Spring/Summer Term Courses

BIOSTAT499: Transforming Analytical Learning in the Era of Big Data

• Undergraduate level
• Residential
• Spring-Summer term(s) for residential students;
• 3 credit hour(s) for residential students;
• Instructor(s): Matt Zawistowski (Residential);
• Prerequisites: Admission to BDSI Program
• Description: The "Transforming Analytical Learning in the Era of Big Data" course is a a six week undergraduate summer program that exposes students to diverse techniques, skills and problems in the field of Big Data and Human Health. Students receive a broad and interdisciplinary introduction to statistical theory and concepts during morning lectures led by faculty from across campus. Afternoons are spent in small faculty-mentored research groups analyzing real big datasets to address focused research questions. The course also includes professional development designed to prepare students for the graduate school application process.
• Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the course, students will have the skills required to pursue graduate studies in Big Data science.

BIOSTAT591: Introduction to R

• Graduate level
• Online MPH only
• This is a first year course for Online students
• Spring-Summer term(s) for online MPH students;
• 2 credit hour(s) for online MPH students;
• Instructor(s): Philip Boonstra (Online MPH);
• Prerequisites: None
• Description: This is a two-credit hour course preparing students enrolled in the online MPH and MS programs -- Biostatistics concentration to be 'data-ready' using the R statistical environment.
• Learning Objectives: Understanding the need to plot data Matching graphical techniques and data type Creating your set of 'go-to' graphical tools Understand the limitations of 'point and click' Incorporating the tidyverse into R Turning your "data" into data Learning R's capabilities Asking the right questions in R Writing reproducible R code Writing shareable R code CEPH learning objectives 1. Select quantitative and qualitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context 2. Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming and software, as appropriate 3. Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy or practice

BIOSTAT592: Applied Regression

• Graduate level
• Online MPH only
• This is a first year course for Online students
• Spring-Summer term(s) for online MPH students;
• 3 credit hour(s) for online MPH students;
• Instructor(s): Kelley Kidwell (Online MPH);
• Prerequisites: BIOSTAT 501, BIOSTAT 591
• Advisory Prerequisites: None
• Description: This course is designed to introduce linear regression using multiple variables to predict a continuous outcome. This course emphasizes the application of multiple linear regression to substantive public health problems focusing on interpretation and inference. We use RStudio to analyze public health datasets, evaluate regression assumptions, and assess model fit.
• Learning Objectives: 1. Explain the critical importance of evidence in advancing public health knowledge 2. Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy or practice

Concentration Competencies that BIOSTAT592 Allows Assessment On

Department	Program	Degree	Competency	Specific course(s) that allow assessment
Population and Health Sciences		MPH	Compare population health indicators across subpopulations, time, and data sources	PUBHLTH515, BIOSTAT592, EPID590, EPID592, EPID643, BIOSTAT595, BIOSTAT501
Population and Health Sciences		MPH	Estimate population health indicators from high quality data resources from diverse sources	PUBHLTH515, EPID643, NUTR590, BIOSTAT592, BIOSTAT501

BIOSTAT820: Readings in Biostatistics

• Graduate level
• Residential
• Fall, Winter, Spring-Summer term(s) for residential students;
• 1-4 credit hour(s) for residential students;
• Instructor(s): Staff (Residential);
• Prerequisites: None
• Description: Students assigned special topics for literature study under guidance of individual faculty members. May be elected more than once. Enrollment limited to biostatistics majors.

BIOSTAT840: Advanced Topics in Data Analysis

• Graduate level
• Residential
• Fall, Winter, Spring-Summer term(s) for residential students;
• 3 credit hour(s) for residential students;
• Instructor(s): Staff (Residential);
• Not offered 2024-2025
• Prerequisites: Biostat 650 and Biostat 651
• Description: Alternate methods of data analysis useful when data do not fulfill unusual assumptions of statistical tests. Using articles from the literature, students learn methods of data analysis more robust than usual methods and how to choose among them. Focuses on comparison of groups, ANOVA and regression.

BIOSTAT850: Research in Biostatistics

• Graduate level
• Residential
• Winter, Spring-Summer term(s) for residential students;
• 2-4 credit hour(s) for residential students;
• Instructor(s):
• Not offered 2024-2025
• Prerequisites: None
• Description: Research on selected topics involving the application of statistical methods to health problems. May be elected more than once. Enrollment limited to biostatistics majors.

