30. Singapore postgraduate courses

The chapter provides detailed course information for the master's programs offered in Singapore. The off-shore (Singapore-based) programs are conducted by the Faculty of Health Sciences in conjunction with the Singapore Institute of Management. Graduates from the program will graduate with an award from the University of Sydney.

The ongoing responsibility for managing the courses lies with the Faculty of Health Sciences. The role of the Singapore Institute of Management is to provide a vehicle for implementing the courses.

Off-shore students should note that the semesters outlined in the tables and the units of study descriptions refer to the University of Sydney academic year. That is, Semester 1 is February to June and Semester 2 is July to December. All off-shore programs commence in Semester 2. Students enrolled in the off-shore programs are required to undertake the units of study in the semester designated for the off-shore curriculum (as per course outline tables).

The program structure for the masters degrees in Education and Gerontology will be four core units and four electives.

The core units will be offered as distance education units and, in addition, each core unit will have 16 hours of face-to-face contact with a content specialist. The electives are to be offered as distance education/online offerings only.

Off-shore (Singapore-based) - Not offered to commencing students in 2009

Health Science Education refers to the theory and practice of teaching and learning undertaken by health professionals in a variety of contexts across the health sciences, including undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and clinical education; staff development and continuing professional education; and, patient and community health education. Studies in this specialist area have been offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences since 1989.

The Health Science (Education) program is designed to give an additional professional qualification as a teacher facilitating student learning and as a manager of education programs, including curriculum leadership and scholarly inquiry into teaching and learning. People who enrol in this program are current or aspiring teachers from medicine and the allied health fields including nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, orthoptics, communication disorders, medical radiation sciences, exercise and sports science, social work, pharmacy, podiatry, dental therapy, health information management and the complementary therapies including homoeopathy, chiropractic and acupuncture.

Teachers from across the health professions work as academics and tutors in universities and colleges, educational designers for flexible and distance delivery of learning, clinical teachers and supervisors in fieldwork settings, nurse educators and clinical nurse specialists in public and private hospitals and the armed services, managers and training officers in human resource development units and pharmaceutical and medical supply companies, education officers in professional associations, patient educators and community health educators.

The extent of the interdependence between education and health is illuminated by Tones’ (1987) well known phrase "Education for Health". This succinctly captures why education is congruent with the nature of service delivery and has resulted in the professionalisation of teaching across the health sector. In keeping with the diversity of teaching possibilities, the Health Science (Education) program is designed to enable career portability between the different fields of education; in turn, this promotes common cause amongst educators across the health arena. The curriculum is conceptualised around a professional practice model of teaching derived from the key roles an educator has in any educational institution or health service organisation, and the competencies required to undertake these roles effectively through scholarship and best practice.

The course structure for this award reflects the need for educators to first understand the processes of teaching and learning from both a theoretical and practical perspective, in order to positively influence and manage educational practice in the many settings of education for health. The four core units provide a foundation in the theory of adult education and design for effective learning. The electives provide opportunities for participants to focus on streams of study relevant to the educational contexts and modes of educational delivery across the health sciences. Participants learn about teaching across four main specialties: student and clinical education, in-service and continuing education; technology based and distance education; patient and health education.

Admission requirements

In order to qualify for admission to this course, applicants shall have:

1. a bachelor’s degree in a health science field or other relevant area, or
2. submit other evidence of general and professional qualifications and/or experience, as well as satisfy the faculty that the applicant possesses the educational capacity to pursue graduate studies, and satisfy such additional requirements for admission to the program, if any, as may be prescribed by the faculty, and
3. have completed at least one year full-time practice as a health science professional. Current or recent experience in teaching is considered desirable.

Honours

Articulation into the Master of Health Science (Education) honours course is contingent upon the student achieving an overall credit average and Distinctions in at least two units of study in the Master of Health Science (Education) pass course. Evidence may be required of the applicant's ability to write a critical literature review to a high standard. The dissertation will be deemed to be worth 12 credit points and will normally be completed within one semester. Applicants should contact the unit coordinator before applying.

Course outline

The course outline for the Master of Health Science (Education) pass is presented in the Table 30.1. Units of study are described in Chapter 32.

