Public Health, Master's Programme

Programme - second cycle - 120 credits

Overview

Admission requirements

1. Bachelor´s degree, consisting of 180 credits (hp), or equivalent in the academic areas of social, political or behavioral science, medical science or other sciences and disciplines relevant to public health.
2. The equivalent of English B in Swedish secondary school.

Applicants for Autumn 2013

We are sorry to inform you that this education has been cancelled for 2013. If you have applied for other education/courses, these will be moved up in your priority list. If you have not applied to any other courses, you can make a late application at universityadmissions.se.

Useful links:

Information about submitting a late application

Programmes and courses at Malmö University

Please note! All programmes and courses with visible “apply”-buttons are open for late applications.

Description

The Master´s Programme in Public Health aims to help the students acquire multidisciplinary knowledge about public health, public health problems and public health work, nationally and globally. The education prepares the student for further research studies in public health and for qualified tasks in public health work.
It is multidisciplinary and aims to provide a deeper understanding of the theories and methods applicable in public health and to improve scientific knowledge for public health workers, health planners, community health organisers, health directors, health educators and for research in the public health area.

Content

The Master´s Programme in public health aims to help the students acquire multidisciplinary knowledge about public health, public health problems and public health work, nationally and globally.

The education prepares the student for further research studies in public health and for qualified tasks in public health work.The education is multidisciplinary and is offered by Faculty of Health and Society, International Migration and Ethnic Relations and Sport Sciences, in cooperation.

Course overview

  • Public health and health promotion
  • Determinants of health
  • Health communication, health education and empowerment
  • The Philosophy and Ethics of Public Health
  • Health and Diversity
  • Theory of Science and Methodology
  • Statistics and Epidemiology
  • Qualitative research methods
  • Master degree thesis

Elective courses such as:
Global Health, Globalization and Global Ethics
Physical Activity, Sports and Public Health

The aim of the programme is to provide a deeper understanding of the theories and methods applicable in public health and to improve scientific knowledge for public health workers, health planners, community health organisers, health directors, health educators and for research in the public health area.

Interviews

Asia Noor, age 26, from Lahore, Pakistan.

asia-noor-webbEarlier studies: Bachelor of Science Degree in Physiotherapy, University of Health Sciences, Punjab. Started the master’s programme in Malmö autumn 2010 and is now completing her master’s thesis.

Why did you choose this programme?
- After my bachelor, I was working as a physiotherapist at a hospital, with for example the rehabilitation of stroke patients. I am more of an academic person and looked for ways to be able to start a research career within the field of health.

How do you like the studies?
- I love it! Public health is a really interesting field and the teachers are all very helpful. We have had much contact with the current research within public health science, both from our teachers and guest lecturers. I have discovered that I am very interested in the theories around health. My thesis is about the health conditions for Pakistani immigrant women in Malmö. It is a qualitative study in which I interviewed Pakistani immigrant women who are living in Malmoe. My main aim of the study was to understand their living conditions and their health status and that in what ways their health has been affected since they came here in Sweden.

What do you think of Malmö University and the city of Malmö?
- I like the campus, especially the Faculty of Health and Society’s building at the hospital area, where we have our classes. I felt immediately at home here in Sweden and Malmö, I don’t know why! I have been in other European countries, but that's not the same. And I think that it’s clean and beautiful in Sweden and Malmö is a multiethnic society where you meet people from all over the world. But it's hard to get a good work beside the studies, I would have liked that.

Which is your best advice for students interested in the programme?
- Try hard from the beginning to learn as much as you can and be patient till the end of the program as in the end you will definitely see yourself at solid grounds. Be prepared for that the programme will certainly broaden your perspective on things. Try to learn some Swedish and to understand the Swedish culture and system. And don’t forget to interact with other people.

Boris Brühmann, age 30, from Stuttgart, Germany.

boris_PH_webLives and works in Heidelberg, Germany at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ - Heidelberg, Germany) in the Division of Preventive Oncology.
Student at Public Health, Master’s Programme Aug 2008-June 2010

Earlier studies: Studies in Sports Science, Sport in prevention and rehabilitation and Educating Science at the University of Heidelberg, Germany.

Why did you choose the Programme in Public Health at Malmö University?
“Because the courses looked very interesting and appealing, and the whole program was not specific but broadly oriented. The broad orientation in Malmö helped me to get a good overview of the topic and its multidisciplinarity helped to get to know many different perspectives. After that it was easier to decide where to go”.

Which specific way did you take?
“I wrote my Master’s Thesis about sports injuries among German children and adolescents. I have always been very interested in how physical activity can improve health and also on how to prevent certain diseases with the right amount of physical activity”.

What was your greatest challenge with the stay in Malmö?
“Most challenging was the experience as an immigrant and with that to organize life with all its troubles, like getting a bank account, or to find out how health insurance works in another country.”

What was the greatest fun?
“To meet all these different people from all these different countries, and of course to get to know such a beautiful country - and to have the opportunity to live there. I really had a good time in Malmö!”

Which is your best advice to prospective students?

“Between all the books you'll have to read, find enough time to enjoy this beautiful country!”

