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.