Courses
The following courses timetables are currently being offered for the 2011/12 academic year:
Note that SPPH courses are offered either in both traditional and distributed learning formats (Trad/DL), or traditional only (Trad), or distributed learning only (DL).
Required Courses
Please note that only one of SPPH 540 or SPPH 581D can be used as a core course.
SPPH 400 (3) Statistics for Health Research (Trad/DL)
SPPH 400 (3) Statistics for Health Research
This course will introduce students to statistical methods and their application to investigation of health outcomes and their determinants. Students will learn to choose and create effective summaries of univariate and bivariate data; distinguish between basic methods for selecting samples and understand the impact of the sampling method; identify commonly used basic statistical methods; perform basic probability calculations; understand the notion of sampling variability and sampling distributions; calculate and interpret p-values and confidence intervals; select and carry out an appropriate method of analysis to compare the means or proportions of two or more populations; conduct simple and multiple linear regression analyses; and formulate statistical models for relating health outcomes and their determinants.
SPPH 500 (3) Analytic Methods In Epidemiological Research (Trad/DL)
SPPH 500 (3) Analytic Methods In Epidemiological Research
This course provides an introduction to regression modeling of epidemiologic data to broaden analytic skills acquired in previous courses. This course covers commonly used statistical techniques such as linear and logistic regression, and survival analysis. The student will learn to: relate regression methods to appropriate types of epidemiologic data; perform linear, logistic, Poisson and Cox regression analysis with multiple variables; interpret coefficients of each regression model and summarize results for scientific journals; develop and critically evaluate analytic methods sections in epidemiologic literature; communicate effectively with statistical practitioners on regression methods; and, do statistical work based on ethical guidelines for statistical practice. Working knowledge of statistical software is required. Prerequisites: SPPH 400 and SPPH 502.
SPPH 502 (3) Epidemiological Methods I (Trad/DL)
SPPH 502 (3) Epidemiological Methods I
This introductory level course is intended to provide students with a working knowledge of the basic concepts and methods of epidemiology. The focus of this course is the acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of information about disease occurrence. Students will learn to: demonstrate a working knowledge of sources of population data; use epidemiological concepts; calculate rates and risks to describe the health status of populations; describe standard approaches to investigations of disease outbreak; assess the relevance and understand the limitations of various research designs; address threats to the validity of study design, including bias, misclassification, confounding, and effect modification; evaluate the validity of screening and diagnostic tests; understand issues related to measurement of prognosis of disease; formulate and apply logical statements of causation; identify, discuss and illustrate the basic principles, objectives, and elements of public health surveillance; critically appraise published research; formulate an approach, based on sound epidemiological principles and methods, to etiologic and health services questions.
SPPH 508 (6) MPH Practicum
SPPH 508 (6) MPH Practicum
The practicum will include a significant component of applied epidemiology and biostatistics in a field setting. The practicum provides students with supervised field experience in a community health agency so as to integrate the course work and further the development of practical skills in community health. The student contributes to a community’s resources and addresses a public health problem while developing personal confidence and skills as a public health professional. The practicum will normally take place in a single term after the completion of the prerequisites. After consultation with their faculty advisor, some students may complete their practicum on a part time basis over two terms. Prerequisites: SPPH 400, 502, 524, and 525.
SPPH 524 (3) Core Biological Concepts of Public Health Practice (Trad/DL)
SPPH 524 (3) Core Biological Concepts of Public Health Practice
Offers an integrative molecular and biological perspective on public health problems. Explores population biology and ecological principles underlying public health and reviews molecular biology in relation to public health biology. Emphasis is placed on common elements encountered in modules that focus on specific diseases. Students whose prior coursework has covered these topical areas may replace this course with an elective with permission from the instructor.
