Courses

The listing of a course description here does not guarantee a course’s being offered in a particular semester. Please refer to the published schedule of classes on the MyBU Student Portal for confirmation a class is actually being taught and for specific course meeting dates and times.

• SPH EH 980: Continuing Study in Environmental Health
  Graduate Prerequisites: Must be doctoral student working on dissertation.
  Doctoral students who have completed all academic course requirements, must register for Continuing Study every Fall and Spring semester until they have successfully defended their dissertation and applied to graduate from SPH. Students are charged the equivalent of two credits of tuition, student health insurance, and all relevant fees, and are certified as full time. EH980 is a non-graded, no academic credit status. All students registered for continuing study will attend EH Doctoral Seminars scheduled by the Director of Doctoral Education for EH.
• SPH EP 713: Introduction to Epidemiology
  EP713 is the sole introductory epidemiology course for all SPH programs (replacing EP711 and EP712). The goals of EP713 are to introduce the basic principles and methods of epidemiology and demonstrate their applicability to public health and research and to provide fundamental skills needed to begin to interpret and critically evaluate literature relevant to public health professionals. Topics include measures of disease frequency and effect, epidemiologic study designs, bias, and screening for disease. Class lectures are interspersed with active learning exercises consisting of a mixture of in-class problems, exercises, and discussions, and online and independent learning modules further enable students to achieve the learning objectives.
• SPH EP 714: Introduction to Epidemiology
  Graduate Prerequisites: Can?t be taken together with SPH PH 717 for credit
  Epidemiology is a discipline that assesses the magnitude of public health problems, identifies the determinants of defects, disease and injury in human populations, and guides interventions designed to control or prevent them. The goals of this course are to: (1) introduce the basic principles and methods of epidemiology; (2) demonstrate their applicability to public health and research; and (3) provide fundamental skills needed to begin to interpret and critically evaluate literature relevant to public health professionals. Topics include measures of disease frequency and association, epidemiologic study designs, bias, confounding, random error, screening and causation.
• SPH EP 721: Survey Methods for Public Health
  Graduate Prerequisites: SPH EP 714 or SPH PH 717.
  This course stresses the theory and practice of conducting high quality survey research in health fields. Classes are a mixture of lectures, examples from real world studies, and skill exercises. Topics include research design, question construction, sampling, data collection methods, interviewing, coding, reliability,validity and preparing data for analysis. The course is appropriate for those who will do research as well as those who will be research consumers.
• SPH EP 722: Data Collection Methods for Epidemiologic Research
  Graduate Prerequisites: SPH PH 717 or SPH EP 714.
  This interactive and team oriented course will introduce students to common and uncommon data collection sources and methods used currently in epidemiological research. Existing medical, insurance, and vital records data sources will be discussed, along with traditional self, telephone, and in-person survey research methods. More novel approaches that include internet based surveys, ecological momentary assessments, and social media will be covered as well. Lastly, we will touch on the complexities involved in the collection and storage of biological specimens. For all methods, issues associated with data quality control, validity and reliability will be covered. Students will practice developing their own surveys and other data collection tools and will evaluate data collection methods published within the scientific literature. Students will also learn how to conceptualize and write as their final assignment the entire data collection methods section of a NIH or similar grant proposal.
• SPH EP 730: Epidemiology of Vaccine Preventable Diseases
  Graduate Prerequisites: SPH EP 714 or SPH PH 717.
  This course provides students with a fundamental understanding of the epidemiology and control of vaccine-preventable diseases. This will be accomplished by focusing on a different vaccine-preventable disease each week, and using that disease to illustrate epidemiologic principles and methods to measure vaccine safety, efficacy, and impact; and to understand current issues around public acceptability. Emphasis will be placed on study design, sources of bias, and current controversies. The majority of class time will focus on in-class discussions where students will take turns presenting to their peers, and will practice and receive feedback in the critical review and design of epidemiologic studies.
• SPH EP 735: Principles of Cancer Epidemiology
  Graduate Prerequisites: SPH EP 714 or SPH PH 717
  This 2-credit course is designed to provide an overview of the important concepts and tools fundamental to the understanding, design, and conduct of cancer epidemiology studies. We will present a theoretical framework, providing an overview of the biology of cancer, as well as the major epidemiologic concepts critical to cancer epidemiology. We will study many of the major cancer sites, including breast, lung, colon, prostate, and cervix, reviewing both descriptive data on incidence and mortality, risk factors, and methodologic issues involved in studying these cancers. We will review several major risk factors for cancer, including tobacco, ionizing radiation, nutrition and physical activity, infections, and environmental exposures. Assignments for the class include readings, class participation including discussions of readings, and four written critiques of articles. Students may not take both EP735 and EP752 for degree credit.
