Minor in Health and Social Sciences
COURSES DESCRIPTIONS
| ESSENTIAL COURSES | ELECTIVE COURSES |
ELECTIVE COURSES
| Level-1000 | Level-2000 | Level-3000 | Level-4000 |
Level-1000 Courses
GEK1507 or PR1301 Complementary Medicines and Health
| Units Workload Cross-listing Preclusion |
4 Nil PR1301 |
At tne end of the course, the student will be equipped with a breadth of knowledge to have a basic understanding and appreciation of various complementary medicine, as well as how to achieve and maintain good health. The knowledge brings about an open mind for critical thinking and further independent learning and inquiry, to discern facts from hearsay. Life long learning is emphasized. Major Topics: Introduction to complementary medicine. Basic principles, concepts and uses of Homeopathy, Aromatherapy, Herbal medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine (including acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine). Target students: Science students may register under PR1301 as faculty requirement and GEK1507 as GEM. Pharmacy students may register under PR1301 as free elective. All other students may register under GEK1507.
GEK1534 or GEH1043 Microbes which Changed Human History
| Units Workload Pre-requisite |
4 2-2-0-3-3 All Medical, Nursing, Pharmacy and Life Science major students are not allowed to read this GEM. |
The primary aim of the course is to introduce students to the nature of infectious diseases and their impact on human activities. At the end of the course, students will be able to understand the interactions between microorganisms and human, and the position and role of human in the living world.
GEK1527 Genes and Society
| Units Workload Pre-requisite PreclusionCross-listing |
4 2-0-0-4-5 Nil Not for Life Sciences major/minor or Food Sciences & Technology or Pharmacy majors or Bioengineering programs.LSM1302 |
This course introduces the subject of molecular and cell biology (MCB) and connects its historical background with contemporary issues. The application of MCB to society in terms of medicine, agriculture, legal aspects, forensic studies, environmental issues and biological warfare would be covered. Topics also include the ethics of genetic engineering and genetic predictions.
PL1101E Introduction to Psychology
| Units Workload Pre-requisite Preclusion |
4 2-1-0-0-7 Nil Nil |
This course introduces psychology as an empirical, behavioural science. The aim is to provide students with a broad overview of the different fields in psychology. The emphasis of the course is two-fold: first, so that students appreciate the diversity and richness of the psychology discipline; second, to acquaint students with the important principles, theories, concepts and findings in psychology. Topics covered include the biological bases of behaviours, developmental psychology, social psychology, cognitive psychology, and abnormal psychology.
GEK1540 or GEH1032 Modern Technology in Health and Medicine
| Units Workload Pre-requisite Preclusion |
4 2-1-0-3-4 Nil Nil |
This course aims to remove the mysteries behind diagnosis and treatment using the new and powerful technologies now available in modern hospitals. The course will be an introductory one, and will explain using the minimum of mathematics, the underlying concepts behind eg magnetic resonance imaging, cancer radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, the use of lasers in surgery, the use of anti-electrons for tumour imaging, and the latest research devoted to the potential use of nanotechnology and nanoparticles for therapy and diagnostics. The effectiveness of these new technologies will be discussed with reference to diagnoses and cures in many serious diseases.
NUR1116 Psychology for Health Professionals
| Units Workload Pre-requisite Preclusion |
4 3-0-0-1-6 Nil Nil |
This introductory course aims to provide health professionals with an understanding of psychological concepts underpinning health, illness and well being. It explores the foundations of health and behavior, factors affecting health and behavior, psychophysiological aspects of health, and prevention of illness and promotion of health.
Level-2000 Courses
NUR2119 or GEM2023 Primary Health Care
| Units Workload Pre-requisite Preclusion |
4 2-2-0-0-6 PL1101E PL3202Y |
This course will introduce students to primary health care from a philosophical basis and a model of service provision using the World Health Organisation’s global framework for health. Students will be able to apply health education and health promotion models as strategies for achieving sustainable health outcomes. This course provides students with understanding and knowledge of primary health care and community development concepts in multiple healthcare contexts.