SPPH 525 (3) Issues and Concepts in Public Health (Trad/DL)
SPPH 525 (3) Issues and Concepts in Public Health
This course is an overview of many critical psychological, social, cultural, demographic, biological, and other factors that influence lifestyle and disease susceptibility. Students will examine the history of public health research and practice and occupational and environmental health, health services and systems, social and life-course determinants of health, and population health and emerging threats. Each week a senior public health practitioner will outline their role within the public health sector. They will give a case-based presentation that highlights major challenges or successes in their field.
SPPH 526 (3) Leadership in Public Health (Trad/DL)
SPPH 526 (3) Leadership in Public Health
This course focuses on the leadership and managerial skills that are most practical and relevant in public health. Cases, articles, discussions and guest speakers provide participants with insight into the roles, challenges, and success requirements of public health leaders. A framework for leadership is introduced and successive sessions take selected elements of the framework for further study. These include leadership skills such as self-awareness, teambuilding, negotiation and conflict management, change management, strategic thinking, resource measurement and allocation, use of information technologies in leadership, evidence-informed decision-making, policy development, and knowledge exchange and translation.
SPPH 540 (3) Program Planning and Evaluation (Trad/DL)
SPPH 540 (3) Program Planning and Evaluation
The purpose of this course is to develop students’ knowledge and skills in planning and evaluation research related to population health and health services. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods will be explored. Students will learn to describe how evaluation fits into the larger domains of program planning and health research; demonstrate understanding of different theories/models of evaluation; identify barriers that can compromise the development, implementation and utility of an evaluation and how they can be addressed; apply knowledge of research methods to conducting an evaluation; demonstrate understanding regarding the basic concepts of measurement as applied to evaluation research; demonstrate knowledge of approaches and challenges related to knowledge translation in evaluation research; summarize and critique evaluation research in a specific program area related to population health or health services; and develop and critique an evaluation proposal.
SPPH 581D (3) Health Care Priority Setting (DL)
SPPH 581D (3) Health Care Priority Setting
This course will introduce principles and methods related to health care priority setting. Students will be expected to design a priority setting process based on real-‐world
constraints.
Elective Courses
SPPH 501 (3) Analysis of Longitudinal & Correlated Data (Trad)
SPPH 501 (3) Analysis of Longitudinal & Correlated Data
This course will introduce students to concepts and methods in the analysis of correlated data, with special emphasis on longitudinal and hierarchical data. Students will learn to recognize the types of study and sampling designs that give rise to correlated data; appreciate the benefits and limitations of longitudinal study designs for assessing the association between health outcomes and their determinants; understand the distinction between fixed effects and random effects and the conditions under which it is appropriate to treat a parameter as a random effect; translate conceptual models relating health outcomes and their determinants into statistical models; and identify different approaches to longitudinal/correlated data analysis and explain the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. Prerequisites: SPPH 400 and 500, or their equivalents.
SPPH 503 (3) Intermediate Epidemiology (Trad/DL)
SPPH 503 (3) Intermediate Epidemiology
The aim of this course is to prepare students with the knowledge, attitudes and skills to design their own study, and to critically evaluate the work of others. The course is designed for students who intend to carry out their own research projects. Students will learn to think critically about concepts and principles related to measurement of health outcomes and epidemiology; use comparative reasoning to evaluate health risks and benefits from treatment in the fields of occupational, environmental and clinical epidemiology, as well as other branches of study; provide an in-depth critique of methodological issues relating to epidemiological studies; demonstrate successful interpersonal collaborative skills in order to perform in health research and professional contexts; demonstrate effective communication skills (written and oral) for a scientific audience; and, demonstrate responsible use of individual and societal values and ethical principles in personal, scientific and professional contexts.
