PBHL 317
Introduction to Epidemiology I
The objective of this course is to provide an introduction to the principles and methods of epidemiology, defined as the study of the distribution and determinants of disease in populations. Lectures, problem sets, and outside reading will cover ecologic, case-control, cohort, and experimental studies. Topics to be discussed will include study design, measures of disease risk, sources of bias, methods of controlling for extraneous factors, principles of screening, and interpretation of data. Illustrations will include classic and contemporary examples in acute and chronic disease.
This is the first part of a two-part course. Registration is required separately for each part of the course.
Credits
2Prerequisites
STAT 200 or STAT 500 or equivalent.
Learning Objectives:
- Calculate measures of disease risk and association
- Summarize steps involved in investigation of an infectious disease outbreak
- Describe and compare epidemiologic study designs
- Define bias and confounding
- Evaluate critically epidemiology studies as presented in journal articles and the popular press
PBHL 318
Introduction to Epidemiology II
The objective of this course is to provide an introduction to the principles and methods of epidemiology, defined as the study of the distribution and determinants of disease in populations. Lectures, problem sets, and outside reading will cover ecologic, case-control, cohort, and experimental studies. Topics to be discussed will include study design, measures of disease risk, sources of bias, methods of controlling for extraneous factors, principles of screening, and interpretation of data. Illustrations will include classic and contemporary examples in acute and chronic disease.
This is the second part of a two-part course. The completion of the first part (PBHL 317) is required before taking the second part. Registration is required separately for each part of the course.
Credits
2Prerequisites
The above course(s) or permission from the instructor.
Learning Objectives:
- Calculate measures of disease risk and association
- Summarize steps involved in investigation of an infectious disease outbreak
- Describe and compare epidemiologic study designs
- Define bias and confounding
- Evaluate critically epidemiology studies as presented in journal articles and the popular press
PBHL 402
Social Determinants of Health
The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the social factors that impact individual and population health. The course presents students with theories and evidence supporting multiple underlying determinants of health in populations. We consider how health is affected by a variety of determinants, and we will explore how social influences affect population health. Social influences include socioeconomic status, environment, policy, gender, race, sexual orientation, and neighborhood quality. We examine structural factors that impact population health in the United States, and we explore the potential for structural interventions to address health inequities and improve population health outcomes.
Credits
3Learning Objectives:
Students will be encouraged to consider how they can make a difference in reducing or closing the health inequality gap that otherwise results from poor understandings of patients’ health ecologies. Through a range of case studies, students will gain a better understanding of health inequalities and social determinants of health. Students will be able to articulate their potential to have a positive impact on the health of the populations they treat.
- Describe the types of social determinants of health and how each can impact health outcomes;
- Explore the relationship between social determinants of health and health disparities;
- Identify social determinants of health when working with people and communities; and
- Describe how individuals, health systems, and communities can address social determinants of health to improve outcomes and health equity.
PBHL 450
Global Health and Infectious Diseases
This course will provide an overview of topics that are important for the understanding of global health from an infectious disease perspective. Students will be exposed to subjects ranging from the biological characteristics that increase the chance of a pathogen causing a pandemic, the basics of epidemiology of infectious disease transmission, One Health and the environment, public health preparedness, scientific communication before and during a pandemic, and international policy and response. Historic examples, scientific literature, and current news will be used to illustrate these topics. Students will have the opportunity to explore these aspects of infectious diseases in depth throughout the course through the development of a multi-part term paper on a selected infectious disease.
Credits
2PBHL 500
Introduction to Global Health
Credits
2Learning Objectives:
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the transitions and socioeconomic determinants of population health across the globe through a comparative analysis of the etiology and prevalence of communicable and non-communicable diseases and trauma/injury conditions
- Describe in detail two or more variables that interact to influence the health status of a population, including environmental, behavioral, and cultural effects
- Articulate the importance and necessity of multidisciplinary teams to solve global health problems
PBHL 501
Environmental Health Sciences
Environmental health is the branch of public health that deals with the human health effects of exposure to chemical, physical, biological, and psychosocial agents in the community, workplace, and at home. Environmental health as a discipline includes the fields of medicine and epidemiology as well as ecology and environmental policy. Environmental health scientists focus on recognizing, studying, and mitigating the impacts of chemical, physical, and biological agents as well as on understanding how human behavior and actions (and inactions) impact the environment. The field of environmental health is multidisciplinary and relies on team-science approaches. The course surveys the essential scientific components and control strategies of major environmental health problems.
