Courses
Public Health
5001. Fundamentals of Public Health (3
s.h.)
This course encompasses historical and sociocultural approaches
to understanding public health and bioethics. Emphasis is on
understanding public health systems from the dawn of history
to the 21st century and the evolution of bioethical issues
including the application of bioethical principles, regulations
and strategies in research and health practice. This seminar
emphasizes the integration of conceptual and experiential learning.
This is reflected in the course design and in teaching and
learning processes.
5002. Biostatistics (3
s.h.)
Introduction to applied biostatistics as used in research in
public health. Statistical methods used for descriptive and
analytic research, inferential statistics, surveillance systems
and statistical software used in public health.
5004. Stress and Change (3
s.h.)
Impact of stress on physical and emotional health and quality
of life. Focus on the causes, types and physiology of stress
and stress reduction methods including relaxation, biofeedback,
fear control, cognitive restructuring, social psychological
interventions in community settings.
5008. Seminar in International
Health (3 s.h.)
Global public health issues including morbidity and mortality
across the life-span for populations, strategies to improve
health status and role of governmental and non-governmental
international organizations in public health.
5101. Epidemiology (3
s.h.)
Prerequisite: Matriculation in
Environmental Health, Public Health, or Health
Studies or permission of instructor.
Introduction to descriptive and analytical epidemiology. Concepts
and methods used in public health with emphasis on the calculation
and interpretation of indices of community health, morbidity
and mortality rates, age-adjustment, risk ratios and sensitivity
and specificity and predictive value of screening tests. Overview
of epidemiological research designs, surveillance systems,
and evidence-based practice guidelines.
Note: Introductory course for students in public health and related fields. Master's and doctoral students who have strong quantitative skills and plan to conduct epidemiological research should enroll in PH 5201.
5102. Theoretical Foundations
of Health Behavior (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: Matriculation in
Environmental Health, Public Health, or Health
Studies or permission
of instructor.
Theories of decision-making related to health behavior. Emphasis
on the dynamic interaction of attitudes, values, situational
factors and other factors that influence health promoting and
health damaging behavior.
5103. Environmental
Health (3 s.h.)
This course explores the effects of interactions between the
environment and human health, and the ways that adverse effects
may be mitigated. Environmental health hazards, including chemical,
biological, and physical pollutants in air, water, soil, and
food are addressed, as are risk analysis and risk communication
as applied to environmental health. Examines how problems and
solutions are identified globally, nationally, and locally.
The use of biological and chemical agents as weapons is also
explored. This course is available online.
5104. Models for Teaching
Health and Patient Education (3
s.h.)
Description and application of teaching models used in health
and patient education in communities, health care systems,
and schools. Emphasis on creating learning environments, communication
skills, tailoring for diverse populations, teaching techniques.
5112. Public Health
Program Evaluation (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: PH 5101 and PH 8111 or equivalent
with permission of instructor.
Research methods and techniques used to evaluate public health
programs. Students develop an evaluation design, including
defined evaluation questions, study design, specific measures
and methods and human subjects protocols.
5201. Epidemiological Research Methods I (3 s.h.)
This course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of conducting epidemiologic research and protocol development. It covers definitions of epidemiology; measures of disease frequency and risk assessment; measures of effect and association; epidemiologic study designs, including randomized clinical trials, cohort, case-control studies, and cross-sectional surveys; assessment of screening programs; an overview of the role of bias and confounding in epidemiologic study results; and analytic techniques, including modeling using multiple variables, survival analysis, and issues related to quality assurance.
Note: This course is the introductory epidemiology course for students in the M.S. in Epidemiology or related public health degree programs that require advanced quantitative methods. May be taken in place of PH 5101 for students in the M.P.H., M.S.EH and Ph.D. programs.
