Course Descriptions: Epidemiology Track
Recommended Prerequisites
The MPH Program faculty strongly recommend that students applying to the Epidemiology Track have a minimum of two
college-level math courses at the level of algebra or above. A statistics course is acceptable for one of the math courses. Potential Epidemiology Track
students should also have at least two college-level biology courses. In addition, students not scoring in at least the 60th percentile of the
quantitative section of the GRE are advised to apply to a track other than Epidemiology.
Recommended Sequence Of Courses
|
Class
|
Fall
|
Spring
|
Summer
|
|
1st Year
|
MPH601: Introduction to Public Health
(1 credit)
|
MPH602: Introduction to Biostatistics
(3 credits)
|
MPH606: Environmental Health (3 credits)
|
|
MPH603: Principles of Epidemiology
(3 credits)
|
MPH624: SAS/Data Management
(3 credits)
|
MPH711: Epidemiologic Methods I
(3 credits)
|
|
MPH605: Health Administration and Organization (3 credits)
|
MPH668: Internship (1 credits)
|
MPH668: Internship (1 credit optional)
|
|
MPH609: Ethics in Public Health Practice (2 credits)
|
MPH7**: Grant Writing (1 credit)
|
MPH768: Practicum A (1 credit)
|
|
1 credit Selective(s)
|
|
|
|
2nd Year |
MPH604: Health Education /Behavioral Science (3 credits) |
MPH722: Methods of Program Evaluation (3 credits) |
MPG770: Capstone Seminar (3 credits)
|
|
MPH702: Biostatistics II (3 credits) |
MPH718: Epidemiologic Methods II (3 credits) |
MPH715: Current Issues in Epidemiology (3 credits) |
MPH768: Practicum B
(1 credit) |
MPH768: Practicum C
(1 credit) |
MPH768: Practicum D
(1 credit) |
|
1 credit Selective(s)
|
Course Descriptions (18 credit hours)
Students in the Epidemiology Track are required to take the following six courses:
MPH 624 - SAS Statistical Package for Windows (3 credit hours)
A beginner's course in data management,
statistical programming and basic data analysis using the SAS system. The course will introduce the students to database construction, database
management and statistical programming and analysis. This is a hands-on course which will be taught using demonstrations and experiential activities in
the computer laboratory.
MPH 702 - Biostatistics II (3 credit hours)
Topics from inferential statistics and probability modeling will be discussed and illustrated using data selected from real-life
health-related applications. Data analysis emphasizing proper interpretation of results and familiarity with SAS software will be a key component of the
course.
MPH 711 - Epidemiologic Methods I (3 credit hours)
Introduces elements of study design, data analysis and inference in epidemiologic investigation.
MPH 715 - Current Issues in Epidemiology (3 credit hours)
Discussions with experts experienced in the diverse applications of epidemiology in current research and practice. Emphasis
on emerging infectious diseases, environmental and occupational health, chronic diseases and community intervention trials. Lectures, discussions, class
presentations and development of research project.
MPH 718 - Epidemiologic Methods II (3 credit hours)
Coverage of statistical design and analysis concepts and methods in epidemiologic research.
MPH 722 - Methods of Program Evaluation (3 credit hours)
Examination of methods for designing and conducting program evaluation and research in health-care settings. Experimental,
quasi-experimental and non-experimental procedures will be covered.
 Core Requirements (18 credit hours)
All MPH graduate students are required to take the following courses:
MPH 601
- Introduction to Public Health (1 credit hour)
An introduction to the multi-disciplinary field of public health; will use a series of
lectures, readings, discussions and interactive sessions to provide students with a framework for studies during the course of the
program.
MPH 602 - Introduction to Biostatistics (3 credit hours)
An introduction to the use of statistics in the health
field. Emphasis is on descriptive statistics, estimation, linear regression and contingency tables. Lectures, reading, demonstrations, experiential
activities in a laboratory setting and written and oral assignments.
MPH 603 - Principles of Epidemiology (3 credit hours)
An introduction to epidemiology as a body of knowledge and
a method for analyzing community health problems. Emphasis is on how to measure and describe the health of populations, the natural history of diseases
in population groups, standardization of rates, sources of data, study designs, measurements of risk, evaluation of screening tests, causal inferences
and outbreak investigation. Lectures, reading and individual and group assignments.
MPH 604 - Health Education
& Behavioral Science (3 credit hours)
An introduction to the underlying principles
of health education and behavioral science as used in public health. Emphasis on the primary social-psychological variables that may influence health and
disease, strategies that can influence behavior change, community assessment, risk communication and evaluation designs to measure outcomes of health
education efforts. Lectures, reading and individual assignments.
