The Curriculum for Master of Science (MSc) in Public Health
Academic Study Board of Public Health
Programme titles:
- Kandidat i Folkesundhedsvidenskab
- Master of Science (MSc) in Public Health
ECTS value: 120
Cities: Esbjerg
Semesters: Autumnx
Effective date: 01-09-2020
Applicable for students enrolled: 01-09-2020
§ 1 - Description of the Programme
§ 1.1 - Programme
Programme titles
Master of Science (MSc) in Public Health (Master of Science (MSc) in Public Health)Ministerial orders
Ministerial Order on the Grading Scale and Other Forms of Assessment of Study Programmes Offered under the Ministry of Higher Education and Science (the Grading Scale Order) (BEK nr 114 af 03/02/2015)
Bekendtgørelse om ændring af bekendtgørelse om ankenævn for afgørelser om merit i universitetsuddannelser (meritankenævnsbekendtgørelsen) (BEK nr 880 af 26/08/2019)
Bekendtgørelse om ankenævn for afgørelser om merit i universitetsuddannelser (meritankenævnsbekendtgørelsen) (BEK nr 1517 af 16/12/2013)
Bekendtgørelse om universitetsuddannelser tilrettelagt på heltid (uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen) (BEK nr 20 af 09/01/2020)
Bekendtgørelse om eksamen og censur ved universitetsuddannelser (eksamensbekendtgørelsen) (BEK nr 22 af 09/01/2020)
Bekendtgørelse af lov om universiteter (universitetsloven) (LBK nr 778 af 07/08/2019)
Bekendtgørelse om ændring af bekendtgørelse om talentinitiativer på de videregående uddannelser på Uddannelses- og Forskningsministeriets område (talentbekendtgørelsen) (BEK nr 892 af 26/08/201)
Bekendtgørelse om adgang til universitetsuddannelser tilrettelagt på heltid (BEK nr 153 af 26/02/2020)
Bekendtgørelse om talentinitiativer på de videregående uddannelser på Uddannelses- og Forskningsministeriets område (talentbekendtgørelsen) (BEK nr 597 af 08/03/2015)
Bekendtgørelse om ændring af bekendtgørelse om universitetsuddannelser tilrettelagt på heltid (uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen) (BEK nr 1212 af 17/08/2020)
ECTS value
120Start Year
2004Academic Study Board
Academic Study Board of Public HealthLanguage
EnglishCities
EsbjergSemesters
AutumnLevel
Master§ 1.2 - Aim of Programme
The purpose of the programme is to provide students with a scientifically based thorough knowledge of, and insight into, the field of public health. The Master of Science in Public Health programme enhances the knowledge and understanding of the field of public health associated with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health in a way that it provides a basis for originality in developing and applying ideas in a research context. This is in order to thus enable students to use their competences achieved for the purpose of treating a variety of public health related issues in an independent, critical and constructive manner. This will take place via the study of the determinants of health in conjunction with methodological-theoretical and practical work on systematic and applied analyses of and efforts to promote health in a given population. The programme thus qualifies the student for participating in a largely self-directed manner in scientific development work and possibly for further training, including education at the PhD level.
§ 1.3 - Overall didactic and pedagogical basis of the programme
The education programmes at the University of Southern Denmark are based on core principles of activating teaching and active learning. The students, staff and management are jointly responsible for the principles being realised throughout the programme.
The student actively takes part in training, self-studies and collaboration with other students. The students provide a full-time effort and develop their ability to independently take responsibility for their own academic development. The teachers are responsible for organising and carrying out teaching so that it supports the students' active learning. They plan teaching at a high academic level with a clear focus on the learning objectives for each subject and for the entire programme. Teachers support, guide and challenge students in a learning community characterized by mutual respect, openness and commitment.
In addition, the programmes at the Faculty of Health Sciences are based on the faculty’s pedagogical principles that entail differentiated learning methods, a special focus on the FAIR principle, i.e. feedback, activity, individualisation and relevance. The programme is planned and teaching organised in such a way that there are good opportunities for feedback between teachers and students, there is a high level of activity among students, there is possibility of individualised learning programmes and form and content is appearing relevant for future studies and future work. Moreover, tests and exams are organised in consideration of recognised, research-based principles of validity, reliability, impact on learning, economics and acceptability.