Credits
3Learning Objectives:
- Understand residential, occupational, and other environmental agents and exposures that can affect human health
- Understand methodologies and approaches for assessing, preventing, controlling, and communicating environmental risks
- Understand subpopulations, such as children and pregnant women, and environmental justice and equity
- Understand informatics approaches for responding to and monitoring environmental health-related disasters and other events
- Understand resources for keeping up with environmental health issues, research, legislation, and regulations
PBHL 510
Alcohol Across the Lifespan
Credits
2Prerequisites
understanding of basic epidemiology, such as incidence and prevalence, will be helpful, but not required.
Learning Objectives:
- Gain an understanding of the prevalence of alcohol use and misuse, including alcohol use disorder in the U.S. and its harmful costs to society
- Understand alcohol and the health problems it can cause across the lifespan, from the developing fetus to older adults
- Learn about current research and evidence-based practices for the prevention and treatment of alcohol misuse and alcohol use disorders
- Examine the disease of addiction, including effects of alcohol on both the developing and the developed brain, and how the brain changes in addicted individuals
- Discuss how alcohol affects special populations, in particular in the context of diversity issues, health disparities, and women
PBHL 512
Social and Behavioral Sciences
The social and behavioral sciences in public health address the behavioral, social, and cultural factors related to individual and population health and health disparities over the course of life. Research and practice in this area contributes to the development, administration, and evaluation of programs and policies in public health and health services to promote and sustain healthy environments and healthy lives for individuals and populations.
Credits
3Learning Objectives:
- Identify the causes of social and behavioral factors that affect health of individuals and populations
- Identify critical stakeholders for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health programs, policies, and interventions
- Describe the role of social and community factors in both the onset and solution of public health problems
- Discuss merits of social and behavioral science interventions and policies
- Apply evidence-based approaches in the development and evaluation of social and behavioral science interventions
PBHL 516
Health Policy and Administration I
This course provides an analysis of the current organizational arrangements and patterns for provision and financing of medical care services in the U.S. Specifically, topics would include: the medical care process, policies, and factors which affect need, access, and use of services; factors affecting supply and distribution of health professionals and health facilities; current issues pertinent to these healthcare services; factors related to healthcare costs; quality assessment and assurance; and, financing of care through health insurance and governmental programs. Additionally, the course covers the various components of the U.S. healthcare system over the entire continuum of care. Attention will be given to private and public financing mechanisms, the forces of market competition, government regulation, and the impact of health policy on key stakeholders.
Credits
2Learning Objectives:
- Describe main components, issues, legal, and ethical bases of organization, financing, and delivery of health services and public health systems in the U.S.
- Describe and analyze current issues of health policy, quality, and legislation
- Discuss policy process for improving the health status of populations
- Identify and apply principles of program planning, development, budgeting, management, and evaluation in organizational and community initiatives
Sample syllabus is subject to change.
PBHL 517
Health Policy and Administration II
This course provides an analysis of the current organizational arrangements and patterns for provision and financing of medical care services in the U.S. Specifically, topics would include: the medical care process, policies, and factors which affect need, access, and use of services; factors affecting supply and distribution of health professionals and health facilities; current issues pertinent to these healthcare services; factors related to healthcare costs; quality assessment and assurance; and, financing of care through health insurance and governmental programs. Additionally, the course covers the various components of the U.S. healthcare system over the entire continuum of care. Attention will be given to private and public financing mechanisms, the forces of market competition, government regulation, and the impact of health policy on key stakeholders.
Credits
2Prerequisites
The above course(s) or permission from the instructor.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe main components, issues, legal, and ethical bases of organization, financing, and delivery of health services and public health systems in the U.S.
