Curriculum Overview
The Global Health program at The University Of Trans Disciplinary Health Sciences And Technology Bangalore is structured to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the field, combining foundational sciences with practical applications and research skills. The program is designed to be both rigorous and flexible, allowing students to tailor their education to their specific interests and career goals.
The curriculum is divided into eight semesters, with each semester focusing on specific areas of global health. The first two semesters lay the foundation with core sciences, while the subsequent semesters introduce students to specialized areas of global health and prepare them for research and practical application.
Course Structure
The program includes a combination of core courses, departmental electives, science electives, and laboratory components. Core courses provide students with a solid foundation in global health principles, while departmental electives allow them to explore specific areas of interest. Science electives offer additional depth in related scientific disciplines, and laboratory components provide hands-on experience with research and data analysis.
Core Courses
Core courses are designed to provide students with a strong foundation in global health principles and practices. These courses include:
- Introduction to Global Health: This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts and principles of global health, including the historical evolution of the field and its current challenges.
- Basic Biology: This course provides students with a foundational understanding of biological principles, including cell biology, genetics, and molecular biology.
- Chemistry for Health Sciences: This course covers the fundamental principles of chemistry as they relate to health sciences, including organic and inorganic chemistry.
- Introduction to Public Health: This course introduces students to the principles and practices of public health, including epidemiology, biostatistics, and health policy.
- Mathematics for Health Sciences: This course provides students with the mathematical tools necessary for understanding and analyzing health data.
- English for Academic Purposes: This course helps students develop the communication skills necessary for academic and professional success in global health.
Departmental Electives
Departmental electives allow students to explore specific areas of interest within global health. These courses are designed to provide students with in-depth knowledge and skills in specialized areas of the field. Some of the departmental electives include:
- Global Health Leadership: This course focuses on the leadership skills necessary for effective global health practice, including strategic planning, team management, and ethical decision-making.
- Health Communication and Advocacy: This course explores the role of communication and advocacy in global health, including media engagement, public speaking, and policy advocacy.
- Global Health Ethics: This course examines the ethical challenges and dilemmas in global health practice, including issues related to research ethics, human rights, and social justice.
- Global Mental Health: This course explores the global burden of mental health disorders and the challenges in addressing them across different populations and cultures.
- Global Health Economics: This course focuses on the economic aspects of health care, including health financing, cost-effectiveness analysis, and health market dynamics.
- Health Data Science: This course introduces students to the principles and practices of data science in global health, including data collection, analysis, and visualization.
Science Electives
Science electives provide students with additional depth in related scientific disciplines. These courses are designed to complement the core and departmental electives and provide students with a broader scientific foundation. Some of the science electives include:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology: This course provides students with a detailed understanding of the structure and function of the human body.
- Environmental Health: This course examines the impact of environmental factors on health, including pollution, climate change, and natural disasters.
- Global Health Research: This course provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary for conducting research in global health.
- Health Systems and Policy: This course explores the organization and delivery of health services, including health financing, governance, and health policy development.
- Global Health Finance and Resource Allocation: This course focuses on the financial aspects of global health, including resource allocation, budgeting, and financial management.
- Health Data Analytics: This course introduces students to the principles and practices of data analytics in global health, including data modeling, forecasting, and decision support systems.
Laboratory Components
The laboratory components of the program provide students with hands-on experience with research and data analysis. These components are designed to complement the theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom and provide students with practical skills necessary for global health practice. The laboratory components include:
- Global Health Simulation Center: This lab provides students with a realistic environment to practice global health interventions and scenarios.
- Digital Health Lab: This lab focuses on the use of digital tools and technologies in health care delivery, including telemedicine, health data analytics, and mobile health applications.
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Lab: This lab provides students with the tools and techniques necessary for conducting epidemiological research and biostatistical analysis.
- Health Data Science Lab: This lab provides students with the opportunity to work with real-world health data and apply data science techniques to address global health challenges.
- Global Health Research Lab: This lab provides students with the resources and support necessary for conducting independent research projects in global health.
Project-Based Learning
The department's philosophy on project-based learning is centered on the belief that students learn best when they are actively engaged in solving real-world problems. Mini-projects, which are undertaken in the third and fourth years, are designed to give students the opportunity to apply their knowledge in practical settings. These projects are often conducted in collaboration with local health authorities or international organizations, providing students with valuable experience and networking opportunities.
The final-year thesis/capstone project is a significant component of the program, allowing students to conduct in-depth research or develop a comprehensive policy intervention. Students are required to select a topic of interest and work closely with a faculty mentor to design and implement their project. The evaluation criteria for these projects include the originality of the research, the quality of the analysis, and the potential impact of the findings.
Students select their projects and faculty mentors based on their interests and career goals. The selection process is designed to ensure that students are matched with mentors who have expertise in their chosen area of study. The department also provides support and resources to help students develop their projects and achieve their academic and professional goals.