In the public health programme, the students achieve their learning outcomes through participation in the planned learning activities which are either lectures, problem-based learning (PBL), team-based learning (TBL), exercises, group work, e-learning, labs, project work or student presentations. The programme's course elements include various activating learning methods.
The programme employs two overall models: 1. With mainly onsite activities and, 2. With online/blended learning.
In both models the learning activities are divided into synchronous and asynchronous learning activities. Synchronous learning activities can take place either on-site or online. Asynchronous learning activities can be either online activities, literature reading or homework assignments. On-site learning activities mean teaching situations where teacher and students are present at the same time and same place, for example lectures, group work or the like. Synchronous online learning activities mean virtual learning situations, where teacher and students are not present in the same place, but meet virtually at the same time. This can for example be teaching in virtual learning environments, chat forums, or the like. Asynchronous online learning activities mean learning where each student works with e.g. video podcast, (PBL/TBL)-assignments or literature search and reading.
The Master of Science in Public Health programme at the University of Southern Denmark is characterised as a research-based and occupation-related programme and is pedagogically and didactically built on constructive alignment.
The programme being research-based means that:
- the teaching, to a great extent, is organised by active researchers within different academic areas and that the teaching is partly carried out by these researchers
- the content of the modules, to a great extent, is evidence-based and reflect the most recent research knowledge
- the students acquire scientific skills and competencies, incl. methodical knowledge, applicable to research-based and occupation-related fields
The programme being occupation-related means that:
- practice-oriented training is emphasised when organizing teaching, especially the form of teaching.
- the content of the teaching is, to a large extent, related to the fields of practice in public health.
The programme being pedagogically and didactically built on constructive alignment means that:
- modules are organised and implemented so that there is consistency between the objectives for learning outcome, methods of teaching and working and exam forms, and that these reflect the purpose of the module.
- that the student constructs his/her own learning process and learning outcome through the planned (and other) learning activities.
Module descriptions thus provide a description of general objectives, specific competency objectives, a description of teaching and working methods and exam form.
The descriptions of objectives designed as specific objectives for learning outcomes, provide on the one hand, teachers, supervisors and examiners with the ability to organise and conduct training and examination in a way that gives students the best possibilities to achieve the defined learning outcomes and to actually assess the level of achievement in the exam. On the other hand, descriptions of objectives designed as specific objectives for learning outcomes make it clear to the students, which learning outcomes they are expected to achieve through the learning activities and that it is the degree of fulfilment of these goals, which will be assessed in the exam. Both of these conditions are related to another three coherent pedagogical principles:
Learning collaboration: The programme is a learning collaboration between students, teachers and researchers from different fields within Public Health Science. The programme provides various educational resources and expertise (academic as well as pedagogical and didactic). Students assume the role of independent students responsible for their own learning processes and their own education.
Pedagogical diversity: The programme is characterised by pedagogical diversity, both in terms of teaching, supervision, other work methods and learning activities and exam forms, taking into account the core principles of activating teaching and active learning. Through this diversity, students are given the opportunity to learn in many different ways throughout the program, and thus also to develop as learners.
Recommended literature: The programme specifies recommended literature for each module. This is literature which is appropriate in order to achieve the learning outcome that can be achieved through reading, etc. Students can thus use the recommended literature to achieve the defined learning objectives, or obtain these otherwise.
§ 1.4 - Profiles
Specialisation: Health Promotion - 2018 intake
Specialisation: Health Economics and Management - 2018 intake
Specialisation: Global Health - 2018 intake
Specialisation: Risk Research - 2018 intake
Specialisation: Health Promotion - 2019 intake
Specialisation: Health Economics and Management - 2019 intake
Specialisation: Risk Research - 2019 intake
Specialisation: Global Health - 2019 intake
Specialisation: Intervention and Evaluation - 2019 intake
Specialisation: Health Promotion - 2020 intake
Specialisation: Health Economics and Management - 2020 intake
Specialisation: Risk Research - 2020 intake
Specialisation: Global Health - 2020 intake
Specialisation: Intervention and Evaluation - 2020 intake
§ 2 - Enrollment
§ 2.1 - Right to enrollment in programme
Applicants with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the University of Southern Denmark have a legal claim to admission to this master programme within three years after completion of the bachelor programme (retskrav).
