Scientific theory and methodology (1MFV102)

About the course

Course content

• Modern society and its challenges for public health
• Measuring population health and assessing health needs
• Patterns of health at global, national and local levels
• Social inequalities and health: gender, class, ethnicity
• Determinants of health
• Limits to medicine and health education
• Evaluating public health interventions
• Settings-based approaches to promoting health
• Ethics and values in public health

Learning Outcome

After successful completion of the module, the student will have the following knowledge, skills and general competence.

Knowledge

The student

• has in-depth knowledge and understanding of the emergence and development of public health and health promotion;
• has comprehensive and critical understanding of the role of epidemiology and demography in public health;
• has in-depth knowledge and understanding of the social gradient in health throughout the entire population;
• has in-depth knowledge and critical insight into the determinants of health at global, national, community and individual levels;
• has advanced knowledge and critical insight into the concept of ‘lifestyle’;
• has extensive knowledge of strategies for disease prevention and health protection.

Skills

The student

• is able to critically appraise initiatives directed towards changing lifestyles at population, group and individual levels;
• is able to analyse, present and interpret qualitative and quantitative population data relating to health and wellbeing; 
• is able to assess population health needs with the aid of qualitative and quantitative data;
• is able to evaluate the effectiveness of measures implemented to prevent disease, and to promote health and wellbeing;
• is able to understand and analyse the challenges of working in multidisciplinary teams including cooperation and teamwork.

General competence

The student

• can discuss the complexity of factors influencing the health and wellbeing of populations;
• can discuss the challenges and possibilities for promoting health and preventing disease;
• can communicate and debate the main challenges within the contemporary Public health field both with specialists and the general public;
• can identify public health issues and discuss these in a critically reflective manner.

Teaching and working methods

The course is taught in English throughout the whole of the first semester. The following approaches are used:

• interactive lectures
• student presentations
• student-led seminars
• group work with students from different professional/disciplinary backgrounds.

Required coursework

1. A reflective memorandum in which the individual student critically reflects on him/herself and his/her own background regarding the objectives of the programme. 
2. Two group presentations:
   • students with different backgrounds present and reflect on how different professions/disciplines contribute to public Healt
   • discussion and debate of key concepts
3. Participation in group work twice a week (at least 80%)

Form of assessment

A group-written examination with 2–5 participants (weighted 40%) in addition to an individual oral examination (weighted 60%) based on the written assignment. Both are assessed with grades A – F, with E as the lowest pass grade. Both examinations must be passed before a final course grade can be given.