General provisions

The course is compulsory for students admitted to the Master's program in implementation, transformative learning and sustainability, but can also be given as a stand-alone course.

Entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course students are expected to be able to:

• Explain what implementation science is.
• Understand and describe the concept of evidence-based practices.
• Distinguish between different "target levels" of implementation science theories, models and frameworks.
• Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of applying specific theories models and frameworks.
• Identify, discuss and assess the pros and cons of different implementation strategies considering local challenges.
• Undertake supportive peer supervision and develop skills in providing constructive feedback.
• Propose, construct and defend an implementation science project within the field of learning for sustainable development and global health including theoretical background, implementation strategy and evaluation method.

Content

Implementation science is about studying how new knowledge and new ways of working can be introduced systematically. Implementation concerns people, employees, leaders at different levels, administration, etc., such as healthcare organisations, changing their behaviours. The desired change should be a consequence of active and planned efforts that aim to ensure the use of new methods as part of routine practice.

The course takes a holistic approach to implementation science with a particular focus on global health challenges in low- and middle-income countries. Students will become familiar with concepts and methods within the area of implementation science and develop skills in applying theories, models and frameworks to individually develop and defend an implementation science project focusing on challenges of Sustainable Development and Global Health, and supervise peers in reaching the same objective. Examples will be drawn from ongoing research at the department and from up-to-date scientific literature.

Instruction

The course consists of a series of lectures, literature studies, seminars and group and individual assignments and presentations. Sessions are interactive and students are encouraged to draw on their own experiences. The language of instruction is English.

Assessment

All written exams and mandatory parts must be approved to pass the course. The course's final grade is based on a weighted rating of all course sections. Possibility to complete non-approved mandatory assignments may be given at the next course opportunity, at the earliest, and only in case of vacancy. If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.

All examinations are in English.