Course Structure Overview
The Health Policy program at IIPHG is structured over 8 semesters, with each semester offering a blend of core subjects, departmental electives, science electives, and laboratory work. The curriculum is designed to progressively build students' knowledge from foundational concepts to advanced policy analysis and implementation.
Course Structure Table
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credits (L-T-P-C) | Pre-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | HP101 | Introduction to Health Policy | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| I | HP102 | Public Health Fundamentals | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| I | HP103 | Statistics for Public Health | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| I | HP104 | Social Sciences and Health | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| I | HP105 | Health Law and Ethics | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| I | HP106 | Health Information Systems Lab | 0-0-2-2 | - |
| I | HP107 | English for Academic Purposes | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| II | HP201 | Epidemiology and Disease Burden | 3-1-0-4 | HP101, HP102 |
| II | HP202 | Health Economics and Financing | 3-1-0-4 | HP103 |
| II | HP203 | Health Systems Analysis | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| II | HP204 | Policy Process and Implementation | 3-1-0-4 | HP101, HP102 |
| II | HP205 | Social Determinants of Health | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| II | HP206 | Data Analysis Lab | 0-0-2-2 | HP103 |
| III | HP301 | Global Health Governance | 3-1-0-4 | HP201, HP202 |
| III | HP302 | Health Informatics | 3-1-0-4 | HP203, HP206 |
| III | HP303 | Environmental Health Policy | 3-1-0-4 | HP205 |
| III | HP304 | Mental Health Policy and Advocacy | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| III | HP305 | Digital Health Applications | 3-1-0-4 | HP203, HP206 |
| III | HP306 | Policy Research Methods Lab | 0-0-2-2 | HP201, HP202 |
| IV | HP401 | Maternal and Child Health Policy | 3-1-0-4 | HP201, HP202 |
| IV | HP402 | Public Health Emergency Preparedness | 3-1-0-4 | HP201, HP205 |
| IV | HP403 | Healthcare Regulation and Ethics | 3-1-0-4 | HP105, HP202 |
| IV | HP404 | Health Program Evaluation | 3-1-0-4 | HP201, HP202 |
| IV | HP405 | Health Communication and Media | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| IV | HP406 | Policy Simulation Lab | 0-0-2-2 | HP301, HP306 |
| V | HP501 | Advanced Health Economics | 3-1-0-4 | HP202 |
| V | HP502 | Healthcare Innovation and Entrepreneurship | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| V | HP503 | Health Policy in Developing Countries | 3-1-0-4 | HP201, HP202 |
| V | HP504 | Health Disparities and Equity | 3-1-0-4 | HP205 |
| V | HP505 | Global Health Diplomacy | 3-1-0-4 | HP301 |
| V | HP506 | Mini Project I | 0-0-4-2 | - |
| VI | HP601 | Health Policy in India | 3-1-0-4 | HP201, HP202 |
| VI | HP602 | Health Data Analytics and Visualization | 3-1-0-4 | HP206 |
| VI | HP603 | Healthcare Quality Improvement | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| VI | HP604 | Policy Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| VI | HP605 | Health Ethics and Human Rights | 3-1-0-4 | HP105 |
| VI | HP606 | Mini Project II | 0-0-4-2 | - |
| VII | HP701 | Health Policy Internship | 0-0-8-4 | - |
| VIII | HP801 | Final Year Thesis/Capstone Project | 0-0-8-6 | - |
Detailed Course Descriptions for Advanced Departmental Electives
The advanced departmental electives in the Health Policy program at IIPHG are designed to provide students with specialized knowledge and skills that align with current global health trends and emerging challenges. These courses are taught by renowned faculty members who are active researchers and practitioners in their respective fields.
Global Health Governance
This course explores the structure, functions, and challenges of international organizations involved in global health governance. Students will examine how WHO, UN agencies, multilateral development banks, and private foundations shape health policies at the global level. The course covers topics such as the role of global health treaties, international health regulations, funding mechanisms, and coordination among stakeholders.
Health Informatics
Health informatics is the intersection of information science, computer science, and healthcare. This course introduces students to data management systems, electronic health records (EHR), mobile health applications, telemedicine platforms, and big data analytics in healthcare settings. Students will learn how to collect, store, analyze, and interpret health data using modern software tools and programming languages like Python and R.
Environmental Health Policy
This course focuses on the relationship between environmental factors and public health outcomes. Topics include air and water pollution, climate change impacts on health, occupational hazards, and sustainable development practices. Students will study policy frameworks for protecting populations from environmental threats and learn how to assess risks using scientific evidence.
Mental Health Policy and Advocacy
Mental health is increasingly recognized as a critical component of overall well-being. This course provides students with insights into mental health policies, stigma reduction strategies, access to psychiatric care, and integration of mental health services into primary healthcare systems. It also covers ethical considerations and human rights approaches in mental health advocacy.
Digital Health Applications
Digital health technologies are revolutionizing how we deliver and monitor healthcare services. This course explores innovations such as mobile apps, wearables, AI-driven diagnostics, virtual reality therapy, and blockchain-based data sharing systems. Students will gain hands-on experience with these tools through lab sessions and real-world case studies.
Public Health Emergency Preparedness
This course prepares students to respond effectively to public health emergencies such as pandemics, natural disasters, or bioterrorism threats. It covers emergency response planning, risk communication, resource allocation strategies, and coordination with various stakeholders during crisis situations. Students will engage in simulation exercises that mimic real-world scenarios.
Healthcare Regulation and Ethics
This course examines the ethical dilemmas in healthcare decision-making, regulatory frameworks for medical practice, informed consent, patient rights, and quality assurance measures. It explores how legal and ethical principles influence policy development and implementation in healthcare environments.
Health Program Evaluation
Evaluating health programs is essential for ensuring their effectiveness and impact. This course teaches students how to design evaluation frameworks, select appropriate methods (qualitative or quantitative), collect and analyze data, and report findings to stakeholders. Students will learn to use tools such as logic models, cost-effectiveness analysis, and outcome measurement techniques.
Healthcare Quality Improvement
This course focuses on improving patient safety, clinical effectiveness, and organizational performance in healthcare delivery systems. It introduces concepts like Lean methodology, Six Sigma, root cause analysis, and continuous quality improvement processes. Students will apply these principles through group projects and simulations.
Healthcare Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Innovation is crucial for addressing persistent health challenges. This course exposes students to emerging trends in health technology, innovation ecosystems, startup incubators, funding opportunities, and intellectual property management. It encourages creative thinking and practical problem-solving through design thinking methodologies.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
IIPHG places a strong emphasis on project-based learning as a means of fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world application of knowledge. The program integrates mini-projects throughout the curriculum to give students practical experience in policy analysis, research design, data interpretation, and stakeholder engagement.
Mini Projects
Mini projects are undertaken during the fifth and sixth semesters and carry a credit value of 2 each. These projects are designed to be manageable yet impactful, allowing students to explore specific policy issues within their areas of interest. Projects can range from analyzing a local health problem to developing policy recommendations for a national program.
Final-Year Thesis/Capstone Project
The capstone project is the culmination of the student's academic journey in the Health Policy program. It requires students to conduct an independent research study or policy analysis under the supervision of a faculty mentor. The project must demonstrate mastery of research methods, critical thinking, and policy formulation skills.
Students are encouraged to select projects that address pressing health issues in India or globally. The selection process involves proposal submission, faculty review, and approval by the department head. Projects may be conducted in collaboration with government agencies, NGOs, or international organizations, providing students with valuable networking opportunities and practical experience.