Table 30.1: Master of Health Science (Education) Pass

Unit of study	Credit points	A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition	Session
Course code SC099: Credit points for award: 48
Part-time, 4 semesters (Semester 2 start)
Year 1 (no new intake in 2009)
Semester 2 (July-December)
BACH5001 Adult Learning	6		Semester 1 Semester 2
BACH5186 Professional Development Skills	6		Semester 1 Semester 2
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS
Semester 1 (February–June)
BACH5002 Educational Design	6		Semester 1 Semester 2
Elective from Group 1 [6]
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS
Year 2
Semester 2 (July–December)
BACH5003 Facilitating Learning	6	A Some knowledge of adult learning theory and group dynamics useful	Semester 2
Elective from Group 2 [6]
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS
Semester 1 (February–June)
Two electives from Group 3 [12]
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS
Electives
Group 1. Choose any one elective
BACH5085 Clinical Teaching and Supervision	6	A Some knowledge of adult learning theory is useful	Semester 1
BACH5153 Assessment of Learning	6	A Knowledge of adult learning and educational design is useful	Semester 1
BACH5336 Lecturing and Large Group Teaching	6	A BACH5001 Adult Learning and BACH5002 Educational Design	Semester 1
Group 2. Choose any one elective
BACH5007 Curriculum Leadership	6	A BACH5001 Adult Learning and BACH5002 Educational Design	Semester 2
BACH5042 Teaching Clinical Reasoning	6	A Some knowledge of Adult Learning theory is useful	Semester 2
BACH5116 Building eLearning Contexts in Health	6	A Basic computer skills and some knowledge of adult learning theory would be useful For staff only	Semester 2
BACH5284 Learning in the Workplace	6	A BACH5001 Adult Learning and BACH5002 Educational Design	Semester 2
Group 3. Choose any two electives
BACH5085 Clinical Teaching and Supervision	6	A Some knowledge of adult learning theory is useful	Semester 1
BACH5153 Assessment of Learning	6	A Knowledge of adult learning and educational design is useful	Semester 1
BACH5336 Lecturing and Large Group Teaching	6	A BACH5001 Adult Learning and BACH5002 Educational Design	Semester 1

Not offered in 2009

This course offers the opportunity for educators in the health sciences who have completed the Master of Health Science (Education) to have the master's degree awarded with honours following the completion of a dissertation. The dissertation provides candidates with an opportunity to undertake an advanced investigation in a topic or issue through the development of either a proposal for independent research on that topic or a substantial paper that demonstrates the application of scholarly literature to a practical problem. An honours candidate will be required to enrol in the honours program no later than the census date of the semester following that in which all coursework is completed. The dissertation will be deemed to be worth 12 credit points and will normally be completed within one semester.

Course outline

The course outline for the Master of Health Science (Education) honours is presented in Table 30.1.1. Units of study are described in Chapter 32.

Table 30.1.1: Master of Health Science (Education) Honours

Unit of study	Credit points	A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition	Session
Course code SC124: Credit points for award: 60
Part-time, 1 semester
Years 1 and 2
As per Pass course
Year 3 Honours
BACH5263 Dissertation	12		Semester 1 Semester 2

Off-shore (Singapore-based) – No new intake from 2009

This course offers professional development for practitioners whose work requires understanding of individual and population ageing. Graduates are equipped to occupy senior positions in management, policy, planning, education, research, clinical or other service delivery settings. The course structure reflects the need for professionals to understand the theoretical basis of gerontology and its application in specialised areas of knowledge about ageing and older people. To this end, participants undertake four core units of study and a choice of specialist electives in Gerontology (to a total of 24 credit points).

Admission requirements

In order to qualify for admission to the degree, applicants shall have:

1. a bachelor’s degree in an area of occupational relevance such as the health, welfare, social or biological sciences, or
2. overseas qualifications acceptable to the faculty, or
3. other general and professional qualifications and/or experience as will satisfy the faculty that the applicant possesses the educational preparation and capacity to pursue graduate studies, and satisfy such additional requirements for admission to the program, as may be prescribed by the faculty.

Honours

(Not offered in 2009)

Articulation into the Master of Health Science (Gerontology) honours course is contingent upon the student achieving an overall credit average and Distinctions in at least two units of study in the Master of Health Science (Gerontology) pass course.

An honours candidate will normally be required to enrol in the honours program no later than the census date of the semester following that in which all coursework is completed. Students will complete a dissertation (BACH5263) worth 12 credit points and the dissertation will normally be completed within one or two semesters.

Course outline

The course outlines for the Master of Health Science (Gerontology) pass and Master of Health Science (Gerontology) honours are presented in Tables 30.2 and 30.2.1. Units of study are described in Chapter 32.