The legal claim is lost, if the student fails to apply within the application deadline
The legal claim is used up, once the student has been offered and accepted a study place
§ 2.2 - Direct access to programme
Applicants with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health can be admitted directly to the programme.
§ 2.3 - Alternative entry requirements
Admission to the Master of Science in Public Health programme requires:
A bachelor’s degree within Health Sciences such as:
- Public Health
- Medicine
- Biomechanics
- Sports Science
- Human Biology
- Dentistry
- Biomedicine
- Pharmacy
- Health Promotion
- Psychology
The following professional bachelors can be admitted:
- Nursing
- Physiotherapy
- Ergonomics
- Nutrition
- Midwife
- Biomedical laboratory technician
- Global Nutrition and Health
- Teacher with main subject/specialisation within sports/health
- Radiography
Applicants with qualifications obtained abroad must document educational competencies corresponding to bachelor level within health sciences.
Language requirements
Applicants must provide documentation of proficiency in English level B or equivalent.
Restriction on admission
There are two groups of applicants - undergraduates with a legal claim to admission (group 1) and other applicants with a bachelor degree giving access to admission (group 2).
Group 1
This group is comprised of applicants with a BSc in Public Health from the University of Southern Denmark who have a legal claim to admission to this master programme within three years after completion of the bachelor programme.
Group 2
This group is comprised of applicants from Danish universities who have passed a BSc in Public Health and applicants who have a BSc in Public Health from the University of Southern Denmark with a degree older than one semester, who have access to admission to the master programme.
This group is also comprised of applicants with other bachelor degrees within health sciences (e.g. Professional Bachelor) who meet the admission requirements.
Vacant places in this group are allocated to applicants based on a point system. If more qualified applicants have the same score, applicants are prioritized based on the grade point average of the qualifying degree.
Students are only admitted once a year on 1st September.
§ 2.4 - Supplements
Students who cannot document health-related and scientifically based knowledge within biostatistics, epidemiology and theory of science must complete a supplementary course (Bridging Course) of maximum 15 ECTS after admission but prior to their first semester.
§ 3 - Structure and Progression
§ 3.1 - Overall construction and structure
The programme consists of 120 ECTS distributed as follows:
- Compulsory core modules – 45 ECTS
- Specialisation module – 15 ECTS
- Electives – 30 ECTS
- Master’s thesis – 30 ECTS
Onsite or offsite/blended learning
The programme is offered:
- Onsite (in Esbjerg (in English))
- Offsite with online/blended learning (with offered study-supporting onsite activities in Odense (in Danish))
Students choose prior to first and second semester if they want to follow the onsite edition teaching with attendance in Esbjerg or the offsite/blended learning edition with offered study-supporting onsite activities in Odense.
The programme consists of 1) several core modules and electives, and 2) a master’s thesis. Within the programme, the student’s degree of freedom in the choice of modules and interest areas steadily increases from the first to the last semester. Therewith the structure of the programme encourages the student increasingly towards self-directed and autonomous knowledge acquisition and problem solving.
Core modules
The first semester of the Master of Science in Public Health programme plus the modules Effect Evaluation and Advanced Epidemiology of the second semester as well as the Master’s thesis are obligatory for all students.
The six core modules are concentrated on the first and part of the second semester in order to lay the basis for more in depths studies in the electives’ phase. With special emphasis on methodological-theoretical perspectives, it is the purpose of the core modules of the programme to develop students’ skills as to the systematic and reliable collection of knowledge concerning the state of health conditions and status of various populations. Furthermore, to develop, employ, analyse and evaluate measures directed at influencing both lifestyle and general condition factors of decisive importance for the health and well-being of the individual and thus that of the community. The core modules secure fundamental knowledge and understanding related to theory, ethics, research approaches and methodology as well as intervention and evaluation methods in the field of public health.
Specialisation
During the first semester students decide what specialisation they want to pursue:
- Health Promotion (on-site Esbjerg (English))
- Global Health (on-site Esbjerg (English))
- Risk Research (on-site Esbjerg (English))
- Health Economics and Management (on-site Esbjerg (English))
- Intervention and evaluation (online/blended learning with offered student-supporting activities in Odense (Danish))
This shall enable the student to acquire in-depth knowledge and understanding within a major field of public health research and practice. As regards the four main specialisations, the first two modules herein included are obligatory.
