Public Health Sciences Course Program

The program consists of two Modules subdivided into four themes:

• Module 1 – Consists of 5 units: an introduction to Public Health Sciences and Course Program, and an introduction to each of the four themes: Core Methods, Population Health and its Determinants, Health System and Policy, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (2 ECTS).
• Module 2 – Consists of in-depth courses within the four themes (> 8 ECTS).

Course Program participants must start with Module 1 and should complete all 5 introductory units before embarking on Module 2. In Module 2, courses need to be chosen within theme 1 “Core Methods”. Additionally courses from at least one other theme (theme 2 to 4) must be chosen. If they wish, students can choose up to 3 additional themes and attain more than 8 ECTS in Module 2.

In Module 1, participants get a comprehensive overview of the foundations of Public Health, definitions of key concepts, its different disciplines, its history and ethics, and an introduction to the 4 themes. In Module 2, participants acquire specific skills across the 4 themes:

1. Core methods
   1. Epidemiology and demography
   2. Social Sciences research methods
   3. Statistical and computational methods
   4. Evaluation and implementation
2. Population health and its determinants
   1. Socio-economic determinants
   2. Environmental and biological hazards
   3. Nutrition
   4. Life course
   5. Global and One Health
   6. Genetics
3. Health care systems and policy
   1. Health policy
   2. Health law
   3. Health care systems
4. Health promotion and disease prevention
   1. Participatory research
   2. Behavior change
   3. Knowledge transfer tools

The minimum workload for the entire Course Program is approximately 300 hours (1 credit ≈25-30h) over 3 years, with Module 1 contributing about 50 hours. Participants have the flexibility to earn credits with courses that are most helpful to them. In addition to the minimum credits' requirements, participants may take additional courses at their discretion. These will be recognized as additional learning achievements in the Diploma Supplement.

The courses will be taught in English, held face-to-face at participating institutions or offered online. Courses designed specifically for the PHS Course Program and courses offered at participating institutions that fit the Course Program will be offered. The latter include online courses at the University of Bristol and courses given in Rotterdam at the Erasmus Summer Program.

Students who want to enroll in the entire Course Program must first register to Module 1. Once Module 1 is completed, they can start with Module 2 courses. Admission is possible at any time through the online platform. At enrolment in the Course Program, applicants will be invited to a short meeting with the Program Manager to discuss individual course planning, expectations and open questions. PhD students, post-docs or other interested parties not aiming to enroll in the full Course Program can also register online for single courses.

Per June 2023, registration fees are waived for PhD students at the University of Bern who commit to the whole course attendance. Please note cancellation regulations in Terms and Conditions.

Fees for other interested persons depend on their participant status and whether they are enrolled in the Course Program or taking individual courses. The fees for the whole course program include 10 ECTS. Detailed information on admission and fees is available in the document «Registration fees overview» in «Documents & links».