• SPH EP 740: Introduction to Epidemiology of Aging
  Graduate Prerequisites: SPH EP 714 or SPH PH 717.
  This 2-credit course introduces public health students to major research topics regarding age-related diseases, disorders, and disabilities, as well as the special considerations in the design and execution of epidemiologic studies in this field. The main objectives of each session are to 1) use web-based or public-use data on the incidence, prevalence, risk factors, and health consequences of the disease or condition to describe why it is important to study in elderly adults; 2) critically review 1-2 articles to understand the current state of knowledge on the topic; and 3) examine the special methodological issues that conducting studies of the topic in an elderly study population pose. These objectives will be met by brief student presentations each week of the epidemiology of the disease/condition, lectures by researchers who are performing studies on that condition, and journal club discussions of relevant articles that students will critique. Students will synthesize this information in a short (8-10 page) grant proposal for a study on the prevention or treatment of a disease/condition that affects elderly adults.
• SPH EP 748: Drug Epidemiology (formerly EP830)
  Graduate Prerequisites: SPH EP 770 or SPH EP 813; SPH EP 714 or SPH PH 717; concurrent enrollment in EP 770 or EP 813 recommended.
  With the participation of active researchers in pharmacoepidemiology, this course addresses a range of study designs and analytic techniques for observational studies on the utilization, safety and effectiveness of pharmaceuticals. Students will develop an understanding of how to plan, implement, analyze and criticize pharmacoepidemiologic studies. Lectures will provide methodological background and will cover applied issues typically encountered in pharmacoepidemiology. In addition, students will become acquainted with the drug approval process in the United States, and with issues particularly relevant or unique to the epidemiologic study of medications (e.g., risk management, post marketing surveillance).
• SPH EP 749: Applications to Introductory Epidemiology
  Graduate Prerequisites: SPH EP 714; SPH EP714 (prior or concurrent enrollment) or equivalent or permission of instructor.
  This course is designed for students who want to gain practical experience articulating epidemiologic research questions, analyzing data, and reporting results. This course is closely synchronized with EP714 (Introduction of Epidemiology) and applies knowledge of introductory epidemiologic principles to the analysis of observational data. The goals of this course are to (1) conceptualize research questions and develop testable hypotheses; (2) access and utilize data to calculate, interpret, and present disease measures; (3) apply introductory concepts of study design to evaluate peer-reviewed research; and (4) practice synthesizing and summarizing data through preparation of a scientific abstract, and critiquing and editing the work of peers.
• SPH EP 751: Cardiovascular Epidemiology
  Graduate Prerequisites: SPH PH 717 or SPH EP 714.
  The goal of this course is to enable students to understand major aspects of cardiovascular epidemiology and current strategies for primary and secondary prevention of major cardiovascular diseases (i.e. stroke, heart attack, heart failure or hypertension). The course concentrates on physiologic mechanisms leading to atherosclerosis; traditional and novel CHD risk factors; prediction models for CVD; and the role of lifestyle, dietary, and genetic factors on the development of CVD. In addition, relevant historical breakthrough and current controversies in CVD are discussed using the latest publication from lay press and peer-reviewed journals. A fair amount of time is devoted to acquiring skills in scientific writing and data interpretation. These latter skills are used by the students to design and complete a CVD epidemiology project on a topic of their choosing. Each student (group of students) then presents his/her completed project in class during the last 2 sessions of the course. The course is taught by the course Director and other senior investigators who are experts in different areas of cardiovascular disease.
• SPH EP 752: Cancer Epidemiology
  Graduate Prerequisites: SPH PH 717 or SPH EP 714; or equivalent
  This intermediate-level course develops important concepts and methods in the discipline of cancer epidemiology. A major focus is on the descriptive epidemiology of cancer incidence and mortality in the U.S. and globally. This course explores risk factors, including genetic, behavioral, environmental, and social determinants, in relation to several types of cancer. Methodological issues relating to the design, conduct, and data analysis of studies on cancer are discussed through weekly journal clubs and class lectures. Students will build skills in conducting literature reviews and critically evaluating and interpreting the findings of classic and cutting-edge research articles. Students completing this course will understand the basic principles of cancer epidemiology and will be able to apply them in reading the literature and participating in research projects.