Likewise, the topic chosen for the Master’s thesis must be founded in the main specialisation selected by the student.
Electives
In the third semester, the student may choose four modules out of the offer of electives. Students can, but must not, complement the chosen specialisation with additional modules from the same field. However, limitations in scheduling do not always allow for all potential combinations of modules per semester period.
Students can also choose to take courses offered by other graduate programmes within or outside of Denmark within the fields of humanities, social, natural, health or technical science. Moreover, they can also choose project-oriented work. The latter possibilities, however, require pre-approval by the Academic Study Board of Public Health.
§ 3.2 - Correlation between entry requirements and the first year
The beginning of the programme is scheduled on the basis on competencies gained from a bachelor of science in public health or any relevant professional bachelor education with knowledge or supplementation of biostatistics and epidemiology.
Hence the academic modules ”Advanced Epidemiology” and ”Applied Biostatistics” can be seen as a continuation of and immersion in methodical core areas with connection to relevant research methods within public health science. The content of the modules is built on the student’s basic competencies in gathering and analysing information on population health and well-being as a prerequisite for admission to the master programme.
§ 4 - Course descriptions
§ 4.1 - Course descriptions
Profile divided course descriptions
Specialisation: Health Promotion - 2018 intake
Specialisation: Health Economics and Management - 2018 intake
Specialisation: Global Health - 2018 intake
Specialisation: Risk Research - 2018 intake
Specialisation: Health Promotion - 2019 intake
Specialisation: Health Economics and Management - 2019 intake
Specialisation: Risk Research - 2019 intake
Specialisation: Global Health - 2019 intake
Specialisation: Intervention and Evaluation - 2019 intake
Specialisation: Health Promotion - 2020 intake
Specialisation: Health Economics and Management - 2020 intake
Specialisation: Risk Research - 2020 intake
Specialisation: Global Health - 2020 intake
Specialisation: Intervention and Evaluation - 2020 intake
Course descriptions in the curriculum
Methodology of the Social Sciences and Qualitative Methods
Project Management
The Economics of Prevention in Health
Global Health
Health and Safety Risk Management
Cardiac Rehabilitation – a Model of Academic Presentation
Risk Communication
Public Health Policy and Administration
Health Policy
Evaluation
Risk Theory, Assessment and Governance
Public Health Research on Global Scale
Advanced Epidemiology
Health Promotion Planning
The State of Global Health
Master's Thesis
Public Health Ethics
Empowerment and Social Policy
Applied Biostatistics
Worksite Health Promotion
Health Measurement Scales
Methodology of the Social Sciences and Qualitative Methods
Global Health
Harmonisation, Sovereignty, Diversity and Global Health
Project Management
Public Health in the 21st Century: Challenges and Perspectives
Advanced Epidemiology
Health Promotion Planning
Risk Theory and Assessment
Health and Safety Risk Management
Change and Knowledge Management in Health Systems
Systematic Development of Interventions: The Role of Evidence, Theory and Practice
Effect Evaluation – Theory and Practice
Individual Study Activity
The State of Global Health
Implementation and Process Evaluation of Interventions – Theoretical, Methodological and Practical Approaches
The Economics of Prevention in Health
Register-based Analyses in Intervention Effect Studies
Health Communication
Economic Evaluation in Health Care
Public Health Research on Global Scale
Risk Communication
Public Health Policy and Administration
Public Health in the 21st Century: Challenges and Perspectives
Methodology of the Social Sciences and Qualitative Methods
Health Policy
Project Management
Empowerment and Social Policy
Worksite Health Promotion
Health Communication
The Economics of Prevention in Health
Intersectoral Action for Health
Applied Biostatistics
Public Health Ethics
Master's Thesis
Health Measurement Scales
Internship
Cardiac Rehabilitation – a Model of Academic Presentation
§ 5 - Examination provisions
§ 5.1 - Requirements on passed modules and regulations on grade point average
The master programme is completed when all modules are passed with a minimum of grade 02 or have obtained the assessment passed.
