Course Schedule

Master of Science in Applied Health Social Science (MSc. AHSS) Programme

The Master of Science in Applied Health Social Sciences is a new interdisciplinary field which emphasizes the application of the entire range of Health Social Science disciplines such as Sociology, Psychology, Economics, and Anthropology to Public Health and the application of Social Science research methodologies and Implementation Research to promote health and well-being. The course is therefore, designed to provide a structured but flexible exposure to topics in the areas of Public Health, Biostatistics, Social Science Methods in Health Systems/ Implementation Research, Health Policy and Ethics. The main thrust of the programme is to expose health and development workers to Social Science techniques, tools, approaches, methodologies and best practices needed for effective programme design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and management. Students will be exposed to various field experiences and practices and would be required to master Social Science approaches to health research. Some of the main areas of application include health promotion, gender advocacy in health, gender in development, implementation research, health research, health programme design, implementation, and management, the application of Social Science to health programme and service delivery, management and sustainability, and health promotion activities.

The MSc. AHSS programme has been organised as a 12-month full-time residential course of two semesters and 12-week of field practice. The first semester will be devoted to core course work and the second to both core and elective course work. After the second semester examinations, students will devote a maximum of twelve (12) weeks to field practice and/or field attachment where they will have hands-on experience of Implementation Research and the Research Cycle, Community Mobilisation, Health Promotion and Practice etc

Course Summary (MSc. AHSS)   
First Semester

• BSTT 601 Methods in Biostatistics I 3           
• BSTT 603 Research Methods in Public Health 2
• EPDC 607 Principles of Epidemiology 3
• EPDC 615 Foundation of Public Health  2
• SOBS 610 Seminar 3
• SOBS 611 Behavioural Science 2
• SOBS 620 Applied Social Science for Public Health 2
• SOBS 650 Health Promotion and Practice 2
• SOBS 670 Foundation of Implementation Research (IR)  2
•     
• Second Semester   
• SOBS 602 Implementation Research 2
• SOBS 604 Social Science Data Management and Report Writing 2
• SOBS 608 Gender and Health 3
• SOBS 622 Community Mobilisation in Health and Development  2

Electives 

• SOBS 612 Theories and Models of Health Promotion 2
• SOBS 614 Evidence-based Approach to Health Communication  2
• SOBS 616 Global Perspectives in Health Promotion  2
• SOBS 618 Health Research Policy Development and Implementation 2
• SOBS 624 Ageing and Health 2
• SOBS 626 Women's Health in sub-Saharan Africa 2
• SOBS 628 Gender and Violence 2
• SOBS 634 Health and Development in the Third World 3
• SOBS 636 Plural Medical Systems in the Third World 2
• SOBS 664 Social Science Theories in Public Health Practice and Research 2
• HPPM 642 Advanced Health Systems Development and Management 2

• Field Practice Period   
• SOBS 601 Field Practicals and Attachment 3
• SOBS 630 Dissertation 12

Master of Public Health Social and Behavioural Science (MPH SOBS) Option

The main thrust of the MPH SOBS option is to provide expertise public health training for health and development practitioners in the areas of social and behavioural sciences for both national and international health and development workers. This is a twelve –month MPH programme but for applicants who are interested in the role of social sciences in public health.

The MPH SOBS option is a full-time residential course which spans a period of two semesters and a second semester vacation residency programme. Students will be expected to complete a minimum of 39 credit hours and a maximum of 48 credit hours of course work. In addition, students will be required to undertake 12 weeks of field work/research during the long vacation. The remaining 2 weeks would be spent in the classroom and with academic supervisors, where students will be guided to put their dissertations together to conform to the department’s standards.

Course Summary 

First Semester   

• BSTT 601 Methods in Biostatistics I 3
• BSTT 603 Research Methods in Public Health 2
• EPDC 607 Principles of Epidemiology 3
• EPDC 615 Foundation of Public Health 2
• HPPM 609 Introduction to Management of Health Services 2
• PFRH 613 Introduction to Population Studies  2
• SOBS 610 Seminar 3
• SOBS 611 BEhavioural Science 2

    
Second Semester Implementation Research Unit 

• SOBS 608 Gender and Health 3
• SOBS 670 Fundamentals of Implementation Research ( IR) 2
• SOBS 620 Applied Social Science for Public Health 2
• SOBS 650 Health Promotion and Practice 2
• SOBS 602 Implementation Research  2
• SOBS 604 Social Science Data Management and Report Writing 2

    
 Second Semester Health Promotion Unit 

• SOBS 608 Gender and Health 3
• SOBS 670 Fundamentals of Implementation Research (IR) 2
• SOBS 620 Applied Social Science for Public Health 2
• SOBS 650 Health Promotion and Practice 2
• SOBS 612 Theories and Models of Health Promotion 2
• SOBS 614 Evidence-based Approach to Health Communication 2

    
Second Semester Gender and Health Unit 

• SOBS 608 Gender and Health 3
• SOBS 670 Fundamentals of Implementation Research (IR)  2
• SOBS 620 Applied Social Science for Public Health 2
• SOBS 650 Health Promotion and Practice 2
• SOBS 624 Ageing and Health 2

 Second Semester Applied Health Social Science Unit 

• SOBS 608 Gender and Health 3
• SOBS 670 Fundamentals of Implementation Research (IR) 2
• SOBS 620 Applied Social Science for Public Health 2
• SOBS 650 Health Promotion and Practice 2
• SOBS 664 Social Science Theories in Public Health Practice and Research 2
• SOBS 634 Health and Development in the Third World 3

    
 Electives 

• SOBS 616 Global Perspectives in Health Promotion 2
• SOBS 618 Health Research Policy Development and Implementation 2
• SOBS 622 Community Mobilisation in Health and Development 2
• SOBS 626 Women's Health in sub-Saharan Africa 2
• SOBS 636 Plural Medical Systems in the Third World 2
• HPPM 642 Advanced Health Systems Development and Management 2

    
Field Practicals Period 

• SOBS 676 Field Practicals and Attachment 3
• SOBS 680  Dissertation  12