5202. Epidemiological Research Methods II (3 s.h.)
The main objective of the course is to expose students to a variety of key epidemiologic concepts and the use of these concepts when designing and analyzing epidemiologic studies. By exposing students to more advanced concepts in epidemiology, the course builds on material presented in PH670: Epidemiologic Research Methods 1, and introduces a more thorough assessment of confounding, interaction, bias, and issues related to quality control and measurement of risk. In addition, this course introduces concepts such as multivariate modeling using logistic and log linear regression and survival analysis. Although the course is organized around the presentation and discussion of advanced concepts in epidemiology, it also presents analytic techniques and epidemiologic methods that have been selected because they are widely used, can be applied by students, and serve as fairly simple models, thereby providing a sound introduction to understanding more advanced statistical techniques using SPSS.
5203. Public Health Surveillance Methods (3 s.h.)
The content of this course illustrates concepts, methods, and strategies used in epidemiology studies, beyond the principles discussed in PH 5101. Topics include basic study designs, analysis of birth cohorts, measures of disease frequency and association, bias, confounding effect modification/interaction, stratification and adjustment, quality control, causal relationship, and reporting of epidemiologic results. Due to the focus of this course being on observational studies, issues related to randomized clinical trials (RCT) are not covered in this course.
5204. Mental Health Epidemiology (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: PH 5101 or PH 5201 or permission of instructor.
Epidemiology of psychiatric disturbances, including alcohol and other drug dependencies, psychosocial aspects of health and illness. Emphasis on epidemiologic methods and theories in psychosocial and mental health research.
5208. Database Management and Analysis ( 3 s.h.)
As part of this course, students obtain a working knowledge of SAS. Items covered include data import, data merging and data cleaning skills, generating descriptive statistics, basic data display, and selected SAS procedures and functions. The course is hands-on and lab driven, with applied research experience gained through the requirement of a final data analysis project. Emphasis is placed on the development and management of population-based, research-oriented databases within the Windows environment.
5301. Industrial Hygiene (3
s.h.)
Anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of occupational
and environmental health hazards. Topics include recognition
of hazards from chemical, physical, and biological agents;
analytical and survey methods of hazard evaluation; and engineering
solutions, administrative actions, and personal protective
equipment for hazard control. This course is available online.
5302. Industrial Safety (3
s.h.)
In-depth presentation of the safety hazards that can be found
in a work environment, and methods for their control. Students
identify different classes of safety hazards, and design
and present solutions for them.
5303. Radiological Health (3
s.h.)
This course explores the physical nature and the biological
and health effects of ionizing and nonionizing radiation. Topics
include nuclear reactions, the sources and nature of natural
and induced radioactivity, methods of radiation detection and
determination, and the practice of radiological safety. A laboratory
exercise provides familiarization with instruments for detection
and determination, and demonstrates the properties of ionizing
radiation. This course is available online.
5304. Environmental Noise (3
s.h.)
This course addresses the physics of noise, the physiology
of hearing, and the nature of noise-induced hearing loss. It
explores the recognition, evaluation, prevention, and control
of noise in the workplace and community, with emphasis on preventing
noise-induced hearing loss and other adverse health effects
of noise. This course is available online
5305. Environmental Toxicology (3
s.h.)
A review of the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion
of environmental toxicants. Methods used to measure acute and
chronic toxicity, including carcinogenesis, are explored.
5306. Analytical Instrumentation (3
s.h.)
Sampling and analysis of chemical and physical agents using
laboratory-based methods and real-time monitoring. Sample collection
and proper handling. Analytical applications of absorption
spectroscopy in the ultraviolet, visible and infrared; atomic
absorption; emission spectroscopy; mass spectrometry; separation
methods, including liquid chromatography.
5307. Industrial Ventilation (3
s.h.)
The use of ventilation to maintain suitable environmental conditions
in work areas. Topics include dilution ventilation; comfort
ventilation; local exhaust ventilation system design, including
fan, duct, and hood selection; and ventilation system testing.
This course is available online.
5308. Medical Aspects
of Occupational Health (3 s.h.)