HS2911 Social Media and Mental Health
| Units Workload Pre-requisite Preclusion |
4 2-1-0-4-3 If undertaking an Undergraduate Degree THEN must be Year 2, 3 or 4 Nil |
Social media is attributed as an emerging cause of depression and anxiety, but the story may not be that simple. This course introduces students to the connection between social media and mental health from multiple perspectives: computer-mediated communication, clinical psychiatry, and socio-cultural studies. Students will learn how social interactions on social media impact mental health, both positively and negatively. The course will introduce state-of-the-art methods for the ethical and privacy-preserving collection and analysis of social media data. Students will receive interdisciplinary training to deconstruct and critically analyse the nuanced impact of social media on mental health in real-world scenarios.
SC2226 Sociology of Mental Health
| Units Workload Pre-requisite Preclusion |
4 2-1-0-3-4 SC1101E Nil |
This course introduces students to the key issues in the sociology of mental health. It emphasizes the social influences on mental disorders, especially factors associated with the family-of-origin, while acknowledging the medical aspects of mental health. The consequences of mental disorders on individuals and their ecological systems will also be discussed. Students will be equipped with the knowledge to frame mental disorders from a biopsychosocial perspective, view mental disorders as social conditions and be able to attest to the social construction of medical diagnosis of mental disorders.
SPH2005 Health, Society and the Social Determinants
| Units Workload Pre-requisite Preclusion |
4 3-0-0-3-4 Nil SPH2107 |
What are the social and economic determinants of health? How do meanings of ‘health’ differ across populations and communities? This course adopts a multi-disciplinary approach in examining the different understandings of ‘health’ in society, via thinking critically about real-world health issues and their management. Drawing from disciplines such as medical anthropology, urban sociology and human geography, students will investigate how ‘health’ implicates – and is implicated by – the lives of individuals and societies. This course explores contemporary technological, ethical, political and cultural debates in health, healing and well-being.
Level-3000 Courses
PL3106 Mental Health and Distress
| Units Workload Pre-requisite Preclusion |
4 2-1-0-2-5 PL1101E PL3236 and SW3217 |
This core course covers most of the common mental health problems identified for children and adults, e.g. eating disorders, behavioural problems, attention deficits, learning disabilities, schizophrenia, anxiety, stress, depression, personality disorders, sexual adjustment, substance abuse, suicide, and dementia. The lectures and discussion groups provide an introduction to clinical intervention, but emphasis is placed on the theoretical formulation of problems. Whenever possible, films and case studies are used to supplement the textbook and readings, and a visit to the local Institute of Mental Health will usually be arranged.
PL3242 Health Psychology
| Units Workload Pre-requisite Preclusion |
4 2-1-0-3-4 PL1101E Nil |
This course explores the role of psychological factors in physical health. Topics covered may include the relationship of mind and body, the role of human behaviour in health, stress and coping as they relate to health, the nature of illness, patient-practitioner relations, chronic illness and disability, death and dying, and the relationship of psychology to such important health problems as AIDS, cancer, heart disease and pain.
SW3207 Social Work in Medical Settings
| Units Workload Pre-requisite Preclusion |
4 2-1-0-1-6 Nil Nil |
The course provides some insights and understanding of the impact of illness on individuals and their families. Individuals and family members coping of health setbacks with specific reference to acute, terminal and chronic illness will be touched. Personal health issues related and delivery of health care will be examined. Potentials for the health care support and promotion of wellness will be also touched. The role of social workers in healthcare system will be discussed.
