (5 points): The abstract should be ~250 words and include a brief background of the public health issue of interest, description and purpose of your project as well as main conclusions and recommendations.
Final paper: Combine your previous assignments and incorporate any feedbacks to produce a final paper that is coherent and thoroughly proofread. The paper should also contain discussion and conclusion sections, which summarize any unmet needs that the project is designed to address and the take-home message of your project. Discuss limitations, important considerations and recommendations for the future. References should be in AMA style and any tools or materials developed for the project should be included as appendices.

Final Presentation (30 points total):

PowerPoint Presentation (20 points): During the last two weeks of class, each student will complete a 45-minute (35 minutes for presentation + 10 minutes for questions) oral presentation online or in person.
PowerPoint Presentation Attendance and Feedback (10 points): In addition to one’s own presentation, each student must attend any two presentations by their classmates, contribute to the discussions and provide comments/suggestions via a feedback form.

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown


Capstone Description	5
Annotated Bibliography and List of References	10
Introduction/Background and Rationale	10
Current Efforts and Strengths/Limitations	10
Proposed Intervention(s) and Implementation/Evaluation Plan	10
Final Paper Including Discussions, Conclusions, References, and Appendices	25
Final Presentation	30
Total	100

Grade	Point Range
High Pass	90-100
Pass	80-89
Fail	79 and below

Schedule

Overview of Course Due Dates* (By 11:59pm Eastern Time):

September 14^th: Assignment #1 (Capstone Description)
September 28^th: Assignment #2 (Annotated Bibliography and List of References)
October 12^th : Assignment #3 (Introduction/Background and Rationale)
October 26^th: Assignment #4 (Current Efforts and Strengths/Limitations)
November 9^th: Assignment #5 (Proposed Intervention(s) and Implementation/ Evaluation Plan)
November 15^th: Complete the poll (details TBA) to schedule final presentations
December 1^st : Assignment #6 (Final Paper)

Oral presentations will take place between December 2^nd and December 17^th

December 18^th: Presentation feedback forms

*All assignments must be submitted by 11:59pm Eastern Time on the due date. Prior arrangements must be made if an extension is needed. Unless pre-approved by the instructor, there will be a 5% deduction for each day that an assignment is late and assignments more than 4 days late will not be accepted.

Student Resources

Online Student Support

Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.

Questions? Visit the Student Support Public Health page

UNE Libraries:

Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
Public Health Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/public-health/
Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.

UNE Student Academic Success Center

UNE's Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of free online services to support your academic achievement. Writing support, ESOL support, study strategy and learning style consultations, as well as downloadable resources, are available to all matriculating students. The SASC also offers tutoring for GPH 712 Epidemiology, GPH 716 Biostatistics, GPH 717 Applied Epidemiology, GPH 718 Biostatistics II, and GPH 719 Research Methods. To make an appointment for any of these services, go to une.tutortrac.com. For more information and to view and download writing and studying resources, please visit:

UNE Student Academic Success Center

Information Technology Services (ITS)

ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673

Accommodations

Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.

Online Peer Support

Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.

Information Technology Services (ITS)

Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.

ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.

Career Ready Program

The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!

The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.

Policies

Passing Grade Statement

A grade of 80% or higher is required to pass the course. A grade lower than 80% will result in you having to repeat the course. Obtaining two "Fs" in the program will result in dismissal from the program.

AMA Writing Style Statement

The American Medical Association Manual (AMA) of Style, 11th edition is the required writing format for this course. Additional support for academic writing and AMA format is provided throughout the coursework as well as at the UNE Portal for Online Students.

Online resources: AMA Style Guide

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Statement

Learning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) responsibly and ethically is an important skill in today’s society. AI is not a substitute for developing and enhancing skills in creativity, logic, critical thinking, analysis, evaluation, theorization, and writing essential to a public health professional. If you choose to use AI tools, such as ChatGPT and DALL-E2, they must be used wisely and intelligently to deepen your understanding of a subject matter and support learning. You are not allowed to use AI tools to generate your work. Content produced using AI tools cannot be used as a substitute for your original work.

Students in the Graduate Programs in Public Health (GPPH) must take ultimate responsibility for the accuracy of AI-generated content used in any work. You are expected to think critically about the results and alignment with the questions or tasks in the assignment and never substitute AI-generated results for professional human judgment and logic. GPPH students are also expected to understand that the information generated is not always accurate and, in some cases, propagates discrimination and bias. You must stay abreast of AI best practices, and the changing risks and benefits, and monitor AI for biases and risks for vulnerable populations and underrepresented groups.

Within GPPH, using AI-generated content in academic work falls under our academic integrity policies. All instructors will continue to use our AI detection software for each assignment submitted so it will be flagged.

Using any AI tool in your work must be acknowledged in-text every time it is used, not in your list of references. You will include a summary of what the AI tool was used to do, followed by the AI tool brand name, version/extension #, manufacturer/owner, and date used in parentheses.

For example,

Themes from participant responses were identified using a chatbot session (ChatGPT, model GPT-4, OpenAI, May 17, 2024).

Failure to acknowledge the inclusion of AI-generated content in any work submitted violates our academic integrity policies and will be considered an infraction with the associated penalties for plagiarism as outlined in the Student Handbook.

The Student Orientation has a module "Artificial Intelligence Literacy for Students", please refer to this module for more information about navigating the use of AI.

Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool

The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.

Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in APA citation and academic writing.

You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.

Technology Requirements

Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements

Course Evaluation Policy

Course surveys are one of the most important tools that University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.

Late Policy

Students are responsible for submitting work by the date indicated in Brightspace.

Quizzes and Tests: Quizzes and tests must be completed by the due date. They will not be accepted after the due date.

Assignments: Unless otherwise specified, assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.

Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.

Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.

Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures

The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.

Student Handbook

UNE Course Withdrawal

Please contact your Enrollment and Retention Counselor if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. Tuition charges may still apply. Students are strongly urged to consult with Student Financial Services, as course withdrawals may affect financial aid or Veterans benefits.

Academic Integrity

The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit https://www.une.edu/studentlife/plagiarism.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.

Attendance Policy

6- to 8-week courses: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.

10+ -week courses: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.

Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures

The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.

UNE Online Student Handbook

UNE Course Withdrawal

Academic Integrity

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.