Table 30.2: Master of Health Science (Gerontology) Pass

Unit of study	Credit points	A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition	Session
Course code SC103: Credit points for award: 48
Part-time, 4 semesters (Semester 2 start)
Year 1 (no new intake in 2009)
Semester 2 (July-December)
BACH5041 Introduction to Gerontology This unit of study is not available in2009	6		Semester 1 Semester 2
BACH5186 Professional Development Skills	6		Semester 1 Semester 2
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS
Semester 1 (February-June)
BACH5216 Behavioural Aspects of Ageing This unit of study is not available in2009	6		Semester 1
Elective from Group 1 [6]
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS
Year 2
Semester 2 (July–December)
BIOS5041 Ageing, Biology and Health	6		Semester 2
Elective from Group 2 [6]
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS
Semester 1 (February–June) (last offered in 2008)
Two electives from Group 3 [12]
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS
Electives
Group 1. Choose any one elective
BACH5027 Mental Health in Later Life	6		Semester 1 Semester 2
BACH5036 Community Aged Care	6		Semester 1
BACH5224 Organisational Management	6		Semester 1
Group 2. Choose any one elective
BACH5001 Adult Learning	6		Semester 1 Semester 2
BACH5058 Residential Care Policies and Services	6	Available only to students enrolled in MHlthSc (Gerontology)	Semester 2
Group 3. Choose any two electives
BACH5027 Mental Health in Later Life	6		Semester 1 Semester 2
BACH5036 Community Aged Care	6		Semester 1
BACH5224 Organisational Management	6		Semester 1

Table 30.2.1: Master of Health Science (Gerontology) Honours

Unit of study	Credit points	A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition	Session
Course code SC125: Credit points for award: 60
Part-time, 1 semester
Years 1 and 2 (no new intake in 2009)
As per Pass course
Year 3 Honours
BACH5263 Dissertation	12		Semester 1 Semester 2

Off-shore (Singapore-based) - Not offered to commencing students in 2009

The Master of Health Science (Management) course is offered to professionals in the health sector of Singapore. The program is designed to develop the management knowledge and skills of a range of professionals employed in the planning and delivery of health services in the Singapore context.

Admission requirements

In order to qualify for admission to this course, applicant shall have:

1. a bachelor’s degree in health sciences from a recognised tertiary institution (or equivalent)
2. a minimum of three years experience in the health services of a kind acceptable to the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences; or such qualifications as are deemed to be equivalent to 1. above.

Honours

(Not offered in 2009)

Candidates with a 65 per cent pass or better in all units of study and a 75 per cent pass or better in at least two units of study in the Master of Health Science (Management) program may apply to complete the additional honours requirement of a dissertation.

An honours candidate will normally be required to enrol in the honours program no later than the census date of the semester following that in which all coursework is completed. The dissertation will be deemed to be worth 12 credit points and will normally be completed within one or two semesters.

Course outline

The course outlines for the Master of Health Science (Management) pass and honours are presented in Tables 30.4 and 30.4.1. Units of study are described in Chapter 32.

Table 30.3: Master of Health Science (Management) Pass

Unit of study	Credit points	A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition	Session
Course code SC078: Credit points for award: 48
Part-time, 2 semesters (Semester 2 start)
Year 1 (no new intake in 2009)
Semester 2 (July–December)
SING5001 Organisational and Managerial Behaviour	6		Semester 2
SING5002 Health Economics	6		Semester 2
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS
Semester 1 (February–June)
SING5003 Health Service Leadership and Change	6		Semester 1
SING5004 Accounting and Financial Management	6		Semester 1
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS
Year 2
Semester 2 (July–December)
SING5005 Health Service Marketing	6		Semester 2
SING5006 Strategic Management and Planning	6		Semester 2
SEMESTER 2 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS
Semester 1 (February–June)
SING5007 Managing HR and IR in the Health Sector	6		Semester 1
SING5008 Information and Decision Analysis	6		Semester 1
SEMESTER 1 TOTAL: 12 CREDIT POINTS

Table 30.3.1: Master of Health Science (Management) Honours

Unit of study	Credit points	A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition	Session
Course code SC079: Credit points for award: 60
Part-time, 1 or 2 semesters
Years 1 and 2 (no new intake in 2009)
As per Pass course
Year 3 ( Honours)
Semester 2 (July–December)
SING5013 Dissertation	12		Semester 2
or
Semester 2 (July–December)
SING5014 Dissertation A	6		Semester 2
Semester 1 (February–June)
SING5015 Dissertation B	6		Semester 1