SPPH 504 (3) Application Of Epidemiological Methods (Trad)
SPPH 504 (3) Application Of Epidemiological Methods
The purpose of this course is to apply core epidemiological concepts and develop practical skills in data management, data analysis, and presentation of findings for publication and research protocol development. Students will learn to: access Statistics Canada public-release survey data files via the UBC Research Data Centre and associated resources; analyze a research question using the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS); develop a research protocol using CCHS survey data that includes formulating specific research questions, a study design and analysis plan, a strengths and limitations section and a knowledge transfer/communication plan; and write a journal article suitable for publication based on findings from CCHS analysis. Prerequisites: SPPH400, SPPH500, SPPH502, SPPH503, SPPH505
SPPH 505 (3) Scientific Basis for Epidemiologic Thinking (Trad)
SPPH 505 (3) Scientific Basis for Epidemiologic Thinking
The main focus of this course will be on exploring what 'scientific reasoning' is by (1) considering several programs for the evaluation of various types of hypotheses, and (2) contrasting these programs with other types of evaluation. In addition, we will consider some ways in which ethical considerations in scientific research can help or hinder the evaluation of hypotheses. By the end of the course, students should be able to evaluate media and lay scientific reports of scientific research and claims using the programs discussed, and have a grasp of their usefulness as well as their limitations.
SPPH 510 (3) Measurement In Health Research (Trad)
SPPH 510 (3) Measurement In Health Research
This course is intended to provide students with an understanding of the basic concepts and methods of measurement in health research. Lecture topics include: measurement error, reducing measurement error and its effects, validity of psychometric measures, measuring change, questionnaire design and administration, multi-item scales, introduction to health preference assessment, and item response theory.
SPPH 511 (3) Cancer Epidemiology (Trad)
SPPH 511 (3) Cancer Epidemiology
This course will provide opportunities for the student to acquire an understanding of the current evidence regarding the etiology and prevention of cancer; acquire an understanding of current issues and directions in cancer epidemiology; gain a basic understanding of molecular and genetic cancer epidemiology; and, be able to review and critically appraise epidemiologic studies of cancer. Lecture topics and in-class discussions include: cancer biology, genetic cancer epidemiology, occupational cancer epidemiology, environmental cancer epidemiology, lifestyle factors and cancer epidemiology, gene-environment interactions, cancer screening and early detection, communication of risks, cancer economics and evaluation, and cancer control.
SPPH 512 (3) Design and Analysis of Clinical Trials (Trad)
SPPH 512 (3) Design and Analysis of Clinical Trials
This course focuses on pertinent issues in the conduct, design and analysis of randomized clinical trials. Methods for enhancing the internal and external validity of trials will be discussed, and common pitfalls will be examined with reference to studies in the literature. Topics include selection of study populations, methods for calculating study sample size, definition and evaluation of outcomes, common statistical issues involved in the evaluation of trials, ethical issues in trial design and methods for evaluating and summarizing previous research. Although many of the examples used involve trials of pharmaceutical agents, the course is broad in scope and has applications to non-drug interventions. The analytical section of this course requires a basic understanding of statistics but dwells more heavily on conceptual issues involved in evaluating the results of studies.
SPPH 515 (3) Surveillance and Monitoring in Public Health (Trad/DL)
SPPH 515 (3) Surveillance and Monitoring in Public Health
This course is intended to provide students with a strong foundation in public health surveillance of both infectious and non-infectious diseases. The course will teach the theory and practice of surveillance supported by examples of surveillance systems from the developed and developing world. Students will be given the opportunity to design and evaluate a surveillance system. Students will learn to: describe the basics of public health surveillance; describe examples of surveillance systems in different geographic areas and public health situations; design and evaluate a basic public health surveillance system; describe the application of surveillance to public health disaster preparedness and response; and describe how surveillance data may be used to inform public policy.
SPPH 516 (3) Systematic Overviews (Trad)
SPPH 516 (3) Systematic Overviews
The focus of this course is systematic overviews involving clinical questions that are addressed through randomized controlled trials and observational studies. Students will learn to: become aware of the appropriate methodology for the completion of systematic overview; be familiar with the various mechanisms for searching the published literature and also retrieving unpublished literature; and be introduced to statistical techniques required for the completion of systematic overview. Lecture topics include prognosis, etiology, diagnosis, therapy, tests, and economic reviews.
