Master of Public Health (Health Economics Specialisation)
ObjectivesStudents specialising in Health Economics will learn to appreciate and apply the key concepts behind health economics as a way of thinking. They will be able to analyse and discuss key policy issues in public health from an "economic" perspective. They will, for example, critically appraise the structure and financing of the Australian health care system, understand and assess health expenditure trends and their associated policy implications. They will consider the arguments for and against competition in health care (and "economic rationalism"), and apply economic reasoning to policy problems (such as the strengths and weaknesses of reform options for Medicare). Students often choose to combine Health Economics with the study of Economic Evaluation and Health Policy subjects.
Academic titleMaster of Public Health (Health Economics Specialisation)
Course descriptionCore Subjects
The following are the core requirements for this specialisation. Students must enrol in:
505-501 and 505-102 (Consortium subjects)
505-908 505-907 (Pre-req for Research project)
505-906 (Research project)
And choose a minimum of two other appropriate Consortium subjects. Please see the section "Recommended Consortium Requirements" below for the most suitable options.
Subject Semester Credit Points
505-101 Statistics
This unit aims to introduce students to basic statistical concepts and methods. Semester 1 12.50
505-102 Epidemiology
The aim of this unit is to provide students with basic quantitative skills necessary for the practice of general public health and to enable students to critically evaluate the published epidemiological literature. The unit provides an introduction t... Semester 1 12.50
505-908 Health Economics 1
This subject explores and further applies the concepts covered in the Health Economics section of Health Economics and Program Evaluation. The subject comprises four parts: Dimensions of Health Economics; Microeconomic Tools for Health Economics; The... Semester 1 12.50
505-907 Economic Evaluation 1
This subject explores the basic concepts, methods and applications of economic evaluation in the health sector (and public health in particular). Semester 1 12.50
505-906 Research Project in Health Economics
To develop a research question in Health Economics/Economic Evaluation and to adopt appropriate research methods to answer this question. The research report will normally include one or a number of the following components: critical appraisal of the... Semester 1, Semester 2 25
Recommended Consortium Subjects
The following are recommended consortium subjects. Students should enrol in 505-100 and choose a minimum of one from the remaining three subjects.
Subject Semester Credit Points
505-100 Health Economics & Program Evaluation
This subject provides an introduction to the disciplines of health economics and program evaluation and provides students with the opportunity to develop an appreciation of the contribution that health economics and program evaluation make to the pra... Semester 2 12.50
505-113 Public Health Policy
In this unit, students are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to participate competently in the development, implementation and analysis of health policy at a level appropriate to a generalist public health practitioner. This unit is taugh... Semester 1 12.50
505-111 Principles & Practice of Public Health
This unit provides students with an integrated overview of the ways in which different theories and disciplinary perspectives have informed public health principles and practices both in the past and present. The unit provides the foundations for a c... Semester 1 12.50
505-110 Health Promotion
This unit aims to provide an understanding of health promotion concepts and approaches as they relate to contemporary health issues in Australia and internationally. The unit is designed to assist students to: appreciate the key developments in Austr... Semester 2 12.50