Public Health Sciences

Master's Program

ITMO University, Saint Petersburg, Russia

PUBLIC HEALTH SCIENCES

The Public Health Sciences Master’s program is
the first in Russia for training interdisciplinary specialists who will be able to initiate, conduct, and appraise research in the field of health sciences.

About the program

The program includes courses by leading experts in the field. Experts from some of the world’s leading research centers will work with students as supervisors and scientific consultants, which should expand the prospects of students to find future jobs. Opportunities to participate in research projects within ITMO University and other research centers is also a definite advantage.

Graduates of the program will become well-qualified specialists who can apply evidence-based approaches and will be able to influence the quality of research in the fields of life sciences, health, and medicine both in Russia and abroad. Industry demand for competent experts is very high and the graduates should be able to apply their acquired knowledge and skills in practice.

The main topics covered within the program include:

— Combining technology and research to improve population health
— Providing evidence for healthcare policy and industry
— Evaluating interventions for treatment or prevention of socially significant health problems

Career opportunities

Our graduates will be able to choose the following careers:

Academic researchers, researchers in medicine and health sciences

Medical and population data analysts

Project managers in the field of healthcare

Managers or administrators in the healthcare sector

CRA (clinical research associates)

Health technology assessors

— Scientific groups of a wide profile
— International organizations in the field of health and medicine
— Clinics and hospitals administration
— NGOs and Foundations
— CRO (clinical research organizations)
— Biotech, Medtech companies and the pharmaceutical industries

We expect graduates to be in demand in:

Internship options for our students include the following:

— European University at St. Petersburg
— Scandinavia Clinic in St Petersburg
— NMRC of Oncology named after N.N.Petrov
— BIOCAD
— Almazov National Medical Research Centre

Curriculum
2022-2024

— English for Specific Purposes
— Biostatistics I
— Epidemiology I
— Qualitative Research in Health and Medicine I
— Introduction to Public Health
— Principles of Evidence-Based Medicine
— Writing and Publication of Scientific Article
— Research work

— English for Specific Purposes
— Biostatistics II
— Epidemiology II
— Qualitative Research in Health and Medicine II
— Healthcare Economics
— Research work

Elective Courses (you choose, 3 out of 6)
— Communications in Medicine and Public Health
— Сausal Inference in Public Health Research
— Health Behavior and Social Epidemiology
— Global Health
— Bioethics

— Soft skills courses (one of your choice: Negotiations, Influence and Conflict Management / International Research Management Essentials / Life in Science — Guide for Young Researchers (advanced level))
— General courses (one of your choice: Creative Technologies / High Tech Business Creation)
— Research work
— Practical Training

4th term is dedicated to Research Internship and your Master’s Thesis

Students' review

Olga Loskutova

1st year MSc student, medical director of Lahta Clinic, pediatrician, rheumatologist

For the past few years I have been looking for an opportunity to resume my research activities. At some point I realized that despite the publishing experience and the PhD thesis, my knowledge is not enough to carry out high-quality research. It turned out to be an extremely difficult task for me to study all the necessary disciplines on my own. A master's degree is a chance to re-engage in what I love at a professional level, as well as an opportunity to influence the limitations of the existing health care system. After all, in order to change something, one needs to be very highly qualified.

Evgeniy Bakin

1st year MSc student, senior researcher at Pavlov First State Medical University

For me, the ultimate purpose of being here is to participate in the creation of a digital platform for integrating the clinical experience of hospitals into applied models, as well as to quickly communicate the latest advances in evidence-based medicine.

Artemy Okhotin

1st year MSc student, cardiologist and therapist at the Tarusa Hospital

The modern doctor besides just being a doctor is obliged to take into account a broader context: the data on which their decisions are based, the healthcare system within which they work. It was the desire to better understand this context and, possibly, to influence it that was the incentive for me to enroll in the Public Health Sciences MSc Program.

Tatiana Zaborova

1st year MSc student, English language teacher

First thing to notice, I’m not a doctor, but it doesn’t prevent me from studying in the Public Health Sciences MSc Program. For me it’s an attempt to find a way of tackling health issues through research in the current pandemic situation. I really appreciate the opportunity to be here, and most importantly, the chance of applying all the knowledge in practice. I’m still just learning and I’m going to continue my studying in the area of expertise.

Oksana Stanevich

1st year MSc student, infectious disease physician at Pavlov First State Medical University

The master's degree is relevant to me because experience in the methodology of epidemiological research will help me conduct high level research in Russia, which is very important, given the current epidemiological situation with COVID-19. In addition, the ability to communicate with specialists in this field allows us to cut off non-working research designs to begin with.

Irina Gorbunova

1st year MSc student, Data Analyst at Sber.Health

Despite the fact that I have no medical education, I find the program extremely useful. I work for a company that develops health products and it is important for me to understand that we implement and promote effective instruments for patients and doctors. This program is an opportunity for me to study the principles of evidence-based medicine in order to apply this knowledge in my work, as well as an opportunity to change my career track towards Biostatistics and health research.

Application

Russian applicants

Bachelor’s degree with excellent/good grades in Public Health, Economics, Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, Biostatistics, Statistics, Mathematics or Medical degree
upper-intermediate level of English language (B2 and higher according to CEFR)

International applicants

Bachelor’s degree with excellent/good grades in Public Health, Economics, Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, Biostatistics, Statistics, Mathematics or Medical degree
upper-intermediate level of English language (B2 and higher according to CEFR)
CV & motivation letter

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For Russian Applicants

For International Applicants

Feel free to ask any questions!

scicomm@itmo.ru