Course Details:
The coursework for the M. Sc degree will cover ten compulsory courses, one Required Elective Course, one compulsory Seminar and one compulsory Thesis/Dissertation course. Diploma candidates will take only ten compulsory courses offered during the first and Second semesters and would not be required to complete a thesis or any other coursework.
Compulsory Courses for part I; The ten compulsory courses for Part I which will take two semesters shall be:
First Semester:
(i) PDRH 401: Introduction to Demography and Population Studies.
(ii) PDRH 402: Introduction to the study of Development.
(iii) PDRH 403: Introduction to the Study of Reproductive Health.
(iv) PDRH 404: Research Methods and Basic Mathematics.
(v) PDRII 405: General Applied statistic.
Second Semester:
(i) PDRH 501: Advanced Demographic Techniques.
(ii) PDRH 502: Population and Development.
(iii) PDRI-1 503: Substantive Demography.
(iv) PDRH 504: Quantitative Methods.
(v) PDRH 505: Reproductive Health and Human Reproduction.
Third Semester:
(For M. Sc. Candidates only).
Part II courses consist of:
(i) One Required Elective Course to be selected from PDRH 601 to PDRH 611 and to be announced at the time of registration for the third Semester.
(ii) One Elective Course from PDRH 601 to PDRH to be selected by the candidate.
(iii) Seminar on population and Development and Reproductive Health issues (compulsory) and;
(iv) Thesis/Dissertation (compulsory).
One Required Elective Course and One Elective Course from the following:
(i) PDRH 601: Project Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation.
(ii) PDRH 602: advanced Statistical Methods for Demographers.
(iii) PDRH 603: Population policies and Population Trends.
(iv) PDRH 604: Population Geography.
(v) PDRH 605: Mathematical Demography.
(vi) PDRH 606: Study of Urbanization.
(vii) PDRH 607: Population and Environment.
(viii) PDRH6O8: Population and Resources.
(ix) PDRH 609: Population and Health.
(x) PDRH 610: Population and Education.
(xi) PDRH 611: Study of labour Force and Employment.
(xii) PDRH 620: Seminar on population and Development and Reproductive Health issues (compulsory).
(xiii) PDRH 650: Thesis/Dissertation (compulsory).
Examination Regulations
Parts I and II: The coursework and Examinations.
a. In each course, the written examinations shall constitute 70% of the marks and the coursework and related projects shall take up the remaining 30%.
b. Coursework shall be assessed in each course on the basis of class participation, seminar papers, tutorial essays, practical exercises and assignments, project work and progress tests.
c. Examination in PDRH 404: Research Methods and Basic Mathematics. A candidate must pass in the two parts separately to get a passing grade in PDRH 404.
d. PDRH 620: Seminar on population and Development and Reproductive Health will be evaluated on the basis of presentation before staff and students, Two members of staff will do evaluation independently and later consolidate the final grade.
e. PDRH 650: Thesis/Dissertation Course: Each candidate will choose a research topic within the courses taken and will be guided by a supervisor. The thesis/dissertation must be submitted in accordance with the common regulations for the master’s degree of the University of Gezira.
f. Discontinuation: A candidate shall be discontinued if he/she fails in more than 2 courses in a semester.
Outline of the programme:
A. Part I: The compulsory courses for Part I (common with the Diploma programme) which will take the first two semesters shall be:
First Semester:
(i) PDRH 401: Introduction to Demography and Population Studies - 4 credit hours.
(ii) PDRH 402: Introduction to the study of Development - 3 credit hours. (iii) PDRH 403: Introduction to the study of Reproductive health – 3 credit
hours.
(iv) PDRH 404: Research methods and Basic Mathematics - 4 credit hours.
(v) PDRH 405: General applied statistics - 3 credit hours.
Second Semester:
(i) PDRFI 501: Advanced Demographic Techniques - 3 credit hours.
(ii) PDRH 502: Population and Development - 3 credit hours.
(iii) PDRH 503: Substantive Demography - 3 credit hours.
(iv) PDRH 504: Quantitative Methods - 3 credit hours.
(v) PDRH 505: Reproductive Health and Human Reproduction - 3 credit hours.
