Courses and Syllabi

375 Introduction to Public Health. 1 cr. Introduces concepts and methods of epidemiology, health services research, health policy and financing, disease prevention, and public health.  Intended as an overview for undergraduates of all disciplines and who might consider graduate work in population health science. Prerequisite: Junior status or cons inst. syllabus
 

380 Contemporary Population Problems for Honors. (Cross-listed with Sociology, Rural Soc) 3 cr. This course is designed to identify, examine the nature and evaluate the evidence regarding key population problems affecting modern societies in the developed and developing world. The course emphasizes the development of demographic models as a tool to frame, define and investigate these problems. Examples of problems studied include: relations between population growth and environment, population growth and socioeconomic development, population and emergence of new diseases. Prerequisite: Course in college level math; course in college level biology; or cons inst. Open to Freshmen. Sociology Department Homepage
 

471 Introduction to Environmental Health. (Cross-listed with Environmental Studies) 3 cr. Impact of environmental problems on human health; biological hazards to human health from air and water pollution; radiation; pesticides; noise; problems related to food; occupation and environment of the workplace; accidents. Physical and chemical factors involved. Prerequisite: A course in biology; Junior status. syllabus
 

502 Air Pollution and Human Health. (Cross-listed with Environmental Studies) 3 cr. Toxicologic, controlled and epidemiologic studies on major air pollutants. Overview of study methods, lung physiology and pathology; air pollution sources, types, meteorology, sampling methods, controls and regulations. Prerequisite: Junior status, a course in biology. syllabus
 

548 The Economics of Health Care. (Cross-listed with Econ, Public Affairs) 3-4 cr. Analysis of the health care industry. Markets for hospitals and physicians' care, markets for health manpower, and the role of health insurance. Prerequisite: Econ 301, or Public Affairs 880 or cons inst. syllabus
 

551 Introduction to Biostatistics for Population Health. (Cross-listed with BMI) 3 cr. Course designed for population health researchers. Topics include descriptive statistics, elementary probability, probability distributions, one- and two-sample normal inference (point estimation, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals), power and sample size calculations, one- and two-sample binomial inference, underlying assumptions and diagnostic work.  Prerequisite:  College algebra; enrollment in Population Health MS or PhD program or cons inst. syllabus
 

553 International Health and Global Society. (Cross-listed with Med Hist, Hist Sci) 3 cr. Major problems in international health from 1750 to the present. Focus on disease epidemiology and ecology; political economy of health; migration; quarantine; race, ethnicity, and health care; international health research; cross-cultural healing; mental and maternal health; growth of international health organizations. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior status, or cons inst. Med Hist Department Homepage
 

603 Clinical and Public Health Microbiology. (Cross-listed with MM&I) 5 cr. Lecture-seminar sessions. Lectures (44) describe microorganisms of clinical and public health significance. Seminar sessions (14) discuss issues and controversies of specimen receiving and processing, bacteremia, serodiagnosis of infectious agents, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, laboratory management, and novel approaches to detect infectious agents. Prerequisite: MM&I 301 & 302 or equivalent. MM&I Department Homepage
 

621 Introduction to Nutritional Epidemiology. (Cross-listed with Nutritional Sciences) 1 cr. Techniques used to evaluate relationships of diet to health and disease in human populations; integration of knowledge gained with results of animal and clinical studies toward understanding dietary risk or protective factors for disease. Includes advanced diet assessment and basic epidemiologic approaches.  Prerequisite: Statistics 301 or equivalent & Nutritional Sciences 332 or cons inst. Nutri Sci Department Homepage
 

625 Toxicology I. (Cross-listed with Environmental Toxicology, Medicine, Oncology, Pathology, Pharmacology, AHABS, Pharmacy Science) 3 cr. Basic principles of toxicology and biochemical mechanisms of toxicity in mammalian species and man. Correlation between morphological and functional changes caused by toxicants in different organs of the body. Prerequisite: Biochemistry 501 & Physiology 335 or cons inst. Pathology 401 & Pharmacology 401 or equivalent recommended. Toxicology Department Homepage
 

