Course syllabus

Overview 

The Masters in Public Health Science is rooted in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 Ensure healthy lives and well-being for all. Throughout your studies you have learned about the SDGs and now the time has come to practice public health work. 

The course aims to provide an opportunity for practical application of public health theories and methods. To meet the learning outcomes of this course, the theoretical portion in which public health models, theories, intervention planning and evaluation methodology are lifted, all content is online to allow for remote practice experience.

You will be invited to interact with your university teachers and peers online. Opportunities to discuss materials will take place via Gothenburg University’s online learning platform, Canvas.

Importantly, the student is to review the stated learning outcomes found in this course guide and consider the learning outcomes in relation to the public health practice and the readings.  Learning outcomes are achieved by actively engaging with the course materials and at the placement site.  The course concludes with examination seminars in which the experience gained in practice is discussed in relation to the learning outcomes following the format provided in the course guide.  The final exam seminars are held at the University of Gothenburg on the 10th and 11th of January, 2024. 

For students that will not be in Gothenburg between the practice experience and the thesis work, an opportunity for presenting remotely will be arranged. Students must give advanced notice that they would like to present remotely.  A detailed schedule of the day each individual will present will be provided on the online learning platform after midway reports have been submitted and approved. 

CRITERIA FOR THE INTERNSHIP

• The internship placement must have public health relevance;
• The internship placement can be at a local, regional, national or international organization or authority;
• A supervisor must be available at the place of internship and take responsibility for directing and evaluating student activities;
• The internship should be approximately 8-10 weeks in duration (holidays may disrupt the time)

The course contains five assessments:  

1. A project planning focusing on how the internship will be conducted, a timeline and activities to reach the learning goals are described,
2. Written reflections on course literature and learning objectives
3. A written report after half the internship, showing how the project plan is followed as well as how the internship work relates to the learning goals,
4. A written final report, which is also presented orally at an examination seminar, and which shows how the internship's work assignments have been linked to course literature and learning objectives,
5. As part of the examination, a final review made by the supervisor at the end of the course is also required. This is included in your course guide. 

More details on the course components can found in the course guide (linked above) and here on Canvas under discussions and assignments.

Grading  -  The grading scale comprises: Pass (G) and Fail (U).  Detailed grading criteria are found in the course guide.