Sweden

This course provides the basic knowledge of different forms of international standards, how those standards are made and enforced, and how and why they have impacts on what countries do at home and abroad. It covers international rules governing issues such as human rights, trade, climate, and the use of force in resolving disputes between countries and how they affect the day-to-day lives of people and communities all over the world.

Time series analysis concerns the mathematical modeling of time-varying phenomena, e.g., ocean waves, water levels in lakes and rivers, demand for electrical power, radar signals, muscular reactions, ECG signals, or option prices at the stock market. The structure of the model is chosen both concerning the physical knowledge of the process, as well as using observed data. Central problems are the properties of different models and their prediction ability, estimation of the model parameters, and the model's ability to accurately describe the data. Consideration must be given to both the need for fast calculations and the presence of measurement errors. The course gives a comprehensive presentation of stochastic models and methods in time series analysis. Time series problems appear in many subjects and knowledge from the course is used in, i.e., automatic control, signal processing, and econometrics.

This course provides the technical expertise on various thermal and power cycle technologies as well as the tools needed to assess and evaluate various optimized solutions. The course builds upon previous knowledge in thermodynamics theory and cycle analysis.

This course focuses on how a solar heating system can be integrated into and cooperate with a building's main energy system. An important part of the course is to teach the uses of simulation programs for investigating the performance of the solar system. The course covers the following topics: basic energy knowledge and the problems connected to the use of energy; radiation physics, the annual irradiance distribution and the climatic conditions for using solar energy in Sweden, calculation of solar angels and the irradiance on different surfaces; performance and efficiency of different types of solar collectors; material and optical properties of different types of energy-efficient surfaces; the function and performance of the components in a solar thermal system; system design of small and large solar thermal systems; building integration of solar systems; and the use of simulation programs for estimation of annual and monthly performance of solar thermal systems. The course includes laboratory lessons, computer simulations, and study visits to solar thermal installations. The recommended background is basic knowledge in mathematics, building and service installations, and thermodynamics as well as experience in using calculation programs such as e.g. Excel or Matlab.

Health economics encompasses both economic analyses of health and health care. This course provides knowledge of how economic theory and methodology can help us understand the underlying conditions and characteristics of health care. The different areas of health economics, such as the demand for health, health care, and health insurance, providers in health care, the physician-patient relationship, the organization and financing of health care, economic evaluation, and equity issues are discussed. Illustrations are frequently taken from the problems and reforms in Swedish health care. Gender-related aspects are taken into consideration. The course includes guest lectures by health economists working outside academia. Economic evaluation is a particular focus of the course.

The course covers basic knowledge about immunology, and how different barriers interact to protect the host from infection or the development of cancer. Central and peripheral tolerance is discussed and placed concerning susceptibility to infection and hypersensitivity reactions. The principles of immunization are discussed and related to the vaccination debate in society and the role of the mass media in influencing public opinion.

The course covers human psychological development from childhood to old age and methods used in research in development psychology. It describes theoretical perspectives on personality and related fields of application. The course consists of four modules, this is the second module: Development in Adults. The module covers development during adulthood and the aging process based on theories of developmental, personality, and social psychology. Different aspects of aging are addressed, such as stress, mental and physical health, and ill health.