626 Toxicology II. (Cross-listed with Environmental Toxicology, Medicine, Pathology, Pharmacology, AHABS, Pharmacy Science) 3 cr. A course surveying the basic methods and fundamental biochemical mechanisms of toxicity. Toxicity in mammalian organ systems, techniques for evaluating toxicity, as well as mechanisms of species specificity, and environmental interactions (with toxicant examples) are presented. Prerequisite: Environmental Toxicology 625 or cons inst. Toxicology Department Homepage
 

640 Foundations in Global Health Practice. 1 cr. Interdisciplinary course designed to prepare graduate students in the health sciences and related fields, as well as health professionals who are special students, for specific global health field experiences. Prerequisite: Graduate or health professional students; Junior or Senior status, or cons inst. syllabus
 

650 Special Topics. 1-3 cr. Variable content course. Prerequisite: Varies by topic. The Pop Health 650 course number is used for temporary courses. Each section is a distinctly separate course.
 

650 Section 011: Communication Public Health Information Effectively. 1 cr. This one week course is designed to help students improve their ability to communicate with different audiences. From the news media to legislators, and from written to oral communication, students will learn strategies for health communication based on scientific and practical recommendations. Prerequisite: MPH or Grad Students. syllabus
 

650 Section 015: Writing for Scholarly Publication. 1 cr. This course focuses on the study of the development of skills and opportunities that culminate in publishable works in public health and other health science-related professional journals, area-specific journals, cross-disciplinary journals, and other publications. There will be an emphasis on writing, editing, reviewing, and other professional development skills that culminate in the publication in peer-reviewed professional journals and other publishing outlets. Prerequisite: MPH or Grad Students. syllabus
 

650 Section 018: Leadership Principles and Public Health Practice. 1 cr. This course will examine the definitions, background, theoretical foundations and general nature of leadership and leadership styles and practice. Prerequisite: MPH or Grad Students.
 

650 Section 022: Health Insurance and State Reform. 1 cr. This one week course will focus on the state's role in health care coverage, trends in public and private insurance coverage, and current issues and debates about reform nationally and in Wisconsin. Prerequisite: MPH or Grad Students.
 

650 Section 023: Public Health Genomics. 1 cr. This course will provide an introduction to public health genetics; a background in basic genetics, genetic technology, the human genome project, and post-genome challenges; fundamentals of genetic epidemiology; a background in the use of genetics in medicine and health services; an awareness of the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of genetics; and an introduction to policy implications. Prerequisite: MPH or Grad Students. syllabus
 

650 Section 024: Public Health Preparedness. 1 cr. Prerequisite: MPH or Grad Students.
 

650 Section 025: Health Program Planning. 1 cr. This course provides an overview of the concepts and methods useful for planning programs in the context of public health, health care and community health organizations. Prerequisite: MPH or Grad Students.
 

650 Section 026: Public Health and Human Rights: The Case of AIDS Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Africa. 1 cr. This course intends that students understand, apply, and analyze the complex and multi-sectoral, programmatic responses of governments and the private sector and the challenges facing AIDS orphans in Africa. Prerequisite: MPH or Grad Students.
 

650 Section 027: Public Health Ethics. 1 cr. This course will provide an overview of the field of public health ethics, its principles and underlying theories, and how it differs from clinical ethics; consider the effect of law and the State police power as reflected in public health mandates; explore the tensions between individual and collective rights in public health using a variety of topics; explore the allocation of scarce health care resources using pandemic influenza as an example; and examine public health, global justice, and human rights. Prerequisite: MPH or Grad Students. syllabus
 

650 Section 028, 037, 038: Intro to Public Health Seminar. 1 cr. The purpose of this seminar is to introduce MPH students to various aspects in the field of public health.  Students, Faculty, Staff, and Public Health specialists will contribute to the seminar through presentations, workshops, and discussion sessions.  These seminars will serve to familiarize MPH students to the various opportunities the program provides and to facilitate frequent conversation and dialogue between faculty, staff, and students. In addition, various public health speakers will be invited to discuss their areas of expertise and to describe potential field placement sites. Prerequisite: MPH students. syllabus
 

