PhD courses
Here you will find information about the courses that the university offers to doctoral students in the subjects of occupational health science, social work and health care science. Several of the courses are open to doctoral students from other subjects at the University of Gävle.
An important part of doctoral education consists of courses. The content of the course component is governed by the general study plan for the doctoral subject. You will agree with your supervisor and your doctoral examiner which specific courses you will take in your doctoral education. Some courses are compulsory and are part of all doctoral students' education.
Several of the courses are available to all doctoral students at the university, but special prerequisites may apply to the course and the number of places may be limited.
Courses for Fall 2025
Applications for the fall doctoral courses are now open. The last day to apply is March 30.
Course syllabuses
If you want to see the syllabus and reading list for each course, you can search for it using the course code.
Courses of any subject
Quantitative and qualitative research methods 10 cr
Course name: Quantitative and qualitative research methods 10 cr
Course code: AHF904F
Purpose: The course covers the degree objective "scientific methodology in general", which is why an elective course in scientific methodology is also recommended.
Entry requirements: Compulsory course for doctoral students in the subjects occupational health science, social work, health care science
Course period: The course is given once a year in the spring semester
When should you take the course: Year 1-2
Contact persons
Leticia Januario, course coordinator
Magnus Lindberg, examiner
Research communication with different target groups in national and international contexts 2.5 cr
Course name: Research communication with different target
groups in national and international contexts 2.5 cr
Course code: AHF908F, OMF902F, SAF903F
Purpose: The course consists of three workshops on presentation techniques and reporting on the implementation of the presentations of research results you plan in your Learning Plan.
Eligibility: Compulsory course for PhD students in the subjects occupational health science, social work, health care science. The course is open to other doctoral students at the University of Gävle.
Course period: The course is given once a year in the spring semester (week 03-22)
When should you take the course: Year 2
Contact person
Martin Salzmann-Eriksson, course coordinator
Annica Björkman, examiner
Critical discussion of scientific literature 2.5 cr
Course name: Critical discussion of scientific literature 2.5 cr
Course code: AHF907F, OMF901F, SAF902F
Purpose: The course consists of four assignments with examining seminars and participation in seminars at your department.
Entry requirements: Compulsory course for doctoral students in the subjects occupational health science, social work, health care science.
Course period: The course is given once a year in the fall semester (week 46-12)
When should you take the course: Year 1
Contact persons:
Camilla Zetterberg, course coordinator
MårtenEriksson, examiner
Philosophy of Science and Research Ethics 5 cr
Course name: Philosophy of Science and Research Ethics 5 cr
Course code: PSF903F
Entry requirements: Compulsory course for doctoral students in the subjects occupational health science, social work, health care science.
Course period: The course is given once a year in the fall semester
When should you take the course: Year 1-2
Contact persons:
Bernice Skytt, course coordinator
MårtenEriksson, examiner
How to write a scientific article 5 cr
Course name: How to write a scientific article 5 cr
Course code: AHF911F
Description: The teaching will partly be based on a MOOC from Stanford University. Given online. The course is given in English.
Entry requirements: Elective course for graduate students in the subjects occupational health science, social work, health care science.
Course period: The course is given once a year in the fall semester (week 46-12)
When should you take the course: Before you start writing your first thesis
Contact persons:
Katrin Lättman, course coordinator
Magnus Lindberg, examiner
Introduction to systematic literature reviews 3 credits
Course name: Introduction to systematic literature reviews 3 credits
Course code: AHF910F
Entry requirements: Elective course for doctoral students in the subjects occupational health science, social work, health care science.
