The School of Health Sciences in Bytom was established in 2002 as one of the schools of the Medical University of Silesia. Our school currently provides opportunities to study public health and dietetics at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. At the beginning of the academic year 2014/15, we have launched PhD studies as well as bachelor and master degree studies in English.

In the field of research, our school’s employees conduct numerous research projects in areas such as: epidemiology, environmental health, biostatistics, health promotion, health policy and politics, health economics, health care management, and nutrition. Since the school was established, we have achieved a number of successes at the national and international levels. These include conducting and participating in research projects financed by polish institutions such as the Ministry of Health or Polish National Science Centre, as well as international ones, such as the European Commission. This wide set of achievements has allowed us to become a leading public health research center in Poland.

 

We are proud and honoured to announce that the School of Health Sciences of the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice has bee accepted into the ranks of the Association of Schools of Public Health of the European Region (ASPHER – Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region).

ASPHER is a prestigious organization of the best organisations in Europe providing education in the field of public health. The main goal of the Association is to strengthen the role of public health in European countries by improvement and development of uniform standards for the training of specialists in this field – both, for the needs of practice and scientific research. The organization was founded in 1966 and today incorporates 100 institutional members from the WHO European Region., Acting through institutions employing over 5 000 scientists and experts in the field of public health, it is represented in 42 European countries. It also participates in a network of cooperation with similar associations in other regions of the world, as well as with other institutions in the field of public health, closely cooperating e.g. with the World Health Organization and the European Society of Public Health.

For the personnel of the Faculty, ASPHER membership means an extensive opportunity to establish scientific contacts with international research organisations and participation in new projects. The students of the Faculty of Health Sciences will benefit above all from the guarantee of the highest educational standards and access to study curricula corresponding to the up-to-date European trends. In addition, the students gain the opportunity to participate in numerous projects organized by ASPHER and its partners, including scientific conferences, summer schools as well as publication of their contributions in international scientific journals.

Faculty: PUBLIC HEALTH, FIRST CYCLE DEGREE

Degree: BACHELOR

Length of studies: 3 years (6 semesters)

 

Students of the first-cycle studies in public health may choose one of the following specializations:

1. epidemiology and biostatistics,
2. dental hygiene,
3. occupational health protection,
4. organization and management in health care,

The education programs for students of all specializations include a common and integrated block of courses representing general, basic and major subjects. The curricula of specialization subjects take into account the specificity of each of the specializations.

All the specializations offer the graduates opportunities to acquire knowledge, skills and social competence to seek employment in institutions and organizations designated to implement the guidelines of the „European Health Report 2012: Road to achieving well-being” and the framework policy „Health 2020”. A graduate showing the acquired qualifications may then seek employment in in health care institutions and those dealing with a widely understood health protection and promotion. The graduate is prepared to seek admittance to second-cycle studies.

 

Profile of the public health graduate

A graduate in public health:

1. has interdisciplinary knowledge of social sciences and medical sciences, understands the basic problems of public health, health care systems and health policy in Poland and the EU member states; knows a foreign language at the B2 proficiency level of the European System of the Language Education Description of the Council of Europe and speaks a specialized language in the field of social and medical sciences,
2. has skills in to:
   a) recognize the biological and environmental determinants of human health, human population and mutual relations between them,
   b) recognize the biological, environmental, demographic, social and psychological threats to human health,
   c) implement the statutory supervision and assessments of the sanitary and epidemiological status of society and the environment at regional level,
   d) communicate the results of sanitary-epidemiological assessments to superior bodies,
   e) collect the population health status data,
   f) implement programs in prevention and psychosocial care and rehabilitation,
   g) implement and coordinate health education and health promotion programs,
   h) collect data on economics and health management in the local environment and the use of professional foreign language literature.
3. has social competence to:
   a) take executive positions in health care establishments,
   b) provide health services and perform different functions related to health promotion and protection in state, local government, social and private institutions.