BIOSTAT990: Dissertation/Pre-Candidacy

• Graduate level
• Residential
• Fall, Winter, Spring-Summer term(s) for residential students;
• 1-8 credit hour(s) for residential students;
• Instructor(s): Staff (Residential);
• Prerequisites: (1-8 Full term, 1-4 Half term)
• Description: Election for dissertation work by doctoral student not yet admitted to status as a candidate.

BIOSTAT995: Dissertation Research for Doctorate in Philosophy

• Graduate level
• Residential
• Fall, Winter, Spring-Summer term(s) for residential students;
• 1-8 credit hour(s) for residential students;
• Instructor(s): Staff (Residential);
• Prerequisites: Admission to Doctoral Program(1-8 Full term, 1-4 Half term)
• Description: Election for dissertation work by doctoral student who has been admitted to status as a candidate.

EHS578: Practical Projects

• Graduate level
• Residential
• Fall, Winter, Spring, Spring-Summer, Summer term(s) for residential students;
• 1-4 credit hour(s) for residential students;
• Instructor(s): Staff (Residential);
• Prerequisites: None
• Description: Practical Projects in the application of theory and principles of Environmental Health Sciences in public health settings. Course requirements include an approved practical work experience related to Environmental Health Sciences in consultation with a faculty advisor. May be elected more than once. Enrollment limited to Environmental Health Sciences majors with at least two full terms of prior registration.

EPID590: Epidemiological Methods

• Graduate level
• Online MPH only
• This is a first year course for Online students
• Spring-Summer term(s) for online MPH students;
• 3 credit hour(s) for online MPH students;
• Instructor(s): Sara Adar (Online MPH);
• Prerequisites: BIOSTAT 501, PUBHLTH 512
• Description: In this course, we will teach how epidemiologists study the frequency, patterns, and determinants of health in different populations. Students can expect to learn: The terminology, principles, and methods of population-based epidemiologic research; How to critically appraise epidemiological research. The course will be divided into the following three sections: Section 1 will serve as an introduction as to the way in which epidemiologists measure and describe trends in morbidity and mortality as well as the risk factors for these endpoints. In this section we ask: What are the trends? Do they differ by time or place? Where do we get the data to study these trends and how do we know if our information is any good? In Section 2, students will learn how epidemiologists conduct studies to try to understand causality. Here we address the following questions: What is causality? How do we design studies to determine if something increases or reduces the risk of morbidity or mortality? What are the measures that we use to characterize associations and how certain we are in those estimates? Section 3 teaches students to identify situations in which the data that we collect in epidemiological studies can mislead us and lead us to reach the wrong conclusions. Students will learn different types of problems that can bias our conclusions and will develop instincts as to the directionality and magnitude of these biases.
• Learning Objectives: Calculate and interpret measures of event frequency to describe population patterns of health-related risk factors and health-related outcomes in terms of person, place, and time. Identify an unusual occurrence of disease or illness (e.g., an outbreak or disease cluster); Recognize the characteristics that help to define causality; Describe the characteristics of different study designs; Choose an appropriate study design for a research question; Calculate and interpret measures of association between risk factors and outcomes; Compare the strengths and weaknesses of different study designs to assess causality; Identify sources of bias that can influence epidemiological findings; Predict directionality of known biases; Understand basic tools of causal inference in epidemiology; Critically appraise and analyze the weight of evidence for causal associations.

Concentration Competencies that EPID590 Allows Assessment On

Department	Program	Degree	Competency	Specific course(s) that allow assessment
Population and Health Sciences		MPH	Compare population health indicators across subpopulations, time, and data sources	PUBHLTH515, BIOSTAT592, EPID590, EPID592, EPID643, BIOSTAT595, BIOSTAT501

EPID591: Social Epidemiology: From Frameworks to Policy

• Graduate level
• Online MPH only
• This is a second year course for Online students
• Spring-Summer term(s) for online MPH students;
• 3 credit hour(s) for online MPH students;
• Instructor(s): Tyler James (Online MPH);
• Prerequisites: None
• Description: Why are some groups healthier than others, and how do these differences emerge and persist over the life course? How do social policies (e.g., housing, transportation, employment) relate to health and health inequalities? Why are there health disparities even in countries that have free universal health care? This course will address conceptual models for understanding health disparities in the US and internationally, how population science identifies the main sources of these disparities, and how public health can inform policy efforts to address these disparities.
• Learning Objectives: See competencies below.

