Outline

Overview

Program evaluation is vital to understand if and how public health actions are working and can be improved. This practical and professionally relevant unit equips students with the skills to undertake and interpret evaluations of public health programs implemented across diverse settings. Students will learn about the different types of evaluation, how to define evaluation questions, and select appropriate evaluation designs and data collection tools. The unit also covers methods for scaling up public health programs to the population level and designing practical evaluation solutions to complex programs that address real-world problems. Learning is interactive and collaborative, combining workshops, tutorials, and authentic assessment tasks. Emphasis is placed on developing core evaluation competencies, including critical thinking, collaboration, and communication, through engagement with practical case examples. By the end of this unit, students will be able to confidently plan, conduct, and interpret findings from public health program evaluations – an essential skill for public health professionals and those seeking to pursue evaluation research grounded in scientific rigour and pragmatic methodologies.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Public Health
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	PUBH5033
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Yvonne Laird, yvonne.laird@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Ben Smith, ben.smith@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Karen Lee, karen.c.lee@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
In-class quiz	Workshop Quiz Series A series of quizzes to be completed during each workshop (3 in total).	15%	Multiple weeks	3 x quizzes; 5 marks each	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Tutorials 4 x weekly online asynchronous tutorials	5%	Multiple weeks	~2 hours per tutorial	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assessment 1: Program evaluation abstract A pre-recorded oral presentation answering pre-specified questions about aspects and components of an evaluation reported in a published abstract.	15%	Week 06 Due date: 11 Sep 2026 at 23:59	2 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Assessment 2: Logic model and evaluation plan Generate a logic model (group work) & evaluation plan (individual) for a public health program	30%	Week 10 Due date: 16 Oct 2026 at 23:59	1000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Assessment 3: Appraisal of program evaluations Comparative analysis of two published public health program evaluations	35%	Week 13 Due date: 06 Nov 2026 at 23:59	2000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

The Workshop Quiz Series is a series of 3x in-class quizzes to be completed during each workshop. The quizzes will test your understanding of evaluation concepts covered in each workshop. Note that the quizzes are completed during the scheduled workshops and it will not be possible to complete these in-class assessments out of class.

Assessment 1 requires students to submit a 2-minute pre-recorded oral presentation on an assigned abstract and answer pre-specified questions about aspects and components of the study.

Assessment 2 requires students to generate a logic model (group work) and prepare a brief, prioritised evaluation plan for one process component and one outcome component (individual work).

Assessment 3 is a written assignment that requires students to compare and contrast two public health program evaluations.

Online asynchronous tutorials (4x weekly tutorials) requires students to contribute to tasks and discussions relating to each topic.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas under ‘Assessments’.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Students at this level demonstrate an advanced understanding and application of all the key concepts addressed in this unit. They also demonstrate an exceptional ability to synthesise relevant evidence, critically appraise this evidence, and apply their findings to a given context. Students show initiative and creativity in their work.
Distinction	75 - 84	Students at this level demonstrate a very good understanding and application of all or most of the key concepts addressed in this unit. They also demonstrate an ability to synthesise relevant evidence, critically appraise this evidence, and apply their findings to a given context.
Credit	65 - 74	Students at this level demonstrate a good understanding and application of all or most of the key concepts addressed in this unit. They demonstrate an ability to synthesise relevant evidence and their work exhibits some characteristics of critical appraisal.
Pass	50 - 64	Students at this level demonstrate an acceptable understanding and application of all or most of the key concepts addressed in this unit. They demonstrate an ability to identify and describe relevant evidence.
Fail	0 - 49	Students at this level have not met the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The pre-recorded oral presentation (Assessment 1) replaced an in-class presentation and therefore we cannot accept late submissions. For Assessments 2 and 3, late penalties will be applied of 5% of the available marks for each calendar day the work is submitted after the due date, and a mark of zero will be applied to work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Multiple weeks	Review pre-recorded videos and readings in preparation for workshops and tutorials	Self-directed learning (8 hr)
Week 01	Workshop 1: Program Evaluation Principles	Workshop (6 hr)
Week 01	Workshop 2: Program Evaluation Methods	Workshop (6 hr)
Week 03	Tutorial 1: Levels of evaluation	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Tutorial 2: Evaluation study design	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Tutorial 3: Measurement in evaluation	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Tutorial 4: Natural experiments and complex program evaluation	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Workshop 3: Natural experiments, complex program evaluation and scale-up	Workshop (4 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Block mode students are required to attend 3 face-to-face workshops, and to participate in 4 online asynchronous tutorials.

Online students are required to view the recordings for workshops 1 and 2 and attend the scheduled Q&A session for this content. Online students are required to attend workshop 3 (either online or face-to-face), and to participate in 4 online synchronous tutorials.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Readings link available on Canvas.

Core textbook: Bauman, A. and Nutbeam, D., 2024 (3rd Edition). Evaluation in a nutshell: a practical guide to the evaluation of health promotion programs. McGraw-Hill.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. analyse and correctly apply levels of evaluation to public health programs
LO2. generate logic models in order to understand how they can inform evaluations of public health programs
LO3. evaluate the appropriateness of qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods study design in program evaluation
LO4. create and evaluate different types of quantitative measures in order to use them appropriately in program evaluation
LO5. demonstrate an understanding of the purpose and limitations of natural experiments for evaluation
LO6. apply concepts of program complexity and the purpose and process of scaling up.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The feedback suggests that students were satisfied with the unit, with many highlighting the quality of the teaching and the real-world relevance of the unit. Another strength that was highlighted was the usefulness of the assessments and feedback for learning, and the opportunity to connect with and learn from peers. Suggestions for improvement included delivering the workshops in hybrid mode to enable online students to attend live. Others noted that the intensive format of the unit was challenging, although others liked this. We are exploring opportunities to enhance the learning experience for online students and adding content relating to careers in public health program evaluation.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

PUBH5227: Public Health Program Evaluation

Semester 2, 2026 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links