03 July 2006 Curriculum for the Master of International Health programme (MIH) University of Copenhagen, Denmark In pursuant to the Danish Ministry of Education Order No 246 of, 05/04/2000 on the Master of International Health programme (MIH) at University of Copenhagen 2, 3 and 10, section 1-4, the Danish Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation Law on Universities No 403 of 28/05/2003, the Danish Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation Order No 338 of 06/05/2004 on Bachelor and Candidate degrees at Universities 67 section 3, the Danish Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation Order No 867 of 19/08/ 2004 on Examination at University Degrees, the Danish Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation order No 560 of 19/06/2003 on Part time Education, the Danish ministry of education Order No 1373 of 18/12/2000 changed by Order No 520 of 17/6/2003 on Open education, the Danish Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation Order No 559 of 19/05/2003 on Inclusion of Certain Educations at Universities under the order of Part Time Education, the Danish ministry of education Order No 513 of 22/06/1995 on grading, etc. and the Danish Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation Order No 931 of 05/10/2005 on Parallel- and joint degrees, the following curriculum is laid down: Objective 1 The Master of International Health (MIH) is a research-based postgraduate, cross-disciplinary education. Section 2. The Faculty of Health Sciences awards the Master of International Health to those who pass all the course assessments. Section 3. A Master of International Health will be able to contribute to the improvement of the health status of populations and population groups on a scientific basis at international, regional and local levels. This higher education is geared towards analysing the interplay between societies, health care systems, prevention of diseases and health promotion in low and middle-income societies with the aim of improving the health status of populations and societies. 1
Admission Criteria 2. Requirements for admission to the programme are: 1) Completed studies at a masters level in health sciences, social sciences or other relevant academic training, or 2) a bachelor s degree from a university or equivalent institution, and, as a minimum, an additional one-year of completed full-time university studies, or 3) health professionals with mid-level training of a minimum of 3 years and documentation of completed full-time studies of at least one year at university level. Section 2. Additional Admission Criteria: Adequate English language qualifications according to internationally recognised proficiency tests and relevant professional experience of at least 2 years. Applicants with other backgrounds are assessed on an individual basis. A synopsis of max 4 pages based on a proposed field study or on a critical review of articles referring to a relevant problem must be enclosed with the application. Section 3. The possibility of credit transfer for modules from international MIHprogrammes, including the European MIH under TropEd and other programmes and units, will be considered by the programme director. Modules from the MIH are included of the European Master of Science in International Health under TropEd, which is also accredited at the University of Copenhagen as part of a joint/multiple degree. it may be possible to enrol separately for all modules in accordance with 4. Assessment for each module will be based on examination or simple attendance. Organization 3. The MIH is a one-year programme including theory, field study and project work/masters thesis. The programme can be taken as a one-year full-time study (60 ECTS Credits) or as a flexible study over a maximum of three years. It is possible to enrol for selected module(s) and/or to complete the whole programme over a maximum of three years. Thereafter the registration ceases. Structure of the programme 4. The programme includes teaching in general and specific disciplines with the aim of integrating lectures and other learning methods across disciplines, subjects and topics, and enabling the students to combine these into practical project work and research. 2
5. The study load of the programme is equal to 1,0 local credit; 60 ECTS Credits and consists of three types of modules: Core Module (compulsory) equals 20 ECTS Corresponding to the TropEd core course Optional Modules equal 20 ECTS The 20 ECTS can be a combination of courses with an ECTS value of 1-15 ECTS The Thesis equals 20 ECTS and consists of preparation of the master thesis carried out as self-study under supervision. Content of the programme 6. The overall aim of the core and optional modules in the MIH is to provide the students with a cross-disciplinary approach, enabling the students to acquire 1) knowledge of important concepts, theories and new factual information 2) skills in literature searching and critical reading experience 3) skills in analysing and interpreting data 4) skills in oral and written communication 7. Core Module (20 ECTS credits) Is a 13-14 weeks Introduction to International Health. Section 2 The Aim of the Core module is: 1) To provide students from different professional backgrounds with a common set of basic concepts and terminology relevant for international health. 2) To provide students with basic skills in the main subject of International Health: Ethics, human rights, health policy, health economics and health management; information, education and communication, and anthropology/sociology; furthermore major diseases in low and middleincome societies; control and prevention of diseases especially at primary health care level; sexual and reproductive health, including venereal diseases; child health; water/sanitation; prevention of disasters and management and refugee medicine. 3) To provide students with theories and methods for research and disease control including epidemiology and statistics as well as qualitative research methods. 3
