Programme structure
The Master's Programme in International Community Health is a full-time two-year programme (4 semesters) with admissions every August. Both international and Norwegian students are admitted to the programme. The programme grants 120 ECTS credit points.
The first year consists of mandatory and elective courses. By the end of second semester, students are expected to have written a research protocol for their thesis. The second year consists of data collection, analysis, thesis writing and oral exam / defence.
The theoretical curriculum is based on some common underlying themes (for instance Society and Culture, Biology and Environment) which are taken up in focal areas throughout the first semester. The focal areas are: Reproductive Health • Infectious diseases • Chronic diseases • Child Health • Ageing and Disability. Highly interactive teaching methods are applied involving a high degree of active participation from the students in workshops and seminars.
| 4. semester | Master Thesis INTHE4012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3. semester | Master Thesis INTHE4012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2. semester | Literature Review INTHE4006 | Research Methodology, part 2 INTHE4007 | Elective courses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1. semester | Theorethical Foundations, INTHE4000 | Research Methodology, part 1 INTHE4004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 ECTS credits | 10 ECTS credits | 10 ECTS credits | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The aim of the programme is to train students in community health research and interventions. The programme will prepare students to participate in community-based health promotion and disease prevention research, and to use the research findings to improve the quality and effectiveness of community health action.
First Semester
Theoretical Foundation Courses:
- Ageing and Disability
- Child Health
- Community Nutrition
- HIV/AIDS
- Human and Microbial Ecology
- Medicines in a Global Society
- Non-communicable diseases
- Reproductive Health
(In alphabetic order - see INTHE4000 for more details)
Research Methodology Courses:
- Introduction to Statistics
- Introduction to Epidemiology
- Introduction to Qualitative Methods
Second Semester
Mandatory workshops:
- Literature review and Research Question Seminar (INTHE4006)
- Research Methodology Paper (INTHE4007)
- Development of a Research Protocol
- Tools for library research
Elective Courses
Students must choose elective courses during the second semester adding up to 20 ECTS credits. The availability of elective courses are subject to change annually. Students have the opportunity to choose among following elective courses:
INTHE4111 - Medical Research Ethics in Developing Countries
INTHE4112 - Strategic Communication in Community Health
INTHE4113 - Introduction to Medical Anthropology: key concepts and perspectives
INTHE4114 - Methods in Intervention Epidemiology: With a focus to metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes
INTHE4117 - New priorities for HIV and AIDS in the developing world context – prevention, treatment, and care
INTHE4118 - Reproductive and Sexual Health and Human Rights
Elective courses will be updated in December before the following spring semester
Third and Fourth Semesters
The aim of the thesis is for students, through independent research work, to acquire skills and knowledge of the research process, including planning, implementation, data analysis and written presentation.
In the third semester, students will carry out their research work. Students are encouraged, but not required, to carry out their research work in another country than Norway. Quota students are expected to carry out the research work in their home-countries. Data analysis and writing takes place under supervision in Oslo during fourth semester.
Diploma and degree
This programme leads to the following degree: Master of Philosophy in International Community HealthQuality assurance
The programme of study is regularly evaluated to ensure and develop the quality of the programme. Read more about the quality assurance.