SPPH 518 (3) Mathematical Modeling of Communicable Diseases (Trad/DL)
SPPH 518 (3) Mathematical Modeling of Communicable Diseases
This course offers an introduction to the application of mathematical models in understanding communicable disease dynamics, control, and the interpretation of model outcomes, modeling methods and their applications. The emphasis will be on developing a conceptual understanding of the basic methods required to build mathematical models and their applications. The conceptual aspect of each method will be accompanied by small, practical computer projects designed to demonstrate the application of each model and to facilitate discussions. These projects may be completed either individually or within small groups.
SPPH 519 (3) Qualitative Methods in Health Research Design (Trad/DL)
SPPH 519 (3) Qualitative Methods in Health Research Design
This course will provide students with the opportunity to examine the purposes, context, procedures and relationships within qualitative health research and methodologies. Also included are the components and testability of research propositions, issues of measurement and research design, ethical considerations in research profiles and difficulties of multidisciplinary/community based research collaborations. The feasibility, rationale and implications of research problems relating to the student’s thesis are explored, as are relevant data collection and analytic procedures. Emphasis in the course is placed upon experiential learning.
SPPH 520 (3) Control of Communicable Disease (Trad)
SPPH 520 (3) Control of Communicable Disease
This course is an introduction to the unique features of infectious disease epidemiology and the methods of investigating outbreaks and managing problems in infectious diseases control. The epidemiology of viral, bacterial and parasitic infections will be discussed, with particular emphasis on immunization programs.
SPPH 521 (3) Socio-Economic Factors in International Health (Trad)
SPPH 521 (3) Socio-Economic Factors in International Health
Sociobiologists believe humanity's problems are caused by hierarchical social structures, from family to tribe to empire, resulting in inequity, conflict and environmental destruction. This course argues that the key driver is male competition for dominance in physical and social power. Through trade and conflict, this force has destroyed all past civilizations and is driving our present global community toward collapse. This course addresses such issues to identify causes and explore solutions. The design is interdisciplinary and synthetic. Problems are discussed in seminar format after preparatory reading. Past and present interventions that aim to reduce sickness, disability and premature death will be reviewed, as well as where and why they have been effective, useless or damaging. Students will be encouraged to suggest solutions of their own.
SPPH 522 (3) Topics in Environmental Health (Trad)
SPPH 522 (3) Topics in Environmental Health
This course covers environmental health topics of importance to the public health practitioner. Environment is approached as one of the determinants of health for individuals and human populations. Exposures to chemical, microbial and radiation hazards from air, water food and solid waste are considered. Global climate change and sustainability are included as overarching issues. The course emphasizes prevention rather than treatment of human illness. Consideration is given to measures and programs currently in place in Canada to address risks from environmental hazards and their effectiveness.
SPPH 523 (3) Global Health and Human Security (Trad)
SPPH 523 (3) Global Health and Human Security
Good health is both essential and instrumental to achieving human security. But as we enter the 21st century, about half the world’s people, especially children and women, are being left behind. This seminar examines critical issues in global health that are fundamental to achieving human security - but which are generally outside the scope of international security studies. Topics include poverty, equity and non-medical determinants of health; global change and infectious diseases; issues in environmental health; conflict and weapons of mass destruction, war and public health; genocide and peace through health initiatives. This course is experimental in that students will be expected to tackle new and different problems through a combination of readings, individual research, team projects, and class simulation exercises. Through guest lectures, there will be exposure provided to different perspectives.
SPPH 527 (3) Social Determinants of Health (Trad/DL)
SPPH 527 (3) Social Determinants of Health
It is now generally accepted that a variety of personal, social and economic factors influence health status. There is, however, still a great deal of debate about what the specific or most important influences are, and the mechanisms or pathways by which health is either damaged or promoted, and whether and how these factors can be influenced by public policy. This course will provide an introduction to some of the foundational thinking that has given rise to the concept of population health and an overview of the current state of research related to the determinants of health.