SC3214 Sociology of Life Course and Aging
| Units Workload Pre-requisite Preclusion |
4 2-1-0-4-3 Nil Nil |
This course examines life course transitions and experience of aging. The first half of the course provides students with an understanding of the life course perspective and its use in sociological analyses. Topics covered include (1) changes in family dynamics over the life course, (2) changes in work patterns over the life course, and (3) gender differences in life course experience. Comparisons between Singapore society and other societies will be addressed. This course is mounted for students throughout NUS with interest in life course transitions.
SC3218 Inquiry in Health and Society
| Units Workload Pre-requisite Preclusion |
4 2-1-0-3-4 SC1101E Nil |
The causes and consequences of disease and the response of social systems and social institutions to health problems are fascinating topics for sociological inquiry. In this course students explore select topics of contemporary interest to medical sociologists. These may include: the allocation of scarce health resources, health policy and health care systems in a comparative perspective, uncertainty and risk in medical decision-making, medicine as a science and/or profession, traditional and modern systems of healing, ethnicity and health behavior, responses of social systems to adverse health events and disability, and social epidemiology.
SW3217 Mental Health and Illness
| Units Workload Pre-requisite Preclusion |
4 2-1-0-3-4 Nil PL3236, PL3106 |
The primary objective of this course is to provide students with comprehensive knowledge and understanding of prevalent types of mental health disorders in children, adults, and older adults. The course will employ a biopsychosocial approach to examine the risk and protective factors associated with mental health problems. Additionally, the course will also cover the categorization of mental illnesses and the symptoms associated with various mental health disorders. Interventions aimed at eliminating stigma and promoting community integration will also be covered.
EC3353 Health Economics I
| Units Workload Pre-requisite Preclusion |
4 2-1-0-2-5 EC2101/EC2151 or EC1311 EC3236 |
Can economic analysis contribute to solving the problem of how to design a national health care system, which efficiently responds to consumers' desire for good health? What are the efficient ways of financing healthcare? This course examines these questions through the use of tools of microeconomic analysis and analyzes the behavior of consumers, producers and insurers in the healthcare market. The issue of how healthcare is financed will be examined from the perspective of economic efficiency and equity. The course will also relate the theories developed to current policy issues.
PL3102 Biological Psychology
| Units Workload Pre-requisite Preclusion |
4 2-1-0-2-5 PL1101E PL3232 |
This course offers a comprehensive, one-semester overview of the connection between the brain and behaviour. The course is geared towards psychology majors and serves as a starting point for those looking to take advanced courses in cognitive neuroscience. The course will examine nervous system function, brain organization, vision and other sensations, emotion, and cognitive and motor processes. Clinical topics such as the impact of drugs on behaviour, sleep disorders, Parkinson's disease, and schizophrenia will also be covered.
HY3252 From Tropical Medicine to Bioscience
| Units Workload Pre-requisite Preclusion |
4 2-1-0-2-5 Nil Nil |
This course examines “tropical” medicine in the three related contexts of colonialism, high imperialism, and nation-building. The course will survey medicine, disease, and epidemics in British, American and Japanese practice, spanning the 18th to 20th centuries, and culminating with present-day Asia and the place of biomedicine in contemporary nation-states, including Singapore. The course covers the transformation of a scientific field from a colonial body of knowledge to a form of practice embraced and utilized by post-colonial societies.
SC3225 Social Capital
| Units Workload Pre-requisite Preclusion |
4 2-1-0-2-5 Nil Nil |
The concept of social capital has gained popularity, both in sociology and outside the academia globally. The theoretical basis of social capital is that resources embedded in social relations affect the life chances of individuals and collectivities. It has also been argued that social capital has a significant impact on occupational mobility, civic engagement, social movement, and economic development. The course will explore (1) the theories of social capital, (2) the empirical work on social capital, (3) linkages between social capital and instrumental and expressive actions, (4) new directions for research extension of the theory of social capital.
