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Archived Curricula Guide 2015–2017
Curricula Guide is archieved. Please refer to current Curricula Guides
Master's Degree Programme in Health Sciences (Public Health/International Health)

The international Master's Degree Programme in Health Sciences (MHS) takes an interdisciplinary approach to health issues from a public health and global perspective and utilizes various approaches to learning. The Master's Degree Programme in Health Sciences trains experts who are familiar with health, health care resources and the general themes and special features of national and international health care systems.

There are two options to specialize in, Public Health and International Health. Public Health equips graduates with the skills needed in working in national health care at population level research, development and expert functions. International Health aims at developing an understanding of global health problems which is needed when working in multicultural health organizations and to comprehend the health effects of globalization and the challenges it poses to health care.  Students make their choice of specialization during the first year of studies.

The programme comprises 120 ECTS and the duration is two academic years. The programme structure includes general studies, core and elective studies in public health or international health and free choice studies. In addition, the students write a Master's thesis and participate in the thesis seminar. A work practicum period of 6 weeks or 3 months can also be included as part of the studies.

Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the programme the graduate will

-       have a broad understanding of public/international health,

-       have essential skills and tools to analyse health and illness of populations and the related determinants,

-       be able to define public and global health challenges tackled by multicultural organizations,

-       comprehend that health is associated with context-based and socio-economic conditions,

-       understand the effects of globalisation and the challenges it poses to health and health care,

-       be able to recognise the key actors in the arena of public health policy formulation and implementation,

-       be familiar with the principles of planning health promotion programmes and actions for improving population health,

-       be able to independently plan, carry out and report a scientific study on a public/international health topic and to justify the methodological and ethical choices made in the study

-       be able to critically assess the quality of scientific studies addressing public/international health issues and the usefulness of the studies for specific expert tasks or research questions,

-       be able to participate in scientific discussions by using scientific argumentation appropriately.

Study Planning and Guidance

In the beginning of the studies all students will make their own Personal Study Plan under the supervision of a teacher. The person in charge of the personal study plan process is university lecturer Tarja Kinnunen (tarja.i.kinnunen@uta.fi). The head of the degree programme is professor Clas-Håkan Nygård.  In practical study related issues please turn to the programme coordinator Catarina Ståhle-Nieminen (catarina.stahle-nieminen@uta.fi). The head of counseling in all degree programmes at the School of Health Sciences is Anna-Maija Koivisto (anna.m.koivisto@uta.fi),  substituting for Helena Rantanen until 31.12.2015.

Link to counseling plan:

http://www.uta.fi/hes/en/studies/guidance/academic_counselling_plan/Academic_counselling%20Plan_valmis.pdf

Working Life Connections

The Master's Degree programme in Health Sciences includes an optional Work Practicum of six weeks or three months. During the internship the student receives valuable working life-experience and establishes connections to potential future employers. Some of the courses also include study visits to various organisations and in some courses there is the possibility to work in or collaborate with research groups of the School of Health Scicnes or other groups. If not earlier, this will take place during the Master's thesis work.

The career opportunities obtained vary according to the chosen specialisation option. Public Health aims to equip graduates to work specifically in national health care at population level research, development and expert functions. International Health students graduate with skills to manage globalization-related health questions and with abilities to work within international health projects.

Internationalisation

Tampere University is committed to promoting justice and equality in society, to enhancing the well-being of citizens at home and abroad, and to advancing multiculturalism and sustainable development.

Students can choose an internationalisation module as part of their studies. This can include language studies, exchange studies or work placement abroad or other courses with an international perspective. The available courses in the Master's Degree Programme in Health Sciences is listed below:

- Basic Epidemiology

- Health Care Systems and Management

- Human Mobility and Health

- Health and Health Care in Disaster Situations

- The Application of Economics to Health Care

- Project Planning and Management

- Research on School-aged Children's Health and Wellbeing

- Global Issues on Mental Health and Mental Health Services

- Mental Health Research: Using the Knowledge and Adding to it

- Theories of Health Economics

- Epidemiologic Research Methods

- Child Health

- Womens' health

Link to the Internationalization Module description on the UTA website:

http://www.uta.fi/studies/study_abroad/internationalization_module.html

Related Courses:

Responsible Conduct of Research

More information can be found at the Study Guide.

Related Courses:

Sustainable Development

The degree programmes at Tampere University provide up-to-date, reliable information on global issues and tools for working to find solutions in these areas. The teaching and instruction provided at the University makes use of methods that encourage and motivate students to undertake ethically sustainable, interactive, multicultural and productive learning.

Related Courses:
School of Health Sciences
Degree Programmes