Concentration Competencies that EPID591 Allows Assessment On

Department	Program	Degree	Competency	Specific course(s) that allow assessment
Population and Health Sciences		MPH	Recommend evidence-based interventions that engage broad and diverse community stakeholders for population health improvement	PUBHLTH515, EPID591, NUTR597, PUBHLTH511

EPID604: Applications of Epidemiology

• Graduate level
• Residential
• Fall, Winter, Spring, Spring-Summer, Summer term(s) for residential students;
• 1-4 credit hour(s) for residential students;
• Instructor(s): Staff (Residential);
• Prerequisites: Instructor Permission
• Description: Application of epidemiological methods and concepts to analysis of data from epidemiological, clinical or laboratory studies. Introduction to independent research and scientific writing under faculty guidance.
• Syllabus for EPID604

HBHEQ578: Practical Projects

• Graduate level
• Residential
• Fall, Winter, Spring, Spring-Summer, Summer term(s) for residential students;
• 1-3 credit hour(s) for residential students;
• Instructor(s): Staff (Residential);
• Prerequisites: None
• Description: Practical projects in the application of theory and principles of Health Behavior and Health Education to individual and community-based public health settings. Course requirements include an approved practical project related to Health Behavior and Health Education in consultation with a faculty advisor. THE EXPERIENCE IS REPORTED IN AN INTEGRATIVE PAPER DEMONSTRATING THE SCIENTIFIC APPLICATION OF HBHE THEORIES AND PRINCIPLES TO THE PRACTICAL PROJECT. May be elected more than once. Enrollment limited to Health Behavior and Health Education majors with at least two full terms of prior registration.

HBHEQ590: Principles of Community Engagement for Health Promotion

• Graduate level
• Online MPH only
• This is a first year course for Online students
• Spring-Summer term(s) for online MPH students;
• 3 credit hour(s) for online MPH students;
• Instructor(s): Paul Fleming (Online MPH);
• Prerequisites: None
• Advisory Prerequisites: None
• Description: This course will help students better prepare for engaging community members and community-based organizations for public health work. The course has three major focus areas: (1) Consideration of power, privilege, and social identities in community engagement, (2) Strategies for engaging stakeholders and building coalitions, (3) CBPR principles and other models of community engagement.
• Learning Objectives: By the end of the course, students are expected to: (1) Demonstrate critical self-reflection of how social identities, power, unearned advantage/disadvantage, and privilege impact community engagement work (2) Describe the ethical considerations for community engagement (autonomy vs. paternalism) (3) Apply the 9 principles of Community-based Participatory Research and its Core Components/Phases and how this fits with ethical considerations (4) Identify different types of stakeholder groups for a given health issue and motivations/perspectives of each (5) Strategize how to build a coalition for a specific health issue in a specific health setting (6) Demonstrate understanding of interpersonal skills required for effective community engagement

Concentration Competencies that HBHEQ590 Allows Assessment On

Department	Program	Degree	Competency	Specific course(s) that allow assessment
Population and Health Sciences		MPH	Design multisector collaborations that will support all phases of population health improvement (assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation)	PUBHLTH515, HBHEQ590, HBHEQ591, PUBHLTH511

HBHEQ591: Planning and Implementing Health Promotion Programs

• Graduate level
• Online MPH only
• This is a first year course for Online students
• Spring-Summer term(s) for online MPH students;
• 3 credit hour(s) for online MPH students;
• Instructor(s): William Lopez (Online MPH);
• Prerequisites: none
• Advisory Prerequisites: none
• Description: This course examines focuses on planning and implementing health promotion programs broadly defined, including health communication, health education, policy advocacy, environmental change, health service provision, and community mobilization. By the end of the course, students will understand and apply key concepts related to developing a health promotion program.
• Learning Objectives: Course Goals: By the end of this course, students should be able to: Describe approaches to health promotion programs; Identify a health issue and priority population; Consider historical and structural factors that may impact the priority population and/or the health promotion program; Critically assess the relevant literature; Develop a vision, SMART goals, and program objectives that address the health issue; Create program activities and evaluation plans that link to goals and objectives; Construct a program implementation timeline (i.e. Gantt Chart) and work plan; Calculate a budget and justify budgetary expenses; and Consider the needed membership for a multisector collaboration. By successfully completing this course, students will acquire the Following Foundational competencies: HBHE Concentration Competencies: Specify approaches for planning, implementing, and managing sociobehavioral health education-focused programs and/or policies to promote human health. Foundational Competencies: Design a population-based policy, program, project or intervention. Program Competencies: Design multisector collaborations that will support all phases of population health improvement (assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation). This course substantially covers material related to the following competencies: HBHE Concentration Competencies: Assess population needs, assets and capacities that affect communities’ health. By the end of this course, students will have been exposed to the following Foundational Learning Objectives:

