Undergraduate engineering majors interested in global health may apply to enroll in CIGHT's Global Health Technologies (GHT) program. Through GHT, students engage in an intensive and immersive quarter-long course of study where they earn four course credits and work with front-line health care workers to develop medical devices designed specifically for the developing world. On-site work in the townships of Cape Town, South Africa, provides students with hands-on experience in developing and managing technology infrastructure to improve health outcomes in resource-poor environments.
University of Cape Town (UCT) faculty and local health professionals work closely with students throughout their stay. In conjunction with health care and health management projects, students also complete four required courses which emphasize problem definition, user-centered solutions and the utilization of appropriate technologies. Classes are taught on-site at the University of Cape Town.
Coursework
BME 388-SA: Healthcare in Resource Poor Environments (1 credit)
This course introduces the healthcare needs of developing countries and provides a basic introduction to medical and clinical terminology and problems. Site visits to hospital departments and community institutions are an integral part of the course.
BME 389-SA: Healthcare Technology Assessment and Planning (1 credit)
Students learn methods of macro- and micro-assessment and are introduced to concepts of cost-analysis as it relates to health status and health outcomes. The impact of technology life-cycles, innovation and application cycles, and approaches to technology transfer, strategic planning, healthcare technology policy, procurement process, standardization, and information resources are examined in the context of a resource poor environment.
BME 391-SA: Healthcare Technology Innovation and Design (1 credit)
This team-oriented, project-based course provides students with an introduction to the fundamentals of biomedical engineering design. Students work closely with faculty and health professionals with an emphasis on problem definition, user-centered solutions and the use of appropriate technologies.
GBL HLTH 314-SA: Health and Community Development in South Africa (1 credit)
This course explores health-related issues confronting South Africa, their social and economic impact, and efforts to address them, particularly within the context of apartheid and posttransition policies. Students learn about demographics, prevention, and treatment of both infectious and chronic noncommunicable diseases.
Information on application procedures, deadlines, and fees may be obtained from the International Program Development website.
