Social Epidemiology, 7.5 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Entry requirements

• Bachelor´s degree equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen in a major subject area with relevance for the respective core disciplines such as:
  - Occupational Therapy
  - Speech Therapy
  - Audiology
  - Physiotherapy
  - Nursing
  - Public Health Science
  - Medicine
  - Behavioural Science
  - Dietetics
  - Psychology
  - Social Sciences
  - Dentistry
• Independent in-depth academic paper 15 ECTS credits
• English and Swedish corresponding to the level of English and Swedish in Swedish upper secondary education (Engelska 6 and Svenska 3)

Intended learning outcomes

INTRODUCTION

The course is an independent course within public health sciences and can be included in a degree of master of sciences.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completion of the course, the student is expected to know:

Knowledge and understanding
•understand and explain central epidemiological terms and be able to explain and compare different epidemiological measures.
•evaluate strengths and weaknesses in different epidemiological designs and methods in social epidemiology.
•identify possible random and systematic errors and evaluate its impact on results and the interpretation of the study

Competence and skills
•plan and evaluate choices when designing studies in social epidemiology
•analyze and interpret reports within social epidemiology, to judge reliability, validity and conclusions
Judgement and approach
•evaluate strengths and weaknesses with different definitions and stratifications to describe social status, and evaluate its usefulness in social epidemiological studies
•relate to ethical considerations in social epidemiology

Course content

The course is based on common epidemiological methods. In particular, issues concerning social epidemiology, from design and implementation to generalizability in different contexts.

Teaching and working methods

Student centered and problem based learning form the foundation for the teaching at the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS). The student takes responsibility for, studies and researches current content of the courses and study programme. The working methods challenge the students to independently formulate questions for learning, to seek knowledge and in dialogue with others judge and evaluate achieved knowledge. Students work together in groups based on reality based situations to develop their own learning, contribute to the fellow students’ learning and to practice cooperation. The teacher’s role is to support the students in this way of learning.

The teaching methods in this course consist of lectures and seminars

Examination

The form of examination used in the course is an individual written exam. Compulsory parts with required attendance are study tasks and seminars, which are required for the examination.

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

Application for examination

Instructions on how to apply for examinations are given prior to the beginning of each course.

Re-examination

The date for re-examination should normally be announced by the date of the regular examination at latest; in which case the scope must be the same as at the regular examination.

Examination for students with disabilities

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives. 

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course. 

Nomination of another examiner

A student who has taken two examinations in a course or a part of a course without obtaining a pass grade is entitled to the nomination of another examiner, unless there are special reasons to the contrary.  

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of the course is to be based on the wordings in the course syllabus. A course evaluation is compulsory for each course and should include how the course is in agreement with the course syllabus. The course coordinator will analyse the course evaluation and propose appropriate development of the course. The analysis and proposal will be returned to the students, the Director of Studies, and as needed to the Education Board, if related to general development and improvement.

The course is carried out in such a way that knowledge of gender, gender identity/expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief system, disability, sexual orientation and age is addressed, highlighted and communicated as part of the programme.

If the course is cancelled or undergoes major changes, examination is normally offered under this course syllabus, at a total of three occasions, within/in connection to the two following semesters, of which one in close proximity to the first examination.

Department