Concentration Competencies that HBHEQ591 Allows Assessment On

Department	Program	Degree	Competency	Specific course(s) that allow assessment
Population and Health Sciences		MPH	Design multisector collaborations that will support all phases of population health improvement (assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation)	PUBHLTH515, HBHEQ590, HBHEQ591, PUBHLTH511

HBHEQ625: Research in Health Behavior

• Graduate level
• Residential
• Fall, Winter, Spring, Spring-Summer, Summer term(s) for residential students;
• 1-4 credit hour(s) for residential students;
• Instructor(s): Staff (Residential);
• Prerequisites: Perm. Inst.
• Description: Individual work on a problem in the area of health behavior relevant to program effectiveness in public health, under the tutorial guidance of an appropriate staff member. Regular conferences are arranged to discuss research designs, proposed problem solutions, methods for data collection and analysis. The investigation is reported in a paper, which may be submitted for publication. May be elected more than once.

HBHEQ644: Readings in Health Behavior and Health Education

• Graduate level
• Residential
• Fall, Winter, Spring, Spring-Summer, Summer term(s) for residential students;
• 1-6 credit hour(s) for residential students;
• Instructor(s): Staff (Residential);
• Prerequisites: Perm. Instr.
• Description: Review of literature on selected topics in health behavior, health education or related areas under guidance of faculty member. Critical analysis; written and oral reports. May be taken more than once for a total not to exceed 6 credit hours.

HBHEQ900: Research in Health Behavior and Health Education

• Graduate level
• Residential
• Fall, Winter, Spring, Spring-Summer, Summer term(s) for residential students;
• 2-6 credit hour(s) for residential students;
• Instructor(s): Staff (Residential);
• Prerequisites: None
• Description: Research work undertaken by doctoral students in collaboration with faculty advisers, including participation in on-going departmental research activities. Open only to doctoral students in Health Behavior and Health Education. May be elected more than once.

HBHEQ990: Dissertation/Pre-Candidate

• Graduate level
• Residential
• Fall, Winter, Spring-Summer term(s) for residential students;
• 1-8 credit hour(s) for residential students;
• Instructor(s): Staff (Residential);
• Prerequisites: None
• Description: Half Term (IIIA or IIIB, 1-4 credits) Election for dissertation work by doctoral students in Health Behavior and Health Education who are not yet admitted to status as a candidate.

HBHEQ995: Dissertation Research for Doctorate in Philosophy

• Graduate level
• Residential
• Fall, Winter, Spring-Summer term(s) for residential students;
• 8 credit hour(s) for residential students;
• Instructor(s): Staff (Residential);
• Prerequisites: None
• Description: Half Term (IIIA or IIIB, 1-4 credits) Election for dissertation work by doctoral students admitted to status as candidate.

HMP660: Economics Of Health Management And Policy I

• Graduate level
• Both Residential and Online MPH
• This is a second year course for Online students
• Fall, Spring-Summer term(s) for residential students; Fall term(s) for online MPH students;
• 2-3 credit hour(s) for residential students; 2 credit hour(s) for online MPH students;
• Instructor(s): Richard Hirth, Elisa Maffioli, (Residential); Richard Hirth (Online MPH);
• Prerequisites: Graduate standing
• Description: This course covers the principles of microeconomic theory and the fundamental concepts of the field of health economics. Purpose is to give students experience analyzing health management and health policy issues using economic tools.
• Residential Syllabus for HMP660

Concentration Competencies that HMP660 Allows Assessment On

Department	Program	Degree	Competency	Specific course(s) that allow assessment
HMP		MPH	Describe how basic microeconomic theory explains the influence of incentives on consumer, provider, and payer behaviors, costs, and other outcomes	HMP660

HMP690: Readings in Health Management and Policy

• Graduate level
• Residential
• Fall, Winter, Spring-Summer term(s) for residential students;
• 1-4 credit hour(s) for residential students;
• Instructor(s): Staff (Residential);
• Prerequisites: Grad Status and Perm Instr
• Description: Directed readings or research on selected topics and problems relevant to health management and policy. May be elected more than once.