Examination results are defined by single grades. The Faculty of Health Sciences does not provide grade point averages as examination results for the master programme.
§ 5.2 - First year exam
§ 5.3 - Spelling and writing skills
Spelling and writing skills are a part of the overall assessment of an examination performance in large written assignments. However, the academic content must carry greater weight (cf. the Examination Order - Eksamensbekendtgørelsen). The study board may grant an exemption to this rule if the student can document a relevant, specific disability, unless spelling and writing skills are an essential part of the purpose of the examination.
§ 5.4 - Internal or external exams
Examinations are organised and assessed according to the Examination Order (Eksamensbekendtgørelsen) and the Grading Scale Order (Karakterbekendtgørelsen).
Examinations with external censorship must cover the programme’s essential areas, including the master’s thesis. At least 1/3 of the programme’s total number of ECTS points must be documented at examinations with external censorship. This means that at least 40 ECTS must be covered by external censorship in the Master of Science in Public Health programme.
§ 5.5 - Exam language
Examinations may be carried out in English, Danish, Swedish or Norwegian. However, the use of English is obligatory in group examinations or if the examiner does not understand Danish.
§ 5.6 - No text specified (Shift-right click to enter text - requires permission)
Teaching Methods
The programme makes use of a variety of teaching methods consisting of lectures, group work and a number of different student activities such as PBL (problem-based learning), TBL (team-based learning), exercises, group work, project work, e-learning, student presentations and supervision.
Types of Examination
Different types of examinations are used in the programme.
Compulsory paper
A compulsory paper is written in groups or individually without an oral examination.
Written report with oral examination
A written report is written in groups or individually with an oral examination.
The individual student should base his/her oral examination on the written report.
Written report without oral examination
A written report is written in groups or individually without an oral examination.
Written assignment with oral examination
A written assignment is written in groups or individually with an oral examination. The assignment is written based on a given examination question. The student should base his/her oral examination on the written assignment.
Written assignment without oral examination
A written assignment is written in groups or individually without an oral examination. The assignment is written based on a given examination question.
Portfolio with oral examination
Portfolio with oral examination
A portfolio is written in groups or individually with an oral examination.
Written examination
A written examination is based on the contents of the individual module.
Oral examination
An oral examination is based on the contents of the individual module with or without preparation. The oral examination is also based on a given examination question. The student presents his / her introductory presentation followed by a dialogue between the student, the examiner and the internal or external censor.
Oral defence
An oral defence is relevant after handing in a written assignment. If the written assignment is written by a group of students, the oral defence will be held individually.
Information on the length of a paper, the duration of the oral defence/written examination, preparation time and conditions on the use of study material during the examination are defined in the module descriptions.
The types of examinations are selected according to ”constructive alignment”, i.e. examinations are selected based on their applicability to test the module’s competencies. This means that the area of knowledge, for example, will be tested at written examinations. The level of understanding and reflection will be tested at written assignments/oral examinations. The type of skills will be tested in connection with project assignments. The level of evaluation and decision making will be tested in the assessment of the master’s thesis. Last but not least, the level of communication will be tested for example in connection with oral examination.
Written assignments
Requirements on the length of written assignments are stipulated in the module descriptions of each individual module. The length is stated as normal pages. A normal page comprises 2,400 characters (symbols and spaces). Characters are defined as any typographical unit, i.e. not only letters and numbers, but also punctuation marks and spaces. Footnotes are counted as one character. The front page, table of contents, reference list, summary, tables and illustrations are not included.
The length of a paper may vary +/- 10% with respect to the fixed number of normal pages per student.
Non-written material such as films, videos, photos etc. can be included as literature in connection with written assignments. The extent of the material must be agreed with and approved by the teacher or supervisor. Films and video will be stated as one minute equal to one normal page.
Students must add the number of characters to the front page of their assignments.
Requirements on the front page can be found on the programme’s website.
Individual contribution in group exams without oral defence:
In order to identify the individual contribution in case of a group exam without oral defence, a page specifying which part of the examination paper the student is responsible for must be included in the paper directly after the front paper. This shall secure that the evaluation is done individually. However, introduction, discussion and conclusion may be written jointly.