The physiology and the relationship to occupational health
of the following: allergies; cardiovascular system; ear, nose,
and throat; eye; hematology; lung; neurology; neuromuscular-skeletal
system; occupational hepatitis; psychiatry; and skin.
5309. Ergonomics: Human
Factors in Occupational Health (3
s.h.)
This course covers both the observational, programmatic elements
and the technical tools of ergonomics, including a number of
computer-based applications for assessing specific situations.
Ergonomic concepts and solutions are discussed covering low
back pain, manual handling tasks, cumulative trauma disorders,
repetitive tasks, human fatigue, job design, anthropometry,
workplace design, human error, equipment design, vibration,
and illumination. This course is available online.
5401. Curriculum Construction
in Health Education (3 s.h.)
In-depth examination of constructing, delivering and evaluating
curricula. Provides opportunity to develop curricular materials
for teaching in school situations.
5500. Seminar in Current
Issues in Public Health (3 s.h.)
Seminar topics rotate to address current issues in public health
research, policy and practice.
8001. Research Design
in Public Health (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: PH 5101 and 6 s.h.'s of graduate
statistics.
Design seminar integrates research and statistical methods
by comparing the appropriateness and feasibility of alternate
design strategies commonly used in public health research.
Covers the components of the PHS 398 research proposal including
requirements for NIH certification for protection of human
subjects. Students complete research concept papers in
preparation for the HRP 952 Research Seminar.
8002. Research Seminar
in Health Studies (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: PH 8001 or permission of instructor.
Research seminar on linkages between theory and research in
social and behavioral health studies. Required for Ph.D. students
prior to taking the preliminary examinations; may be repeated
for credit.
8003. Political-Economic
Aspects of Public Health (3 s.h.)
Survey of the political and economic aspects of public heatlh
systems, practice, research.
8006. Addictions and
Dependencies (3 s.h.)
Social, psychological, cultural, clinical, and biological factors
associated with addictions and dependencies, including the
use of psychoactive drugs and lifestyle behaviors. Review of
prevention and treatment approaches based on the causes and
correlates of addictions and dependencies.
8007. Seminar in Maternal
and Child Health (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: Matriculation in Environmental Health, Public Health, or Health
Studies or permission
of instructor.
Seminar on social, economic, and political issues in maternal
and child health policies from the national to agency levels.
Students undertake an analysis of a MCH issue using a policy
analysis framework developed throughout the seminar. Includes
definitions of MCH, the organization and funding of services,
literacy and cultural issues and the evidence base for policies
and programs.
8009. Health Psychology (3 s.h.)
Through class lecture, readings, and discussions, students will learn how characteristics of persons (e.g., personality, behavior, coping, biological reactivity) and their environments (e.g., stress, social support) influence health outcomes at the individual and population level. In addition, the course examines the potential of health psychology to explain population-level health problems and to ameliorate public health problems through behavioral and community-based interventions.
8011. Social Determinants of Health (3 s.h.)
8012. Multivariate Biostats (3 s.h.)
The objective of the course is to provide basic theory and application of regression models, analysis of variance, nonparametric statistics, and survival analysis applied to the analysis of population-based data. The emphasis will be on generating and interpreting results and health related applications rather than statistical theory. The course is designed for graduate students in public health who are already familiar with basic statistical concepts, including descriptive statistics, the components of statistical inference (p-values, hypothesis tests, confidence intervals, etc), as well as concepts of confounding and effect modification.
8105. Health Communication (3
s.h.)
Levels of communication processes and effects in 1) intrapersonal
health communication related to personality, attitudes, cognitive
style, and quality of life; 2) interpersonal communication in
the patient-caregiver relationships including dynamics of stress,
conflict, and social support; 3) organizational communication
in health-care settings; 4) mass communication processes including
media campaigns to promote good health and disease prevention;
and 5) risk communication across settings and strategies.
8111. Public Health
Program Planning (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: Matriculation in Environmental Health, Public Health, or Health
Studies or permission
of instructor.
