BIO3000 International Public Health Emneplan

Public health work is society's organized effort to maintain, improve and promote the population's health, both locally and globally. Interventions are directed towards factors that contribute to better health and factors that might represent a health risk. Public health work is concerned with reducing health inequalities through work on equity, accessibility and quality of services.

An increase in disease rates, long term conditions and lifestyle illnesses are expected in the future. This is a consequence of demographic changes and a result of people's health behaviour. Competence in inter-professional and inter-sectoral collaboration in both public and private sectors is crucial to meeting challenges.

ECTS-Distribution

Theory and method

• Part I 0,5
• Part II 1,0

Ethics

• Part I 0,5

Governing

• Part I 3,0
• Part II 3,0

Communication

• Part I 0,5

Health promotion & Preventative work

• Part I 0,5
• Part II 1,0

Sum

• Part I 5,0
• Part II 5,0

Completion of the first and second academic year.

Part 1 - The Scope of Global Public Health

5 ECTS

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this part the student will achieve the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student is able to

• describe the challenges in welfare systems, relevant national legislation, and international agreements

• describe the past, and present developments and achievements of public health and discuss possible future challenges within the field

• describe social inequalities in health and their consequences nationally and globally

• describe epidemiology and different cost analyses, and discuss inter-professional, inter-sectoral and evidence-based interventions with target groups

• discuss the principles of universal design from a human rights and democratic perspective

Skills

The student is able to

• address challenges in public health and demonstrate how to intervene professionally in collaboration with others

• demonstrate communication skills to improve health literacy

• search for relevant research, analyze these and apply to the findings in their assignment

General competences

The student is able to

• apply the tools of innovation and entrepreneurship in public health issues and communicate the results to an audience

• reflect upon ethical issues and discuss intercultural perspectives in public health

Part II - Environmental Conditions and Population Health

5 ECTS

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this part the student will achieve the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student is able to

• discuss the interactions between the environment and sustainable development, and their effect on health

• describe health care emergency interventions following different types of disasters, and discuss challenges encountered

• discuss inter-professional and inter-sectoral interventions focusing on communicable and non-communicable diseases, including mental conditions

• describe how inter-professional and inter-sectoral practice might contribute to improve and promote mental health

• describe the distribution of different types of injuries nationally and globally and how to prevent them

• discuss how to promote occupational health and to prevent occupational health hazards

• discuss theoretical models for behavioral change and their application

Skills

The student is able to

• reflect upon priorities in public health and the consequences for population health

• demonstrate communication skills to strengthen social capital through social marketing and reflect on intervention strategies and their efficacy

• reflect upon a comprehensive view of humanity and human rights

General competences

The student is able to

• reflect upon diversity and how different ethnic, religious and cultural background  may influence communication between people

• demonstrate how to disseminate public health knowledge collaboratively with target groups and stakeholders

• apply research methods in solving public health problems

The learning and teaching approach consists of group work supported by lectures, workshops and self-studies. Groups, consisting of approximately 5 students, focus on assignments facilitated by tutors. Every group member contributes to the creation and presentation of all assignments. Part I includes two assignments while part II has one assignment. See the teaching plan for further details.

All parts of the course have a focus on interactivity in promoting knowledge exchange and on inter-professional collaborative dialogue, enhancing self-awareness in the professional role. The students will gain practice in decision-making and problem-solving, related to client-centered and evidence-based practice. 

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

Group assignments, part I:

• submit a written interactive lecture in English, including an oral presentation of the lecture in English, max 20 minutes
• submit a written innovation/business plan in English, max 350 words, including an oral presentation of the plan in English, approx. 2 minutes

Group assignment, part II:

• submit a written project plan in English, max 1500 words, including an oral presentation of the plan in English, max 15 minutes

All group assignments must be published on the course web site in Canvas. The assignments must be signed electronically by all members of the group.

The student may choose English or Norwegian as examination language. The work requirements must be fulfilled before the student can take the exam.

Examination content: The learning outcomes

Examination form: Individual oral exam, max 20 min.

No exam aids permitted.

ECTS grading A - F

Two examiners evaluate all students. One examiner is external on 10 % of the students.