Section 3 The Learning Objectives of the Core module: The student should be able to critically collect, analyse and appraise qualitative and quantitative data relevant for the improvement of health and health care in low and middle-income societies. The student should be able to identify and analyse interrelated determinants of health and major health problems of populations in a cross-disciplinary perspective in low- and middle-income societies. The student should be able to plan sustainable improvements of health systems considering the diverse intercultural settings as well as social and ethical responsibilities. The student should be able to clearly communicate and work professionally in a multi-disciplinary team. 8. Assessment of students. The Core Module is completed with a written and an oral examination both of which have to be passed. The students are graded according to the official Danish examination grading scale. One mark will be given of which the oral and written examination each counts 50%. The exam language is English and there will be an external examiner. 9. Optional Modules (20 ECTS credits) the number of special modules available is decided every year by the curriculum committee depending of the demand from students for modules. Section 2. The aim of the optional module is to provide the students with indepth knowledge and to develop further skills within specific areas of international health sciences. Section 3. The Learning Objective of optional modules: The students should be able to work professionally in specialized fields of international health in order to fulfil the overall objectives of the MIH. 10. Assessment of the students: Optional Module is completed with a written or an oral examination or simple attendance. The exam language is English with external examiner. The students are graded according to the official Danish examination grading scale. In special cases pass/failure can be used. The performed examinations are decided upon every year at the last CCmeeting in June. The examination/assessment is decided and planned in June prior to study start 4
11. The project work/master thesis (20 ECTS credits). The duration is minimum 12 weeks and the studies are carried out under supervision and in study groups. The thesis should be about 30-35 standard pages per student written according to the current guidelines for scientific literature. The thesis should demonstrate that the individual student is capable of dealing with complex issues demanding the integration of empirical data with concepts and theories relevant for international health. Section 2: The Aim of the Thesis is that Student s carry out an independent research project, submitted as a thesis. The thesis writing process is closely supervised and guided by selected tutors/supervisors. Section 3: The learning objective of the final thesis is to enable the student independently to plan and implement international, regional and local projects within the area of international health. This includes collecting, handling, analysing and interpreting material and data and the student s ability to communicate project results. It is also possible to conduct a desk study based on systematic literature review. 12. Assessment of Students: After submission of the thesis there is a final oral defence based on the written thesis. In addition other issues from the curriculum can be brought up. The students are graded according to the official Danish examinations grading scale with external marking. In the assessment of the written thesis the scientific content of the thesis as well as the student s writing and communication skills will be included. It is a condition for exam registration that the student has passed all the other modules. Marking and periods of examination 13. Modules and units are approved through tests related to the teaching and/or by reports or by compulsory attendance. The curriculum committee sets the rules. Section 2. Qualifications acquired through the education are documented by written and oral examination and by evaluation of the thesis. Section 3. Examinations are held according to conditions set by the Ministry of Education or The Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation and in conformity with the European regulations prepared by the educational branch of European schools of international health, TropEd. 14. Each module will be completed by an examination or simply attendance. 5
Conditions and limits for the examination 15. A student will only be able to register 3 times for the same exam. Section 2. Thesis on the same project work can only be handed in 3 times. 16. Student(s) prevented from attending or completing the examination due to illness will have to submit a statement from a physician (general practitioner) and another examination will be offered to the student(s) at the end of the same examination period. Section 2. Provided that a student who has registered for the examination does not pass the examination a re-examination will be possible at the end of the same period of examination. Section 3. Under special circumstances, it will be possible to arrange examinations outside the usual exam schedule. Section 4. Exam registration takes place at the examination office at least 3 weeks before the examinations start. Section 5. An examination plan showing the date for the examinations will be announced at least 6 month before the start of the examination period. Complaints about the examination assessments. 19. The regulations for filing complaints including the possibility of bringing the complaints before the Board of Appeal, and the time limit for the complaints procedure is regulated in Order No 867 of 19/08/ 2004 on Examination at University Degrees, regulated by the Danish Ministry of Education. Exemptions 20. Requests to register for the same examination for the fourth time may be granted by the curriculum committee based on an application. Section 2. Other exemptions from the curriculum require approval from the curriculum committee. Coming into force 21. The present curriculum takes effect from the study year 2006-7 - 1.of September 2006. 6