SPPH 528 (3) Rural and Remote Health (Trad/DL)
SPPH 528 (3) Rural and Remote Health
This course studies issues and solutions to delivery of health services to underserved rural populations. Students will become familiar with the unique challenges of disease surveillance, provision of health care, and health monitoring in rural areas. Prerequisites: SPPH 400, 502; Co-requisite: SPPH 500
SPPH 530 (3) Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology (Trad)
SPPH 530 (3) Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology
This course will focus on two areas. First, it will examine some of the issues that differentiate occupational and environmental epidemiology from other sub-fields of epidemiology. Second, it will focus on the specific challenges associated with planning and executing an occupational or environmental study, with a special emphasis on conducting studies in BC. This will be done through a series of discussions of BC studies with the investigators who designed them. This course will also prepare students to perform effectively in the following areas: evaluate an occupational or environmental health problem from the perspective of determining the most effective research study design; plan a feasible research study; anticipate potential problems with respect to design (operational definitions of exposure and outcome, bias, confounding), practical implementation of the study; and, analysis.
SPPH 531 (3) Occu. and Env. Exposure Assessment Methods for Epidemiology (Trad)
SPPH 531 (3) Occupational and Environmental Exposure Assessment Methods for Epidemiology
Topics covered in this course include the following: distribution of occupational and environmental exposures; log-normal distributions and their characteristics; effect of exposure misclassification; recall bias; measures of validity and reliability; quantitative exposure assessment; airborne exposures; dermal exposures; biological monitoring; pharmacokinetics; exposure modeling; determinants of exposure studies; qualitative exposure; assessment methods; questionnaire methods; proxy reporting; occupational history taking; occupational and industrial coding; job-exposure matrices; exposure self-reports; assessments by experts; handling missing data; and, optimizing exposure-response relationships.
SPPH 532 (3) Env. and Occu. Human Health Risk Ass. and Risk Communication (Trad)
SPPH 532 (3) Environmental and Occupational Human Health Risk Assessment and Risk Communication
This course is about developing and practicing skills for evaluating, prioritizing, quantifying and communicating environmental (community or workplace environments) risks to human health in challenging settings. At the end of the course, participants should be able to: define environmental human health risks; distinguish between hazard and environmental human health risks; identify community and other stakeholders in environmental and occupational hazard settings; develop a strategy for integrating stakeholders in environmental hazard assessments; develop a strategy for prioritizing hazards; conduct both quantitative and qualitative human health risk evaluations; and, develop and implement a risk communication strategy.
SPPH 533 (3) Occupational & Environmental Toxicology (Trad)
SPPH 533 (3) Occupational & Environmental Toxicology
This course is intended as an introductory toxicology course. The emphasis is on principles and applications of toxicology and the toxic responses of organ systems. Examples will be chosen from toxic agents of importance in the workplace and community. Students will: become familiar with basic principles of toxicology and be able to apply them in the workplace and community; be able to demonstrate an understanding of the mechanisms underlying; processes such as carcinogenesis and teratogenesis; understand and give examples of toxic responses of major organ systems affected by toxicants in the workplace and community.
SPPH 535/OCCH 501 (3) Fund. of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (Trad)
SPPH 535/OCCH 501 (3) Fundamentals of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
The purpose of this course is to introduce students from a variety of undergraduate backgrounds to the science of hygiene, a specialized discipline within environmental health. Occupational hygiene is practiced within workplaces, while environmental hygiene is practiced in the community, or general population. The student will be introduced to the classic hygiene science triad of recognition, evaluation, and control. The course will challenge students to think creatively about means to prevent hazardous exposures. Students will also demonstrate their ability to critically evaluate peer reviewed scientific literature and other publications or policies relevant to hygiene practice; and, incorporate vocabulary and content to be able to effectively interact with professional hygienists to help solve occupational and environmental health problems.