- Describe and analyze current issues of health policy, quality, and legislation
- Discuss policy process for improving the health status of populations
- Identify and apply principles of program planning, development, budgeting, management, and evaluation in organizational and community initiatives
PBHL 518
Introduction to Program Evaluation I
Government agencies and private organizations have implemented multiple health programs. Usually, labor and resources are spent developing and implementing these programs. But, how do we know if public needs are being addressed? How can we tell if it works? If it does work, how well does it work? If it does not work, what is the reason for it? Can it be fixed? The answers to these questions are at the heart of program evaluation. This has led to program evaluation rapidly gaining visibility and prominence as an objective basis for program and policy decision making. This course will introduce students to program evaluation approaches and methodological tools that can be used to evaluate public health programs and research.
Credits
2Learning Objectives:
- Explain major concepts, approaches, and key elements of program evaluation, and how to apply these to public health practice and research
- Identify standards for conducting good program evaluations (i.e., utility, feasibility, propriety, and accuracy)
- Describe five aspects of health program evaluation—its relevance, progress, efficiency, effectiveness, and impact
- Identify evaluation-design techniques, and how these compare to methods used in traditional research
- Design a basic program evaluation plan that includes measurable program objectives, evaluation questions, logic model, timeline, evaluation measures, budget, and a plan to enhance utilization of findings
PBHL 519
Introduction to Program Evaluation II
Government agencies and private organizations have implemented multiple health programs. Usually, labor and resources are spent developing and implementing these programs. But, how do we know if public needs are being addressed? How can we tell if it works? If it does work, how well does it work? If it does not work, what is the reason for it? Can it be fixed? The answers to these questions are at the heart of program evaluation. This has led to program evaluation rapidly gaining visibility and prominence as an objective basis for program and policy decision making. This course will introduce students to program evaluation approaches and methodological tools that can be used to evaluate public health programs and research.
Credits
2Prerequisites
The above course(s) or permission from the instructor.
Learning Objectives:
- Explain major concepts, approaches, and key elements of program evaluation, and how to apply these to public health practice and research
- Identify standards for conducting good program evaluations (i.e., utility, feasibility, propriety, and accuracy)
- Describe five aspects of health program evaluation—its relevance, progress, efficiency, effectiveness, and impact
- Identify evaluation-design techniques, and how these compare to methods used in traditional research
- Design a basic program evaluation plan that includes measurable program objectives, evaluation questions, logic model, timeline, evaluation measures, budget, and a plan to enhance utilization of findings
PBHL 521
Cancer Screening
Credits
1Prerequisites
Previous undergraduate or graduate coursework in public health or permission of the instructor.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn about the methodology used to assess cancer-screening tests and how to interpret cancer-screening data
- Identify potential benefits and harms of cancer screening
- Become familiar with the evidence in favor of and against population-based screening for breast, colorectal, lung, cervical, and prostate cancer as well as with the controversies that surround mass screening for these diseases
PBHL 525
Current Public Policy Topics in Science and Medicine
Credits
2Prerequisites
PBHL517, PBHL527, or previous graduate-level coursework on health policy administration and/or management
recommended.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss key contemporary public policy issues in public health, biomedical research, clinical medicine, and related areas
- Refine communication, research, analytical, and critical thinking skills that may be applied in policy-related positions with the federal government, non-profit organizations, and the private sector
PBHL 527
Healthcare Management I
This course provides an overview of concepts and issues related to healthcare leadership through competency-based learning. Through the examination of management topics and healthcare situations, students explore the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in a diverse healthcare environment. Topics include: healthcare leadership; organizational design as it relates to the uniqueness of healthcare organizations; managing professionals; and, diversity in the workplace. Day-to-day operational management of healthcare organizations, including hospitals, private practice, ambulatory settings, and specialty services, with a focus on issues influencing the administration of today’s healthcare organizations will be also evaluated. Specifically, attention will be given to those issues that affect the delivery of care, and how decisions are made and can evolve into the development of new initiatives.