650 Section 029:  Advanced Mental Health Economics. 1-3 cr. This course is a seminar designed for Ph.D. students pursuing dissertation research in health and mental health economics. The seminar emphasizes student contributions in the form of literature reviews and critiques, as well as presentations of student research projects. Topic areas vary each semester; typically one to three major themes are emphasized. syllabus
 

650 Section 030: Health and Disease in Uganda.  2 cr. This course will introduce students to global health challenges and interdisciplinary strategies to address health problems in developing countries with an emphasis on Uganda. The knowledge and skills from these courses will be critical for students who wish to develop a deeper understanding of health problems beyond the boundaries of the United States. syllabus
 

650 Section 033: Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health. 3 cr. Covers the predominant theories to describe, explain, or predict human behavior to address the social and behavioral determinants of health and promote behavior change.  Prerequisite: MPH students, graduate standing, or cons inst. syllabus
 

650 Section 039, 41: MPH Field Experience Seminar. 1 cr. This seminar outlines the policies, procedures and expectations for students undertaking the MPH field work requirement. Students will learn basic field work skills to assist them in the implementation of a MPH field placement project. Prerequisite: MPH students. syllabus
 

650 Section 040: Health and Disease in Thailand. 2 cr. This course introduces students to health and disease in Thailand. Covering topics related to infectious disease and public health, the course takes an interdisciplinary approach, bringing in perspectives from medicine, veterinary medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health and the social sciences. The course provides an overview of Thai culture, presents basic health data, and describes the Thai health system. syllabus
 

650 Section 042: Health Management Policy. (Cross-listed with Physical Therapy)3 cr. This course will cover topics including healthcare system structure, health policy, management and organization, and healthcare reform. syllabus
 

650 Section 043: Evaluating Public Health Programs: An Introduction. 1 cr. This course provides an introductory overview of definitions, theories, approaches, methods and uses of program evaluation in the context of public health and human service programs and policies. Presentation of examples and case studies for discussion from the instructors practice will be emphasized throughout. Prerequisite: MPH or Grad Students.
 

650 Section 046: Culminating Experience. 1-2 cr. Independent study course, where students work closely with their UW Public Health Mentor.  Selection of the topic area should begin in the Public Health: Principles and Practice (POP HEALTH 780) course and be refined over the following terms to have immediate, professional relevance to the student. Didactic and special studies coursework should support this effort, as well as the field work experience. Prerequisite: MPH students and cons inst. syllabus

650 Section 049: Prevention of Overweight and Obesity. 2 cr. In this course, students will focus on overweight and obesity prevention, with a strong focus on pediatric obesity. Prerequisite: Graduate student or student in healthcare professional program; or cons inst. syllabus
 

650 Section 050: Foundations of Healing/Global Healing Traditions. 1 cr. This course will introduce students to the key concepts of the process of healing, with an emphasis in its practical application. The course will focus in understanding the value of the educational (learn it), personal (live it) and professional (apply it) implications of healing that starts with ourselves and then translates into the communities in which we live and work. syllabus
 

699 Independent Reading. 1-5 cr. To gain additional information on specific research problems or advanced training in the areas covered by Population Health staff. Prerequisite: Graduate student and cons inst.
 

703 Quality of Health Care: Evaluation and Assurance. (Cross-listed with ISYE) 1-3 cr. Implementation, oversight and management of quality-oriented activities in health care settings.  Overview of current and historical activities, approaches, and issues confronting health care related to quality assessment, assurance, and improvement.  Prerequisite:  Major or minor in Population Health, or cons inst. syllabus
 

717 Principles of Population Medicine and Epidemiology. 3 cr. Focuses on the basic science of public health and population medicine. Students learn about epidemiologic methods to understand the causes of disease, and evidence-based approaches for disease prevention, early detection and treatment, at the individual and community level.  Prerequisite:  1st year Med student. syllabus

718 International Health Systems. 2 cr. Addresses and analyzes differences in health status and methods of organizing and providing health services in countries with varying levels of development and types of sociopolitical systems. Develops an understanding of the various avenues of international cooperation in health. Prerequisite: Graduate student or cons inst. syllabus
 