B. Part II: Third semester (for M. Sc. candidates only)
The one required elective course and the one elective course from the following:
Each candidate will choose a thesis topic within the courses taken and will be guided by a supervisor.
Course Descriptions
Part I: Ten compulsory courses (first and second semesters).
1. PDRH 401: Introduction to demography and population studies.
(i) The field of demography and population studies: Its nature, scope and relevance, and relationships with other disciplines.
(ii) Historical survey of population growth and trends.
(iii) Demographic transition.
(iv) Basic demographic measures:, commonly used rates and ratios.
(v) Standardization techniques.
(vi) Reproduction measures.
(vii)The life table technique and its uses.
(viii) Population projections.
2. PURR 402: Introduction to the Study of Development:
(i) What is development? Traditional view.
(ii) Why should one study development? Reasons.
(iii) Introduction to economic theories of development: linear stages;
structural models; and Global interdependence Models,
(iv) Modem view of and expansion in the perception of development.
(v) Sustained economic growth and sustainable development.
(vi) Basic needs approach.
(vii) Common characteristics of the developing nations.
(viii) Human development and the human development index of UNDP.
(ix) North Sudan and the new economic order paradigms.
(x) Population and Development; an introduction.
3. PDRB 403: Introduction to the study of Reproductive Health:
This and its more advanced companion course PDRH 505:
Reproductive Health and Human Reproduction, view reproductive health (RH) As one of the more important elements in the quality of life enjoyed by the society and in human reproduction. Reproductive health in these courses in its most comprehensive context including physical, biological, normative social, economic, demographic behavioral and psychological. The will cover the following main topics:
(i) Health and Human Rights.
(ii) Health and Disease.
(iii) Reproductive Health (RH) and Human Rights, including reproductive rights of women and men.
(iv) Changing perceptions and scope of RH.
(v) RH and recent international consensus.
(vi) Human Reproductive systems and processes especially their physical, physiological and biological determinants,
(vii) Factors in Human reproduction in its social and cultural context and harmful/unhealthy traditional practice.
(viii) RH of men, women youth and adolescents: common disorders and diseases.
(ix) Determinants of Female RH e.g. incidence of pregnancies, abortions, antenatal and prenatal care, contraceptive behavior, malnutrition, economic activity and overwork, marginality in decision making domestic violence, surgical procedures, immunization, STDs, HIV/AIDS, Birth attendants, etc.
(x) Sterility and infertility.
(xi) Determinants of male RH.
(xii) Determinants of adolescents’ RH.
4. PDRH 404: Research Methods and Basic Mathematics:
This course consists of two part: Part I covers research methods, and Part II covers 20% of the overall marks for the course. part II will be taught for about three weeks at the beginning of the semester.
Part I of the course is tailored in such a way that by the end of it, students with different academic backgrounds will be qualified to follow a proper and scientific route on their way to the writing of their master and/or other researches. The following main topics will be covered:
(i) The nature of social surveys.
(ii) Planning of social surveys.
(iii) Coverage of social surveys.
(iv) Basic ideas of sampling.
(v) Types of sample design.
(vi) Other aspects of sampling.
(vii) Methods of collecting the information, documents and observations mailed questionnaires interviewing.
(viii) Questionnaires
(ix) Response errors.
(x) Data processing.
(xi) Data analysis, interpretation. and presentation, and, (xii)
Practical; research practice.
Part II: Basic Mathematics cover the following:
Variables and constants. Continuous and discrete representations. Equations and Inequalities. Types of series. Growth curves and their implications. Linear transformations. Linear and curvilinear relationships. Slopes/gradients. Simple polynomials. Interpolation. Extrapolation and graduation.
5. PDRH 405: General Applied statistics
The course is intended to introduce students to a range of statistical ideas and techniques. The emphasis is primarily on the underlying conceptual framework of various statistical main themes.
Summarizing Data:
(a) Frequency Distributions:
(i) The nature of statistical data.
(ii) Listing of numeric data.
(iii) Graphical presentations.
(b) Measures of location:
(i) Population and samples.
(ii) Mean, median, mode and other measures.
(c) Measures of variation:
(i) The range.
(ii) the variance and the standard deviation.
(iii) Relative variation.
• Possibilities and Probabilities.
(a) Counting:
(i) Permutation and Combinations.