Credits
2Learning Objectives:
- Describe and identify organizational structure of the healthcare delivery systems and administrative processes
- Identify theoretical models of healthcare organizations and structures
- Describe and discuss functional areas of healthcare management
- Assess organizational performance through successful leadership and cultural strategic models
PBHL 528
Healthcare Management II
This course provides an overview of concepts and issues related to healthcare leadership through competency-based learning. Through the examination of management topics and healthcare situations, students explore the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in a diverse healthcare environment. Topics include: healthcare leadership; organizational design as it relates to the uniqueness of healthcare organizations; managing professionals; and, diversity in the workplace. Day-to-day operational management of healthcare organizations, including hospitals, private practice, ambulatory settings, and specialty services, with a focus on issues influencing the administration of today’s healthcare organizations will be also evaluated. Specifically, attention will be given to those issues that affect the delivery of care, and how decisions are made and can evolve into the development of new initiatives.
Credits
2Learning Objectives:
- Describe and identify organizational structure of the healthcare delivery systems and administrative processes
- Identify theoretical models of healthcare organizations and structures
- Describe and discuss functional areas of healthcare management
- Assess organizational performance through successful leadership and cultural strategic models
PBHL 537
Health Policy Analysis Using SAS and STATA
Each year, the federal government makes considerable amounts of population health data available to researchers. In this course, students will gain theoretical and practical knowledge of databases that are frequently used to support population health, health policy and health services research, including the NHANES, NHIS, NEDS, and MEPS. Understanding and selection of research designs and statistical methods will be reinforced through the review of select manuscripts from the population health, health policy, and health services literature. Didactic material and problem sets will enable students to use SAS and STATA for preparing datasets, creating customized variables, and conducting common statistical analyses. Further, students will build and reinforce skills in research question development, project design, data management, statistical analyses, technical writing, and data presentation through a course-long research project.
Credits
3Prerequisites
Access to SAS (student version is satisfactory) or STATA required; undergraduate or graduate course in statistics or comparable experience required; graduate course or comparable experience in policy analysis required.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify a question or problem in population health, health policy, or health services that can be addressed through an analysis of existing datasets, such as the NHANES, NHIS, MEPS, or NEDS.
- Distinguish among different types of study designs and methods used in population health, policy, and health services research in regard to applications, methods, and utility.
- Develop a brief plan that outlines research objectives, datasets and pertinent variables that will be needed, and specific analyses to be conducted.
- Write SAS and/or STATA code to conduct data management activities and statistical analyses.
- Develop written reports, oral presentations, and visual mechanisms for conveying research to various professional and lay audiences.
PBHL 540
Qualitative Data in Policy and Program Evaluation
Evaluators are expected to be proficient in the use of both qualitative and quantitative research methods; however, many persons assigned evaluation tasks have no formal training in designing, collecting, analyzing, and reporting qualitative data. Commonly used qualitative methods in program and policy analysis include document reviews, individual and group interviews, and observations. In this introductory course, we will review the collection, analysis, and reporting of qualitative data used in the evaluation of public health policies and programs.
Credits
2Prerequisites
Formal training or on the job training in evaluation and an introductory course or experience in statistics will be helpful.
Learning Objectives:
Students will improve and enhance their skills in the following activities: • Critical appraisal of published evaluation and research articles about public health policies and programs that include qualitative methods; • Design of evaluations to include qualitative methods, including data collection instruments; • Content analysis of qualitative data; • Presentation and reporting of analysis of qualitative data.
PBHL 544
Logic Models for Planning, Performance Measurement, and Evaluation
Logic models are a tool that support designing, planning, changing, monitoring, and evaluating programs. These evidence-based models can be an aid in multiple contexts ranging from basic research programs to community-based initiatives. An added benefit of modeling is that it can enhance stakeholders understanding of the relationship between resources, actions, outcomes, and impacts and thereby aid decision making. In this course, we will discuss how to build and use a logic model for biomedical research and public health programs.
Credits
2Prerequisites
Formal training or on the job training in program planning, analysis, and evaluation will be helpful.