Program planning in public health practice. Analysis of national
health objectives and their applications at the state and community
levels. Emphasis on program planning as a change strategy to
alter knowledge, attitudes, and health behavior to achieve
positive health outcomes.
8202. Epidemiological Research Methods II (3 s.h.)
8205. Chronic Disease Epidemiology
This intermediate course will cover selected topics in chronic disease epidemiology through critical examination of the current literature. Students will have the opportunity to study methodological issues, strategies for prevention, and contemporary issues in research. Coronary heart disease, cancer, diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders, chronic lung diseases and others will be addressed.
8206. Infectious Disease Epidemiology (3 s.h.)
8207. Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology (3 s.h.)
This intermediate course will cover selected topics in occupational and environmental epidemiology through a focus on specific health outcomes, such as non-malignant respiratory diseases, cancer, and musculoskeletal disorders, within the context of particular study designs or exposures. Students will have the opportunity to critically examine the current literature, and to study contemporary issues in research. Exposure assessment, biomarkers and emerging diseases within the context of the workplace and the environment will be addressed.
8209. Epidemiology of of HIV/AIDS (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: PH 5101 or PH 5201 or permission of instructor.
Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS. Application of epidemiological principles and concepts in infectious disease epidemiology with emphasis on surveillance, research, prevention, and control.
9083. Readings and
Conference in Public Health (3
s.h.)
Advanced tutorial in public health with an appropriate faculty
member.
Note: Requires written contract with the supervising faculty member and approval of Advisor and the Director of Graduate Programs.
9189. MPH Capstone
Seminar (3 s.h.)
Required of M.P.H. students during final year of study. Seminar
includes integration of coursework, practice skills to develop
a fieldwork project or internship in a public health agency.
9289. MPH Fieldwork
I (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: PH 9189.
Fieldwork project or internship in a public health agency.
Includes seminars, oral and written reports of progress and
joint supervision by a preceptor and faculty member.
9389. MPH Fieldwork
II (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: PH 9189; may be taken concurrently
with PH 9289.
Evaluation of the fieldwork project or internship using a full
range of research methodologies. Data are collected, analyzed
and reported in a comprehensive final report. Oral and/or poster
presentations are presented to public health organizations.
Includes a final oral defense of the project or internship.
9583. Independent Research
in Public Health (2-12 s.h.)
Independent research in public health supervised by an appropriate
faculty member.
Note: Requires written contract with the faculty member supervising the research, human subjects certification and documentation of IRB approval, approval of Advisor and Director of Graduate Programs.
9991. Independent Project
in Environmental Health (1-3 s.h.)
Under the direction of an appropriate graduate faculty member,
students tie together their coursework in a project that poses
a problem, gathers data to help analyze the problem, and provides
a solution.
Note: Enrollment must be approved by Advisor and Director of Graduate Programs.
9994. Preliminary Examination
Preparation (1 s.h.)
Prerequisite: All coursework for degree.
Preparation for taking the preliminary examinations in Health
Studies. To enroll, students must have completed all required
coursework for the Ph.D. and obtain the approval of the Ph.D.
Program Director. Students must be enrolled to take the preliminary
examinations.
9996. Master's Thesis
in Public Health (3-6 s.h.)
Limited to students who fulfill the master's degree by writing
a thesis.
9998. Pre-Dissertation
Research (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: Completion of Preliminary
Examinations.
Preparation of the dissertation proposal. Required for students
who have passed the preliminary examinations and who have not
yet defended the dissertation proposal.
9999. Doctoral Dissertation
in Health Studies or Public Health (3-6 s.h.)
Prerequisite: Advanced to candidacy with
approved dissertation proposal.
Limited to Ph.D. candidates who have completed and defended
a dissertation proposal that is filed with the Graduate School
by the last day to add a course in the semester. Continuous
registration in 9999 fall and spring is required until the dissertation
is successfully defended.
0962. Master`s Continuing
Research (1 s.h.)
Continuing research supervised by an appropriate faculty member.
Note: Requires written contract with Advisor and approval of the Director of Graduate Programs.