• SPH EP 755: Infectious Disease Epidemiology
  Graduate Prerequisites: SPH PH 717 or SPH EP 714.
  This course introduces students to the biology, epidemiologic methods, and mathematical models needed to study infectious diseases in populations. In addition to lecture presentations on biologic and clinical aspects of infectious diseases, their distribution within populations, and their control, the course also covers study design issues specific to infectious diseases and simple infectious disease modeling. The course includes analysis of actual infectious disease outbreaks and studies through workshops and article reviews.
• SPH EP 758: Nutritional Epidemiology
  Graduate Prerequisites: SPH PH 717 or SPH EP 714.
  The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the discipline of nutritional epidemiology. In the class, we will focus on methodological issues relating to design, dietary assessment, and data analysis of studies on diet and disease. We will also review some of the literature relating nutrition to certain disease states, including coronary heart disease and cancer, in which we highlight methodological issues and interpretation of findings in nutritional epidemiologic research. Students completing this course will understand the basic principles of nutritional epidemiology and will be able to apply them in reading the literature and participating in nutrition research projects.
• SPH EP 759: Reproductive Epidemiology
  Graduate Prerequisites: SPH PH 717 or SPH EP 714.
  This course surveys current knowledge concerning the epidemiology of reproductive heath across the lifespan. Topics vary from year to year but may include infertility, miscarriage, birth defects, menopause, uterine fibroids, gynecologic cancers, and male reproductive health. The course emphasizes epidemiologic methods and gives the student experience in the critical review and design of epidemiologic studies in this area.
• SPH EP 762: Clinical Epidemiology
  Graduate Prerequisites: SPH PH 717 or SPH EP 714.
  This course introduces students to topics and methods in clinical epidemiology. Covered topics include those traditionally regarded within the purview of clinical epidemiology such as the evaluation of diagnostic tests (sensitivity, specificity, predictive value, and ROC curves), decision analysis, cost effectiveness analysis, outcomes assessment, and meta-analysis. At the conclusion of the course students will understand concepts of clinical epidemiology, know the indications for using each clinical epidemiology method, and be prepared to critically evaluate studies that employ these methods. Since this course uses numerous clinical examples, it is not recommended for those with no clinical experience.
• SPH EP 763: Genetic Epidemiology
  Graduate Prerequisites: SPH PH 717 or SPH EP 714
  This course familiarizes students with general methods and principles of genetic epidemiology. Topics include basic human genetics, population genetics, pedigree analysis, linkage analysis in humans, twin studies, effects of inbreeding, genetics of common diseases, genetic association studies, and forensic genetics. The course emphasizes practical applications of existing methods to designing and executing genetic studies and to genetic counseling. This involves some critical evaluation of the scientific literature.
• SPH EP 764: The Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS in the Developed and Developing World
  Graduate Prerequisites: SPH PH 717 or SPH EP 714.
  This course is designed to introduce students to an important and growing field - the epidemiology of HIV and AIDS. It is designed for those students who have a keen interest in HIV/AIDS in both the developed and developing world. This course will survey state-of-the art knowledge of the epidemiology of HIV and will emphasize epidemiologic principles and methods including: estimation of the incidence of HIV infection and AIDS, study design, and sources of bias. It will also give the student experience in the critical review of epidemiologic studies in this area.
• SPH EP 770: Concepts and Methods in Epidemiology
  Graduate Prerequisites: SPH PH 717 or SPH EP 714; Can?t be taken together with SPH EP 813 for credit
  This course develops the methodologic concepts and principles of epidemiology introduced in the MPH Quantitative Core course. The material covered is intended to extend the student's understanding of the elements of study design, data analysis, and inference in epidemiologic research, including issues related to bias, confounding, and stratified analysis. The course consists of lectures and workshop sessions. The workshop sessions are designed to reinforce the concepts/topics covered in the lectures. This course is not appropriate for students who have completed EP813.
• SPH EP 771: Topics in Epidemiology
  Graduate Prerequisites: Check SPH web site schedule for prerequisites per topics course
  Please see course registration packet on SPH web site for course description for semester. Classes, topics, and credits may vary per semester.