Specialization: epidemiology and biostatistics

A graduate of the specialization in epidemiology and biostatistics :

1. has general and specialist knowledge of social and medical sciences, in particular in the field of:
   a) epidemiology and clinical epidemiology,
   b) mathematical and statistical concepts necessary for data analysis,
   c) the impact of environmental threats on human health,
   d) harmful physical factors in the work environment, including sources of occupational poisoning and epidemiology of occupational diseases in Poland.
2. has skills in:
   a) cooperation in an interdisciplinary team to the extent relevant to the specialization,
   b) solving problems in the area of ​​public health to the extent relevant to the specialization,
   c) analyzing and interpreting information on the state of health of the population,
   d) management of disease outbreaks,
   e) use of databases and statistical concepts in data analysis; uses of graphic and tabular methods to presenting relationships of variables,
   f) using the evaluation results in the field of environmental monitoring and developing principles to prevent dissemination of specific xenobiotics in the environment,
   g) using basic devices to measure environmental factors occurring in the workplace,
   h) developing a research project,
   i) conducting questionnaire surveys.
3. has social competence to take executive positions and carry out tasks related to epidemiology and biostatistics, in particular to:
   a) monitor the health status of a population,
   b) conduct epidemiological research,
   c) manage databases of healthcare units and institutions acting on their behalf.

A graduate showing the acquired qualifications may seek employment in in the units of the State Sanitary Inspection, state and local administration bodies at all levels, as well as methodological and organizational departments for statistics and epidemiology of health care establishments. The graduate is prepared to seek admittance to second-cycle studies.

Specialization: dental hygiene

First degree studies in Dental Hygiene within the Public Health scheme are designed to prepare specialists with the knowledge of selected aspects of oral health.

1. During the course of the study a graduate should gain theoretical and practical knowledge in of organizational forms of the health care system, legal and economic grounds of their operations as well as activities in the field of computerization of institutions (including methods of settling medical procedures with the payer of services). Understanding the organization and ergonomics of work in a dental office, the rules of maintaining asepsis and antiseptics, the principles of disinfection of touch and non-contact surfaces, the implementation of tasks related to promotion of the oral health and health education (taking into account the specific character of individual age groups), will allow for active participation in implementation of the tasks of individuals health care.
2. During the teaching process, a graduate should acquire knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of the masticatory organ and the specifics of the structure of the oral mucosa. The graduate also gets acquainted with epidemiological data on incidence of the most prevalent medical conditions of the oral cavity and the masticatory system, the national health programs and WHO guidelines regarding the value of health indicators in particular age groups.
3. Understanding the chemical composition and physical properties of materials used in individual fields of dentistry, as well as pharmacological local anesthetics used in outpatient care will enable the graduate to effectively carry out tasks related to assisting the dentist during oral and chewing procedures. The acquired knowledge of principles of preventive and therapeutic activity in of dental hygiene will enable the graduate to carry out selected preventive and educational procedures commissioned by a dentist.
4. During studies, the graduate will learn the principles of operation and how to use instruments and apparatus used in preventive and therapeutic procedures: incl. diagnostic equipment, ultrasound devices, dental contra-angle handpieces and sandblasters.
5. The graduate will also become familiar with issues related to the psychological, pedagogical and sociological aspects of the work of a dental hygienist which will enable him to communicate effectively with the patient and his family. As part of the teaching process, the graduate will learn the importance of empathy, understanding and respect for the patient during the therapeutic process.
6. Recent results of epidemiological studies confirm that oral health throughout Polish population is at a level significantly lower than in many European countries. In order to overcome this negative trend, it is necessary not only to train dental dentists but also the qualified support staff.
7. According to the guidelines of the World Health Organization, prevention is a key element of the modern health care system, which also plays a substantial role in oral health. In this regard, the procedures performed by the dental hygienist seem to be of the principal importance. Working both, in the dentist’s office and in the school environment enables a graduate not only to effectively perform preventive the procedures adequate to the patient’s needs, but also to conduct educational activities in the field of oral health.

The knowledge and skills acquired by graduates will allow to seek employment in health care establishments (clinics and medical units) as well as educational institutions carrying out the preventive programs.

The acquired knowledge and practical skills in the area of health prevention, promotion and health are a valuable asset of a graduate of this faculty.