Written assignments, which do not comply with the given regulations on number of characters, cannot be assessed.
Written assignments will be rejected if students do not comply with the stipulated deadlines for submission.
Written examinations are carried out digitally. The student is expected to bring his/her own personal computer at written examinations. Depending on the type of written examination, different kinds of software/programmes can be used. The student must install these on his/her computer prior to the examination and is expected to be fully conversant with the software/programmes on the day of the examination.
§ 5.7 - Irregularities at exams
The Faculty refers to the General regulations on examinations at SDU and the Examination Order.
§ 5.8 - Special examination conditions
According to section 7 of the Examination Order (Eksamensbekendtgørelsen), the university can offer special examination conditions to students with physical or mental disabilities or in other circumstances as judged by the university, if it is considered to be necessary in order to give those students equal opportunities in the examination situation. It is a condition that the offer does not lower the examination standards.
Applications for special examination conditions must be submitted to the Academic Study Board.
§ 5.9 - Ordinary exams
Examinations will be assessed according to the 7-point grading scale or passed/not passed as stated in the description of each individual module (the Grading Scale Order, section 2 - Karakterbekendtgørelsen).
The objectives for learning outcome specified in the module descriptions in section 4, are identical to the criteria for the assessment passed / grade 12. This means that the objectives for learning outcome indicate what is required from the student in order to achieve the grade 12 (when using the 7-point grading scale), respectively what is the sufficient level required in order to achieve the grade “passed” (when the assessment is passed / not passed). The formulation "at sufficient level" when using the assessment passed / not passed, is based on the definition of the grade 02 from the Grading Scale Order and ensure that the description is also accurate at exams graded with passed / not passed.
The assessment “passed/not passed” or “approved/ not approved” can only apply to examinations covering 1/3 of the programme’s ECTS points. This means that not more than 40 ECTS in the Master of Science in Public Health programme can be assessed in this way.
All requirements in a module must be fulfilled in order for the module to be passed.
§ 5.10 - Reexams
Students who do not pass the ordinary examination in a course, can register for re-examination. The student is responsible for registering for the re-examination. In order to participate in a re-examination, the student must have been registered for ordinary examination in the course.
If a student has been registered for the ordinary examination, but has not participated in the examination, the student has used an examination attempt and can register for the re-examination.
If a student has been unable to participate in an ordinary examination due to illness, the student is entitled to a re-examination.
A passed examination cannot be re-taken
In addition to the above mentioned regulations, reference is made to SDU’s general rules on illness and examinations.
§ 5.11 - Exam attemts
A student has three (3) attempts to pass an examination. The Academic Study Board may grant additional examination attempts, if special circumstances apply. In the assessment of special circumstances, the question of the student’s academic aptitude must not be included.
§ 5.12 - Requirements for exams
Prerequisites, if any, are stated in the module description.
§ 5.13 - Digital Exams and Examination Aids
The use of aids during an examination (calculator etc.) is not allowed, unless it is clearly stated in the module description. The Academic Study Board may grant permission to use specials aids, if special circumstances apply.
Regulations on digial exam are stated in Regulations on digital exams at the Faculty of Health Scienses.
§ 5.14 - Group exams
See section 5.9 for information on indivualisation of group papers.
§ 5.15 - Description of course literature
Recommended literature for each module is stated in the module descriptions,
§ 6 - Credit transfer
§ 6.1 - Transfer of credit
Immediately after admission, new students are obliged to notify the university and apply for credit for course elements completed in previous unfinished study programmes at the same level.
The university will take disciplinary actions, if a student gives incorrect or insufficient information or neglects to apply for starting credit.
§ 6.2 - Pre-approval of Transfer of credit
Students who, as a part of the programme, wish to follow courses at another university in Denmark or abroad, can apply for pre-approval of credit transfer at their home university, see section 38, 1 of the University Programme Order (Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen).
Pre-approval of credit transfer can only be granted if the student, in connection with the application, engages to provide the home university with the necessary documentation of passed or not passed courses upon completion of the pre-approved courses. Furthermore, the student must accept that the home university can obtain the necessary information at the host university in case the student is not able to obtain the documentation on his/her own, see section 38, 2 of the University Programme Order (Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen).
