Programme in Public Health (Ph.D.)

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Master’s degree in public health, medicine, health care management, business administration or equivalent degree in the relevant subject awarded by a recognised university in India or abroad, with at least an average of 60 percent of aggregate marks, or equivalent grade point average of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Candidates with skills of good communication, research aptitude and leadership who are keen to pursue higher studies and get engaged in academic and research careers are encouraged to apply.

Candidates for PhD in Public Health program are selected on the basis of their performance in KIITEE, their academic and research experience and personal interview. PhD in Public Health offers students an integrated platform for understanding the intricacies of Public Health dimensions, conducting research and taking decisions independently.

The program blends traditional academic training with experiential learning and skill-based development. Through the completion of their research project, PhD scholars practice and develop personal research skills, tools for data collection and analysis, scientific publication and presentation of their work to a wider variety of audience.

In the first year of their journey, University-level foundational courses related to foundational concepts, theories, and methods of public health research are taught for about 6 credits, followed by School-specific learning for about 8 credits; after the completion of foundational courses, the Candidates will be required to present their topic of research. Under the programme, they will learn application of social and managerial sciences; and development of leadership and communication skills, enhancement of their scientific acumen, and research and publication skills.

Programme outcomes – PO

PhD graduates will be able to:

PO1. Education: Provide public health education that equips students for a public health career.

PO2.  Research: Undertake evidence based research and application of knowledge into practice in public health.

PO3. Service: Facilitate preventive, promotive, rehabilitative and palliative services to the people.

PO4. Leadership: Apply principles of leadership, management and governance for fostering collaboration, problem solving and decision making.

PO5. The Public Health Researcher and Society: Apply reasoning informed by the contextual knowledge to assess societal, health, safety, legal and cultural issues and the consequent responsibilities relevant to the professional public health practice.

PO6: Environment and Sustainability: Understand the impact of the professional public health solutions in societal and environmental contexts, and demonstrate the knowledge of, and need for sustainable development.

PO7.  Ethics: Apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics and responsibilities and norms of the public health practice.

P08. Individual and Team work: Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader in diverse teams, and in multidisciplinary settings.

PO9. Communication: Communicate effectively on complex public health activities with the public health community and with society at large, such as, being able to comprehend and write effective reports and design documentation, make effective presentations, and give and receive clear instructions.

PO10. Project management and finance: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the public health and management principles and apply these to one’s own work, as a member and leader in a team, to manage projects and in multidisciplinary environments.

PO11. Life-long learning: Recognize the need for, and have the preparation and ability to engage in independent and lifelong learning in the broadest context of technological change in public health.

Programme Specific outcomes – PSO

SPO1. Produce independent researchers in public health.

SPO2. Apply public health research findings to promote positive social change to the health of diverse population.

SPO3. Critically analyze the local, national, and global public health problems and suggest appropriate solutions.

SPO4. Equip research scholars for critical thinking and assessment of health needs and problems to improve population health.

Course Outcomes – CO

A. Epidemiology & Biostatistics – SS8003

By the end of this course, the student will able to:

1. Define epidemiology and appreciate its importance in public health practice
2. Measure disease burden in the community using epidemiological methods
3. Design appropriate epidemiological study in a given scenario
4. Apply basic principles and methods of epidemiology in analysing public health problems and suggesting appropriate intervention
5. Appreciate key bio statistical concepts and reasoning
6. Use, analyse, interpret and present public health data
7. Use statistical software for data entry, data processing and data analysis

B. Epidemiology & Control of TB- SS8005

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Describe the TB epidemiology and its etiopathogensis
2. Enlist strategies of National TB Control programmes
3. Describe the TB indicator monitoring process and systems in India and world
4. Apply tools and techniques to evaluate TB programme
5. Design operation research in TB control programme

C. Health Literacy & Adolescent Health – SS8007

At the end of this course, students will be able to:
Define the concepts of ‘health literacy’ and ‘health promotion’ as outlined by national and international bodies

1. Discuss mental health literacy and associated model dealing with mental health literacy
2. Discuss the various aspects of adolescent mental health and factors affecting it
3. Describe epidemiology of common mental illness and disorders
4. Articulate contemporary best practices for evidence based adolescent mental health research
5. Identify different types of interventions for adolescent mental health promotion

D. Special Topics in Public Health – SS8009

At the end of this course, students will able to:

1. Define critical issues impacting public health in both national and international settings
2. Discuss social determinants of health and root causes of critical public health issues
3. Articulate contemporary best practices for evidence based public health research
4. Assess population growth and other demographic trends and disease burden
5. Identify the major global health challenges faced by populations and discuss possible solutions to these

E. Environmental Health & Air Pollution – SS8011

At the end of this course, students will able to:

1. Describe the influence of environment on human health
2. Identify the potential environmental hazards
3. Apply tools and techniques in Environmental Health Risk Assessment
4. Apply tools and techniques to address the environmental health hazards
5. Identify, formulate and suggest interventions for addressing environmental pollutions

F. Promotion of Adolescent Mental Health & Health Literacy – SS8013

At the end of this course, students will able to:

1. Define the concepts of ‘health literacy’ and ‘health promotion’ as outlined by national and international level
2. Discuss mental health literacy and associated model dealing with mental health literacy
3. Discuss the various aspects of adolescent mental health and factors affecting it
4. Learn epidemiology of common mental illness and disorders
5. Articulate contemporary best practices for evidence based adolescent mental health research
6. Identify different types of interventions for adolescent mental health promotion