 

Specialization: occupational health protection

A graduate occupational health protection specialization:

1. has a general and specialist knowledge of social and medical sciences, in particular in the field of:
   a) harmful and arduous factors present in the work environment and methods of their elimination,
   b) occupational diseases,
   c) basic safety rules in the work environment and legal provisions in the field of occupational health and safety,
   d) methods of occupational risk assessment and basic safety management systems at work,
2. has skills in:
   a) cooperation in an interdisciplinary team to the extent relevant to the specialization,
   b) solving problems in the area of ​​public health protection to the extent relevant to the specialization,
   c) the use of basic medical equipment and apparatus used in the diagnosis of occupational diseases,
   d) interpreting figures, assessing exposure to harmful substances and preparing a written report,
   e) occupational risk assessment using various methods, using exposure assessment data and environmental measurements to assess occupational risk,
   f) planning, designing and implementing activities in the field of occupational health and safety management.
3. has social competence to take executive positions and carry out tasks related to the occupational health protection, in particular to:
   a) supervise working conditions in various institutions and units, including assessment of exposure to harmful factors at the workplace,
   b) carry out training programs in proper performance of professional activities at the workplace, including the use of personal protective equipment,
   c) workplace risk management and implementation of measures to improve working conditions.

Specialization: healthcare organization and management

A graduate of the healthcare organization and management specialization:

1. has general and specialist knowledge of social and medical sciences, in particular in the field of:
   a) essentials of organization management, with particular emphasis on human resource management,
   b) links between economic policy and the health care system,
   c) environmental management systems, activities of enterprises and the local government bodies in compliance with the strategy of sustainable development,
   d) legal and ethical aspects of operations in the healthcare sector,
   e) quality management, especially relating to health services,
   f) public health issues, with particular emphasis on international relations and institutions acting directly or indirectly for the health of the world population.
2. has skills in:
   a) analyzing press information from the economic area in terms of relation to the state economic policy,
   b) describing environmental management systems,
   c) using normative systems, norms and rules regarding health protection in Poland and worldwide,
   d) identification and classification of health risk factors, the use of risk size indicators and indication of effective strategies for reducing health risk,
   e) performing SWOT analysis of the region and development of a regional development strategy,
   f) organizing rescue operation at the place of the incident and in a crisis situation,
   g) initiating and participating in creation and implementation of local projects and activities in the field of public health protection,
3. has social competence to take executive positions and carry out tasks related to organization and management in health care, in particular to:
   a) cooperate with the mass media, local communities and also non-governmental organizations; undertaking marketing activities in health care and social communication,
   b) formulate strategies, business plans and projects for healthcare establishments,
   c) elaboration of quality management systems for the health services offered,
   d) analysis of accounting data and the use of financial analysis techniques,
   e) appropriate interpretation of legal provisions regarding the functioning of the healthcare system,
   f) communicate with institutions responsible for regional management.

A graduate showing the acquired qualifications may seek employment in public and private health care establishments, the National Health Fund, companies offering health insurance, institutions supervising and regulating the operation of the health care system, etc. The graduate is prepared to seek admittance to second degree studies.

Recruitment of candidates who have graduated from a secondary school abroad and who are applying for admission to the first-cycle degree program in public health is based on a grade in the following subjects: biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics or civics (in one subject chosen by the candidate) obtained during secondary education and a successful verification of the application documents.

 

For candidates who have completed secondary school  in  Poland  and  who  are  applying for admission to the first cycle degree program in public health, the order of placing on the ranking list is determined by the grade on the secondary school leaving certificate (the so-called „new secondary school leaving certificate”) obtained in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics or  civics  (in  one  subject  chosen  by  the  candidate)  on  the  basic  or extended level, converted to the basic level. The condition for admission to the first-cycle degree program in English for the main fields of study of  public health  is the obtainment  of a minimum number of points necessary for admission to the first year of full-time studies in the recruitment process the Medical University of Silesia, in the Polish language curriculum.

 

1. Register and make an account on SUM’s platform.

2. Follow the instructions and submit the application via the platform.

3. Attach scanned documents to the application.

4. Pay the application fee of 85 PLN.

5. Once the application is submitted, you will be notified through the University’s online account or your email address regarding the status of the application.

6. Once the University Admission Committee verifies your documents, the candidate’s number will be added to the ranking list.

7. If you will see on the ranking list the candidate’s number with the mark next to it, and if it says’ Pass’ then you have gotten accepted into SUM and CONGRATULATIONS!

8. Candidate is required to send/post the printed & signed application form with original or notarised copies of all required documents to the University’s mailing address before the start of the academic year 2023/2024 (before October 2, 2023).

