This Postgraduate Certificate in Health Protection is a part-time programme running from January to April/May. The programme is designed on a module basis to meet the needs of working professionals. A student who subsequently applies and continues to Master's level (Master of Public Health) will hold exemptions in passed modules taken in the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Protection if she/he applies for the Master of Public Health within 5 years from the date of successful completion of the Certificate Examinations.

Candidates must possess a NFQ Level 8 degree in a relevant subject area (minimum 2H2).

Relevant subject areas are: biological sciences, medical and health sciences, public health and social sciences.

Note: In some circumstances, applicants without a primary degree or applicants without a relevant primary degree may be recommended for entry to the programme following a review of their individual qualifications and experience by the course committee. Such applicants may be called for interview and their admission will be subject to the approval of the School of Public Health's Executive Committee.

Admission to the programme will be subject to the approval of the School of Public Health. Application for entry should be made online at http://www.pac.ie.

Garda Vetting
Students, or applicants in receipt of an offer, on this programme will be subject to Garda Vetting as relevant. Students will be prohibited from engaging in a relevant work placement unless the vetting process has been cleared. Click here to view UCC's Student Garda Vetting Policy.

Fitness to Practise
Commencing with the 2013/2014 intake of first year students (including repeats), this programme will be subject to the University's Fitness to Practise Policy - full details may be found here.

Students take taught modules to the value of 30 credits incorporating 140 hours of structured contact time.

Students take 30 credits as follows:

EH6019 The Principles and Practice of Multi-disciplinary Health Protection (10 credits)
EH6028 Leadership in Public Health (5 credits)
EH6046 Global and Environmental Health (5 credits)
MB6000 Microbiology for Health Protection (5 credits)
and either
EH6035 Practice Portfolio (5 credits)
or
EH6044 Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (5 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2019/2020 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2019/2020.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Certificate in Health Protection (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the appropriate management of infections caused by different pathogenic microorganisms;
• Investigate the transmission of endemic and epidemic infections from sufficient knowledge of the characteristics and transmission of causative organisms;
• Select appropriate methods for control of hospital and community acquired infections and infectious disease;
• Design, implement and evaluate co-ordinated control methods utilising tools such as reflective practice, audit and surveillance;
• Describe the global impact of infectious diseases and strategies which are effective, partially effective and ineffective in management and prevention;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the role of leadership in public health;
• Discuss the wider aspects of Health Protection.