Level-4000 Courses
EC4353HM Health Economics II
| Units | 5 |
| Workload | 0-0-0-5-7.5 |
| Pre-requisite | If undertaking an Undergraduate Degree THEN ( must have completed all of EC3101/EC3304 at a grade of at least D AND the student must have achieved at least 80 Units prior to enrolment AND must be in one of the cohorts prior to 2020 inclusive AND must have completed 7 of any Courses (Modules) beginning with EC at a grade of at least D AND ( the student must have achieved a GPA of 3.2 or greater OR must be Year 4)) |
| Preclusion | EC4353 |
This course is designed to provide overview of the economics of health and medical care. It examines the roles of hospitals, physicians, and health insurance, the determinants of health, and institutional features of health care system. Students learn how to apply economic and econometric tools to analyse them and discuss related public policy.
EC4353 Health Economics II
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 0-0-0-5-5 |
| Pre-requisite | If undertaking an Undergraduate Degree THEN ( must have completed all of EC3101/EC3303 at a grade of at least D AND the student must have achieved at least 80 Units prior to enrolment AND must be in one of the cohorts from 2021 inclusive AND must have completed 7 of any Courses (Modules) beginning with EC at a grade of at least D) |
| Preclusion | EC4353HM |
This course is designed to provide overview of the economics of health and medical care. It examines the roles of hospitals, physicians, and health insurance, the determinants of health, and institutional features of health care system. Students learn how to apply economic and econometric tools to analyse them and discuss related public policy.
NM4220 Health Communications
| Units Workload Pre-requisitePreclusion |
5 0-3-0-4.5-5 Cohort 2006 and before: (1) NM2219 (2) NM2220 (3) NM3220; and (4) read and pass a minimum of 80 Units. Cohort 2007 onwards: (1) Completed 80 Units, including 28 Units in NM, with a minimum GPA of 3.5 or be on the Honours track. (2) NM2219, (3) NM2220, (4) NM3220.NM4880D |
This course introduces students to a wide range of scholarship in health communication. It surveys the field and explores ethical concerns in the healthcare environment and the models that frame theory and research in this area. The seminar will address such issues as the creation of health meanings, health care socialization, naturalistic medicine, health care teams, health campaigns, mass media theories of health, stress and burnout among health care workers, and social support at the dyadic, group, and community levels.
SC4220HM Aging and Health
| Units | 5 |
| Workload | 0-0-0-6-6.5 |
| Pre-requisite | If undertaking an Undergraduate Degree THEN ( the student must have achieved at least 80 units prior to enrolment AND the student must have achieved a GPA of 3.2 or greater AND must be in one of the cohorts prior to 2020 inclusive AND ( must have completed 7 of any Courses (Modules) beginning with SC at a grade of at least D OR (must be in one of the cohorts prior to 2019 inclusive AND must have completed 7 of any Courses (Modules) beginning with GL at a grade of at least D))) |
| Preclusion | SC4220 |
This seminar course examines how process of aging and health are socially patterned, normatively regulated, and/or historically structured. Students will be introduced to key theories, concepts, and empirical findings in the sociological study of aging and health. Through the course content and seminar discussions, we will address the following fundamental questions: How does aging impact health (and vice versa)? What are the social determinants of health for older persons? How do macrosocial, institutional, and life course factors influence systems of care, relationships between older adults and social/built environments, end of life decisions, as well as shape experiences of digital technologies, mental health, and cognition in later life?
SC4220 Aging and Health
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 0-0-0-6-4 |
| Pre-requisite | If undertaking an Undergraduate Degree THEN ( the student must have achieved at least 80 units prior to enrolment AND must have completed 7 of any Courses (Modules) beginning with SC at a grade of at least D AND must be in one of the cohorts from 2021 inclusive ) |
| Preclusion | SC4220HM |
This seminar course examines how process of aging and health are socially patterned, normatively regulated, and/or historically structured. Students will be introduced to key theories, concepts, and empirical findings in the sociological study of aging and health. Through the course content and seminar discussions, we will address the following fundamental questions: How does aging impact health (and vice versa)? What are the social determinants of health for older persons? How do macrosocial, institutional, and life course factors influence systems of care, relationships between older adults and social/built environments, end of life decisions, as well as shape experiences of digital technologies, mental health, and cognition in later life?
