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Information on most instructors can be found by clicking on
the link attached to the individual faculty member's name.
(PHPM 512 for Epi/Biostat majors)
(PHPM
525 for Epi/Biostat majors)
The courses in health behavior, health
systems organization, and environmental health are organized in coordination
with PSU, and may be offered at any one time on either campus.
(Methods)(Causation)
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Instructor(s) Jay
D. Kravitz, MD, MPH
Credits: 3
Description: This course provides students with the challenge of applying
epidemiologic principles to problems and disease in developing nations and
in refugee situations. Instructors will present necessary facts regarding
each health problem or illness including data which students will analyze
epidemiolgically with the purpose of developing methods of control.
Prerequisites: PHPM 512 (Epidemiology
I), PHPM 525 (Biostatistics 1).
Instructor(s) Kevin Winthrop, MD
Credits: 2
This course provides students with an opportunity to apply epidemiologic
principles to infectious disease, including implementation of control measures
based on epidemiologic investigation. It includes a didactic section on
specific infectious diseases, followed by a classroom study of both endemic
and epidemic outbreaks. There will be in-class exercises on each of the
infectious diseases, including the testing of hypotheses based on epidemiologic
findings leading to a discussion of control measures.
Prerequisites: PHPM 512 (Epidemiology
I) or equivalent
Instructor(s) Kevin Winthrop, MD
Credits: 2
This course will be offered for up to 4 interested students concurrently enrolled in the Infectious Disease Epidemiology Course (PH 568). Introductory level course, presumes familiarity with basic epidemiologic concepts (e.g., risk/odds ratio, case-control and cohort study, statistical significance. Primarily for MPH students (and MD/MPH students) in Biostatistics and Epidemiology track, and medical students interested in preventive medicine and careers in public health. Students from other tracks and non-degree students welcome. Does not assume extensive knowledge of clinical medicine or immunology, though students will be expected to become familiar with the essential features of the diseases discussed.
Instructor(s): Donald
F. Austin, MD, MPH, Paul
Cieslak, MD
Credits: 3
This course is designed for MPH Epidemiology and Biostatistics majors. It covers
concepts of surveillance systems, both for diseases and for procedures. It is
textbook based [Teutsch and Churchill's Principles and Practice of Public Health
Surveillance], which covers basic surveillance principles applicable to infectious
and non-infectious diseases, and is supplemented by readings and handouts to
expand exposure to and understanding of the principles of the full scope surveillance.
Students will gain familiarity with surveillance methods such as sentinel event
surveillance, epidemic disease surveillance, chronic disease surveillance and
surveillance of health care quality markers.. Types and sources of surveillance
data will be reviewed, along with their uses. Integrally related issues such
as confidentiality, mandatory vs voluntary reporting, and active vs passive
surveillance systems will be covered.
Prerequisites: PHPM 512 (Epidemiology
I), PHPM 525 (Biostatistics 1).
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- Instructor(s): Thomas
M. Becker, MD, PhD, Dee Robertson, MD, MPH, William Lambert, PhD
- Credits: 2
This course provides an overview of American Indian & Alaska Native
(AI/AN) health issues, and is designed for MPH and health profession students.
The topics cover a broad array of issues of importance to AI/AN health,
including both infectious and chronic disease conditions. The course will
emphasize epidemiologic methods, in addition to the sociologic and anthropologic
information that will be presented in class. Guest lecturers will be invited
to conduct several of the sessions.
Prerequisite: PHPM 512 (Epidemiology
I) or PHE 535 (Epidemiology Survey).
Instructor(s): Katherine
Riley, EdD
Credits: 2
This course will examine various methods used to study aspects
of adolescent risky behavior and the unique aspects of adolescent issues. These
issues will include topics ranging from developmental influences through key
risky behaviors and will focus on critical appraisal of articles for methodology,
policy implications, and the impact on health disparities. Each student will
review articles and prepare a paper on a related research topic that will be
presented for group discussion.
Prerequisites: PHPM 512 (Epidemiology I), PHE 535 (Epidemiology Survey), or
second-year medical student status.
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- Instructors: Charles Drum, JD, PhD
- Credits: 3
- Description: This course will provide an overview of the filed of disability and how disability issues can be incorporated into public health practices. Topics to be discussed include the following: 1) the different approaches to disability; 2) a history of the disability rights movement; 3) multicultural views of disability; 4) the concept of disability as a culture; 5) surveillance of disability; 6) an overview of disability policy; 7) US governmental programs for people with disabilities; and 8) the role of public health and disability. Particular attention will be paid to ways to infuse disability into the current public health approach of assessment, policy development, and assurance, and the strengths and weakness of research studies used to evaluate disabilities. All students will be required to write a research paper on a topic of current interest related to disability and public health.
Instructor: Michael D. Freeman, DC, PhD, MPH
Credits: 2
The first section of the class will provide the student with an overview of morbidity and mortality resulting from traumatic injury, focusing primarily on the three major causes of significant injury: motor vehicle crashes, suicide, and homicide. Injuries will be examined from a multi-faceted perspective; for every category of injury we will discuss causes, potentiating factors, injury mechanisms, the technological history of the mechanism (when applicable), causes of death and disability associated with the injury, and of course, the epidemiology of the injury. We will also discuss ways to prevent or mitigate specific injuries. The second section of the class will be devoted to how epidemiologic inferences, methods and data are used in the forensic setting, primarily with reference to trauma epidemiology, but also with regard to other applications. Probability is a consistently seen feature of virtually all forensic issues, and particularly those confronting physicians on a regular basis, since the legal standard for any medical testimony is “50% or more likely.” The forensic section of the class is intended to prepare present and future physicians and scientists for critical thinking and a systematic approach to decision making in forensic settings.
Prerequisites: 512 (Epidemiology I).
Instructor(s): TBA
Credits: 2
Description: This course is designed to provide an introduction to basic principles
of scientific conduct and practice for students pursuing careers in biomedical
research. Specific topics include: professional standards, use of laboratory
animals and human subjects, resarch funding, career development, and laboratory
safety. Course material will be presented primarily in the form of lectures
and panel discussions, with opportunities for student discussion.
Instructor(s): TBA
Credits: 2
Description: This course provides an overview of ethically responsible conduct
of research, covering the areas of historical background, defining misconduct
in science, major contemporary issues of scientific integrity, and strategies
for prevention and management of scientific misconduct. Topics covered include
conflict of interest, responsible authorship, data management, peer review.
policies regarding the use of human and animal subjects, and managing allegations
of misconduct.