Description: The course is given in collaboration with the Library. The teaching will partly be based on a MOOC from Johns Hopkins University
Course period: The course is given once a year in the fall semester (week 46-12)
When should you take the course: Before you start writing your first thesis
Contact persons
Hans Richter, course coordinator
Sven Svensson, examiner
Collaboration and co-production for a sustainable working life 7.5 cr
Course name: Collaboration and co-production for a sustainable working life 7.5 cr
Course code: AHF916F
Purpose: The course deals with theoretical, methodological and practical perspectives on co-production. The course aims to give you as a PhD student insight into the conditions for co-production, and how you as a working life researcher can develop this way of working.
Eligibility: Primarily for doctoral students within the CHANGE research school. The course is open to other doctoral students at the University of Gävle and to doctoral students at other universities. For external doctoral students, a doctoral student certificate must be attached to the application.
Course period: The course is given every other year in the spring semester.
When should you take the course: Year 2-3
Contact persons:
Leticia Januario, course coordinator
Marina Heiden, examiner
Occupational health science
Occupational Health Science 10 cr
Course name: Occupational Health Science 10 cr
Course code: AHF912F
Purpose: The course runs together with the Master's program in Occupational Health Science and is divided into 3 parts. Module 1 HT, Module 2 and 3 VT
Eligibility: The course is open to other doctoral students at the University of Gävle
Course period: The course is given once a year starting in the fall semester (week 35-22)
When should you take the course: Year 1-2
Contact persons:
Marina Heiden, course coordinator
Birgitta Wiitavaara, examiner
Social work
Health, well-being and working life for the subjects of social work and health sciences, 7.5 credits
Course name: Health, well-being and working life for the subjects of social work and health sciences, 7.5 credits
Course code: SAF904F
Purpose: Coordinated with the course of the same name given in Care Science.
Eligibility: The course is open to other doctoral students at the University of Gävle and to doctoral students at other universities. For external doctoral students, a doctoral student certificate must be attached to the application.
Course period: The course is given every other year.
When should you take the course: Year 2-3
Contact persons:
Brita Backlund Rambaree (course coordinator)
Anneli Marttila (examiner)
Scientific theories for social work 7.5 cr
Course name: Scientific theories for social work 7.5 cr
Course code: SAF901F
Purpose: The aim of this course is to be replaced by a course within the framework of the national graduate school in social work.
Entry requirements: Admitted to the doctoral program in social work. The course is open to doctoral students at other universities. For external doctoral students, a doctoral student certificate must be attached to the application.
Course period: The course is given every other year starting in the fall semester. Next course start 2025 or 2026
When should you take the course: Year 3
Contact persons:
Lottie Wahlin, course coordinator
Peter Öberg, examiner
Health sciences
Health, well-being and working life, Caring Science 7.5 cr
Course Name: Health, well-being and working life, Caring Science 7.5 cr
Course code: OMF903F
Purpose: The aim of the course is for the doctoral student to develop his/her ability to critically discuss theories related to health, well-being and working life and to analyze and evaluate research results that shed light on health, well-being and working life related to the subject of caring science. The course is compulsory for both licentiate and doctoral degrees in health sciences.
Approach: Both campus and online teaching are available. Compulsory attendance is stated in the schedule which is available four weeks before the course starts.
Eligibility: The course is open to other doctoral students at the University of Gävle and to doctoral students at other universities. For external doctoral students, a doctoral student certificate must be attached to the application.
Course period: The course is given every other year starting in the fall semester. Next course start is week 35 (2024)
When should you take the course: Year 2-3
Contact person:
Annika Nilsson, course coordinator
Scientific theories for nursing 7.5 cr
Course name: Scientific theories for nursing 7.5 cr
Course code: OMF905F
Entry requirements: Admitted to the doctoral program in nursing science or equivalent. The course is open to doctoral students at other universities. For external doctoral students, a doctoral student certificate must be attached to the application.
Course period: The course is given every other year starting in the fall semester. The next course start is autumn 2025.
When should you take the course: Year 3
Contact person:
Annakarin Olsson, course coordinator
Kontaktperson
Hans Richter
Director of studies for doctoral programmes, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies
This page was last updated 2025-03-26