Degree Project in Global Health, 30 credits

A Bachelor's degree or a professional degree equivalent to a Swedish Bachelor's degree of at least 180 credits and proficiency in English equivalent to English B/English 6. To enter into this course, students must have passed An Introduction to Global Health, Global Burden of Disease and Health Systems and Policy in Practice, Qualitative research and methods 1, Qualitative research and methods 2, Quantitative research and methods 1 and Quantitative research and methods 2. 

After the course, the student should be able to: 

• Demonstrate how a research project in global health develops from problem identification through study design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation.  
• Apply appropriate methods for data collection and analysis, with due regard to validity and reliability.  
• Write a thesis that documents the research process, its results, relation to previous work in the area, and implications for global health. 
• Defend their research work in a public seminar. 
• Evaluate scientific and ethical considerations regarding their own and others' research work. 

In this course, students learn to develop and complete an independent research project in global health, taking it from problem identification through to study design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Each student will work under the guidance of at least one supervisor with a PhD. Students will begin by submitting a project outline, which will be developed into a research proposal and ultimately a thesis. Throughout the course, students will apply appropriate methods for data collection and analysis, ensuring validity and reliability in their work. 

Students will write a detailed research report that covers the theoretical background, research questions, methodology, ethical considerations, results, and the relevance of their findings to existing research in global health. In addition to their own projects, students will participate as peer reviewers, assessing both scientific and ethical aspects of their colleagues' work. This process encourages critical reflection on research standards and ethical considerations in global health. 

The course concludes with students defending their research at a public seminar, where they will present and justify their findings. This provides an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to communicate research outcomes effectively and engage in scientific discourse. By the end of the course, students will have completed a comprehensive research project, gaining valuable experience in the research process and contributing to the field of global health.  

The course is principally performed through independent work. Each student will have at least one supervisor to guide them through the research process. The course includes a series of seminars designed to support students at various stages of their research. These include an initial seminar to discuss the project proposal, a half-time seminar to review progress and provide feedback, and a final public examination seminar where students will defend their research. Active participation and peer feedback are integral components of the course.   

Successful examination involves the student independently preparing and submitting a written thesis in English, based on a relevant subject within global health. The student will also present, defend and discuss the thesis at the public examination seminars. Finally, the student will orally perform as an opponent/discussant of another thesis.  

Compulsory participation
Participation in the proposal, half-time and final seminars is compulsory.

The examiner assesses if, and in that case how, absence from compulsory educational elements can be compensated for. Before the student has participated in the compulsory educational elements or compensated the absence in accordance with the examiner's instructions, the final course results will not be reported. Absence from a compulsory educational component may imply that the student cannot compensate for the missed compulsory educational element until the next time the course is given.

Limitation of number of occasions to write the exam
Students who have not passed the regular examination are entitled to participate in five more examinations. If the student has not passed the exam after four participations, he/she is encouraged to visit the study advisor. If the student has failed six examinations/tests, no additional examination or new admission is provided. The number of times that the student has participated in one and the same examination is regarded as an examination session. Submission of a blank examination is also regarded as an examination. An examination for which the student registered but did not participate in will not be counted as an examination.

If there are special grounds, or a need for adaptation for a student with a disability, the examiner may decide to deviate from the syllabus's regulations on the examination form, the number of examination opportunities, the possibility of supplementation or exemptions from the compulsory section/s of the course etc. Content and learning outcomes as well as the level of expected skills, knowledge and abilities may not be changed, removed or reduced.

Examination will be provided during a time of two years after a possible cancellation of the course. Examination can take place according to an earlier literature list during a time of one year after the date when a major renewal of the literature list has been made.

The course language is English.

Course evaluation is carried out according to the guidelines that are established by the Committee for Higher Education.