Introduction Course, 7.5 credits

A Bachelor’s degree or a professional degree equivalent to a Swedish Bachelor’s degree of at least 180 credits in public health science, healthcare or other relevant social sciences subject area. And proficiency in English equivalent to English B/English 6.

After completion of the course, students should be able to:

• Discuss basic scientific concepts, methodological perspectives, and factors that govern public health and management research;
• Discuss global trends affecting health, including communicable and non-communicable diseases as well as the health impact of different environmental and lifestyle factors;
• Apply basic scientific concepts to the management of public health problems, including diseasePrevention and health promotion, as well as health economics policy and management, as well as critically compare opposing viewpoints in these fields
• Understand and reflect upon philosophical concepts and ethics in public health and management research 
• Apply basic project management principles and explain how you will contribute to effective teamwork
• Describe how the competencies developed in health economics, policy, and management can be used to improve health

During the course the main concepts, principles and methods of public health and management research and practice will be introduced in relation to three domains:
1. Orientation in medical management including perspectives from health economics, policy, and management
2. Foundations of public health science, analytical approaches and major public health problems and determinants of health
3. Perspectives on theory of science, philosophy and ethics.
 
The topics introduced under the three domains will include:

• Principles and frameworks of health economics, medical management and policy
• Project management
• Effective teamwork and group development 
• Concepts, principles and methods of public health science and practice.
• The burden of disease and other measures of population health.
• Social, environmental and behavioral determinants of health.
• Philosophy of science and ethics in public health and management research. 

Each above mentioned domain includes interactive seminars, cases, practical exercises, lectures, e-learning, and quizzes. The seminars aim to develop practical skills, professional attitude and critical thinking, and therefore include several types of interactive student-driven activities. Course activity will also include group work and student presentations.
 

• Individual and group written assignments.
• Individual contribution in written report and oral presentation of group work.
• Individual contribution during other compulsory course activities.

Requirements for the grade Pass with distinction (VG) are VG on the written assignment and on at least one of the other assignments, and pass (G) on remaining assignments.

Compulsory participation
Attendance in mandatory parts. The course director assesses if and, in that case, how absence can be compensated. Before the student has participated in all compulsory parts or compensated absence in accordance with the course director's instructions, the student's results for the course/respective part will not be registered in LADOK.

Limitation of number of occasions to write the exam
A student that has failed in a regular examination has the right to participate in additional five examinations. If the student has not passed the exam after four participations he/she is encouraged to visit the study counsellor.

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 regarded as an examination. An examination for which the student registered but not participated in will not be counted as an examination.

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.
 

Course evaluation will be carried out in accordance with the guidelines established by the Board of Higher Education.

The course language is English.