MPH 605 - Health Admin./Organization (3 credit hours)
An introduction to the understanding of the structure and
functions of the American health-care system, public health practice in the United States and basic managerial responsibilities. Emphasis is on
management tasks and styles, structure and trends in the health-care system, legal and regulatory framework for public health, organizational and
community assessment, public health settings and services. Lectures, reading and written assignments.
MPH 606 - Environmental Health Science (3 credit hours)
An introduction to the chemical, physical and biological
factors affecting human health and disease. Emphasis is on the skills to detect environmental factors in health problems and to determine methods of
control to prevent disease and maximize environmental quality. Lectures, readings and required assignments.
MPH 609
- Ethics in Public Health Practice (2 credit hours)
An examination
of the central principles, concepts and values in public- health ethics. Emphasis is on identifying ethical issues in public health practice using
lectures, readings and group discussions.
Other Requirements (8 credit hours)
MPH 668 - Internship (1 credit hour)
(Program Director may waive based on the student’s prior experience.) A
supervised experience to acquaint the student with a public-health organization and its population-based programs for health promotion and disease
prevention. Written report describing the experience required.
MPH 768
- Community Practicum (4 credit hours)
An
opportunity to apply knowledge and skills gained in academic courses in a working environment or community setting under the supervision of a preceptor.
Written report to the preceptor and the course director; oral presentation in the Capstone Seminar.
MPH 770 - Capstone Seminar (3 credit hours)
A synthesis and integration of the knowledge gained through the course work and other learning experiences, with the application of
theory and principle to various public-health issues. Students from both tracks will take this seminar.
Elective Courses
MPH 695/795 - Selectives (1-3 credit hours)
Advanced study on selected topics in public
health, under supervision of a faculty member. Requires approval of Program Director. Course topics reflect professional requirements for certifications
in various public health-related fields.
MPH 798 - Research (3 credit hours)
Research in public health, under supervision of a faculty member. Requires approval of Program Director.
Educational Format
The educational program includes courses 46 total credit hours. Classes are taught in three semesters per year. Students
are expected to take six to eight credits hours per semester. With this schedule, the required 46 credit hours can be completed in two years. Core
courses consist of 18 credit hours in Principles of Epidemiology, Health Education & Behavioral Science, Ethics in Public Health Practice,
Introduction to Biostatistics, Health Administration and Organization and Environmental Health.
After completing the core courses, students concentrate on courses in either Epidemiology or Health Management/Policy for
an additional 18 credit hours. The remaining 10 credit hours are earned through Selectives, an Internship (may be waived at the discretion of the Program
Director), Community Practicum and Capstone Seminar.
Approved Old Dominion University courses may be used as electives for students in the MPH program. Refer to the Old Dominion University catalog for course descriptions and to the Old Dominion University Schedule of Classes
for semester availability. To identify an appropriate elective, students will need to consult with their Academic Advisor and/or the Program
Director.
Career Opportunities Demand is increasing for epidemiologists in public-health agencies, health-care delivery systems, private research firms,
pharmaceutical manufacturing companies, academic institutions and international agencies. Due to the emergence of new diseases and the complex changes
taking place in health-care systems, acute shortages exist nationally and internationally for health professionals, researchers and engineers trained in
public-health techniques, outcomes research, disease surveillance and control, population survey methods, injury prevention, workplace health issues and
technology assessment. In addition, numerous opportunities exist for practicing health professionals to enhance their skills and achieve further
responsibility in their organizations by acquiring these skills.
Class Locations
Classes are held in the evenings or on Saturdays, to accommodate working professionals. Seminar Series lectures and other
for-course-credit events are often held throughout the year on weekdays. Classes are taught primarily on the campus of Eastern Virginia Medical School,
with some courses offered at Old Dominion University. Both sponsoring institutions are located three miles apart in the Ghent area of Norfolk, Virginia.
Courses are taught by faculty from both institutions.
MD/MPH Dual Degree Program
Eastern Virginia Medical School offers an MD/MPH Dual Degree Program leading to both Doctor of Medicine and Master of
Public Health degrees.
View more information on the
Joint MD/MPH
Program.
If you have further questions, contact:
Graduate Program in Public Health
Eastern Virginia Medical School
PO Box 1980
Norfolk, VA 23501-1980
Phone: (757) 446-6120
E-mail: mphinfo@evms.edu
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