Program Checklist/ Flowchart
Core Courses
ABS541M Health Social Science
ABS542M Biological and Social Foundations of Health
ABS550M Population Studies
Major Courses
ABS500M Health Statistics
ABS555M Gender Sexuality and Reproductive Health
ABS815M Program Planning Management and Practicum
ABS525M Health Social Science Research Methods 1
ABS681M Community Organization and Community Development
ABS526M Health Social Science Research Methods 2
ABS585M Ethics Health Policy and Program Analysis
ABS532M Health Economics
ABS820M Directed Readings
Course Description
ABS500M Health Statistics
3 units
The course deals with basic concepts and tools for statistical analysis in health research It focuses on the descriptive correlational and inferential statistics with specific application to epidemic logical analysis and health research in general
ABS525M Health Social Science Research Methods 1
3 units
The first of a two-part course Health Research Methods 1 deals with the basic framework features processes and methods of conducting social research in general and health research in particular It provides students with the fundamental knowledge on the processes philosophy principles and rules of the appropriate use of the varying methods tools and techniques of social science and health research Furthermore as efforts will be focused on carrying out research related to health it will introduce and familiarize students to the basic concepts of epidemiology its uses and tools At the end of the course students are expected to distinguish different approaches and types of research and characterize what constitutes health social science research (HSS) The course also aims for students to understand and assess the methodological variations in HSS research and identify and consider the ethical issues and concerns in the practice of social science research specifically in the area of health At the end of the course students are also required to formulate a research problem review related literature and draw up a conceptual framework and apply the basic skills and techniques in conceptualizing and developing a sound and viable health social science research proposal
ABS526M Health Social Science Research Methods 2
3 units
This is the second part of the two-day course on health social science research methods It focuses on the specific approaches and techniques both qualitative and quantitative in the collection measurement and analysis of empirical data conducted in social science research in general and health social science in particular It will highlight the principles issues and procedures in doing social research on current health/health-related concerns within the scientific enterprise As a continuation of Research Methods 1 the course furthers the students’ knowledge on the practice of social research with emphasis on social research methodologies specific tot he study of health social problems or issues in the Philippines
ABS532M Health Economics
3 units
This course is an introduction to the economics of health and health care It starts with a basic overview of the macroeconomic issues facing the health and proceeds to introduce basic theories concepts and techniques used in economics as applied to the health care The course focuses on the microeconomic functions of different health care markets It will also cover important health policy issues related to economic evaluation health finance health service provision distribution and consumption One of its aims is for students to gain appreciation of the usefulness of economic concepts and tools in understanding health sector-related problems The course also aims to enrich the perspective in designing and evaluating health programs
ABS541M Health Social Science
3 units
The course introduces the student to the major perspectives frameworks and concepts in the social sciences especially as these are applied to the study of health and illness At the end of the course the student is expected to describe explain and critique major frameworks or perspectives in the social sciences for understanding health and illness behavior as well as summarize and discuss major empirical findings on the sociocultural dimensions of health care in the Philippines Furthermore students will prepare and present a research proposal that examines the sociocultural determinants and consequences of a particular health care issue in the Philippines
ABS542M BIOSOF/Biological and Social Foundation of Health
3 units
The course provides an overview of the structural and functional basis of health and illness disease conditions with higher prevalence and where the socio-behavioral components are critical for control or management will be selected for illustration Wherever possible a gender perspective will be incorporated in the approach to the subject The lifecycle approach is used in discussing the developmental changes leading causes of morbidity and mortality and other important health issues in the intra-uterine infancy childhood adolescent adult and senescent phase in life The biological foundations and the socio-behavioral aspects of health promotion and disease causation are described in the different stages across the life span
ABS550M Population Studies
3 units
The course introduces the students to the social and cultural base of human fertility and mortality Specifically the students will be provided with an understanding and appreciation of basic fertility and mortality techniques methods and perspectives used in population study (or social demography) Varying fertility and mortality conditions will be linked with some health and health care related issues and concerns The geographic focus is global but the Filipino perspective will be given considerable attention in the course
ABS555M Gender Sexuality and Reproductive Health
3 units
Students are introduced to gender issues as well as the psychosocial cultural political and economic aspects of gender sexuality and reproductive health (GSRH) Particular attention will also be given to the interrelationship between gender and health The course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the Program of Action of the UN International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD in Cairo 1994) and the ICPD+5 as the framework for reproductive health (RH) Gender and sexuality issues are discussed in relation to reproductive health particularly in the Philippine setting The various components and determinants of RH are discussed including its operationalization in the country as well as its policy and programmatic implications Students are also familiarized with gender analysis planning and its mainstreaming in all sectors The course will adopt a comprehensive life-cycle approach to reproductive health Special areas of focus will be prenatal and postnatal care unwanted pregnancy adolescent development fertility and sexuality reproductive tract infections including HIV/AIDS family planning menopause gender violence ethics and reproductive rights
ABS585M Ethics Health Policy and Program Analysis
3 units
This modular course introduces students to the concepts and issues of bioethics and social (particularly health) policy It also attempts to describe the process of health policy and program formulation At the end of this course the students are expected to: (1) define and describe bioethics including its brief history and guiding principles; (2) understand current issues in bioethics including some aspects of feminist bioethics; and (3) understand basic concepts and issues of social policy and the process of health policy and program formulation
ABS681M Community Organization and Community Development
3 units
This course deals with two current modes of realizing planned social change – community organization and community development It focuses on the historical development philosophy concepts principles strategies development and practice of community organization and community development in health in the Philippine setting and other Third World Societies It is designed to enable students to view community organization and community development within a theoretical framework and to understand how these actually work in practice
ABS815M Program Planning Management and Practicum
3 units
The course deals with the concepts theories including frameworks principles and tools used in planning and managing programs It also discusses the various issues involved in programming management including management of change within the program quality assurance initiatives in health care and monitoring as well as evaluation of program outputs and outcomes
ABS820M Directed Readings
3 units
A course designed as independent research subject to complement thesis writing Students are expected to write a thorough literature review consult with their mentors and the professor of this course They are also expected to present their literature review and comprehensive bibliography as well as the draft of their research design and research instruments orally and in written form
ABS851M (Thesis Writing 1)
ABS852M (Thesis Writing 2)
6 units
The student enrolled in Thesis Writing must conduct an independent research under the supervision of a thesis mentor Thesis writing has two phases Phase 1 involves the preparation of the thesis proposal which includes the identification of the research problem objectives of the research rationale and research framework research design and review of literature The student must successfully defend the thesis proposal with the support of the thesis mentor before a thesis panel After passing the thesis proposal defense the student proceeds to the collection of data prior to Phase 2 During Phase 2 the student does data consolidation analysis and interpretation of data as well as thesis writing again under the supervision of the thesis mentor The student must present and do an oral defense of the thesis before the same thesis panel after which a final thesis is submitted in the format required by the university
For MaHeSoS students proposal defense is held during the first week of the Summer Term; final thesis defense is held during the first term of the SY immediately following the Summer Term
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