SPPH 536 (3) Aboriginal People and Public Health: Ethics, Policy and Practice (Trad/DL)
SPPH 536 (3) Aboriginal People and Public Health: Ethics, Policy and Practice
Differences in health outcomes between Aboriginal people and Canadians are unacceptable and there is a paucity of public health professionals capable of addressing the needs of Aboriginal communities. Advancing understanding and accountability in public health ethics, policy and practice for students in the field of Aboriginal public health is essential for successful, long-term improvements in health outcomes. The content of the course will include addressing the experience of colonization, the Indian Act, the histories and intergenerational impact of the residential school and child-welfare systems, communicable disease prevention, the challenge of ethical public health practice, and using traditional healing and ceremonies for early intervention. Students will gain greater understanding of Aboriginal health and will gain skills for becoming socially aware, self-reflective health professionals.
SPPH 537 (3) Perinatal Epidemiology (Trad)
SPPH 537 (3) Perinatal Epidemiology
The student will: become familiar with recent secular trends in perinatal morbidity and mortality and understand the contribution of social determinants, as well as appreciate challenges in predicting risk, and identify strategies for cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of pregnancy outcomes; be exposed to the epidemiological patterns of common congenital malformations; develop a perspective of the relative importance of intrinsic factors and extrinsic factors in major maternal newborn health problems; evaluate screening programs; and quantify the contribution of health services in improving maternal/newborn morbidity and mortality. The student will undertake a large data set analysis, develop a research proposal, acquire and analyze data, and write the first draft of a manuscript. Prerequisites: SPPH 502, SPPH 400. Co-requisite: SPPH 500.
SPPH 538 (3) Ethics in the Practice of Public Health (DL)
SPPH 538 (3) Ethics in the Practice of Public Health
The practice of public health presents an array of ethical challenges. These dilemmas impact individuals, groups, and populations. The ability to identify and confront ethical choices is an important tool in the practice of public health. Whether deciding which health inequalities should be prioritized for redress, determining the best allocation of scarce health resources or whether, how, and to what extent we should accord personal responsibility for health outcomes, ethical choices abound in the practice of public health. Furthermore, emerging technologies, particularly in the field of neuroscience, are creating new public health ethical challenges. This course will explore several of the key ethical themes that arise in the practice of public health and will examine them using ethical theories and empirical data.
SPPH 539 (3) Epidemiology of Aging and Chronic Diseases (Trad)
SPPH 539 (3) Epidemiology of Aging and Chronic Diseases
The goals of this course are to help students become familiar with current knowledge on issues related to chronic disease and aging. The course will focus on current population and health trends from a national and international perspective; theories of aging and chronic disease states, the disablement process and dependency; the role of social determinants of health in aging and chronic disease; and special topics related to aging and chronic disease. Within each module the student will learn about methodological issues regarding designing of epidemiological research, assessment, and analysis of data. Prerequisites: SPPH 502, SPPH 524
SPPH 541 (3) Health Services Research II: Economic Evaluation (Trad)
SPPH 541 (3) Health Services Research II: Economic Evaluation
In their individual roles as managers in health care institutions, administrators in the Ministry of Health or Health Regions, clinicians in primary or tertiary care settings or as health service researchers, individuals are increasingly faced with the task of having to justify their decisions with respect to the choice of treatment drug, diagnostic test and hospitalization strategy according to the cost-effectiveness of the intervention. Health policymakers are equally burdened with the necessity to rationalize funding decisions. Economic evaluation of health interventions provides an approach/algorithm for responding to such resource allocation problems and is based on the concept of maximizing the health benefits accruing from finite health care budgets.