(ii) Classical and imperial definitions of probability.
(b) Rules of probability:
(i) Sample space and events.
(ii) Conditional probability.
(iii) Bay’s theorem.
(c) Expectation and Decision:
(i) Mathematical Expectation.
(ii) Decision making.
(iii) Statistical decision making.
(iv) Statistical decision problems.
Probability Distributions:
(a) Random variables:
(i) Probability distribution . The mean and variance of a probability distribution.
(b) Discrete Probability Distributions:
(i) The Binomial Distribution.
(ii) The Poisson Distribution.
(c) Continuous probability distributions:
(i) The Normal Distribution.
(ii) t-distribution.
(iii) Chi-square distribution.
(iv) F-distribution.
6. PDRH 501: Advanced Demographic Techniques
The major influence of population trends on social and economic development is now widely recognized. Unfortunately, the data available for making estimates of population parameters are fragmentary and subject to biases of unknown magnitude. This course introduces a variety of techniques for estimating levels of fertility and mortality and migration from incomplete or defective data. The course contents are as follows:
• Some General Considerations.
• Fertility Estimation:
(i) Retrospective and Current Fertility.
(ii) Use of primary information.
(iii) Birth order Techniques for defective Vital Registration Data.
(iv) The Analysis of Maternal Histories.
• Mortality Estimation:
(i) Mortality Estimates from children Ever Born and children surviving.
(ii) Maternal Orphan-hood.
(iii) Mortality Estimate Tables based on Maternal Orphan-hood.
(iv) Paternal Orphan-hood Estimates.
(v) The sisterhood Method for estimating maternal mortality ratio.
• The Logit System:
(i) Mortality Estimates of the Logit system.
(ii) Use of the Logit sys tem.
(iii) Estimating Mortality from data in two successive censuses.
(iv) Estimating Mortality from Deficient Registration Data.
(v) Use of the Quasi-Stable population Theory.
(vi) Mortality Models based on the Logit System.
• Some Applications of The Brass Methods To Data From Latin America And Africa.
7. PDRH 502: Population and Development
• Historical Perspective:
(i) Historical Experience of western Europe.
(ii) The Malthusians and the Neo Malthusians.
(iii) The theory of Demographic Transition.
• Links Between Population And Development:
(i) Population of western Europe.
(ii) The fertility and Economic Development.
(iii) Gender Relations and population.
• Population Growth And Structure:
(i) Causes of decline in mortality in developing countries.
(ii) Recent downward trends in fertility in developing countries.
(iii) Demographic processes for the age structure.
• Population And Sectoral Development:
(i) Health, Population and Development.
(ii) Population growth and development.
(iii) Food Agriculture and Population
(iv) Migration, Urbanization and regional planning.
• Population Policies And Programmes:
(i) Demographic objectives of population policies.
(ii) Ethical cultural social and political aspects of population.
(iii) International conferences on population.
8. PDRH 503: Substantive Demography
(i) Levels trends differentials in mortality fertility and migration with their antecedents and consequences.
(ii) Major theoretical frameworks in each of the above areas. With special emphasis on fertility.
(iii) con temporary population issues policies and programmes and the ICPD consensus and its implications.
(iv) Regional and global perspectives emanating from the contemporary growth differentials and their social and economic and political implication.
(v) Prospects for the future directions in each of the three demographic phenomena, taken collectively and severally.
(vi) Emerging regional and global consensus on the relevance of population and development issues.
9. PDRH 504: Quantitative Methods
This course addresses the methods for integrating population variable into development planning. Simple modelling exercises will be used to provide an orientation to the nature of interrelationship between population and selected aspects of development. The course consists of three sections (parts). Section one is designed to cover, in not more than five lectures, the topic of Applied Regression Analysis. Section Two covers the Population and Development Projection Methods (ADPM); and Section Three deals with SPSS for windows.
Section One: Applied Regression Analysis
• Regression:
(i) Curve fitting;
(ii) The method of least squares;
(iii) Regression Analysis;
(iv) Multiple regression; Nonlinear Regression.
(v) Logistic regression.
(vi) Analysis of covariance.
• Correlation:
(i) The coefficient of correlation.
(ii) The interpretation of r.
(iii) Correlation analysis; correlation of count data; Multiple and partial correlation.
