Introduction to Public Health Sciences, 7.5 credits

Bachelor's degree or vocational training corresponding to 180 ECTS credits (120 credits in previous Swedish system) in public health sciences, health care, or another relevant medical or social science subject area. Proficiency in the English language documented by an internationally recognized test such as TOEFL with a total score of at least 79 (internet based), 550 (paper based), 213 (computer based), IELTS with a total score of at least 6,0 (no band less than 5,0), or other documentation that certifies English language skills equivalent to English B at Swedish upper secondary school.

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to: - analytically discuss, in written form, basic scientific concepts, methodological perspectives, and extra-scientific factors that govern public health research, - describe the evaluation of global trends affecting health, including epidemics, injuries, chronic health problems, and mental illnesses, - critically compare different approaches to management of public health problems and to promoting health, and interpret opposing viewpoints in these fields, - formulate at least two potential research themes within the field of public health that might be pursued as a topic for a master thesis

1. Foundations of modern public health: An overview 2. Data on populations and mortality, inequality in health 3. The burden of disease and other summary measures of population health 4. Health care services and population health 5. Communicable diseases and public health 6. Non-communicable diseases and public health 7. The importance of environmental health in public health 8. Philosophy-of-science perspectives on public-health research

The course includes lectures, seminars, group work, exercises and student presentations. Attendance is mandatory at seminars and classes involving group exercises and student presentations.

The course includes two written individual examinations; one half-time and one final, as well as two group assignments to be submitted in writing and presented and discussed in class. The half-time examination will be used as a progress report as well as a preparation for the final examination and will not be handed in, but discussed in class. Students who fail the final written examination have the right to be examined five more times. Students not attending seminars, exercises and group assignments must compensate this by individual assignments and reports.