Health psychology I: Introduction, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The course deals with a wide range of aspects of health psychology that form the basis for in-depth understanding of health and ill health. A biopsychosocial perspective is taken by emphasizing the interplay between biological, psychological and social factors and its consequences for health. Examples of areas that will be included in the course are health-related sustainable development, epigenetics, organ systems, public diseases, the concept of symptoms, functional syndromes, psychosomatics, illness perception, stress, sleep disturbance, pain and health-enhancing factors. In addition to theoretical elements, practice is given in measuring stress-related responses. The course also contains elements in current research and developmental work.

Expected learning outcomes

After completed course the student shall:

Knowledge and understanding

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the biopsychosocial model, key concepts (e.g. symptoms and illness perception), health conditions (e.g. stress, sleep disturbance and pain) and risk and enhancing factors for health and ill health
• demonstrate overall knowledge and understanding of the body's biology (e.g. organ systems and epigenetic mechanisms) and psychosomatics (e.g. psychoneuro-immunology and placebo/nocebo)
• show insight into current research and developmental work related to health psychology

Skills and ability

• demonstrate ability to measure stress-related responses
• demonstrate ability to integrate knowledge and to analyze, assess and manage complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
• demonstrate ability to use the theories, methods and practical skills required to work with health problems and health-promoting activities from a health psychological perspective
• demonstrate ability to orally present and discuss conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based

Evaluation ability and approach

• demonstrate ability to reflect on the United Nations' global goals for sustainable development of relevance to health psychology

Required Knowledge

A Bachelor's degree (equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, 180 ECTS) from an internationally recognized university. Special requirements: 90 ECTS in health or behavioral science subjects, including physiotherapeutic and occupational therapeutic subjects.

Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.

Form of instruction

The teaching is conducted in the form of lectures, seminars, practical exercises under supervision and reverse classroom pedagogy. The right to receive teaching and supervision applies only during the time the course, for which the student is registered to, is ongoing. 

Examination modes

The examination includes a written individual hall examination, oral presentations at seminars, and practical exercises.

Grades for the course/respective modules are given when all examination elements are passed. The grading scale consists of the grades Pass, Pass with distinction or Fail. On the written exam, one of the grades Fail (U), Pass (G), or Pass with distinction (VG) is given. On oral presentations at seminars and on practical exercises, only the grades Fail (U) or Pass (G) are given. Students are entitled to 5 or 2 examination opportunities (two opportunities if it concerns practice or clinical teaching or equivalent). The occurrence of examination elements is stated in the schedule. All teaching that occurs can provide support for the examination.

For students who have not passed the regular examination, additional examination opportunities will be arranged in accordance with the University's Regulations for Grading and Examination, FS 1.1-574-22. A student who has failed an examination twice for a course or part of a course has the right to request a different examiner, unless there are specific reasons against it (HF Chapter 6, Section 22). Requests for a new examiner should be addressed to the Head of the Department of Psychology. Students have the right to be examined under the same syllabus as the original examination at least twice within two years after their initial registration.

The provisions of the Discrimination Act (2008:567) include requirements for universities to offer the possibility of adapted examinations or alternative forms of examination. Deviations from the syllabus's examination form may be made for a student with a decision for pedagogical support due to a disability.

The examiner may decide on deviations from the syllabus's examination form. Individual adjustments to the examination form must be considered based on the student's needs. The examination form is adapted within the framework of the course's expected learning outcomes. A student requiring an adapted examination must request the adjustment from the responsible department no later than 10 work days before the examination. The examiner decides on the adapted examination, and this decision is communicated to the student.