GLOBAL HEALTH CHALLENGES - 2025/6

Module Overview

The initial purpose of this module is to provide a conceptual understanding of the key principles of human immunology, including the immune response to infection and foreign antigens.  Leading to a series of lectures covering the immunopathology, symptoms, treatment and diagnostic tests for range of clinically relevant diseases in the area of immunology and immunohaematology will be delivered by internal and external experts in the field thus aligning with the United Nation¿s sustainability goal 3 -Health and wellbeing. This will include clinical immunology consultants, Biomedical Scientists and research active experts with the chance for students to interact with active practitioners highlighting the employability in this field. The focus of the coursework is on clinical case studies and is undertaken primarily as group work with a proportion of the marks based on individual and group work contribution assessment thus building resourcefulness and resilience.  The coursework culminates in an oral presentation which builds on several employability skills.

Module provider

School of Biosciences

Module Leader

SURENDRAN Shelini (Biosciences)

Number of Credits: 30

ECTS Credits: 15

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

The indicative content includes:

• Introduction to the module aims and assessment.

• Global Health Inequalities.

• Disease Case Studies.

• Health Promotion and Interventions.

• Statistical Analysis and Data Interpretation.

• Impact of Globalisation and Climate Change.

• Socio-Economic and Political Drivers.

• Health Systems and Policies.

• Community Engagement in Global Health.

• Ethical Considerations in Global Health Research.

• Future Trends in Global Health.

• Group Oral Presentation: Data Analysis Case Study.

• Coursework: Portfolio demonstrating engagement and analysis of primary data.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

None

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to:
Provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to critically analyse primary datasets related to global health inequalities and to evaluate interventions aimed at reducing these disparities. Students will apply their understanding of the biological, environmental, economic, and political drivers of health inequality through data analysis and case study evaluations. Additionally, the assessment aims to foster skills in critical thinking, data interpretation, teamwork, and communication through collaborative presentations and individual reflection.
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Group Oral Presentation: Data Analysis Case Study (addresses learning outcomes: LO1, LO2, LO6)
• Coursework: Portfolio: engagement and analysis of primary data, and personal reflection (addresses learning outcomes: LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6)

Formative assessment:

1. Biweekly Online MCQ Mini-Tests:
   Available on SurreyLearn (Online learning platform), these tests assess students' understanding of key concepts from each module. Students can retake the tests to improve their understanding and reinforce their learning.
2. In-Class Interactive Activities:
   These activities, such as electronic voting and peer-to-peer learning, are used to assess students' grasp of the material in real-time during lectures.
3. Guidance on Coursework Preparation:
   Students will receive support and practice on data analysis, statistical methods, and presentation techniques in preparation for the group oral presentation and portfolio submission.

Feedback:

• Immediate Feedback on MCQ Mini-Tests:
  After completing the mini-tests, students will receive their marks and, when applicable, feedback on incorrect answers to guide their understanding.
• Verbal Feedback in Tutorials:
  During preparation for coursework presentations, students will receive verbal feedback on their approach, data analysis, and presentation skills.
• Formative Feedback on Coursework Structure:
  Guidance on the structure and content of the portfolio will be provided to help students improve their analysis and engagement with primary data.

Module aims

• Provide students with a comprehensive understanding of public health within a global context, focusing on the impact of inequalities on human health and wellbeing.
• Explore the diverse factors that drive global health inequalities, including biological, environmental, economic, and political influences.
• Enhance students' ability to analyse, visualise, and interpret primary datasets to critically investigate the causes of health disparities.
• Examine real-world case studies of communicable and non-communicable diseases to illustrate the challenges of addressing global health issues.
• Introduce students to health promotion as a strategy for reducing inequalities, evaluating both successful interventions and their limitations.
• Deliver hands-on experience with statistical and analytical tools to build evidence-based approaches to global health challenges.
• Encourage critical thinking and innovation in proposing sustainable solutions to reduce global health disparities, preparing students for impactful roles in healthcare and public health sectors.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:
Equip students with a comprehensive understanding of global health issues, focusing on health inequalities and the factors contributing to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Students will critically engage with primary datasets to analyse global health disparities and evaluate interventions aimed at reducing these inequalities. The module encourages active participation through data analysis, case studies, and discussions, fostering skills in critical thinking, data interpretation, and problem-solving. Collaborative activities such as group work and oral presentations will enhance communication, teamwork, and leadership abilities, while also refining time management skills. This approach allows students to develop a practical and in-depth understanding of global health challenges, empowering them to assess evidence-based solutions to critical health issues.
The learning and teaching methods include:

• Lectures.

• Seminars.

• Tutorials / Feedforward sessions / Coursework sessions.

• Workshops.

• Independent Study.

• Guided Learning.

• Captured Content.

• Formative assessment exercises.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: BMS3119

Other information

The school of Biosciences / Global Health challenges module is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:
Digital capabilities: Students will develop digital skills by utilising a variety of resources such as literature databases, online datasets, and analytical tools for data visualisation. Tools such as MS teams and Panopto will be used for online lectures and content review. Students will also use PowerPoint for coursework presentations, reinforcing their proficiency with digital platforms for academic and professional purposes.
Employability: The module will enhance employability by fostering teamwork through group assignments and presentations. Students will develop communication skills through both written and oral presentations of their data analysis case studies. Time management and leadership skills will be further developed as part of coursework preparation and collaboration.
Global and cultural capabilities: The module content will help students understand the impact of global health inequalities, including the role of economic, social, and political factors in driving disparities. Students will explore disease prevalence and treatment options across various cultural and ethnic contexts, emphasising the importance of culturally competent healthcare delivery.
Resourcefulness and Resilience: This module encourages resilience by challenging students to manage complex datasets and navigate global health issues independently. Through reflective questions, peer discussions, and practical group activities, students will develop problem-solving skills and learn to adapt to changing circumstances. Additionally, the preparation for oral presentations will help build confidence, time management, and the ability to handle pressure in delivering clear, evidence-based solutions.
Sustainability: In line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), the module will focus on strategies for addressing global health inequalities. Students will explore sustainable health solutions and interventions, with specific emphasis on the long-term effectiveness of global health initiatives.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.