SPPH 542 (3) Issues in Canadian Health Care Policy (Trad/DL)
SPPH 542 (3) Issues in Canadian Health Care Policy
This is a course about Canadian health care policy and the forces that shape it. By the end of term, students will know the basic history and structure of the Canadian health care system; they will also understand how ideas, interests, and institutions influence major policy debates. Students will demonstrate their ability to analyze health care policy by writing a term paper on a topic of their choice. Seminars will combine themes in public policy analysis with specific issues in Canadian health care, and will involve lecture content, student participation, and group discussion.
SPPH 543 (3) Outcome Eval: Health Tech. Ass. for Population Health Policy (Trad)
SPPH 543 (3) Outcome Evaluation: Health Technology Assessment for Population Health Policy
This course will provide the opportunity for students to: become familiar with the framework and methods used for conducting health technology assessment; develop an understanding of the issues associated with gathering and appraising the quality of available research; develop an understanding of the social, ethical and political issues affecting technology diffusion; develop an understanding of health system features associated with using health technology assessment in policy-making decisions; and, apply the knowledge acquired to the critique of published research and systematic reviews of the literature. Prerequisites: SPPH 502 or equivalent social scientific training and planning, management or policy-making experience.
SPPH 545 (3) Social Science Concepts in Health Promotion Research (Trad/DL)
SPPH 545 (3) Social Science Concepts in Health Promotion Research
This course draws upon theories and concepts from social/behavioural sciences as applied to health promotion and population health research. The objective is to increase awareness of, and skills in applying, selected social science concepts in analysis of health promotion problems, assessment of needs in specific populations, and planning of programs. Lecture topics will include: Precede Model as an organizing framework for health promotion programs; theories and models and their purpose in health promotion; principles of health education and health promotion; and, a review of major models in behaviour change and health promotion.
SPPH 546 (3) Community Health Promotion: Practice (Trad/DL)
SPPH 546 (3) Community Health Promotion: Practice
Community Health Promotion has changed a great deal during the past three decades. As we enter a new millennium, this course offers students a chance to take a look in the "rear-view mirror" on their way to the future. Lessons learned from previous experience will be reviewed critically and then applied to current contexts. A variety of methods will be used during the course, including lecture, small group work, seminar-style discussion, in-class projects, and presentations. Students will also have the opportunity to interact with field-based experts to get "insiders' perspectives" on community health-promotion practice in action.
SPPH 548 (3) Health Services Research Methods (Trad)
SPPH 548 (3) Health Services Research Methods
This course introduces the basic methods for undertaking health services research studies. These include: concepts and theoretical frameworks for assessing health services and systems; basics of research design including quasi-experimental approaches, measurement reliability and validity; common data sources used in health services research; measurement of health status; assessment of quality of care; measurement of effectiveness and outcomes, risk assessment and risk adjustment; measurement of access, continuity and satisfaction; and strategies for knowledge translation to support decision-making. Students will learn to critically examine health services research studies and develop designs for research proposals. The class is designed to be complementary to departmental courses in epidemiology, measurement principles, program evaluation, and economic evaluation.
SPPH 555 (3) Principals and Practice of Injury Prevention (Trad/DL)
SPPH 555 (3) Principals and Practice of Injury Prevention
This course will provide students with a basic understanding of the theory and practice of injury prevention and control, including the essential tools needed to develop and implement effective injury prevention and control programs. The goal is to ensure that students have the ability to work with individuals, communities, and organizations to help others lead safer lives. The course content has been designed to prepare students for the responsibilities they will acquire when entering an academic, research or health care delivery work setting. Throughout the term, students will learn from the practical experiences of the instructor, guest speakers, and fellow students.
SPPH 580B (3) Selected Topics in Pharmocepidemiology (Trad)
SPPH 580B (3) Selected Topics in Pharmocepidemiology
The main objective of this course is to familiarize students with principles of pharmacoepidemiology. The course focuses on the main pharmacoepidemiologic topics including cohort studies, case-control studies, confounding, bias, administrative databases and drug interactions. The course has both a lecture and discussion based format. Students interested in pursuing graduate work in pharmacoepidemiologic studies or are interested in learning how to critique pharmacoepidemiologic studies may benefit from taking this course.