Section Two: Population and Development Projection Methods
The United Nations software enables students make population projection under different scenarios at both national and household levels. National, regional and sample data will be used to implement the soft-ware. The following topics will be covered
Overview of, PDPM/PC:
(i) What is PDPM/PC?
(ii) Accessing PDPM.
(iii) The command menu.
(iv) Entering data in menu screen.
(v) The scenario structure of PDPM.
Working with PD PM/PC:
(i) The modular structure of PDPM/PC.
(ii) Entering the scenario data.
(iii) Saving the scenario data.
(iv) Making a projection results.
(v) Browsing.
Projection Methods Reference:
(i) Population Projection Module.
(ii) Household projection module.
Section Three: SPSS for Windows By the end of this course section students are expected to be able to manage files and statistically analyze their data using SPSS. Prior computer experience is not necessary. This and section two will be taught in the computer laboratory and student will be given generous time for practical applications.
The main topics of this section include:
(i) Overview of SPSS for windows.
(ii) Data files and data editor.
(iii) output and syntax windows.
(iv) Data transformation.
(v) File handling and trans formation.
(vi) Data tabulation and descriptive statistics.
(vii) Other statistical analysis.
(viii) SPSS graphics.
10. PDRH 505: Reproductive Health and Human Reproduction
This is the second and more advanced course in a series of two courses on reproductive health (RH):
(i) Public Health delivery systems and RH.
(ii) FP interventions and RH.
(iii) problems and issues in the measurement of reproductive health.
(iv) Methods of measurement of RH, and flaws in the basic data collection system.
(v) incidence and prevalence of HI V/AIDS and STDs including cross-cultural perspective.
(vi) RH and maternal mortality.
(vii) RH and infant and child mortality.
(viii) Implication of STDS, H AIDS at social, cultural, economic, individual and community levels.
(ix) Field reports on RH based on selected health delivery points.
Third Semester ( For M. Sc. Candidates Only):
One required elective course and one elected course from PDRH 601 To PDRH 611 in addition to PDRII 605 are compulsory.
1. DPRH 601: Project Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation The course will revolve around population projects including reproductive health projects. It will examine basic elements of project formulation such as:
(i) background,
(ii) justification,
(iii) objectives,
(iv) main implementation strategy,
(v) sponsorship,
(vi) execution and implementing agencies.
(vii) work plan
(viii) budget
(ix) reports and the like.
In addition the course will cover measures procedure and techniques for monitoring and evaluation of project.
2. PDRH 602: Advanced Statistical Methods for Demographers
(i) Loglinear Models and analysis.
(ii) Survival analysis
(iii) Hazards Module Analysis.
(iv) Logistic regression with applications.
3. PDRH 603: Population Polices and Population Trends
(i) A survey of the formal and informal official polices and practices which influence the determinants of Populations trends and disruptions, i.e. mortality, fertility and migration.
(ii) Population polices and development polices.
(iii) Population Polices and Reproductive Health in developing countries. Factors in the success/failure of population polices potential and actual role of development and institutional changes affecting rates population growth in Africa.
4. PDRH 604: Population Geography
The spatial and ecological approach will be emphasized. The main themes will include:
(i) Population distribution.
(ii) settlement patterns and their interrelationships,
(iii) environmental perceptions, quality, and conservation.
These themes will be treated from cross-cultural, interregional, intra regional, national and international perspectives.
5. PDRH 605 Math: Mathematical Demography
Application of mathematical models and simulation techniques to fertility, mortality and migration. Emphasis will be on models simple to use, and at least as accurate as conventional procedures
6. PDRH 606: Study of Urbanization
(i) Concept and definition of urbanization and urban centres.
(ii) Urbanization in developing countries with special reference to African countries.
(iii) Cities and hinterland.
(iv) The transition from an agrarian to an urban society.
(v) Changes in the social and economic organization of rural and urban sectors, of social and economic sectors, and of modern and moderzing societies.
(vi) The rapid rate of urban growth in developing countries and the demographic and other factors responsible for it.
(vii) Urbanization and politics.
(viii) Urbanization and constraints on services.
7. PDRH 607: Population and Environment
(i) Ecological and other related perspective on population.
