120 credits. Programme syllabus for the Master s Programme in Public Health Science with Health Economics THE SAHLGRENSKA ACADEMY

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1 THE SAHLGRENSKA ACADEMY G 2015/311 Programme syllabus for the Master s Programme in Public Health Science with Health Economics 120 credits Confirmed by the Sahlgrenska Academy Board 28/10/2015 Institute of Medicine 1 (5) Medicinaregatan 3, PO Box 480, SE Gothenburg, Sweden

2 1. Name and scope Programme syllabus for the Master s Programme in Public Health Science with Health Economics, 120 credits. Utbildningsplan för masterprogram folkhälsovetenskap med hälsoekonomi. Programme code: xxxxx. 2. Confirmation The programme syllabus for the Master s Programme in Public Health Science with Health Economics, 120 credits, was confirmed by the Sahlgrenska Academy Board, the University of Gothenburg, on 28/10/2015. The programme syllabus applies from autumn semester 2016 onwards. The Institute of Medicine is responsible for the programme. All courses within the programme are taught at the Department of Public Health and Community Medicine at Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg. 3. The aims of the programme The Master s Programme in Public Health Science with Health Economics has a particular focus on how inequalities in health can be analysed and evened out. The programme aims to ensure that students acquire the knowledge and skills required in order to work in national and international organisations that deal with health-related issues. Public health science is an interdisciplinary field that studies and analyses how structural factors (political, economic and cultural) affect people s living conditions and the health of a population. It also includes devising and proposing measures to improve the health of populations. The programme lays the foundations for continued education at third-cycle level. 4. Degrees to which the programme leads On completion of the 120 credit programme, a degree certificate will be issued at the request of the student with the designation Medicine masterexamen med huvudområdet folkhälsovetenskap med hälsoekonomi (Degree of Master of Medical Science (120 credits) with a major in Public Health Science with Health Economics). 5. The main area of the programme The main area of the programme is public health science with health economics. 6. Objectives The overall objective of public health work is to create sustainable social conditions for good health on equal terms, for the entire population. The objectives of the programme are the general objectives stated in the Swedish Higher Education Act (SFS 1992:1434) and the learning objectives for a two-year master s degree stated in the Higher Education Ordinance (SFS 1993:100), with amendments in accordance with SFS 2006:1053, the Degree Ordinance, Appendix 2. In addition to these objectives, the following local learning objectives shall also be achieved. All the Sahlgrenska Academy s programmes have the objective of contributing towards insight into 1) sustainable development that involves current and future generations being assured a sound and healthy environment, economic and social welfare, and justice, and 2) greater awareness of gender, equality and equal treatment. 2 (5)

3 After completing the programme, students should be able to: Knowledge and understanding - describe and discuss health economic theory, methods and applications for public health science problems - account for and discuss global health issues, including migration, and their significance in terms of inequality in health at global, national and local levels - describe, analyse and discuss the various welfare and health systems opportunities to promote equal health development Skills and abilities - plan and carry out scientific studies based on epidemiological or qualitative theories and methods - apply qualitative, epidemiological and biostatistical methods for monitoring and following up on populations health conditions and for identifying particularly vulnerable groups - compile, evaluate and present (to citizens, politicians and other stakeholders) public health science theory and evidence as a tool in the work involved in policies and interventions, both orally and in writing Judgement and approach - critically assess policies, public health science evidence, preventive and health-promotion interventions, globally, nationally and locally, based on health as a human right - discuss the relationship between the use of resources and welfare, and compare and evaluate priorities from ethical and health economic perspectives 7. Content and structure This master s programme includes a particular focus on how equal health can be promoted and on how social inequalities in health can be evened out. The programme includes both theoretical foundations and research methodological and practical methods that are applicable within the field of public health, such as health economic analysis and evaluation. The programme features a human rights perspective, with a particular emphasis on the right to health of the entire population. The first year begins with a course that introduces public health science and focuses on welfare systems and equal health. The second subsidiary course of the semester focuses on research methods that are particularly relevant to public health science: epidemiology, biostatistics and qualitative methods. During the second semester of the programme, the theme of equal health is examined in greater depth, including from global and human rights perspectives. The first year of the programme concludes with a course in health economics, in which health economic theory and methods, micro and macro aspects of health economics, evaluation and prioritisations are dealt with. During the second year, students are given the opportunity to carry out 15 credits of specialised study within their own chosen subject area. This includes the option to choose a work placement or courses at other universities in Sweden or abroad. Cooperation agreements are held with universities in both high-income and low-income countries. Then follows a methodology course, including specialised study in epidemiology and biostatistics, with a particular emphasis on social epidemiology. The programme concludes with independent work worth 30 credits. Entry to the independent work course 3 (5)

4 requires the completion of methodology courses worth a total of at least 15 credits (quantitative and/or qualitative), or a completed course in social epidemiology and biostatistics worth 15 credits. The teaching is based on research within the field of public health science. The teaching methods are adapted according to content and context, aiming to use a variety of teaching forms. The pedagogical approach is inspired by the principles of student-centred learning, and shall promote students active and interactive quest for knowledge, creativity and critical thinking. Progression within the programme takes place through a gradual broadening and deepening of knowledge within the main area in such a way that strategies for the promotion of equal health are clarified. An overview of the Master s Programme in Public Health Science with Health Economics is given below. The order in which the courses are given within each semester may change. The courses within the main area are: Public health foundations, social security systems and health equity, 15 credits Health economics and evaluation, 15 credits Epidemiology with social epidemiology and biostatistics, 15 credits Degree project in public health science with health economics, 30 credits Other courses included in the programme are: Quantitative and qualitative methods, 15 credits Global health and human rights, 15 credits Public health work in practice: planning and evaluation, 15 credits Studies are carried out on a full-time basis. During semester 4, the Degree project in public health science with health economics course (30 credits) is given, which consists of independent work. 8. Entrance requirements The entrance requirement for the programme is a bachelor s degree/professional qualification worth at least 180 credits or equivalent. English-language skills equivalent to English 6 with a minimum grade of E or Pass are also required. Selection for the programme will be decided on in accordance with the admission regulations at firstand second-cycle levels. Additional entrance requirements are documented in the relevant course syllabus. 9. Guaranteed places Students who have been accepted for the programme are guaranteed a place on all courses. Progression to subsequent courses within first-cycle level involves a general place guarantee, provided that students meet the entrance requirements for the course in question. The entrance requirements are detailed in the course syllabus. 10. Transitional provisions The programme syllabus applies to students who commence their studies from autumn 2016 onwards. Students who wish to resume their studies in accordance with a previous programme syllabus following approved leave from studies under a previous programme syllabus should contact a student counsellor to plan continued studies. 4 (5)

5 11. Other information Field studies and project work may involve travel which incurs additional costs for students. The teaching language for courses within the programme will be English. Students will be offered the opportunity to evaluate each individual course included in the programme, both orally and in writing. These evaluations will form the basis for the ongoing development of the programme. The evaluations will be compiled in written form and will be fed back to students together with the course leaders comments. There will also be written and oral evaluation of the entire programme. 5 (5)