740 Health Impact Assessment of Global Environmental Change. (Cross-listed with Environmental Studies) 3 cr. Covers contemporary methods of impact assessment in a framework to address global environmental health threats (e.g., global climate change, deforestation and biodiversity loss, and urban sprawl). Issues dovetail well (but do not overlap) with Introduction to Environmental Health.  Prerequisite:  Graduate student; Population Health 797 or 471; or cons inst. syllabus
 

780 Public Health: Principles and Practice. 3 cr. An interdisciplinary graduate-level course addressing population-based approaches to community health improvement, and features problem-based learning. A focus on contemporary issues; opportunities to work with a public health mentor and lectures by local, state and national figures.  Prerequisite:  MPH student, graduate student, or cons inst. syllabus
 

788 MPH Field Experience. 1-6 cr. The Field Experience is a required component for all students in the Master of Public Health program.  This requirement provides students with practical experience; allowing them to apply and incorporate skills and knowledge learned during their study in a public health setting.  Students participate in a population-focused field experience following the completion of the majority of their coursework. Prerequisite: MPH student and cons inst. syllabus
 

791 Physical Activity Epidemiology. ( Cross listed with Kinesiology) 3 cr. Recommendations for and surveillance of physical activity in the U.S., and associations with health and disease at the population level. Emphasis on measurement techniques, study design and research considerations.  Prerequisite:  Grad student or cons inst. Kinesiology Department Homepage
 

794 Biological Basis of Population Health. 2 cr. This course covers the physiology, biology and biochemistry of selected disease processes deemed to be important to students of Population Health Sciences by virtue of their clinical significance including incidence, mortality and morbidity. Prerequisite:  Graduate student or cons inst. syllabus
 

795 Principles of Population Health Science. 3 cr. Introduces students to the multiple determinants of health including medical care, socioeconomic status, the physical environment and individual behavior, and their interactions. Also covered will be the definition and measurement of population health, economic concepts in population health, and ethical and managerial issues in population health improvement. Prerequisite: Graduate student in Population Health or cons inst. syllabus
 

796 Introduction to Health Services Research. 3 cr. Introduces students to a variety of perspectives, substantive areas and methodological approaches to health services research that provide the foundation for understanding the structure, process and outcomes of the U.S. health care system. Prerequisite: Population Health 795; or cons inst. syllabus
 

797 Introduction to Epidemiology. (Cross listed with Sociology.) 3 cr. Lectures and discussions on design, implementation and interpretation of epidemiologic studies; emphasis on methodologic problems in the measurement of disease frequency, natural history and risk factors. Prerequisite: Graduate student or health care profession student or cons inst. syllabus
 

798 Epidemiologic Methods. 3 cr. The main emphasis of this course is the design and interpretation of epidemiologic studies. The course includes hands-on experience in the evaluation of epidemiologic evidence, the analysis of epidemiologic data, and the discussion of strategies aimed to improve study validity and efficiency. Prerequisite: Population Heath 797; or cons inst. syllabus
 

800 Quantitative Methods in Population Health I. 3 cr. Lectures and small group collaborative labs address: rates and risks and classical analysis techniques for epidemiological studies; ordinary and logistical regression; and survival analysis. Students learn data analysis methods on data-sets from ongoing projects of UW Faculty. Prerequisite: Pop Hlth grad stdt & PopHealth/BMI 551; or cons inst. syllabus
 

801 Epidemiology of Infectious Disease. 3 cr. This course introduces basic methods to studying the epidemiology of infectious diseases and reviews infectious diseases of major public health importance. The course will cover the basics of microbiology, immunology, and laboratory-based methods and the principles of disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, mathematical models of disease transmission, and prevention strategies. The etiology, epidemiology, prevention, and treatment of ancient, modern, and emerging infectious diseases will be examined. Prerequisite: Pop Health 797; or cons inst.
 

