Course coordinator
Professor Brenda Gannon
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Economics School
The course provides students with an appreciation & understanding of economic debates regarding key health sector policy issues, an understanding of the measurement of problems associated with the economic analysis of some health sector issues & an insight into the political economy of the health sector & the role of economists in that sector.
The course focuses on the role of economic thinking in health policy making. Policy responses to problems in health and health care are presented through the lens of economic concepts, theories, frameworks and methods. The course is taught in a combination of lectures, which offer ample opportunity for interaction, and seminar-style tutorials. In the tutorial, every week students will become familiar with reading materials consisting of seminal and topical articles from the health economics literature. By completing this course, the students will learn to understand and appreciate the issues of health economic policy, and gain the ability to participate in health policy-making and debate.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Students are assumed to have attended introductory and advanced courses in Microeconomics and quantitative methods. The knowledge of introductory health economics is desirable.
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
ECON7000 and 7300
Course contact
School enquiries
Student Enquiries, School of Economics
All enquiries regarding student and academic administration (i.e. non-course content information, e.g., class allocation, timetables, extension to assessment due date, etc.) should be directed to enquiries@economics.uq.edu.au.
Enquiries relating specifically to course content should be directed to the Course Coordinator/Lecturer.
Tutor
Mr Chiemeka Chinaka
Course staff
Lecturer
Professor Brenda Gannon
Mr Chiemeka Chinaka
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Lectures commence in Week 1.
Tutorials commence in Week 2
Please see the Learning Activities section of this Course Profile for the timetabling implications of public holidays.
Important Dates:
· Public Holidays: Wed 13 August (Royal Queensland Show Holiday), Mon 6 October (King’s Birthday public holiday).
· Mid-Semester Break: 29 September – 3 October. Semester 2 classes recommence on Tue 7 October.
Students should refer to the timetable prior to the commencement of classes to ensure that they have the most up to date information, as from time to time late room changes may occur.
Aims and outcomes
The objective of this course is to provide studentsﾠwith (1) an understanding of the aims of health policy, (2) concepts and frameworks used in analysing and discussing policies and their consequences, (3) foundations for empirical evaluation of health policies and programs, (4) abundant examples illustrating the above. The course will focus on demonstrating how health economists analyse problems related to the production of health and the delivery of health care. The course will provide students with tools thatﾠallow them to conceptualise and evaluate the impact ofﾠhealth programs and policies.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Explain and evaluate the conceptual and empirical bases of the modern debates between health economists.
LO2.
Evaluate health policies from an economic point of view.
LO3.
Apply the tools of welfare economics and public economics to analyse and critically evaluate the role of markets and the government in the health sector.
LO4.
Explain the role of various conceptual frameworks in health sector decision-making and apply them to empirical work.
LO5.
Critically evaluate papers published in leading journals in the field of health economics.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution, Presentation |
Presentation
|
20% |
4/08/2025 - 20/10/2025
The presentation will take place during the allocated tutorial. Each student will be assigned to a presentation. A sign-up sheet will be available on Blackboard. The presentations will take place from tutorial 2 onwards, up to week 12. The due date is the date is the tutorial time, which is assigned to the student, through the sign-up sheet, on Blackboard. |
| Essay/ Critique |
Essay
|
35% |
10/10/2025 2:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Written critical review of article | 25% |
27/10/2025 2:00 pm |
| Quiz |
Weekly quizzes
|
20% Cumulative score |
Due on Monday 1 pm in the week after each tutorial. The Quiz will be open from the previous Thursday at 1pm. There is no quiz during mid-semester break, week 10. |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Presentation
- Team or group-based
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution, Presentation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
4/08/2025 - 20/10/2025
The presentation will take place during the allocated tutorial. Each student will be assigned to a presentation. A sign-up sheet will be available on Blackboard. The presentations will take place from tutorial 2 onwards, up to week 12.
The due date is the date is the tutorial time, which is assigned to the student, through the sign-up sheet, on Blackboard.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Peer-reviewed journal articles related to the course materials will be provided for in-person presentation during tutorials. Each student will need to discuss their allocated paper and guide a subsequent discussion in the tutorial, showing an understanding of the article. The presentations will be scheduled during the first week of the semester and presentation topics and dates will be allocated on a `first-come-first-serve' basis. Depending on the number of enrolled students, the duration of the presentation will be announced, and the format will be in groups or individual.
This task will be based on teams, discussing in person. It will involve a pre-arranged oral presentation to the class, based on the lecture topics. Topics will be assigned in the tutorial, and students will be assigned to teams. The task will involve reflection on learning of the topic, along with providing real-world examples for class discussion.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Slides must be prepared for the presentation. Instructions will be provided in tutorial 1. Each team member must be present on the day, or they will receive 0 marks for the assignment.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
The presentations are based on the papers provided only. There is no extension possible.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
A penalty of 100% for non-presentation.
If in teams, each team member must be present on the day, or they will receive 0 marks for the full assignment.
Essay
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
10/10/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Essays should be at approximately 3000 words.
Details will be discussed in class and provided on Blackboard.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submission should be done electronically via Turnitin. Instructions for submission will be provided on the Blackboard site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Extensions are limited to 7 calendar days to ensure timely feedback to other students.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Written critical review of article
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
27/10/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Critical review of a published article. List of research articles to be discussed in lecture/tutorial. The main goal of this assignment is to ensure all students gain knowledge in critically evaluating a publication in the health field.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI tools.
Submission guidelines
Article Review is to be submitted via Turnitin on the course Blackboard site by the due date and time.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Extensions are limited to 7 calendar days to ensure timely feedback to other students.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Weekly quizzes
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 20% Cumulative score
- Due date
Due on Monday 1 pm in the week after each tutorial. The Quiz will be open from the previous Thursday at 1pm.
There is no quiz during mid-semester break, week 10.
- Learning outcomes
- L05
Task description
Tutorials will be accompanied by quizzes. Questions will ask the understanding of students of the papers presented each week.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
• The final % will be weighted to 20% of the overall course marks. • At least 5 of the quizzes must be completed (not necessarily correct), or the full assessment results in 0%.Submission guidelines
Multiple-choice on Blackboard.
There is no late submission allowed for quizzes. The quiz will close at 1pm on the Monday (except on October 6th, public holiday when the quiz will remain open until the day after, Tuesday 1 p.m.).
Quizzes are to be completed on Blackboard. All questions are to be answered, to complete the quiz. At least 5 out of 10 quizzes are to be completed, otherwise 0 marks will be provided for ALL quizzes.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Answers will be posted in the tutorial in the next week so there will be no extension.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
There is no late submission allowed for quizzes. The quiz will close at 1pm on the Monday (except on October 6th, public holiday when the quiz will remain open until the day after, Tuesday 1 p.m.).
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0% - 29% |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30% - 46% |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47% - 49% |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50% - 64% |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65% - 74% |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75% - 84% |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85% - 100% |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
A student’s final overall end of semester percentage mark will be rounded to determine their final grade. For example, 64.5% rounds to 65%, while 64.4% rounds to 64%.
ﾠ
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Using AI at UQ
Visit the AI Student Hub for essential information on understanding and using Artificial Intelligence in your studies responsibly.
Plagiarism
The School of Economics is committed to reducing the incidence of plagiarism. You are encouraged to read the UQ Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy available in the Policies and Procedures section of this course profile.
The Academic Integrity Module (AIM) outlines your obligations and responsibilities as a UQ student. It is compulsory for all new to UQ students to complete the AIM.
SUBMISSION OF ASSIGNMENTS:
All assignments must be submitted by the due date and time stated in the course profile. The instructions for submission will be included on the Blackboard site.ﾠ
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Additional class resources, such as slides, tutorial questions, additional reading, and class notices, will be regularly posted on Blackboard.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (28 Jul - 03 Aug) |
Lecture |
Lecture 1: Course introduction Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 2 (04 Aug - 10 Aug) |
Lecture |
Lecture 2: Health Policy and Evaluation Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 3 (11 Aug - 17 Aug) |
Lecture |
Lecture 3: Social determinants of health Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 4 (18 Aug - 24 Aug) |
Lecture |
Lecture 4: Healthcare systems Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 5 (25 Aug - 31 Aug) |
Lecture |
Lecture 5: Demand for health and healthcare Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 6 (01 Sep - 07 Sep) |
Lecture |
Lecture 6: Provider decisions Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 7 (08 Sep - 14 Sep) |
Lecture |
Lecture 7: Health insurance Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 8 (15 Sep - 21 Sep) |
Lecture |
Lecture 8: Ageing and care economy Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 9 (22 Sep - 28 Sep) |
Lecture |
Lecture 9: Measurement for policy evaluation Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Mid Sem break (29 Sep - 05 Oct) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Mid-Semester Break |
Week 10 (06 Oct - 12 Oct) |
Lecture |
Lecture 10: Health polices for the pharmaceutical industry Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 11 (13 Oct - 19 Oct) |
Lecture |
Lecture 11: Hospital systems Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 12 (20 Oct - 26 Oct) |
Lecture |
Lecture 12: Review Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.