Upon receipt of documentation that the pre-approved courses are passed, the university will administratively approve transfer of credit to the home university’s programme, see section 38, 3 of the University Programme Order (Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen).
In cases where the pre-approved courses are not offered by the host institution, the courses are full or do not correspond to the level (graduate) or other conditions, the university can, upon the student´s initiative, make changes to the pre-approval of credit transfer. It is the student’s responsibility and duty to put together a proposal for a study plan. The university provides academic support if the student requests it, see section 35, 4 of the University Programme Order (Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen).
§ 6.3 - Credit
Passed modules from identical programmes at the same level in Denmark can replace modules in this programme, see section 36 of the University Programme Order (Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen).
Relevant passed modules from other Danish or international programmes at the same level can replace modules on the Master of Science in Public Health programme, see section 37 of the University Programme Order (Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen).
Credit transfer is not permitted for a Master's Thesis which entitles the graduate to a degree in a specific master programme to a different master programme.
Decisions regarding credit transfer and pre-approval of credit transfer are made by the Academic Study Board on the basis of an individual, academic assessment.
§ 7 - Provisions on the organisation of the programme
§ 7.1 - Registration and cancellation of teaching and exams
It is the student’s responsibility to register for courses. Registration is done via Student Self Service. The deadlines for registration are announced on SDU’s website. Registration for a course is equal to registration for the first examination attempt in the exams that are associated with the course. The registration is binding.
The student can change his or her registration for electives during the first three weeks of the semester, unless circumstances stated in the module description do not permit this. Changes can be made provided that there is concordance in the number of ECTS, that the new course is not full and that the change does not cause a prolongation of the study time.
If a compulsory course is offered for the last time, registration is mandatory.
The university can grant an exemption from the rules regarding registration for courses if the student is an elite athlete, or if special circumstances apply(Examination Order, section 14, 5).
In addition to the above mentioned regulations, reference is made to SDU’s general rules on registration for courses and exams.
Deregistration from courses and exams
It is not possible to deregister from a course, course element, exam or re-exam element after the registration period has ended. In case of absence from an examination, the student will use an examination attempt
If a prerequisite for an exam is not passed, the university can cancel the registration for the exam, if participation in the course/exam would cause inconvenience or danger to others as a consequence of the lacking prerequisite. Thus, the student will not have used an examination attempt.
If a student does not pass a prerequisite and it is considered that participation in the exam without the having passed the prerequisite does not cause inconvenience or danger to others, the registration cannot be cancelled and the student will have used an examination attempt.
Information about prerequisites for exams is stated in the module description.
The university can grant an exemption from the rules regarding deregistration from courses and exams if the student is an elite athlete, or if special circumstances apply (Examination Order, section 14, 5).
More information can be found in the University’s general examination regulations
§ 7.2 - Access to Masters level courses
The university may register students, who are admitted and enrolled in a bachelor programme at the university, for courses and examinations covering a maximum of 30 ECTS on the master programme, if the university considers that the student’s academic competencies are sufficient in order to complete courses in the master programme, cf. section 9, 1 of the University Programme Order – Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen.
Students, who have completed courses or course elements in the master programme according the above, are entitled to admission to the master programme in question at the same university in direct continuation of a completed bachelor programme, cf. the Ministerial Order on Admission and Enrolment on Master’s Programmes (Kandidatadgangsbekendtgørelsen).
§ 7.3 - Deadline for programme completion
The Master of Science in Public Health programme must be completed within the standard time frame (two years) + six months.
§ 7.4 - Study activity
Students must pass at least one examination within a consecutive period of one year. If this requirement is not fulfilled, the student’s enrolment will be terminated.
In addition to the above, students must pass at least 45 ECTS per year in order to fulfil SDU’s requirements regarding study activity.
Enrolment in the programme can be terminated for students who do not fulfil the above mentioned requirements.
The Academic Study Board may grant an exemption from the requirements on study activity, if special circumstances apply.
When assessing an application for exemption from the study activity requirements, the Academic Study Board may include the question of the student’s academic aptitude.
Students who have failed to study actively in a period of one year will be offered individual counselling. The counselling interview will be organised by the Faculty of Health Sciences.
§ 7.5 - Master\'s thesis
Theses that are submitted after the deadline will be regarded as failed and the student will have used an examination attempt.