802 Advanced Epidemiology: Etiology and Prevention. 3 cr. The course addresses the epidemiological basis for understanding the etiology and prevention of major diseases. Students integrate information about disease patterns, epidemiological methods, and published studies to identify research questions and design a project. Prerequisite: Graduate student, Population Health 797 & 798 or cons inst. syllabus
 

820 Graduate Research Seminar. 1 cr. Research seminar for students in the Population Health graduate program. Presentations by graduate students, professors, public health professionals and experts designed to cover the depth and breadth of research in the field of population health.  Prerequisite: Graduate student in Population Health graduate program.
 

848 Health Economics. (Cross listed with Econ) 3 cr. Health economics issues including demand, supply and pricing, market structure, medical malpractice, technological change, value of life, role of insurance, and other aspects of uncertainty. Prerequisite: Graduate student. syllabus
 

875 Assessment of Medical Technologies. (Cross-listed with Industrial Engineering) 2-3 cr. Basic ideas and tools of cost effectiveness analysis as applied in evaluating medical technologies. Addresses special problems and methods in assessing diagnostic technologies, including ROC analysis, and in measuring health for technology assessment. Uses "classical" and current journal literature. Prerequisite: Graduate student in Population Health & Population Health 797 & 800; or cons inst. syllabus
 

881 Benefit-Cost Analysis. (Cross-listed with LaFollette School of Public Affairs) 3 cr.  This course will present the welfare economics underpinnings for evaluating the social benefits and costs of government activities. Issues such as uncertainty, the social discount rate, and welfare weights will be discussed; case studies from the environmental, social policy, and agricultural areas will be studied. Prerequisite: Graduate student, Pub Affr 818 & 880 or Pop Hlth 875 & at least one course in econ or cons inst. LaFollette School of Public Affairs Homepage
 

900 Quantitative Methods in Population Health II.  3 cr. Principles and applications of regression analysis of observational data with unequal variance, unequal sampling weights, missing observations, correlation between observations and non-normally distributed outcomes, and related statistical methods in population health. Examples use data sets from ongoing population health research. Prerequisite: Graduate student in Population Health & Population Health 795,797, 798, & 800; or cons inst. syllabus
 

904 Special Topics in Epidemiology. 1-3 cr. Variable content course. Prerequisite:  Varies by topic. The Pop Health 904 course number is used for topics courses in Epidemiology. Each section is a distinctly separate course. Courses provide in-depth focus on current areas of epidemiologic investigation.  Each semester multiple modules (e.g., cardiovascular, cancer, infectious diseases, women’s health, international, etc.) will be offered.
 

904 Section 02 Genetic Epidemiology.  2 cr. This course will provide an introduction to genetic epidemiology, particularly genetic association studies. Topics will include a general overview of genetics and Mendelian and complex inheritance. We will discuss the various elements of study design, including definition of study population, participant ascertainment, phenotype definition, selection of genetic markers, determination of the type of biologic sample to be collected for extraction of the DNA, data collection and management, and choice of analytic methods. syllabus
 

904 Section 03 Analytic Methods in Genetic Epidemiology.  2 cr. This course offers a unique opportunity to take part in the international Genetic Analysis Workshop (GAW16 for 2008) (http://www.gaworkshop.org/). The purpose of the GAW is to provide an opportunity for statisticians, epidemiologists, geneticists, and other scientists to interact to address methodological issues in genetic analysis. syllabus
 

904 Section 04 Global Health Epidemiology.  2 cr. The purposes of this course are to explore the relationship between globalization and health and provide students with an understanding of: (a) major indicators and determinants of health and health disparities across populations, from less to more developed countries; (b) the role of epidemiology in developing proven and potential interventions to improve global health and reduce health disparities; and (c) methodological and ethical considerations in international health research. syllabus
 

904 Section 06 HIV/AIDS Epidemiology. 1cr.  This course will provide an overview of the HIV/AIDS pandemic – including a review of the epidemiology, its natural history, strategies for prevention and treatment, and its global health impact with a focus on historically significant milestones as well as promising current and future research. This course includes lectures as well as discussion of research articles and reports.
 

955 Seminar - Physical Activity Epidemiology. (Cross-listed with Kinesiology) 1 cr.  Current research developments in physical activity epidemiology. Prerequisite graduate student or cons inst. Kinesiology Department Homepage