Syllabus - Master’s programme in public health sciences - Social sustainable development from a global perspective

Outcomes

The overall objective of the programme is to educate public health experts who can identify, analyse, and manage complex health challenges, as well as promote social sustainability from a global perspective. Upon completion of the programme, the student should possess in-depth knowledge iofpublic health science and social sustainability, as well as the ability to apply scientific methods to promote health and prevent ill health in various societal contexts, from local to global levels. The courses and teaching methods within the programme will also prepare students for further doctoral studies.

Knowledge and understanding

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field, as well as insight into current research and development work, and
• demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.

Aptitutes and accomplishments

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
• demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
• demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to clearly report and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
• demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.

Ability to evaluate and assess

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues, and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
• demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society, and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.

Language of instruction

The programme is taught in English. All teaching activities and assessments are conducted in English. The course literature is also in English.

Contents

The programme consists of four semesters of full-time study.

The first semester is themed Global Public Health and Social Sustainable Development and includes an introductory course on global perspectives in public health science and social sustainability, as well as several advanced courses in subject-specific core competencies, focusing on social sustainability from a global perspective: the social, economic, political, and environmental determinants of health, global transitions, health systems and global governance, and a final course where students address relevant contemporary or future societal challenges.

The second semester begins with the theme Public Health Research Methods, where students deepen their knowledge of scientific theory and ethics, as well as epidemiological, statistical, and qualitative methods. The focus is on understanding these methods to investigate and analyse health, illness, and their determinants. During the latter part of the second semester, students can choose elective courses at MDU or other Swedish or international higher education institutions, including a practical course worth 15 credits. Students who wish to finish their studies after the first year instead complete a 15 credit thesis at the one-year Master’s level.

The third semester comprises two themes: The theme Public Health Ethics, Social Sustainability, and Politics focuses on globalisation, geopolitics and digitalisation, advocacy for public health, and leadership, change, and systems thinking. The theme Designing, Implementing and Evaluating Public Health Research addresses complex health interventions, advanced research methods, as well as research communication and impact.

The fourth semester is devoted to conducting an individual Master’s thesis.

Year 1

Theme 1: Global public health and social sustainable development
Courses in Public Health Science:
Global public health and sustainable development, 5 hp
Socioeconomic and political health determinants, 5 hp
Public and planetary health, 5 hp
Global transitions, 5 hp
Health systems and global governance, 5 hp
Societal challenges and health, 5 hp

Theme 2: Public health research methods
Courses in Public Health Science:
Scientific theory and ethics, 2 credits
Epidemiological methods to investigate health, 3 credits
Quantitative methods in public health, 5 credits
Qualitative methods in public health, 5 credits
Elective courses (at Swedish or international higher education institutions), 15 credits, for example:
Internship in public health, 15 credits
or
Degree project in public health science, one-year Master’s, 15 credits

Year 2

Theme 3: Public health ethics, social sustainability, and politics
Courses in Public Health Science:
Globalisation, geopolitics, and digitalisation, 4 credits
Advocacy for public health, 3 credits
Leadership, change and systems thinking, 3 credits

Theme 4: Designing, implementing and evaluating public health research
Courses in Public Health Science:
Complex health interventions, 7.5 credits
Research methods, 7.5 credits
Research communication and impact, 5 credits
Degree project in public health science, two-year Master’s, 30 credits

Choices within the programme

Students may choose between writing a degree project of 15 credits at the end of the first year or a degree project of 30 credits at the end of the second year.

• If the student chooses to write a degree project of 15 credits at the end of the first year, they may, upon completion of the first year, apply for a one-year Master's degree.
• If the student chooses to write a degree project of 30 credits at the end of the second year, they will select elective courses totalling 15 credits during the second part of Semester 2, either at MDU or at other Swedish or foreign higher education institutions. Upon completion of year one and two, the student can apply for a two-year Master's degree.

University degree

The programme is structured so that studies are intended to enable the student to meet the requirements for the following degrees:

• Filosofie magisterexamen med huvudområdet Folkhälsovetenskap (Degree of Master of Science (60 credits) in Science of Public Health)
• Filosofie masterexamen med huvudområdet Folkhälsovetenskap
  (Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) in Science of Public Health)

If a student chooses not to complete a certain course, the possibility of fulfilling the degree requirements may be affected. For more information about degrees and degree requirements, consult the local degree regulations which are published on the University website.