SC4222HM Body and Society
| Units | 5 |
| Workload | 0-0-0-6-6.5 |
| Pre-requisite | If undertaking an Undergraduate Degree THEN ( the student must have achieved at least 80 Units prior to enrolment AND the student must have achieved a GPA of 3.2 or greater AND must be in one of the cohorts prior to 2020 inclusive AND must have completed 7 of any Courses (Modules) beginning with SC at a grade of at least D) |
| Preclusion | SC4208B, SC4222 |
This is a course that surveys the enormous intellectual growth of studies of the human body in sociology, anthropology and other social science disciplines. It will focus on the diverse social meanings of the body situated within a range of social contexts. Sociocultural notions of the body are examined through analyses of corporeal experiences in relation to religion, the senses, health, spectacles, commodification, technology, and other substantive dimensions.
SC4222 Body and Society
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 0-0-0-6-4 |
| Pre-requisite | If undertaking an Undergraduate Degree THEN ( the student must have achieved at least 80 Units prior to enrolment AND must have completed 7 of any Courses (Modules) beginning with SC at a grade of at least D AND must be in one of the cohorts from 2021 inclusive ) |
| Preclusion | SC4208B, SC4222HM |
This is a course that surveys the enormous intellectual growth of studies of the human body in sociology, anthropology and other social science disciplines. It will focus on the diverse social meanings of the body situated within a range of social contexts. Sociocultural notions of the body are examined through analyses of corporeal experiences in relation to religion, the senses, health, spectacles, commodification, technology, and other substantive dimensions.
SC4881HM Selected Topics In Health & Society
| Units | 5 |
| Workload | 0-0-0-6-6.5 |
| Pre-requisite | If undertaking an Undergraduate Degree THEN ( the student must have achieved at least 80 Units prior to enrolment AND the student must have achieved a GPA of 3.2 or greater AND must be in one of the cohorts prior to 2020 inclusive AND (must be Year 4 OR must have completed 7 of any Courses (Modules) beginning with SC at a grade of at least D OR (must be in one of the cohorts prior to 2019 inclusive AND must have completed 7 of any Courses (Modules) beginning with GL))) |
| Preclusion | SC4214, SC4881 |
This course explores the linkages between health and society using sociological, demographic and epidemiological evidence on key social determinants of health. It adopts a historical and comparative perspective to understand health and mortality transitions in developed and developing countries as well as health disparities within and across countries. It explores the influence of educational attainment, income and income inequality, social capital, discrimination, marriage and gender among others on health to illustrate how the social “get under our skin”. It provides students with a strong theoretical foundation in medical sociology and exposes them to various quantitative approaches to study population health.
SC4881 Selected Topics In Health & Society
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 0-0-0-6-4 |
| Pre-requisite | If undertaking an Undergraduate Degree THEN ( the student must have achieved at least 80 Units prior to enrolment AND must have completed 7 of any Courses (Modules) beginning with SC at a grade of at least D AND must be in one of the cohorts from 2021 inclusive ) |
| Preclusion | SC4214, SC4881HM |
This course explores the linkages between health and society using sociological, demographic and epidemiological evidence on key social determinants of health. It adopts a historical and comparative perspective to understand health and mortality transitions in developed and developing countries as well as health disparities within and across countries. It explores the influence of educational attainment, income and income inequality, social capital, discrimination, marriage and gender among others on health to illustrate how the social “get under our skin”. It provides students with a strong theoretical foundation in medical sociology and exposes them to various quantitative approaches to study population health.