HMP815: Readings in Medical Care

• Graduate level
• Residential
• Fall, Winter, Spring, Spring-Summer, Summer term(s) for residential students;
• 1-4 credit hour(s) for residential students;
• Instructor(s): Staff (Residential);
• Prerequisites: Perm Instr
• Description: Directed readings in special areas. May be elected more than once. Primarily for doctoral students in Health Services Organization and Policy.

HMP835: Research Practicum

• Graduate level
• Residential
• Fall, Winter, Spring-Summer term(s) for residential students;
• 3-6 credit hour(s) for residential students;
• Instructor(s): Staff (Residential);
• Prerequisites: HMP 809, Perm Instr
• Description: The purpose of this course is to allow each student, early in his or her doctoral career, to gain experience in the actual performance of health services research. The experience will enable students to build sound research skills and to gain knowledge of the nature of inquiry in their discipline as well as in the field of health services research. Each student in the HSOP program is expected to elect a total of 6 credits in HMP 835.

Concentration Competencies that HMP835 Allows Assessment On

Department	Program	Degree	Competency	Specific course(s) that allow assessment
HMP	Health Services Organization and Policy	PhD	Critically evaluate the prior literature in health services organization and policy, including motivation, theory, data quality, methods, results, conclusions, and policy recommendations	HMP802, HMP803, HMP804, HMP805, HMP806, HMP835
HMP	Health Services Organization and Policy	PhD	Develop research questions grounded in theory to expand knowledge about health services organization and policy	HMP802, HMP803, HMP804, HMP805, HMP806, HMP835
HMP	Health Services Organization and Policy	PhD	Create a rigorous study design to test the research questions posed and to understand the strengths and limitations of that study design	HMP826, HMP809, HMP835, HMP809
HMP	Health Services Organization and Policy	PhD	Apply advanced quantitative and/or qualitative methods appropriate for health services organization and policy research appropriately in one's own research	HMP826, HMP835
HMP	Health Services Organization and Policy	PhD	Disseminate rigorous research findings through clear, persuasive written and oral communication to both peers and non-technical audiences.	HMP826, HMP835

HMP990: Dissertation/Precandidates

• Graduate level
• Residential
• Fall, Winter, Spring, Spring-Summer, Summer term(s) for residential students;
• 1-8 credit hour(s) for residential students;
• Instructor(s): Staff (Residential);
• Prerequisites: None
• Description: Election for dissertation work by doctoral students not yet admitted to status as candidate.

HMP995: Dissertation Research for Doctorate in Philosophy

• Graduate level
• Residential
• Fall, Winter, Spring, Spring-Summer, Summer term(s) for residential students;
• 8 credit hour(s) for residential students;
• Instructor(s): Staff (Residential);
• Prerequisites: None
• Description: Election for dissertation work by doctoral students admitted as candidates

NUTR578: Practical Projects

• Graduate level
• Residential
• Fall, Winter, Spring-Summer term(s) for residential students;
• 1-4 credit hour(s) for residential students;
• Instructor(s): Staff (Residential);
• Prerequisites: None
• Description: Practical Projects is the application of theory and principles of Nutritional Sciences to individual community-based public health settings. Course requirements include an approved practical project related to Nutritional Sciences in consultation with a faculty advisor. The experience is documented in an integrative paper demonstrating the scientific application of NS theories and principles to the practical project. May be elected more than once. Enrollment is limited to NS students with at least two full terms completed prior to registration.

PUBHLTH796: Special Topics in Public Health

• Graduate level
• Residential
• Fall, Winter, Spring-Summer term(s) for residential students;
• 1-5 credit hour(s) for residential students;
• Instructor(s): Staff (Residential);
• Prerequisites: none
• Description: This course will be used by faculty members to teach special or emerging topics related to Public Health. The specific material and format will vary by semester and instructor.
• Learning Objectives: Will vary by topic and instructor.