SPPH 581E (3) Epidemiological Methods in Mental Health: A Population and Public Health Approach (DL)
SPPH 581E (3) Epidemiological Methods in Mental Health: A Population and Public Helath Approach
The main objective of this course is to familiarize students with principles of pharmacoepidemiology. The course focuses on the main pharmacoepidemiologic topics including cohort studies, case-control studies, confounding, bias, administrative databases and drug interactions. The course has both a lecture and discussion based format. Students interested in pursuing graduate work in pharmacoepidemiologic studies or are interested in learning how to critique pharmacoepidemiologic studies may benefit from taking this course.
SPPH 580F (3) Tobacco and Health: from Cells to Society (Trad)
SPPH 580F (3) Tobacco and Health: from Cells to Society
This course will provide students with a comprehensive overview of tobacco and tobacco-related issues from a public health perspective. The course focuses on patterns, determinants and health effects of tobacco use, the causes, impacts and interventions regarding nicotine addiction, and the prevention of tobacco use. Topics will include epidemiology, nicotine addiction, genetic factors, determinants, health effects, social and economic impacts, treatment issues, prevention, and program and policy issues. Students will be exposed to experts in the field who bring real world experience in tobacco control in addition to academic expertise. Videoconferencing technology will be utilized so that students from both the University of Toronto and the University of Waterloo can take this course.
SPPH 581F (3) Mental Health and Addictions (DL)
SPPH 581F (3) Mental Health and Addictions
This course will focus on knowledge and skills necessary to work with vulnerable
populations, particularly homeless people, substance using pregnant women,
and Injection Drug Users. The course will describe the nature of severe addiction
and mental illness and its relevance to public health. Its aim is to provide students
with core knowledge and understanding of different behavioural, biological,
historical, medical, and socio-cultural aspects of addictions and severe mental
illness. The clinical and public health options to address the needs of vulnerable
populations will be discussed and assignments are geared toward providing students
with hands-on knowledge and skills to understand and assess the needs
and develop ideas on a system of care for vulnerable populations.
OCCH 502 (3) Chemical and Biological Hazard Measurement
OCCH 502 (3) Chemical and Biological Hazard Measurement
This course will cover industrial hygiene and environmental exposure monitoring, methods, and instrumentation; and theory of atmospheric and biological sampling and analysis. Laboratories will demonstrate workplace sampling and analysis techniques. Prerequisite: OCCH 501 (See SPPH 535).
OCCH 503 (3) Chemical and Biological Hazard Control
OCCH 503 (3) Chemical and Biological Hazard Control
This course will study design and evaluation of control strategies for occupational and environmental exposure. Also included are engineering control methods; design of industrial ventilation systems; substitution and isolation strategies; administrative control measures; and personal protective equipment. Co-requisite: OCCH 501. (See SPPH 535)
OCCH 511 (1.5) Occupational Health and Illness Processes
OCCH 511 (1.5) Occupational Health and Illness Processes
This course will cover common occupational diseases; research issues, historical perspectives; and measurement issues.
OCCH 512 (3) Quant. Methods for the Assessment & Analysis of Exposure Data
OCCH 512 (3) Quantitative Methods for the Assessment and Analysis of Exposure Data
This course will study sampling strategies, analysis of exposure data, and determinants of exposure. Required course. Prerequisite: Introductory statistics or permission of instructor.
MECH 505 (3) Industrial and Environmental Acoustics and Vibration
MECH 505 (3) Industrial and Environmental Acoustics and Vibration
This course will cover fundamentals of acoustics and vibrations, physiologic effects, measurement, instrumentation, interpretation of data, industrial standards, and control. For students in Occupational and Environmental Hygiene; other graduate students may enroll with permission of the instructor. Equivalency: OCCH 515.
