Graduate Course Directory and Schedules

The key culminating step for each MPH student is the Integrative Project (IP). Through the IP, a high-quality written product is produced, which we call the “IP paper.” Through the IP paper, students demonstrate their academic learning and public health practice skills through the synthesis of foundational and program competencies and application of those competencies to complex public health issues. The paper will take the form of a substantial written product such as a program evaluation, policy or economic analysis, grant proposal, health promotion or community engagement program plan, publishable manuscript, or other written product that demonstrates integration of three foundational (one must include Foundational Competency #6) and three program competencies. Appropriate types of written products vary by program, type of practice experience (if the two are integrated), and the student’s career goals. We recommend (but do not require) that the IP paper build upon work conducted in the Practice Experience. For example, students may write a high-quality written paper using the findings from a statistical analysis performed in support of a research project that is separate from their Practice Experience.

More Information About The Integrative Project

An intensive course designed to familiarize students with fundamentals of environmental health from a scientific and conceptual perspective. Topics are considered within multi-causal, ecological, adaptive systems, and risk-assessment frameworks. Includes consideration of biological, chemical, and physical agents in the environment, which influence public health and well-being. Recommended prerequisite: graduate standing.

Slash Listed Courses

Also offered as ESHH 611.

Human health is profoundly affected by the environment in many complex ways. This complexity is further compounded by global climate changes currently taking place. The impacts both now and in the future are likely to include: increased frequency of extreme weather (heat waves, flooding, drought); degraded air and water quality; the spread and/or re-emergence of vector-borne diseases; changes in food safety and food security; and population displacement or civil unrest. The severity of impacts and the affect on burden of disease depends on proactive public health policy and planning at local, national and global scales. This course will provide a basis for understanding why, how and when climate change becomes a public health concern and explore mitigation and adaptation strategies to improve human health and well-being in the future.

This course covers the toxicological aspects of chemicals in the environment as well as risk assessment. Methods for both human health and ecological risk assessment will be presented including hazard identification, exposure assessment, dose-response relationships, risk communication, and toxicity testing. While there are no prerequisites, a good foundation in chemistry and familiarity with environmental science are recommended.

The course provides an introduction to biological processes in environmental systems and the influence of human activities on these processes. Topics include ecology and evolution, population growth, natural resources, and environmental sustainability. In addition to fundamental knowledge in biology, students will demonstrate understanding of environmental inter-relationships and contemporary environmental issues.