Candidates are required to apply through Electronic Application Form to which scan copies of the following documents must be attached:

In case candidate’s leaving certificate lacks required subject/ subjects or certificate is issued by other country than mentioned in Terms and procedures, candidate will be required to attempt an oral entrance exam in English language as per the date indicated in the Application Form.

 

The School of Health Sciences in Bytom was established in 2002 as one of the schools of the Medical University of Silesia. Our school currently provides opportunities to study public health and dietetics at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. At the beginning of the academic year 2014/15, we have launched PhD studies as well as bachelor and master degree studies in English.

In the field of research, our school’s employees conduct numerous research projects in areas such as: epidemiology, environmental health, biostatistics, health promotion, health policy and politics, health economics, health care management, and nutrition. Since the school was established, we have achieved a number of successes at the national and international levels. These include conducting and participating in research projects financed by polish institutions such as the Ministry of Health or Polish National Science Centre, as well as international ones, such as the European Commission. This wide set of achievements has allowed us to become a leading public health research center in Poland.

 

We are proud and honoured to announce that the School of Health Sciences of the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice has bee accepted into the ranks of the Association of Schools of Public Health of the European Region (ASPHER – Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region).

ASPHER is a prestigious organization of the best organisations in Europe providing education in the field of public health. The main goal of the Association is to strengthen the role of public health in European countries by improvement and development of uniform standards for the training of specialists in this field – both, for the needs of practice and scientific research. The organization was founded in 1966 and today incorporates 100 institutional members from the WHO European Region., Acting through institutions employing over 5 000 scientists and experts in the field of public health, it is represented in 42 European countries. It also participates in a network of cooperation with similar associations in other regions of the world, as well as with other institutions in the field of public health, closely cooperating e.g. with the World Health Organization and the European Society of Public Health.

For the personnel of the Faculty, ASPHER membership means an extensive opportunity to establish scientific contacts with international research organisations and participation in new projects. The students of the Faculty of Health Sciences will benefit above all from the guarantee of the highest educational standards and access to study curricula corresponding to the up-to-date European trends. In addition, the students gain the opportunity to participate in numerous projects organized by ASPHER and its partners, including scientific conferences, summer schools as well as publication of their contributions in international scientific journals.

Faculty: PUBLIC HEALTH, SECOND CYCLE DEGREE

Degree: MASTER

Length of studies: 2 years (4 semesters)

 

The aim of the programs is to prepare a public health employee who, based on the acquired interdisciplinary knowledge, skills and social competence, will be able accomplish tasks related to recognition of major health threats, its protection and strengthening in healthcare institutions, state administration at all levels, local governments, universities, scientific and research institutes, as well as large industrial plants. The evolution of demands in the area of public health means that the potential scope of a graduate’s activity should meet requirements shaped by the modern concept of public health in Poland and the EU member states.

The second-cycle public health studies are addressed to first-cycle graduates. During the second cycle studies a graduate receives extended, interdisciplinary knowledge in the field of social and medical sciences. This orientation provides the graduates with tools necessary to solve effectively diverse public health problems.

Particular emphasis is put on analytical skills, including identification of dependencies and conditions which affect the health of individuals and communities as related to demographic, economic, cultural and epidemiological changes occurring in the surrounding environment and the graduate’s ability to manage them efficiently. A student may choose one of the following specializations:

1. occupational health and safety,
2. organization and management in healthcare,
3. environmental health and prevention of environmental diseases,

Specialization: occupational health and safety

A graduate of the occupational health and safety specialization:

1. has the knowledge of:
   1. legal grounds for organization and operation of the State Sanitary Inspection, especially in the field of sanitary supervision, hygiene and sanitary requirements for public facilities, workplaces, schools, including also municipal hygiene, monitoring systems and radiation hygiene arising from the Atomic Law Act,
   2. physiology and changes taking place in the human body to allow for the design and ergonomic modification of workplaces.
2. has skills in :
   1. practical use of empirical formulae and specialized equipment for assessment of the environmental impact on human body,
   2. determination of the conditions and design of ergonomic dimensions of the workplace and conditions for practice various forms of physical activity.
3. has social competence to:
   1. take executive positions and perform tasks related to occupational health protection,
   2. carry out comprehensive supervision of working conditions in various institutions and units, including multivariate and integrated assessment of exposure to harmful and dangerous factors at the workplace,
   3. preparation and implementation of employee training programs on proper performance of professional activities at the workplace, including the use of personal protective equipment,
   4. manage workplace risks and implement measures to improve the working conditions,
   5. prepare research and teaching programs in research institutes and universities implementing educational and scientific projects in this area.

