College of Public and Environmental Health
Department of Public Health
The Department of public health seeks to provide its undergraduate and graduate
students with well-rounded quality education and rigorous training in the principles and
concepts of public health; practical examples of the use of the principles of in public
health in field surveying, surveillance and screening and investigation of an epidemic
in a step-wise orderly fashion. It also aims to develop the students' thinking, and
research skills. Through the unique combination of breadth and depth, theory and
practice, knowledge and skills, the department endeavor to prepare its students to
achieve success academically and professionally, thrive intellectually, and meet the
requirements of the job market. The program includes comprehensive field activity plan
to understand and implement public health interventions.
Mission
Research
Well-grounded multidisciplinary research toward assessing the distribution and
determinants of human illness with the aim of establishing reasoned preventive
measures.
Methodology
Continuous efforts to improve methods for public health investigation, to enhance
efficiency, and to expand the scope of activities in which epidemiologic methods can
be usefully applied.
Education
Preparation of future researchers and practitioners in the field of public health , as well
as dissemination of knowledge to health professionals and the general public.
The structure of the curriculum:
Bachelor's program in in public health consists of two phases
a-Duration of four full semesters during which the student studying the basic science
and specialized requirements for public and environmental health program and addition
of one year ,for those students who qualify to take honor degree during which the
student fully specialize in public health and the focus will be on providing students
with skills related to the principles and methods of descriptive and analytical
epidemiology , the use of statistical programs , identifying patterns of different
diseases(non-communicable and communicable) in the region and risk factors
associated with the methods of surveillance control and evaluate the quality and
effectiveness of programs and health services.
Vision: to be leader in the discovery, application and dissemination of public health
knowledge in Sudan , the nation and the world.
Program duration:
The current Public and environmental health study requires regular program for four
years ( eight levels (classes)for public health plus a fully year specialized in public
health studies, total units (a unit of study ...) and lectures for (120 minutes) and the unit
is equal to (12 lectures). The student successfully gets a bachelor's degree in public
health.
This program is designed to prepare students to work at different levels of health
career:
 Primary health care centers (epidemiological investigation).
 Hospitals: (combating hospital-acquired infection).
 Trainers in health issues: (participate in the analysis of the health situation,
surveillance and planning by setting goals and priorities in conducting field
research)
 Research Centers which fight against infectious diseases and noncommunicable diseases (Participate in the preparation of questionnaires and
conduct field interviews and data entry, analysis and formulation of the results
of studies and research).
Graduates for this program will gain knowledge and skills in:
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Health surveillance of infectious diseases and chronic target and measure
infection in the local community rates.
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Preparation of questionnaires to Investigate pathogenesis of various disease and
outbreaks.
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Follow-up people in contact with patients with infectious diseases and take
preventive measures in accordance with the health system.
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Identifying the most vulnerable group to disease and provide support and
advice.
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Preparing epidemiological statistical reports daily, weekly and monthly data.
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Participate in health research by conducting interviews and collecting data
incorporated in a computer.
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Participating in evaluating the quality and effectiveness of programs and health
services in order to improve the health programs efficiency.
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Account health indicators related to morbidity and mortality and the
performance of health centers.
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Participation in the implementation of programs to control and eradicate of
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infectious diseases, in collaboration with health team members.
 The Department of Epidemiology offers two graduate degrees. Students can earn a Master
of Public Health (M.P.H.) or a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)in Public Health
Public Health Practicum
Fulfillment of the bachelor degree in Public health requires more than 170 credit units
over five study years. Of the total credit hours, in fifth year, two credit hours are devoted
to field training in public health-related activities through attachment of students to the
different health care facilities of Health Directorate. The training would be under the
joint supervision of a faculty member Specialist and a qualified public health specialist
from ministry of Health. The field training is designed to give the students an
opportunity to integrate and apply the principles and skills of epidemiology to a variety
of public health problems and issues.
Public health areas that will be covered during the practicum
Students in the Department of Public Health, are required to complete relevant
practicum in a public health setting that provides the opportunity to develop public
health core competencies and extend knowledge and skills acquired through their
course work. Completion of an approved practicum experience is a graduation
requirement.
Practicum should provide the student with exposure to the public health core
competencies defined by the college of Public &Environmental Health. These have
been divided into two categories. Students asked to select a practicum that employs
two competencies from each of the two categories listed below:
Core Competencies - Category 1:
During the completion of the practicum, the student should employ at least two of the
following skills:
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Describe a public health problem in terms of magnitude, person, time, and
place
Utilize the basic terminology and definitions of public health
Calculate basic epidemiology measures
Evaluate the strengths and limitations of public health reports
Draw appropriate inferences from public health data
Core Competencies - Category 2:
During the practicum, the student should engage in activities that require them to
perform at least two of the following:
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Recognize the importance of public health for informing scientific, ethical,
economic, and political discussion of health issues
Identify key sources of data for public health purposes
Communicate public health information to lay and professional audiences
Comprehend basic ethical and legal principles pertaining to the collection,
maintenance, use, and dissemination of health data
Recognize the principle and limitations of public health screening programs
In addition, the public health practicum should engage the student in activities that
require use of at least two of the following Cross Cutting Core Competencies for
Public Health Professionals:
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Analytic/Assessment Skills
Policy Development/Program Skills
Communication Skills
Cultural Competency Skills
Community Dimensions of Practice Skills
Basic Public Health Sciences Skills
Financial Planning and Management Skills
Leadership and Systems Thinking Skill.
Practicum placement areas/Types
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Government bodies, FMOH, SMOH
UN agencies
National and International Non-Governmental Organizations
Public Health Regulatory Systems e.g. Localities
Practicum
International Health
Emergency and Humanitarian Action Directorate
Non-Communicable Diseases
Health Promotion
Planning, policy and M&E directorate
Nutrition
HIV/AIDS Program
TB Program
Malaria
Human Resources for Health
Research
Information and Statistics Centre
Health Early warning system and early respond
Diseases Surveillance and monitoring system
Outbreak reports
Investigations
Competencies expected to be gained by the end of this program
 Report and a presentation on the required competences submitted to the
internship coordinator.
 Report on the activities attended during the attachment period signed by a
directorate representative.