(ii) The interrelationship of population and environment.
(iii) Emergent problems of development and environment.
(iv) Carrying capacity and other environmental constraints.
(v) National and international consequences of environmental deterioration.
(vi) Need for international consensus on environmental issues and concern.
8. PDRH 608: Population and Resources:
(i) Types of resources: human, physical and others, renewable and non renewable.
(ii) Major theoretical frameworks.
(iii) Resources as facilitating and/or constraining factor in economic and social development.
(iv) Global and regional perspectives on resource utilization and distribution.
(v) Resource transfers
(vi) Human resource and development. .
9. PDRH 609: Population and Health
(i) Health as a basic right and its programmatic implications.
(ii) Health delivery strategies and systems and constraints faced by developing countries.
(iii) Health reproductive health, morbidity and mortality.
(iv) Economic and social costs of high morbidity and low longevity
(v) Health implications of the early stages of demographic transition.
(vi) Global, regional and national efforts of containing epidemics.
(vii) Modernization and its health implications.
(viii) Health of groups with special needs.
10. PDRH 610: Population and Education
(i) Education as a basic right.
(ii) Education: levels, trend and differentials.
(iii) Education in the early stages of demographic transition.
(iv) Education and modernization.
(v) Educational demands competing for scarce national resources.
(vi) Major educational strategies.
(vii) Adult and functional education.
(viii) Education and employment in developing countries.
(ix) Education and migration.
(x) Future of formal education at various levels.
(xi) Measurement and estimation of school-age populations.
11. PDRH 611: Study of Labour Force and Employment
(i) Economic activity and its measurement.
(ii) Labour force approach and other measurement techniques.
(iii) Education in the early stages of demographic transition.
(iv) Education and modernization.
(v) Educational demands competing for scarce national resources.
(vi) Major educational strategies.
(vii) Adult in functional education.
(viii) Education and employment in developing countries.
(ix) Education and migration.
(x) Measurement and estimation of school age populations.
(xi) Comparative study of LF in different parts of the world.
(xii) IF in the development context.
(xiii) Structure of LF and demographic transition.
(xiv) Female participation and modernization of LF.
(xv)Employment, under — employment and disemployment.
(xvi) Employment in formal and informal sector.
(xvii) Disproportionate growth of services and informal sectors in developing countries.
(xviii) Manpower planning and utilization in developing countries.
(xix) Working life tables.
12. PDRH 620: Seminar on Population and Development and Reproductive Issues (compulsory).
Some of the preferred areas include:
(i) Family and Reproductive health.
(ii) Population, environment and sustainable Development.
(iii) Economic Growth and structural change.
(v) Nutrition, immunization and child survival.
(vi) Population Dynamics and development.
(vii)Urbanization and migration.
(viii) Population ,culture and STDS/ HIV/ AIDS.
(x) Family structure and composition.
(xi) Maternal morbidity and mortality.
(xii) Infant and child mortality.
(xiii) Reproductive Health including R Harmful Traditional
Practices, Women empowerment and gender.
(xiv) Poverty and socio-economic correlates.
(xv) Indirect Demographic Estimation.
(xvi) Population communication.
(xvii) Population and peace.
13. PDRH 650: Thesis/Dissertation
Supervised research with a member of academic staff which is developed into a thesis/dissertation.
Master Program By Research
The PSC provides opportunities for candidates with at least second lower honors degree in any of population thematic areas for masters degree by research.
The Ph. D. Programme
The Centre also provides opportunities for Ph. D. in Population and Development and Reproductive Health.
Last year we succeeded in securing two Ph. D. fellowships from UNFPA and the candidates who where lucky to win the fellowships are really now doing distinguished work. Currently there are three students who are registered in the Ph. D. programme. Our decision to support more newly admitted students with full fellowships will continue.
We hope that our previous students contribute in this increase so that the tradition of excellence in graduate education in the PSC continues to grow.
In-Service Short Term Training
The centre has gained substantial experience in short term-training for the in-service government employees. The training programme on integrating demographic variables in economic planning covered nine of the northern states. The centre is working to utilize this vast experience in a new programme that will be directed to schools targeting youth and adolescents. We hope to find fund for this important programme from international donors as the ICPD+ 10 slogan has focused on this particular topic.