What's included?

Geographical characteristics and their relationship to public health

On this course, you will examine how the distribution of diseases is often correlated with various geographical circumstances such as climate, soil, water quality, economic development etc. The spread of diseases varies both locally, regionally and globally and the distribution may be traced directly or indirectly to the source. Human behaviour also varies due to different cultural traditions and eating habits throughout the world, but also because of economic differences. You will learn to interpret concepts, processes, and patterns connected to space and place, including a time perspective, and how to define key concepts within medical geography, cartography and geographical information. You will also use geographical methods to study and exemplify interrelationships with a spatial distribution pattern. Practicals using the Geographical Information System (GIS) are held, and you will learn to use geographical information correctly, taking into account representativity and generalisation in relation to scale and geographical differences.

Course design

The course is taught through lectures, compulsory seminars and practicals, and is divided into two modules. The theory module is worth 5 credits and is assessed through written examination. The other module, seminars and practicals, is worth 2.5 credits and is assessed through assignments.