SC4223HM Health and Social Behaviour
| Units | 5 |
| Workload | 0-0-0-6-6.5 |
| Pre-requisite | If undertaking an Undergraduate Degree THEN ( the student must have achieved at least 80 Units prior to enrolment AND the student must have achieved a GPA of 3.2 or greater AND must be in one of the cohorts prior to 2020 inclusive AND ( must have completed 7 of any Courses (Modules) beginning with SC at a grade of at least D OR must be Year 4 OR (must be in one of the cohorts prior to 2019 inclusive AND must have completed 7 of any Courses (Modules) beginning with GL at a grade of at least D))) |
| Preclusion | SC4214A, SC4223 |
The course explores interactions between a variety of social forces and the phenomenon of health/illness. First, an important goal of the course is to clarify the extent to which mental and physical health/illness have been socially constructed and unevenly distributed in society. The course further identifies the effects of such social conditions as socioeconomic status, education, gender, and social networks on patterns of health inequality. Finally, it delves into specific issues like social epidemiology, stress process, and health care where possible causal relationships between a variety of social forces and health/illness are explored.
SC4223 Health and Social Behaviour
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 0-0-0-6-4 |
| Pre-requisite | If undertaking an Undergraduate Degree THEN ( the student must have achieved at least 80 Units prior to enrolment AND must have completed 7 of any Courses (Modules) beginning with SC at a grade of at least D AND must be in one of the cohorts from 2021 inclusive ) |
| Preclusion | SC4214A, SC4223HM |
The course explores interactions between a variety of social forces and the phenomenon of health/illness. First, an important goal of the course is to clarify the extent to which mental and physical health/illness have been socially constructed and unevenly distributed in society. The course further identifies the effects of such social conditions as socioeconomic status, education, gender, and social networks on patterns of health inequality. Finally, it delves into specific issues like social epidemiology, stress process, and health care where possible causal relationships between a variety of social forces and health/illness are explored.
SW4228HM Social Work In Medical Setting
| Units | 5 |
| Workload | 0-0-0-6.5-6 |
| Pre-requisite | If undertaking an Undergraduate Degree THEN ( the student must have achieved at least 80 units prior to enrolment AND must be in one of the cohorts prior to 2020 inclusive AND must have completed 7 of any Courses (Modules) beginning with SW at a grade of at least D AND must have completed all of SW1101E/SW2101/SW2104/SW2105 at a grade of at least D AND must have completed 1 of SW3104/SW3104A at a grade of at least D AND ( the student must have achieved a GPA of 3.2 or greater OR must be Year 4)) |
| Preclusion | SW3207, SW4228 |
The course provides some insights and understanding of the impact of illness on individuals and their families. This will be examined from three broad domains: (1) macro perspectives, (2) conceptual underpinnings and theoretical orientations to social work practice, and (3) selected areas of medical social work interventions, which focus on skills and intervention. Topics will include policies, legislations, practice in different healthcare settings, social-health care integration, specialised/ advanced theories, specific and prevalent health issues.
SW4228 Social Work In Medical Setting
| Units | 4 |
| Workload | 0-0-0-5.4-4.6 |
| Pre-requisite | If undertaking an Undergraduate Degree THEN ( the student must have achieved at least 80 units prior to enrolment AND must be in one of the cohorts from 2021 inclusive AND must have completed 7 of any Courses beginning with SW at a grade of at least D AND must have completed 4 of SW3103C at a grade of at least CS, SW1101E/SW2101/SW2104/SW2105 at a grade of at least D) |
| Preclusion | SW3207, SW4228HM |
The course provides some insights and understanding of the impact of illness on individuals and their families. This will be examined from three broad domains: (1) macro perspectives, (2) conceptual underpinnings and theoretical orientations to social work practice, and (3) selected areas of medical social work interventions, which focus on skills and intervention. Topics will include policies, legislations, practice in different healthcare settings, social-health care integration, specialised/ advanced theories, specific and prevalent health issues.
ACADEMIC CONVENOR
Dr Kriti Vikram