Type of course

Admission requirements

The course can be taken as a singular course by applicants who meet the academic admission criteria for the Master's program in Public Health.

Application code: 9371

Course content

The course "Introduction to Public Health" is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the broad field of public health(including environmental and occupational health) in the current global context, spanning over local, national, and international perspectives. You will gain an understanding of public health key concepts, principles, methodologies, and their role in promoting and protecting the health of populations. The course will introduce how you can use effective learning techniques and plan for effective learning.

The course focus on the study of the physical, psychosocial, and sociocultural and socioeconomic determinants of population health, alongside initiatives to enhance health in these areas in the context of sustainability. This approach aims to foster a population based understanding of health, how to implement health promotion and disease prevention grounded in legislation and evidence-based knowledge, shifting the focus from individual health issues to broader societal factors and address drivers of equity/inequity in health. The introductory course will lay the foundations and pave the way for a more in-depth study of areas of public and global health. Furthermore, the course focus on understanding public health ethics and a comprehensive understanding of cultural determinants of health.

Objectives of the course

Knowledge and understanding

• Have in-depth knowledge of the concepts of health and understand the context and importance of public and global health and its relevance in a changing society, including a sustainable approach.
• Advanced understanding of the relationship between culture, society and environment in public health and identifying the impact on determinants of public health equity and inequalities.
• Have a thorough understanding of the impact of cultural factors on public health practices and outcomes.
• Understand and reflect principles of ethics in public health(explain relevant aspects of consequentialist and non-consequentialist ethics).
• Comprehend the relationship between demographic structures and society, culture, and public/global health.
• Advanced understanding of core principles, concepts, and introduction to behavioral theories related to health promotion and disease prevention.
• Understand key international, national, and regional laws and regulations relevant to public health protection and promotion.

Skills and competences

• Explore and assess demographic data for public health assessments.
• Be able to identify significant causes and drivers of morbidity and mortality within specific populations and comprehend the notion of social, environmental, and cultural determinants of health.
• Summarize evidence from various data sources in supporting public health practices, policy, and decision-making.
• Be able to discuss ethical dilemmas in health promotion and disease prevention and discuss public health issues based on a sociocultural perspective on health and human rights.

General competences

• Act according to ethical standards, promoting professional accountability, social responsibility, and the public good.
• Develop and deliver presentations targeted at diverse audiences.
• Critically evaluate the advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of various public health interventions, policies, and methodologies.
• Communicate academic knowledge through oral presentations and academic written text.
• Understand power structures in public global health and reflect on the concept of decolonization.
• Understand what characterizes reliable scientific literature and resources in public health (including different AI sources) and be able to identify and search for relevant literature.

Language of instruction and examination

Teaching methods

Information to incoming exchange students

This course is open to incoming exchange students.

Study Level: Master's

Prerequisites:
To be eligible for this course, you must have:

• A completed bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS).
• At least 80 ECTS in relevant subjects, such as: health sciences, nutrition, sport science, veterinary science, social sciences, statistics, mathematics, computer science, biology, developmental studies, economics, healthcare management, and medical technology.

For details on how to apply for exchange, course selection guidelines, or to contact the Incoming Admissions Team, please visit: Admissions for Student Exchange.