Health, Environment and Society Bachelor Program in Public Health Sciences
180 ECTS credits
Study programme
Do you want to improve peoples health?
The Public Health Science program at Karlstad University is an interdisciplinary subject dedicated to the state of public health, its distribution and change across populations. Particular focus is on the importance of living conditions, lifestyles, the environment, social structures, and health care systems to health development. The overall aim is good, equal health among the population.
The Public Health Science program at Karlstad University is an interdisciplinary subject dedicated to the state of public health, its distribution and change across populations. Particular focus is on the importance of living conditions, lifestyles, the environment, social structures, and health care systems to health development. The overall aim is good, equal health among the population.
Education level:
Basic level
Prerequisites
General entry requirements plus English B, Mathematics B and
Civics A or English 6, Mathematics 2a/2b/2C and Civics 1b/1a1
+ 1a2.
While studying
Education
The study programme comprises three years of studies. Courses are full-time with the possible exception of some optional courses. The mode of study is distance learning. There will be a few on-campus meetings during the course of the programme and one per year will be mandatory.The Health, Environment and Society programme is concluded with a Degree of Bachelor of Science with a major in Public Health Science. The programme is an interdisciplinary first-cycle study programme that yields broad, multifaceted knowledge about how to work from a societal, group, and individual level to utilise people?s skills and resources from a public health perspective. The study programme comprises methods and tools applicable in practice to promote health and preventative actions on different levels of society.
Examination
Examination forms vary between courses and include written and oral assignments. As a rule, the examination components are written reports, group assignments, project work, and active participation in seminars.Professional Contact
The study programme is characterised by instruction with a foundation in practice, systematically in partnership with external organisations both regionally and nationally through lectures, seminars, assignments, and practical placement (VFU).Course of study
| Semester 1 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Public Health Science (Obligatory) | 15 |
| Introduction to qualitative and quantitative research methods (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Health Promotion I (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
| Semester 2 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Anatomy, physiology and health (Optional) | 7.5 |
| Healthy living habits (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Epidemiology and public health work (Obligatory) | 15 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
| Semester 3 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Health Promotion II (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Project management and evaluation in public health work (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Health, environment and sustainable development (Obligatory) | 15 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
| Semester 4 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Scientific research methods in Public Health Sciences - literature study (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Public Health Sciences: Practical Training I (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Health psychology and communication (Optional) | 7.5 |
| Global Health (Optional) | 7.5 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
| Semester 5 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Optional course (Optional) | 15 |
| Optional course (Optional) | 7.5 |
| Domestic violence in a public health perspective (Optional) | 7.5 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
| Semester 6 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Optional course (Optional) | 15 |
| Public Health Science: Degree Project (Obligatory) | 15 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
Elective course: Students are free to choose among certain alternative courses, often depending on their choice of specialisation.
Optional course: Students are free to choose any course offered at Karlstad University or at other universities. Courses listed are examples of recommended or frequently chosen courses for a specific programme.
Läsårs- och programvärderingar
Future prospects
Employment Market
There is a recognised need in society for people with interdisciplinary and cross-sectional understanding of public health issues and their management.Public health scientists work to improve public health by studying, analysing, and influencing health determinants in society. The professional prospects of a Public Health graduate include project management, mapping and identification, action planning, the performance or commissioning of health-promoting and preventative action, investigation of organisations? public health initiatives, evaluation of public health projects, et cetera. A public health scientist can work for a municipality, a region, the government, in the private sector, or for NGOs. Graduates move on to titles such as public health coordinator, public health strategist, business developer, and public health planner.
Further Studies
Graduates have the opportunity to obtain a Degree of Master (120 ECTS credits) in Health Science: Focus Public Health Science after an additional two years of studies. Another option is to obtain a Degree of Master (60 ECTS credits) after one additional year of studies. Master graduates can move on to doctoral studies.- Start Autumn 2023
- Mode of study Distance with on-campus meetings (Karlstad)
- Language Swedish
- Application code KAU-80113
- Study pace 100% (Day)