Health psychology IV: Environmental perspective, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The course deals with a wide range of aspects of environmental health psychology. 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 physical exposure factors, behavioral neurotoxicology, ambient air pollution, asthma and allergy, modern health worries and environmental intolerances.

Expected learning outcomes

After completed course the student shall:
 
Knowledge and understanding

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of health-related effects of exposure to physical factors, behavioral neurotoxicants and ambient air pollution
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of health-related consequences of asthma and allergy, modern health worries and environmental intolerances as well as their risk factors
• show insight into current research on environmental intolerances

Skills and ability

• demonstrate ability to integrate knowledge and to analyze, assess and manage complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
• use theories regarding environmental health required to work with health problems and health-promoting activities from a health psychological perspective
• demonstrate the ability to orally and in writing clearly present and discuss their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments that underlie them

Evaluation ability and approach

• reflect on how changes in environmental health can have consequences for sustainable development goals
• evaluate the possibilities and limitations of science, its role in society and people's responsibility for how it is used
• actively and independently reflect on one's own knowledge needs and further develop ones skills, abilities and knowledge in 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, reverse classroom pedagogy, research seminars, and independent review work under supervision. The teaching may have online elements. The right to receive teaching and supervision applies only during the time the course, for which the student is registered to, is ongoing. The course is given in English.

Examination modes

The examination includes a written home examination, an individually written review paper, an oral presentation, a peer review and active participation at research seminars. The examination of oral presentation and research seminars may possibly be conducted digitally. Supplementary re-examination is individually adjusted based on the goal or goals that the student has not reached and takes place at the earliest two weeks after the students have received their results and at the latest two months after the regular examination. Only students who have not received a passing grade are eligible to make revisions in order to pass the exam. Revisions are not allowed for those who have already received a passing grade.
 
Examining elements are indicated in the schedule. All existing teaching within the course can be subject for examination. Decisions on any deviations from the current form of assessment will be made by concerned Examiner.
 
Grade for the course will be assigned when the written test and all mandatory elements are approved. The possible grades are 'Pass with distinction',' Pass' or 'Fail'. Students are entitled to rewrite the same examination five times. Students who do not pass the regular examination should be provided an opportunity for further examination according to the University's "Regulations for tests and examinations at the undergraduate and graduate levels." A student who has failed two tests for a course or a part of a course, is entitled to have another examiner appointed, unless there are specific reasons against it (HF 6 Chap. 22 §). Requests for new examiners are made to the head of the department of Psychology. Students have the right to be tested on the same curriculum as the regular examination at least two occasions up to two years after the first registration.
 
Deviations from the form of examination in the syllabus can be made for a student who has pedagogical support due to disabilities. Individual adjustments of the examination form is determined based on the student's needs. The examination form is adjusted within the framework of the expected learning outcomes of the syllabus. After a request from the student the examiner shall, in consultation with the course coordinator and study counselor, promptly decide on the adjusted form of examination. The decision is then to be announced to the student.