Learning Objectives:
Students will improve and enhance their skills in the following activities: • Understanding program logic models (operational) versus theory of change models (conceptual) • Identifying the components of a logic model that lead to understanding your program • Using a logic model for planning, monitoring, and evaluating programs, initiatives, and projects • Developing a logic model and preparing a narrative that promotes a shared understanding of the program
PBHL 580
Health Economics and Econometrics Applied to the Evaluation of Research I
The evaluation of research, particularly biomedical research, has entered a period of intense demand for rigorous methods and actionable results, including economic analyses. Several years ago, the NIH convened an expert external panel to consider the broad area of assessing the value of biomedical research. The panel put forward an overarching assessment and measurement framework that included healthcare costs as an output and healthcare-related costs savings as an outcome. Challenges and opportunities exist in meeting this demand. Two distinct perspectives are important: one is the perspective of a grantee or principal investigator who uses economic variables to establish the need and predicted outcomes for basic or applied research for specific observed health conditions, as well as the efficiency and costs of the research; the other perspective is that of the science policy in which the grantor has the need to establish research priorities and evaluate research program efficiency and costs. In this introductory class, students will learn the foundations of health economics and econometric modeling and will apply them to the evaluation of biomedical research and public health programs.
Credits
2Learning Objectives:
- Develop economic perspectives of health and healthcare
- Distinguish among different types of cost studies in regard to applications, methods, and utility
- Explore regression analysis as a major econometric tool
- Develop a working knowledge of the evaluation hierarchy
- Apply knowledge gained to economic evaluation of publicly funded research and health programs
PBHL 581
Health Economics and Econometrics Applied to the Evaluation of Research II
The evaluation of research, particularly biomedical research, has entered a period of intense demand for rigorous methods and actionable results, including economic analyses. Several years ago, the NIH convened an expert external panel to consider the broad area of assessing the value of biomedical research. The panel put forward an overarching assessment and measurement framework that included healthcare costs as an output and healthcare-related costs savings as an outcome. Challenges and opportunities exist in meeting this demand. Two distinct perspectives are important: one is the perspective of a grantee or principal investigator who uses economic variables to establish the need and predicted outcomes for basic or applied research for specific observed health conditions, as well as the efficiency and costs of the research; the other perspective is that of the science policy in which the grantor has the need to establish research priorities and evaluate research program efficiency and costs. In this introductory class, students will learn the foundations of health economics and econometric modeling and will apply them to the evaluation of biomedical research and public health programs.
Credits
2Prerequisites
The above course(s) or permission from the instructor.
Learning Objectives:
- Develop economic perspectives of health and healthcare
- Distinguish among different types of cost studies in regard to applications, methods, and utility
- Explore regression analysis as a major econometric tool
- Develop a working knowledge of the evaluation hierarchy
- Apply knowledge gained to economic evaluation of publicly funded research and health programs
PBHL 591
Advanced Seminar in the Evaluation of Research
Credits
3Prerequisites
Graduate-level coursework in program or policy evaluation or considerable work experience in program or policy evaluation.
Learning Objectives:
- Apply methods for systematic reviews of literature to a specific body of knowledge
- Employ methods of data synthesis to develop a comprehensive framework for the evaluation of research
- Explore the application and utility of the framework in their workplaces
PPOL 071
The Role of the White House, Congress, Federal Agencies, and Judiciary in Science & Technology Policy
Whether you’re a scientist, engineer, or health professional interested in a career in science and technology policy or a researcher who’s interested in improving how they describe the potential societal implications of their research, you need better understanding of science and technology policy. You also need to understand the key principles involved in evaluating programs, analyzing potential public policies that might respond to societal implications, and then communicating your results to policymakers and the public.
Credits
-Learning Objectives:
In this “learn by doing” class, students will enhance their understanding of:
- What encompasses science & technology (S&T) policy
- The role of the White House, Congress, and Judiciary in S&T policy
- The role of international government and U.S. states & cities in S&T policy
- The role of scientists, engineers, and health professionals in public policy.
- The analytical and communication techniques that support scientific, engineering, and health-focused communications with policymakers.
- An overview of careers in S&T policy.
PPOL 072
Public Policy Analysis for Scientists, Engineers, and Health Professionals: A Systematic Process for Analyzing and Developing Policy Options to Respond to Societal Challenges
Policy analysis provides a systematic process to analyze public policy options to respond to a societal challenge such as COVID-19, climate change, and homelessness. It involves identifying the underlying problem, key decision makers, stakeholders, policy question, and policy options. These options are then analyzed to identify which is likely to be the most effective, efficient, equitable, and ease of political acceptability. Once that analysis is concluded, the analyst makes a recommendation based on those criteria. The analyst then communicates the results to policymakers and the public.