The student must re-write the synopsis and the title must be changed (can be similar to the original title). According to the ministry’s definition the modified synopsis must correspond to a further three months’ work load. The modified synopsis and contract must be submitted no later than 2 weeks after the original deadline. A new three months’ deadline for submission will be fixed. The new deadline is automatically fixed to three months after the original deadline.
If the Master’s thesis is not submitted within the new deadline, the student will be granted a third attempt according to the same rules that apply to the second attempt.
If the Master’s thesis is not passed (grade ‘00’ or ‘-3), a modified synopsis must be submitted within two weeks after the publication of the assessment. A new deadline for submitting the thesis will be fixed to three months after the publication of the assessment.
§ 7.6 - Change of specialisation
Changes between specialisations are only possible, if the student has not used examination attemps in any of the specialisation courses.
§ 7.7 - Leave
Leave of absence can be granted according to SDU’s general rules on leave of absence.
§ 7.8 - Electives
A number of electives are offered on the third semester, see §4.
Pre-approval must be obtained form the Academic Study Board, if a student wishes to take courses in other master programmes at SDU other universities.
§ 8 - Exemptions and complaints procedures
§ 8.1 - Exemption from University Regulations
The examination regulations at SDU apply to conditions not mentioned in the Examination Order.
If unusual circumstances apply, the Academic Study Board may grant an exemption to the regulations stipulated in the curriculum by the university only.
When assessing all applications for exemptions – except for exemptions for further examination attempts – the Academic Study Board may include the assessment of the student’s academic aptitude.
§ 8.2 - Examination complaints
Complaints of the assessment of an examination performance must be addressed to the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences. The complaint must be substantiated and in writing.
Students may file complaints on:
- Legal matters
- The basis of the examination (exam questions, assignments etc.)
- The way in which the examination was conducted
- The assessment
The complaint must be filed not later than two weeks after the publication of the assessment. However, the deadline only applies from the date stated in advance for the publication of the examination result. In special circumstances, the university may grant an exemption to the deadline requirement. The Faculty of Health Sciences refers to the complaint instructions its webpage and the Examination Order, section 7 (Eksamensbekendtgørelsen).
The Faculty cannot decide to change an examination result. The Faculty may decide to
- Offer a reassessment with new examiners (written exams)
- Offer a new examination with new examiners (oral exams)
- Reject the complaint
The result of a reassessment or re-examination may result in a lower grade than the original
Complaints about other matters than an examination (i.e. supervision and teaching) must be presented to head of studies.
§ 8.3 - Appeal
Decisions on credits
The University’s/Academic Study Board’s decisions in accordance with the University Programme Order, section 40, 1 (Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen), regarding rejections or partial rejections on credits transfer and pre-approval of credit transfer for Danish or international course elements, may be referred to a board of appeal according to the regulations of the Ministerial Order no. 1517 of 16 December 2013 (Meritankenævnsbekendtgørelsen).
University decisions with regards to section 40 on rejections and partial rejections on credit in connection with passed international exams may be presented to the board of qualifications (Kvalifikationsnævnet) according to the Ministerial Order no. 579 of 1 June 2014 (Lov om vurdering af udenlandske uddannelseskvalifikationer mv.).
Complaints concerning legal matters
Complaints regarding decisions made by the Academic Study Board in accordance with the University Programme Order (Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen) and this curriculum can be presented to the Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education (Styrelsen for Forskning og Uddannelse) by the student in connection with complaints on legal matters.
The complaint must be substantiated and submitted to the university not later than two weeks after the Academic Study Board’s decision has been sent to the student. The university will give a statement, which the complainant may comment on within a deadline of at least one week. Subsequently, the university will send the complaint, its statement and any comments from the complainant to the agency.
§ 9 - The affiliation of the programme
§ 9.1 - Academic Study Board
Academic Study Board of Public Health
§ 9.2 - External examiners
Body of External Examiners for Public Health Science and Related Programmes
§ 9.3 - Effective date
01-09-2020
§ 9.4 - Applicable for students enrolled
01-09-2020
§ 9.5 - Date of Study Board Approval
07-05-2020
§ 9.6 - Date of Deans Approval
02-06-2020