Joselyn Ayala Luis, from Peru

Syllabus

Programme Code: VAPUH

Institution:
Health and Welfare
Revision:
4
For students admitted fall 2012  

Other set versions

  • Version 1
    approved 2008-11-06
    For students admitted fall 2009  
  • Version 2
    approved 2008-11-06
    For students admitted fall 2010  
  • Version 3
    approved 2008-11-06
    For students admitted fall 2011  
  • Version 5
    approved 2012-03-06
    For students admitted fall 2013  

Approval

The programme was established 22 November 2006.
This programme syllabus (version 4) was approved 06 March 2012 by the Faculty Board of Health and Society.
The syllabus is valid from 03 September 2012. Replacement for programme syllabus ratified 06 November 2008.

Entry requirements

1. Bachelor´s degree, consisting of 180 credits (hp), or equivalent in the academic areas of social, political or behavioral science, medical science or other sciences and disciplines relevant to public health.
2. The equivalent of English B in Swedish secondary school.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes for education at an advanced level
Chapter 1, section 9, in the Higher Education Act (1992:1434) as of January 1, 2007.

Education at an advanced level shall mean a deepening of knowledge, skills and abilities in relation to education at a basic level and shall, in addition to what is required at the basic level,
- further develop the students’ ability to integrate and use knowledge in an independent way,
- develop the students’ ability to handle complex phenomena, questions and situations, and
- develop the students’ qualifications for advanced professional activities or for research and development work.

Learning outcomes for a master’s degree in public health
The Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100) as of January 1, 2007.

Knowledge and understanding
For a master’s degree in public health the student shall
- demonstrate knowledge and understanding, with an interdisciplinary foundation, in the area of public health, nationally and internationally,
- demonstrate deepened knowledge of methods in the public health area, and
- demonstrate deepened knowledge of ethical theories and principles and scientific methods relevant to the public health area.

Skills and abilities
In order to obtain a master’s degree in public health the student shall
- demonstrate the ability to analyse and integrate knowledge about the biological, psychological and social determinants of health,
- demonstrate the ability to analyse as well as assess and handle phenomena and questions such as inequalities in health and their causes, and
- demonstrate such skills as are required for the participation in research and development work or in qualified professional work within the public health area.

Evaluation capacity and attitude
For a master’s degree in public health the student shall
- demonstrate the ability to critically scrutinise the health development in society and the public health work that is pursued,
- demonstrate insight into the disciplines, theories and models that describe and explain the health problems in society, as well as insight into the practical applications of health work, and
- demonstrate an ability to identify their own need of further knowledge and to take responsibility for the development of their knowledge.

Thesis
For a master’s degree the student shall, within the framework of the course requirements, have completed a thesis totalling at least 30 credits within the public health area. The thesis may consist of 15 credits, if the student has already written a thesis of at least 15 credits at an advanced level in public health or in a corresponding education abroad.

Content

Courses

For programme with start Fall 2012:

Fall 2012

Spring 2013

Fall 2013

Spring 2014

Organisation

The education is interdisciplinary and consists of 120 credits. It is carried out jointly by the Faculty of Health and Society, the School of International Migration and Ethnic Relations (IMER) and the Department of Sports Science at the School of Teacher Education. The objective of the education is for the student to acquire interdisciplinary knowledge within the area of public health, nationally as well as internationally. The education encompasses 10 courses within the areas of public health and social science and it is concluded by a thesis consisting of 30 credits. The education prepares the student for research within the public health area and for other qualified assignments. The education is in English. All the courses included in the education programme may also be applied for separately.

Overview

Term 1
Public health and health promotion, 7,5 hp FM611E
Determinants of health, 7,5 hp FM612E
Health communication, health education and empowerment, 15 hp, FM613E

Term 2
The Philosophy and Ethics of Public Health, 7,5 hp FM621E
Health and Diversity, 7,5 hp FM622E
Eligible course, 15 hp as
Global Health, Globalization and Global Ethics, 7,5 hp FM623E
Physical Activity, Sports and Public Health, 7,5 hp or other courses.

Term 3
Theory of Science and Methodology, 7,5 hp FM631E
Statistics and Epidemiology, 15 hp, FM633E
Qualitative research methods, 7,5 hp FM632E

Term 4
Master degree thesis, 30 hp FM641E

Acceptance of courses within the master’s degree
The acceptance of courses within the master’s degree is tested in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 6, sections 6-8 (1993:100) as of January 1, 2007.

Access to the subsequent course
The courses must be taken in the order indicated in the course overview. In order to have access to the following study year a minimum of 45 credits from the preceding study year (or corresponding knowledge) is required.

Examination
Examination takes place in accordance with the description in the relevant course plan.

The right to re-examination
A student who has failed an examination for a certain course or part of a course will be granted at least two re-examinations within the framework of the course on which the student is registered. In addition, the student is entitled to be examined on the same course when the course runs again. If a course has been removed, or if it has undergone major changes, the student is entitled to two re-examinations based on the course plan that obtained at the time of their course registration, within a year of the changes. Examination and re-examination will take place as indicated in the study guide.

Grades
The course content is graded as follows:
A - Excellent
B - Very Good
C - Good
D - Satisfactory
E - Pass
U - Fail

Degree

Master of Arts / Science (120 credits).

Master’s degree.
On completion of the programme the requirements for a master’s degree in public health are fulfilled. Malmö University issues degree certificates on application. In the degree certificate it says Master degree (two years) of Science in Public Health


Contact

Further information

Åsa Nilsson, student services assistant
Phone: 040-66 57589
E-mail: asa.nilsson@mah.se

Ellis Janzon, programme responsible
Phone: 040-66 57432
E-mail: ellis.janzon@mah.se