Credits
-Learning Objectives:
In this “learn by doing” class, students will enhance their understanding:
- What policy analysis is and why it is important
- The eight-step process to do a public policy analysis based on the 4Es (effectiveness, efficiency, equity, and ease of political acceptability
- An overview of ways to communicate that message through 1-pagers, op-eds, presentations, videos, and infographics.
PPOL 073
Public Policy Analytical Methods for Scientists, Engineers, and Health Professionals: Understanding and Evaluating Benefit-Cost, Cost-Effectiveness, and Risk Analysis
Benefit-cost analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, and risk analysis are quantitative techniques used to support the assessment of effectiveness, efficiency and equity in the policy analysis process. More than any other analytical technique they are critical in policymaker decision-making as benefit-cost is required by executive orders or regulations and risk-based regulations and enforcement activities -- particularly those related to the environment, health, worker safety, transportation, privacy/security, and energy policy.
Credits
-Learning Objectives:
In this “learn by doing” class, students will enhance their understanding of:
·What are benefit-cost analysis (BCA), cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA), and risk analysis (RA) and why are they important to program evaluation and policy analysis
- The steps and methods used to conduct BCA, CEA, and RA, including sources of information, and sensitivity analysis.
- Communicating the results of BCA, CEA, and RA, and how this related to policymaker decisions.
- Understanding the difference between a good and poor BCA, CEA, and RA
PPOL 074
Program Evaluation for Scientists, Engineers, and Health Professionals
While policy analysis focuses on the future, program evaluation looks at the past performance of a program to see if it has met its societal goals, how it can be improved, and whether funding for that program should be continued.
Whatever the source of funding for your program, you'll likely be asked to evaluate it on a regular basis. And when developing a proposal for funding, one common element requested is how you will evaluate the program to determine if it is successful in achieving the proposed outcomes.
And when doing a policy analysis, your first step is to understand the "status quo." That is, what is the current program and how well does it work according to the 4E's: effectiveness, efficiency, equity, and ease of political acceptability. Based on this information, you can develop policy options to respond to what does not work well in the current program while maintaining those elements that do work well relative to the desired societal outcome.
Credits
-Learning Objectives:
In this “learn by doing” class, students will enhance their understanding of:
- What program evaluation is and why it is important
- Program evaluation framework (e.g., stakeholder participation)
- Methods for evaluating programs (e.g., population-based vs. program-based)
- Program evaluation standards
- Development of a program evaluation plan
- Understanding the difference between a good and poor program evaluation
PPOL 101
Introduction to National Security in Science and Medicine
Science and medicine are often thought of as life-saving, life-changing, and pillars of which we measure progress. However, we must always keep in mind the darker implications of tomorrow's scientific advancements. In this course you will learn to have a more holistic view of science and medicine by studying these topics through a national security lens. Students will have the opportunity to further their knowledge in the sciences while also learning new skills found in the national security field. Some of the subjects covered include chemical and biological weapons, industrial espionage, and climate change, all presented within a national security theme.
Credits
1Learning Objectives:
- Assess red-team analysis techniques and their value to the scientific community.
- Design a briefing where they critically think about the effects industrial espionage in the sciences has on national security.
- Recognize the steps necessary to produce an analytical product on the threat of climate change, relative to a country’s national security.
STAT 101
Introduction to Statistics
In this course, students will be introduced to basic statistical theory, real-world statistics applications, and statistical test implementations in R. Students will learn the theory behind common statistical tests and how to perform them before moving on to perform statistical analyses using a dataset of their choice. Through this process, students will learn how to select the correct test for a dataset, how to design experiments amenable to statistical analyses, and how to avoid common statistical analysis pitfalls.
Credits
1Learning Objectives:
- Use and interpret results of basic statistical tests
- Select the appropriate statistical test for a given data analytics problem
- Design experimental procedures with statistics in mind
- Use R to run basic statistical analyses