Specialization: organization and management in healthcare

A graduate of the organization and management in healthcare specialization:

1. has the knowledge of:
   1. economic processes, methods of economic analysis used in healthcare, identification of factors affecting strategies of healthcare units and the principles of creating a business plan for an entity operating in the field of healthcare,
   2. priorities of the state health policy based on the National Health Program, the role of key participants in the decision-making process in the area of social and health policy,
   3. the grounds of constitutional, administrative, civil, labor and medical law and the European Union legal system in the field of the patient’s rights.
2. has skills in:
   1. analyzing data on socio-economic phenomena having a direct or indirect impact on the health of a population, critically assesses major trends and projects in public health and health promotion in the local and nationwide context,
   2. independent analysis of economic phenomena occurring in the area of public health, and the determinants of the market activity of a healthcare establishment, using appropriate tools.
   3. assessment of marketing strategies and criteria of quality management systems used by healthcare units, combined with elements of human resources management,
   4. indication of supporting institutions for groups at risk of social exclusion (disabled people, the poor, ethnic minorities), as well as the principles of managing them, planning action strategies and financing.
3. has social competence to:
   1. administer and organize work in healthcare institutions, including healthcare companies, sanitary and epidemiological supervision, social and health insurers, National Health Fund, and to initiate and implement organizational and management projects,
   2. ensure effective cooperation with mass media, local communities, NGOs and institutions responsible for regional management,
   3. analyze the accounting data and apply techniques of financial analysis,
   4. undertake marketing activities in healthcare and in the area of social communication,
   5. work in research institutes and universities carrying out research and teaching programs in this area.

Specialization: environmental health and prevention of environmentally dependent diseases

A graduate of the environmental health and prevention of environmentally dependent diseases specialization:

1.  has the knowledge of:
   1. environmental health threats in the 21st century,
   2. health risk factors identified and defined by science and occurring in the human habitat,
   3. cause and effect relationships between exposure to negative environmental factors and the health status of a population.
2. has skills in:
   1. the use of theoretical knowledge, observation and interpretation of phenomena concerning the health of the population, deepened and enriched by clarifying mutual relationship between health and environmental health risk factors.
   2. developing preventive programs, including those based on primary prevention, affecting the entire population or a significant part of it, and covering the earliest actions aimed at preventing disease or reducing the risk of development.
3. has social competence to:
   1. ensure application of environmental prevention programs in selected social groups

A graduate showing the acquired knowledge and may seek employment in:

• Local and Regional Sanitary and Epidemiological Stations.
• Healthcare establishments (primary and secondary health care).
• Educational boards and other educational institutions.
• The State Sanitary Inspection.
• State Inspectorate for Environmental Protection.
• Public administration supervising the work of health and environment protection bodies.
• Administrative bodies carrying out preventive programs.
• Research institutes.

The qualification procedure for the second cycle degree program in public health is based  on the grade point average obtained during the whole period of the first cycle degree program (the grade point average is calculated as the arithmetic average of all grades for examinations and credits completing a given subject obtained during the entire course of the studies).

 

1. Register and make an account on SUM’s platform.

2. Follow the instructions and submit the application via the platform.

3. Attach scanned documents to the application.

4. Pay the application fee of 85 PLN.

5. Once the application is submitted, you will be notified through the University’s online account or your email address regarding the status of the application.

6. Once the University Admission Committee verifies your documents, the candidate’s number will be added to the ranking list.

7. If you will see on the ranking list the candidate’s number with the mark next to it, and if it says’ Pass’ then you have gotten accepted into SUM and CONGRATULATIONS!

8. Candidate is required to send/post the printed & signed application form with original or notarised copies of all required documents to the University’s mailing address before the start of the academic year 2023/2024 (before October 2, 2023).

Candidates are required to apply through Electronic Application Form to which scan copies of the following documents must be attached: