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Course syllabus - Global Public Health and Sustainable Development

Scope

5.0 credits

Course code

FHA046

Valid from

Autumn semester 2026

Education level

Second cycle

Progressive Specialisation

A1N (Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements)

Main area(s)

Science of Public Health

Organisation

Department of Health Sciences, Innovation and Design

Ratified

2025-12-09

Literature lists

Course literature is preliminary up to 8 weeks before course start. Course literature can be valid over several semesters.

Objectives

The aim of the course is for the student to acquire in-depth knowledge about global health and sustainable development, and how these areas are interconnected.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:

  1. identify and analyse key global health challenges and explain their interconnections to sustainable development
  2. explain how various determinants influence global public health in relation to sustainable development
  3. describe and discuss frameworks, theories and policies related to global public health and sustainable development
  4. discuss the role of public health actors in promoting equality and sustainable development in a global context
  5. identify and describe expectations, previous experiences, and goals in relation to professional development and career within public health science

Course content

  • Concepts and definitions
  • Global public health and sustainable development
  • Determinants in relation to global health and sustainable development
  • Global health challenges
  • Governance and global health policy
  • Equality
  • Frameworks, theories and models
  • Professional development and career planning

Specific requirements

A completed Bachelor’s degree from an institution of higher education of three years or more, equivalent to at least 180 ECTS credits with a major in public health sciences, caring sciences, medical sciences, psychology, physiotherapy, political sciences, or an equivalent academic field. In addition, at least 5 ECTS credits in public health sciences, either as part of or outside the degree and English course 6 or English level 2 or A TOEFL test result with a minimum score 575 and a TWE score of at least 4.5 (PBT) or 90 with a TWE score of at least 20 (iBT), or an IELTS test result with an overall band score of at least 6.5 and no band score below 5.5, or equivalent, are required.

Examination

SEM1, Seminar, 1 credit, Grades Fail (U) or Pass (G).
INL1, Assignment, 4 credits, Grades Fail (U) or Pass (G).

To receive a Pass for the course, the student must have earned a G for SEM1 and INL1.

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding disability study support, can request adaptions for the examination. It is the examiner who takes decisions on any adaptions, based on the certificate and other conditions.

Grade

Two-grade scale