INTHE4013 – Fundamentals of International Community Health Part I
Course description
Course content
The course focuses on defined areas related to health. The emphasis is on identifying problems, developing strategies and programs in international community health.
The course is divided into three modules with the following areas of focus:
- Human and microbial ecology
- Non-communicable diseases and nutrition
- Reproductive- and child health
Learning outcome
Knowledge
- Human and microbial ecology:
You will learn about pathogenicity and virulence of microbes, microbial evolution, transmission of infectious diseases and variation in infectious disease patterns over time and space. Public health measures for controlling infectious diseases, such as sanitation, vaccination programs and practices to combat the threat of antimicrobial resistance will be described.
- Non-communicable diseases and nutrition:
You will learn basic nutrition and nutrition intervention in public health, the importance of proper nutrition during the life cycle, research methods on nutrition and NCDs, and know the most common NCDs and their epidemiology.
- Reproductive – and child health:
You will learn about the central issues in child health and reproductive health, the relationship between socio-economic inequality and inequity in access to health care and their impact on child health, maternal health and mortality. You will learn about cultural, social and political aspects related to reproductive –and child health, and global challenges to child health and reproductive health
Skills
- Human and microbial ecology:
You will be able to demonstrate an understanding of infectious diseases in a global perspective.
- Non-communicable diseases and nutrition:
You will be able to assess nutritional status and nutritional needs for individuals and groups. You will be able to know the link between nutrition, life style and NCDs and assess the consequences of over- and undernutrition and prevention potential. You will also be able to describe the epidemiology of NCDs and the global challenges these diseases present
- Reproductive – and child health:
You will be able to explain key issues in reproductive –and child health and acquire a basic understanding of the interaction between child health, access to health care services and poverty. You will be able to critically analyze the relationship between health systems and child health, and the relationship between health systems and reproductive health. You will be able to grasp the basic global challenges related to child health and reproductive health
General competence
- Human and microbial ecology:
You will be able to critically evaluate public health interventions related to infectious diseases.
- Non-communicable diseases and nutrition:
After taking the course, the students should be able to identify problems regarding NCDs and their relation to nutrition and life style. You should also be able to plan, perform and evaluate interventions when working in community health.
- Reproductive – and child health:
To acquire basic knowledge on child health and reproductive health, and to engage in relevant debates on health policies and development.
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
This course is not available for single course students.
Overlapping courses
11 credits overlap with INTHE4000 – Theoretical Foundation (discontinued)
Teaching
Lectures and group work. You have to participate in at least 80 % of the teaching to be allowed to take the exam. Attendance at lectures will be registered.
Examination
3 hours individual written examination
Grading
The Board at the University of Oslo has decided to introduce detailed guidelines for all examinations, which take place at the University. The description of the grading should be clear and transparent. This is done to ensure alignment between learning outcomes, assignments, and grading. The Faculty of Medicine has developed a web page with information regarding exams and the grading procedures (norwegian version).
Digital examination
The written examination is conducted in the digital examination system Inspera. You will need to familiarize yourself with the digital examination arrangements in Inspera.
Read more about written examinations using Inspera.
Examination support material
No examination support material is allowed.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Withdrawal from an examination
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.