Course syllabus - Internship in Public Health

Objectives

The aim of the course is for the student to acquire skills to independently and critically examine how public health science knowledge, theories and methods are applied in practical work within a relevant organisation. Furthermore, the purpose is for the student to be able to reflect on the complexity, ethical considerations and societal significance of public health work, as well as on professional development and career.

Learning outcomes

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

1. explain the public health assignment of the workplace and its connection to social sustainability
2. account for and critically examine how collaboration with different stakeholders, as well as evidence-based public health work, is carried out in the workplace
3. critically review and evaluate public health initiatives conducted at the workplace based on ethical principles and relevance for health equity
4. design a work plan with clear objectives and timeframes and follow up on the implementation of the plan
5. communicate in writing and orally in both academic and practice-based contexts
6. explore and reflect on professional development in relation to practical public health work

Course content

• Placement at a workplace with a public health assignment (e.g. authority, region, municipality, NGO)
• Evidence-based public health work
• Collaboration with different stakeholders in practical public health work
• Social sustainable development, ethical principles, and health equity in relation to practical public health work
• Work planning, follow-up and evaluation
• Oral communication for different target groups
• Academic writing
• Writing for the profession
• 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. Furthermore, completed courses amounting to 15 ECTS credits at an advanced level within the main field of public health sciences are required. In addition, 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

VIL1, Practice-Integrated Learning, 10 credits. Grades: Fail (U) or Pass (G).
SEM1, Seminar, 1.5 credits. Grades: Fail (U) or Pass (G).
INL1, Assignment, 3.5 credits. Grades: Fail (U) or Pass (G).

To receive a Pass for the course, the student must have earned a G for VIL1, 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